3 Day Wonder 10/16/08 with lots of pics and some advice

[smartkim]

I agree with everyone else that this has been a great report! I thoroughly enjoyed the underwater pictures and would never have thought to do that so I'm glad you posted them! Great job! Can't wait to hear and see more!!

 

[jkmorphew]

I just read through your entire report and it is awesome! We are planning to take a DCL cruise in 2011 and you answered many of the questions I had. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences!

I have one question and I certainly hope it not too crass to ask but how much did you tip per person in your party? We are a party of four and I have no idea how much to budget in starting our trip preparations. Somewhere I read someone say that the tips recommend by DCL on board the ship are almost as much as the cost of the cruise itself. Is that really true? Thanks!

Jennifer

 

[brucechase]

Thought I would answer your question this way since I rarely read the old thread. Per the DCL FAQ, here is the low down on tipping:

Question
What about gratuities?
Answer
It is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service, which you will most likely be treated to in abundance aboard the ship. As a guideline, we suggest the following:

Per Guest per cruise 3-Night 4-Night 7-Night
Dining Room Server $12.00 $16.00 $28.00
Dining Room Asst. Server $9.00 $12.00 $21.00
Dining Room Head Server $3.00 $4.00 $7.00
Stateroom Host/
Hostess $12.00 $16.00 $28.00
Dining Manager Your Discretion
Room Service Your Discretion
Palo Gratuity included
Vista Spa & Salon Your Discretion
Babysitting Gratuity not expected
Shore Excursions Optional;
not included in shore
excursion price.

For your convenience, a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. All gratuities can be charged to your room charge.

It all breaks down to $12 per day per person. So for a family of 4 that is equal to $48 per day (this is divided among the above positions). So at $48 per day for a family of 4, the 3 day cruise equalled $144. Our 7 day cruise was $336 for our family of 4. This is by no means a small amount, but if you plan for it, it isn't too bad. We actually tipped a little more, the 4 day cruise we tipped about $150 and the 7 day we tipped about $350.

 

[jkmorphew]

Thought I would answer your question this way since I rarely read the old thread. Per the DCL FAQ, here is the low down on tipping:


Quote:
Question
What about gratuities?
Answer
It is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service, which you will most likely be treated to in abundance aboard the ship. As a guideline, we suggest the following:

Per Guest per cruise 3-Night 4-Night 7-Night
Dining Room Server $12.00 $16.00 $28.00
Dining Room Asst. Server $9.00 $12.00 $21.00
Dining Room Head Server $3.00 $4.00 $7.00
Stateroom Host/
Hostess $12.00 $16.00 $28.00
Dining Manager Your Discretion
Room Service Your Discretion
Palo Gratuity included
Vista Spa & Salon Your Discretion
Babysitting Gratuity not expected
Shore Excursions Optional;
not included in shore
excursion price.

For your convenience, a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. All gratuities can be charged to your room charge.

It all breaks down to $12 per day per person. So for a family of 4 that is equal to $48 per day (this is divided among the above positions). So at $48 per day for a family of 4, the 3 day cruise equalled $144. Our 7 day cruise was $336 for our family of 4. This is by no means a small amount, but if you plan for it, it isn't too bad. We actually tipped a little more, the 4 day cruise we tipped about $150 and the 7 day we tipped about $350.
__________________
1st Trip Report http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1993791

2nd Trip Report - I need a round tuit.

I NEED A NEW CRUISE SO I CAN PUT A COUNTDOWN CLOCK HERE!

Thanks so much for the answer! Those amounts are manageable and my TA said we could actually add the prepaid gratuties before the cruise so that may be the way to go.

Another question - Do you remember how far in advance of the cruise that you booked the room at the Comfort Inn? We're seven months out from our cruise and the comfort inn website keeps telling me that there are no rooms available under that discount code and then comes back with a much higher price. I just wondered if this is something I need to wait and book until closer to the cruise - just didn't want them to sell out of rooms or anything since we'll be traveling during the busy Spring Break period. Thanks in advance!

Jennifer

 

[brucechase]

I would book it now and check back daily for lower rates. You can always cancel at the last minute if the rate doesn't go down low enough for you.

 

[tiarasandcrowns]

Hi,

I love your 3-day TR, we are now going on a 3-day Bahamas cruise on Wonder on Nov 18th 2010 and i use your TR like a reference guide!

I know it has a been a long time and u have done a few more cruises since then, but since i can't find any other TR i am going to follow instructions from this one

I wonder if the comfort suites at Nassau can still be done to use all the amenities at Atlantis.Thanks for all the tips and advices, love it all.

Hey, not sure if you check this anymore, but do you think we will have anytime to do Palo dning on a 3-day cruise? we are first time cruisers, so not sure if we should miss out on parrot cay and go to palo or enjoy PC this time and do palo may be another time.Thanks for any suggestions in advance.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Nice TR! Makes me realize how short and precious our time on our 3 night cruise will be!

 

[brucechase]

Hi,

I love your 3-day TR, we are now going on a 3-day Bahamas cruise on Wonder on Nov 18th 2010 and i use your TR like a reference guide!

I know it has a been a long time and u have done a few more cruises since then, but since i can't find any other TR i am going to follow instructions from this one

I wonder if the comfort suites at Nassau can still be done to use all the amenities at Atlantis.Thanks for all the tips and advices, love it all.

Hey, not sure if you check this anymore, but do you think we will have anytime to do Palo dning on a 3-day cruise? we are first time cruisers, so not sure if we should miss out on parrot cay and go to palo or enjoy PC this time and do palo may be another time.Thanks for any suggestions in advance.

Thanks for the compliment.

Yesm the comfort suites still allows access to Atlantis. That can be confirmed on their website.

As for Palo, it is a wonderful meal. We did both the dinner and brunch on our second cruise and loved it (brunch more than dinner though). The choice to skip a dining room is totally yours. Either way, you will probably miss something nice (either Palo or a wonderful dining room dinner). If you are going to do another cruise, then that might be the time to make up either one. If you have little ones, Palo might be harder depending on their age. Either way, this is an excuse to do another cruise (but try to plan a 7 day cruise - they are SOOOOO much more fun.

 

[tiarasandcrowns]

Thanks for the compliment.

Yesm the comfort suites still allows access to Atlantis. That can be confirmed on their website.

As for Palo, it is a wonderful meal. We did both the dinner and brunch on our second cruise and loved it (brunch more than dinner though). The choice to skip a dining room is totally yours. Either way, you will probably miss something nice (either Palo or a wonderful dining room dinner). If you are going to do another cruise, then that might be the time to make up either one. If you have little ones, Palo might be harder depending on their age. Either way, this is an excuse to do another cruise (but try to plan a 7 day cruise - they are SOOOOO much more fun.

Thank you so much! I will tell my husband to book a second cruise while onboard!

 

[missj1975]

Great report. Thanks for sharing.

 

[mainstreetmagic]

Fabulous TR, Bruce! My daughter and I are going on our first cruise on the Wonder in Feb 2011, and I got some fantastic advice from you. Thank you!

Love-Love-LOVED the idea of the paint chip magnets from Home Depot. I made a beeline over there after work, and grabbed handfuls of paint chips! Can't wait to make door magnets this weekend!

Where is the TR for your 7 day cruise? I would love to read it...

 

[nursebeth03]

So happy I logged on this morning! I throughly enjoyed your TR My family and I will be taking our first cruise Feb. 2012...I'm sooo excited!