A 1st time cruiser needs your help!

[smilingmouse]

I'm going on my 1st cruise on 4/15, and I have lots of questions that I hope you guys can answer for me

1.Is Palio worth the extra charge?
2. Do you need to change money to purchase things at Nassau? If so, where can you change money? What is the exchange rate?
3. How much does it cost to play Bingo?
4. Is there a Hard Rock Cafe in Nassau? If so, does anyone know how to get there?
5. How much do you tip roomservice?
6. What is the adults-only pool like?
7. Can you mail post cards at Castaway Cay? Can you but souvenirs there too?
8. How much are t-shirts/pins and photos on the ship?
9. Is Atlantis worth a visit? I'm not interested in the waterpark, just visiting the resort?
10. What can you find at the straw market? What are the prices like?
11. I've heard that you can get cheap adult beverages to take home on the ship. Is this true?

Please feel free to give me opinions, suggestions, and advice


Thanks in advance!

SmilingMouse

 

[MarkRG]

Originally posted by smilingmouse
I'm going on my 1st cruise on 4/15, and I have lots of questions that I hope you guys can answer for me

I see that
1.Is Palio worth the extra charge?
Yes, Palo's is a bit exceptional compared to the other ones in the dining rotation, which are excellent on their own.

2. Do you need to change money to purchase things at Nassau? If so, where can you change money? What is the exchange rate?
No they use US dollars. And Credit Cards too. Not exactly the third world any longer.

3. How much does it cost to play Bingo?
Not sure, there is a cost, but a big cash pot, too.

4. Is there a Hard Rock Cafe in Nassau? If so, does anyone know how to get there?
It was closed for remodeling the last time we were there, a while ago. It's a few blocks from the dock, easy to find, they will give you a Nassau map onboard.

5. How much do you tip roomservice?
There are tip guidelines you will get with your cruise documentation. I'd say tip the recommended, adjust up or down depending on the service you recieve. We have almost always tipped higher, because of excellent srvice, except for one cruise where we actually tipped the asst server more than the main server, whe the Asst was noticably taking up the slack of the main the entire cruise.

6. What is the adults-only pool like?
Kind of small, but very quiet and pleasant, heated. And 2 hot tubs.

7. Can you mail post cards at Castaway Cay? Can you but souvenirs there too?
Yes, they have a post office next to the dock the ship ties up at, this is one of the few times you will need cash during your cruise for the stamps, however. And yes, they do have Castaway Cay specific souvenirs there.

8. How much are t-shirts/pins and photos on the ship?
Priced like any Disney park for the clothing, I don't remember the photo prices off the top of my head, sorry. One thing to note anything you buy onboard is room charge only, this ship itself is cash free. Only tipping is cash and even then you can charge them to the room too. No additional fees or anything for charging.

9. Is Atlantis worth a visit? I'm not interested in the waterpark, just visiting the resort?
Yes, it is definitely worth a look. Click on Monorgail Green.info at the bottom of this message, and browse the May 4 day and the SS Member Scrapbook for some pictures. You can easily go over yourself, taxi ride is $4 each way right from the dock to their door.

Please feel free to give me opinions, suggestions, and advice
Thanks in advance!
I think I got that reasonably covered. You're welcome!

Feel free to ask any more questions.

 

[smilingmouse]

Thanks for the quick reply! I really appreciate it

SmilingMouse

 

[MarkRG]

You're welcome! You might want to re-read it, as I added some notes I thought of after the fact. Having all the questions in one place is much appreciated. Feel free to make some more.

 

[smilingmouse]

Thanks again for the quick reply! I really appreciate it

SmilingMouse

 

[mickeyboat]

Bingo was $35 for 6 cards for 6 games and $15 for 3 cards. You don't even need a pen or marker, the spaces are perforated and fold down.

Photo prices were 9.95 for 6 x 8, 19.95 for 8 x 10
There are photo packages available
10 6 x 8 for 84.95
15 6 x 8 for 119.95
There is a 20 6 x 8 package but I don't remember the price

Photos are hard to pass up. Don't forget you will probably have the same pictures on your camera. If you stand next to the photographer to take the picture, don't forget to increase your zoom. His pictures are much more close up than yours.

Denae

 

[DisneyTish]

Hey smilingmouse,

I was happy to find your post and see that you will also be cruising on 4/15. There are a few of us 4/15ers chatting on the cruise meet forums - two different threads (come join us). We're having a great time. Thanks for asking such great questions.

MarkRG

About #5, the cruise documentation just says to tip room service "your discretion" but I am with smilingmouse in wondering what that would be.