Someone explain
 

Hello All You Friends of the Sea<BR><BR>We are about to take the plunge and take a<BR>10 day cruise on RCL.<BR><BR>I need some helpful tips...sounds like you all have some great advise. <BR>Could some please explain the tipping...<BR>and isn't all food and beverages included??<BR><BR>Thanks

The tips are added to your bill. The guidelines are listed in our brochure and in your final docuents.<BR><BR>All food is free including the room service food. You should tip a dollar or two for room service delivery.<BR><BR>All liquor cost is added to your bill. At the buffet RCCL only has iced-tea and punch that tastes like Kool-Aid. At one time at dinner RCCL put a pitcher of cola on your table but that was discontinued. Now (on the last ship I sailed) they were giving individual glasses to those that asked and refilled if you desired. Problem is you do not know if you are getting your same glass back. I beleive there are many complaints about this practice.<BR><BR>You can buy a soda card or a liquor card at the beginning of the cruise at any bar. You will save a little money.<BR><BR>This is just a brief summary.<BR><BR>Paul

Please clarify something for me. On RCCL's Rhapsody last spring, a couple of folks ordered a soft drink at lunch or dinner and I never saw anyone having to sign for it

(I shall continue)<BR>This was just in the dining room. THEN, on the Grandeur recently, if you ordered a coke in the dining room you got a slip to sign with it. <BR><BR>And it seems that I read on this site that cokes were free in the DR on RCCL. I guess that is no longer the case, or does it depend on the ship or staff?

Royal Caribbean no longer serves free soft drinks in the dining room. The cook card that you can purchase is not cheap either. On our 7 day cruise this summer it was $33.00. On our 7 day cruise on Princess, it was $17.00.<BR><BR>On my last RCCL cruise (this summer), we still paid tips the traditional way. You could add it to your bill but it was not automatic. Not sure if this has changed.

You might want to check out the cruisecritic travel boards too. A lot of info there.

So even with meals you still pay for soda?? YIKES, we're going on NCL Sun. They probably have the same policy, right?

We are leaving in several weeks on RCCL and in the cruise info and documents it says sodas are not free period. Not even in the dining room. They are $1.25 a glass or $1.50 for a can. Free is iced tea, coffee, and water. You can purchase an card for the week, I think $39.00 for an alcohol card and this entitles you to 12 drinks. That sounds like a better way to go. The cards.

I know RCCL discontinued the pitchers in the dining rooms last year but when I was on the Nordic Empress last summer they did offer the free glass, refillable. On the Voyager and Explorer there was nothing and only iced tea and water at the buffet.<BR><BR>Paul

I was just on the Voyager of the Seas 1/5-1/12 and my husband and kids did not pay for sodas that were with dinner and the waiters brought more without asking when they saw the glasses were empty.

Sodas at meals---just purchase the soda card or pay $1.25 for the 1st glass with free refills.<BR> For more info on soda/drink cards see Royal Caribbean website under FAQ.

I did not like the system where they refill glasses. The waiter picks up all the glasses on the table. Who know whether you get your same glass back. Rather than follow him to his serving station. I just ordered and paid for my can of coke.<BR>$1.50 plus tax is no big deal.<BR><BR>Paul

Anyone know the soda policy in the diningroom on NCL ships?

Paul $1.50 plus gratuity is no big deal, unless you're paying for an entire family several times a day, then it tends to add up.

First you have to calculate the approximate number of soft drinks each family member will drink during the day. You can also buy a small bottle for $2.25 plus tip and split it. Then you have to check the price of the soft drink card. Go with the best way.<BR><BR>Paul