I am considering booking my first cruise for March 2012 and I don't know what I don't know. Any tips on what I need to know, or what I should be aware of? Can I pack my own alcohol? If I book online how do I find out if there are hidden fees? The trip is going to stop in Jamaica and Grand Caymans and I am uncertain about leaving the ship; any advice? Thanks in advance.
Celebrity Cruises & Western Caribbean
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Hi Blossom,
Welcome to Fodors. www.cruisecritic.com for detailed ship reviews that are recent. I went out of
San Juan several years ago thought it a cut above the
other lines ata good pricepoint. I quietly pack my own
drinks in to save, I pair with others and set up cheap
driver guides at each port to save.Tips are mandatory
add usually $10-15 per day internet sky high spas special
food all costs extra.Still value cruising is possible
if VERY careful. mpraete@cruiseone.com very helpful
newbie cruise agent for me at good price points.
Have fun!
Typically, you are not allwoed to bring your own liquor but wine is allowed but they will charge you a corkage fee. We don't need a alcohol to have a good time so we never bothered to try to sneak booze on baord. Celebrity wine selction is good but the "amrk-up" is slightly higher than otehr cruise lines.
Depending on the cabin type, daily tip rnaged from $10 to $15. They add it to your bill nightly. They add gratuity to everything you sign (except gift shops)
Most Food is included but not soft drinks and speciality coffees. All shore excursions are not included.
Expect to have small line ups all over the place, emabark, disembark etc.
If you stick around the tourist area, Jamica is realtively safe. They have "peace officers" (or better known as Tourist cops) to make sure the vendors don't get too aggressive with the toursits as it would be bad for business.
Grand Cayman is very safe. Don't feel obilgated to use teh ship's excursion desk. You can easi;ly get off ship and walk around. Grandcayman is a tender port.
You will receive a "cruise card" once you get on board and that's your ID as well as credit card on board. It is also your ID to get back onboard the ship.
Feel free to ask any questions and I am sure people will provide answer.
If you are concerned about safety in Jamaica, take one of the ship excursions. The main thing to remember about agressive vendors anywhere is NO EYE CONTACT AT ALL. If you look them in the eye they think that means interest. Just pretend they are not there and walk on. It becomes easier the more you do it. By all means do get off the ship - the islands are different and IMHO lovely and worth seeing. As far as alchol is concerned, you can control how much you drink or spend, there are daily "specials". You can purchase a bottle of wine and any that is left is put away for the next time you want it - just give them your stateroom number. What is included and what is not is well spelled out on Celebrity's website or brochures.
Celebrity now has an pre-pay alcohol plan. You can find the specific details on their web-site. It you drink more than 4 alcohol drinks per day as well as sodas and coffee drinks it's probably worth it.
We just returned from a land vacation in Ocho Rios a few days ago. I have to admit the vendors are way more aggressive than in Negril. Just don't talk to anyone, look at them or touch anything. Don't let them put items in your hand or hats on your head. At Dunn's River Falls a vendor told DH that his carving of a turtle was free and to take it. Well it's not free and he wouldn't take it back. I was not going to pay for it so I just sat in on the ground and walked away. I can be just as agressive as they are, but some people aren't.
Definately get off the ship and do a tour. We went to the Coyba Gardens, Mahoe Waterfall and Shaw Park Gardens. Gorgeous. We live in West Texas so never get to see beautiful foliage and waterfalls like that. There were no vendors at those attractions. We also did the rafting on the Martha Brae. Also gorgeous. Don't let the inconvenience of dealing with pushy sales people throw you off from experiencing a beautiful Island.
Grand Cayman is very safe. No vendors there at all. The main attraction is swimming with the sting rays. Other options, is an Island tour, bontanical park or Sea Grape Beach. Georgetown has lots of tourists shops and restuarants. Walking around and checking it out is a great way to spend part of your stay.