Cruises - formalities???

Question

So.............. do we have to give tips - why? How much (7 day tour with Fred Olsen) and do we have to dress up 'formal' (I have no dresses (nor want to wear any!!) but have paid 1k each for both of us!) - so do we cause offence or hide in cabin to eat (both <40 yrs)... argh!!

Answer 1

If you go to the website....cruisecritic.com.......you will find the answer to anything and more that you would want to know. They have every cruise line listed there and you click on the cruise line you are sailing with and its a fantastic website. Thousands of questions and answer&#039;s are there, they know more then the travel agents, its people that have cruised for years.

No you do not have to dress up on formal night unless going to one of their dining rooms.  They still have the huge buffet for people that want to skip formal night. Also, hamburger and pizza places, you will never go hungry on a cruise ship, many options to pick from.

We never do the formal night, just eat at the wonderful buffet, actually, a lot of people never go to the dining rooms, prefer the buffet everyday.

Answer 2

Tipping protocol is given on the itinerary and is sometimes included in the price.

There is usually only one formal dress night per week on cruises, but most ladies like to wear a nice dress on othe nights, or smart trousers with a nice top.

Why don&#039;t you find out the dress code from the Fred Olsen website?  Seems strange to me that you have booked such a holiday if you have no suitable clothes and have not checked the tipping arrangements.

Answer 3

About tipping-most cruises use a card that you charge everything to on board.  A service charge is AUTOMATICALLY added for waiters, cleaning crew, etc.  You can have this removed before you check out and tip as you wish, otherwise you don&#039;t have a choice on howmuch or to whom.  As far as dress is concerned, I am going on Holland America Line and they say for dinner Smart Casual(slacks and a shirt, not a printed t-shirt).  If there is a &quot;formal night&quot;, just avoid that area at that time.  You can always go to another area of the ship for those few hours.  Have fun!

Answer 4

Serious now. Im 28 and my missus 25. Bin cruising for the last 5 years religiously. love it, its as formal as you want it to be. Fred Olsen!!!! great cruise operator, ive been on the Black Watch twice now, do as much or little as u want, dress up or dress down, tipping is nice as the waiters n porters earn a month wot we earn in a week! ITS YOUR HOLIDAY, your gonna have so much fun!!! lol

Answer 5

Really both are up to you.

Tipping is part of cruising but you don&#039;t have to.  It sometimes seems a lot because it&#039;s saved up to the end of the holiday but it is no different to tipping for service in a restaurant each night you eat out on any holiday.  On cruises, remember you are usually very well looked after by professional and friendly staff...who actually rely on the generosity of their passengers!  You can ask for guidelines on board as to how much is appropriate for the different people - e.g. waiter, wine waiter, cabin staff.

About dress codes - cruise lines differ but, again, it is your holiday and your choice.  You can skip all formal occasions though it is quite nice to dress up, maybe, once on a cruise - perhaps for the Captain&#039;s Cocktail Party.  A dress is not necessary.  Women wear a wide range of outfits. I have always worn vest and pants in a darkish colour plus an &quot;eveningy&quot; sort of jacket - something silky or trimmed with the odd sequin!!!  Men do wear black tie, especially if they own their own suit but many wear a business suit with shirt and (the essential) tie.

You could avoid all formal occasions and eat somewhere more casual where you would dress much as you would at home if going out for a meal.

Enjoy your cruise - in my experience (though not with Fred Olsen) they are worth every penny and are a truly relaxing holiday where you feel very pampered.

Answer 6

First of all as far as tipping some cruiselines charge you automatically to your onboard account, others you have to give cash in envelopes they provide,  other give you the option.  Pretty much all of them give you the option not to tip, but only the cheapest &amp; most classless of passengers take this option.  {keep in mind most of the wait &amp; cleaning staff make only a few hundred dollars US a month)  It&#039;s usually about $10 a day p person.  How much would you spend on tips just going for breakfast, lunch &amp; dinner for a week?  

As far as dressing up,  you don&#039;t really have to go all out if you don&#039;t want to.  If you dont want to wear a dress, dressy black pants with a cute top are fine.  Also the buffet is always casual.

Answer 7

i have just returned on sunday 22nd july from yet another cruise (fantastic i might add) so much better than flying !

our tips for a 2 week cruise= 40.00 cabin steward

                                                  40.00 waiter (table)

                                                  40.00 wine waiter (table)

          and 40.00 for our fav drinks waiter in the night club

we cruise with p&amp;o  and love the formal dress code  as it makes everyone look so good !  but you dont have to dress up? its up too you at the end of the day..  as for tips .. you can tip what you want .. most cruises would expect 1.60 per day per person &lt;&lt;&lt; not much for all that pampering i can tell you..

hope this helps?  

     from a couple of 30 year old addicted cruisers !

Answer 8

Hi,

Cruising is just fabulous and you will have a ball.

Tipping unless stated in the brochure is at your discretion, so if you feel that service was great then do so and they are grateful for any amount given.

All ages cruise and people wear a wide range of evening clothes.

Some love the glamour and go for formal evening wear whilst others dress smartly as you would if you were eating out.

I think shorts and trainers would be not acceptable.

It will be a great holiday and really anything goes ..so enjoy.