MikeK

i always tip with cash. That way you know they are getting the tip. Bring extra ones and fives on the cruise but you can always get the smaller bills at the cash window of the casino or guest services.

At the start of the cruise we usually give $5 to the baggage handlers (4 bags) $20-$50 extra to the room attendant. $30-$50 to waiter. $20 asst waiter. I don't drink anymore but when I did I gave about $1 a drink. A lot of this depends on how friendly they are and what kind of job they are doing. These people work their ass off. Help them out! I take a large amount of $1s and $5s with me on the cruise for this purpose.

Exactly! Don't concern yourself with what others are wearing. Wear what you feel comfortable, if you are underdressed in Wville21's eyes....so be it

If there is something you like from the MDR menu ask your waiter if it's available and in most cases they will get it for you! The Coastal Kitchen is somewhat flexible.

One other thing is if the mothers name doesn't match the childs name on his birth certificate (remarried etc) then it might be smart to get a paper trail showing why they don't match. It might sound like too much but you don't want to find out at check in that you needed it. You can't have too many IDs. Like most have said ....get at least a passport card but you will still need the permission letter. Good luck! relax and have a good time. t

Ah ha! Now I see why I don't get dressed up on formal night. I don't want to get lobster juice and melted butter all over my suit!

I have never had anything stolen on any cruise. I think if you just hide it out of plain site it would be fine.

If San Juan is your home port for the cruise then they use the industrial side. If San Juan is a cruise stop then they use the Old San Juan dock. We stay in the Old San Juan Sheraton for a 2 night pre cruise. It is right in front of the cruise port.

Sorry ! Didn't mean to sound like I was lecturing. Growing up in Fl my whole life I have seen too many tourist trying to get that instant tan that look like human lobsters. Relax and have a good time. Remember your on vacation so don't stress out by trying to do too much.

If you have never been to the Caribbean or Florida you need to be prepared for the sun. It is a different sun. It can fry an infant very quickly. Bring plenty of infant sunscreen!

If I remember correctly there are only certain lounges and bars that honor the free Diamond drinks at happy hour (4:30-8:00)

On your shopping ventures you might look into what the particular store would charge for shipping your clothes back to Norway. It could be cheaper to ship than the extra weight you would pay the airline

To start with I would like to comment on Norway. Several years go we had a stop in Oslo on a Baltic Sea cruise. We were amazed at the beauty of your country and the wonderful friendly people we interacted with in Oslo. If given another chance I would go back there in a heart beat. It seems like the tipping question was answered well with the tipping chart One thing to add about shopping is to check with the front desk at your hotel. It would also help to ask other personnel at the hotel about shopping. The locals would probably know better than anyone. For your shore excursions I would stick to RC tours. Like someone else mentioned, if your RC tour is late coming back for some reason the ship will wait for you. I don't think you would want the stress of not getting back on time with a private tour. Most of the people on here that use private tours are long time cruisers and know which ones to pick and have been to most of the islands in the Caribbean If you are not big drinkers I wouldn't worry about getting the alcohol package. It shouldn't be anymore expensive than buying drinks on any big vacation I played poker in the military, college, and with guys I used to work with. We played the usual 7 card stud, draw poker, etc. Now it seems that the only poker being played in the casinos is Texas Holdem. The only table game I play on the cruises is blackjack. If you want to play the Texas holdem I would get a "how to" book or research it on the internet before jumping into one of the games Relax and have a good time! Remember your on vacation. Don't try to do too much!

On our last cruise we did the coaster and had no wait time and when we got off we could have got right back on. No wait

Touche!

My daughter took their 18 month old on a cruise last year and they said it was the cruise from hell. He fussed the whole time and they spent a great deal of time in their cabin so they wouldnt ruin other peoples cruise. Everyone with kids knows it can go either way. So be prepared, you could have a little darling or a little monster , all kids handle it differently just like adults.

I m still trying to wrap my head around this, you are flying from Orlando to Ft Lauderdale ? You could drive to Ft Lauderdale the day before the cruise and stay in a Honeymoon suite for the price of the plane ticket. Why take a chance when you live so close?

If you are in a suite you get a free press before formal night. Not in a suite? Then check with your room steward on the cost of a press before formal night. To me it would be worth it not to drag a garmet bag around on the first day.

Like Packercruising said if your going to all the expense of flying to Europe why just a seven day cruise? We did a 12 day Med cruise and a 12 day Baltic cruise with a 5 day precuise in front of both the cruises. Even if you have to sell your first born child go on the longer cruises with a precruise. You wont regret it.

We always like to go to one of the breakfast venues in the morning but the 2nd thing I do when I get up is call room service and order a large pot of coffee to drink while I m getting ready for breakfast. Its also nice to stand out on the balcony and enjoy my morning coffee. The coffee service is free but remember to tip the server. Enjoy and remember your on vacation so relax and have a good time.

Only two?

Like others have said on here it is a good idea when you first get on the ship go to your dining room and check out your table. Since there are three dining floors make sure when finding your table you are on the correct floor, it will tell you what floor and table number on your sea pass card. There will probably be workers getting the dining room ready for dinner that night but feel free to walk in and find your table then when dinner time rolls around that night you wont need a escort to take you to your table. Just walk in and go directly to your table. You and your family will have a wonderful time. Oops.....I would first go eat lunch before it gets too crowded then check out the dining room.

ThyriC made many good suggestions here. I would like to add to the last paragraph. Not wanting to sound paranoid but it is important to keep your hands as germ free as possible considering the large volume of people on a cruise ship. A few things I get in a habit of doing is never passing a disinfecting gel bottle station without getting a small squirt on my hands. It only takes a few seconds to do that and you can rub it in while you are walking to your next fun stop. These gel bottles are all over the ship. When using the elevators use your knuckle instead of your finger tip on the button to choose a floor. If you are using the stairs instead of the elevator dont drag your hands on the stair railing. Walk next to the railing in case you lose your balance and need to grab it. Washing your hands is a bit plus. Dont be so obsessed with this that your ruin your cruise but just be aware of it.

The document thing is important ! If you are on a closed loop cruise (starts and ends at same port) you will need at least a certified birth certificate with the raised seal or stamp. Also you will need a certified copy of your marriage certificate showing your wifes name change. The best ID document to have on a cruise is a passport. Good luck and keep asking questions

If the suitcases seem a little too tight of a fit under the bed just lift the bed a little and slide them under. I have not had a suitcase the wouldnt fit under the bed on any of my cruises. Good Luck and remember your on vacation, dont try to do too much. Relax!