First time cruiser questions...

GreggG · #1 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2007, 02:42 PM

I will be going on a cruise for my honeymoon in July and it will be my first one....This site has been very helpful so far, but I still have a few more questions that I know sound dumb to veterans, but I'm completely clueless....
1. What is a Sail and Sign card???
2. How does tipping work???
3. Food...What is included/what isn't???

anything else I need to know would be greatly appreciated also. Thanks in advance!!

barb67 · #2 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2007, 02:42 PM

where are u going, and on what ship?

GreggG · #3 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2007, 02:44 PM

Holiday....leaving from Mobile.....going to Cozumel and Calica

msblackjack · #4 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreggG

I will be going on a cruise for my honeymoon in July and it will be my first one....This site has been very helpful so far, but I still have a few more questions that I know sound dumb to veterans, but I'm completely clueless....
1. What is a Sail and Sign card???
2. How does tipping work???
3. Food...What is included/what isn't???

anything else I need to know would be greatly appreciated also. Thanks in advance!!

Sail and Sign card: the cruise ships have their own cards that you use to purchase everything on the ships: drinks, shopping, excursions, tips, etc - the only thing you can use actual cash for is BINGO and the CASINO. to get a sail and sign card: you can use a credit card, cash or debit card for deposit - if using debit card: beware of the hold they auto place on the card; call your bank ahead of time for both credit card/debit cards adn let them know you are crusing; the cruise co will be placing holds and what ports you will be using the card at

TIPPING: tipping is AUTOMATIC, but can be changed either upwards or downwards - the ONLY tip that isn't auto is the MatrieD (the dining room HOST guy); when you buy drinks the tip is factored in each time - this actually saves you cash, cuz most people tip a dollar a drink and they auto tip the 15% - you can pre-pay the general tips for waiter, stewards etc when you purchase your ticket or have them on your Sail and Sign Card

FOOD: all food is included with the exception of a couple of special boutiques, like Ben& Jerry's ice cream and some ships have the surcharge restaurants for a little better? meal - BUT not necessary in my opinion; the dining room food is awesome adn the buffet food is really good. there is also free pizza/salad area towards the rear of the ship that is almost 24hours. the buffett is open for a set number of hours for breakfast; brief closure to set out the lunch menu and then later a brief closure to set up dinner; but I think they serve until about 9:00 pm

GreggG · #5 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2007, 02:52 PM

Wow, very helpful....Thanks a million!! I can't wait to leave....I'm Dying!!

peery4 · #6 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2007, 02:56 PM

1-Sail and Sign-This is used for everything. It is your room key, your ID card and its how you pay for things you buy on board. When you arrive at the port and a start the boarding process all your documents will be checked and you will open an account. Then any purchases you have on board will go onto your sign and sail and at the end of your cruise you pay your account with whatever credit card or cash or whatever. Purchases include alcohol, soft drinks, gifts fro the shops, some gambling such as bingo. etc.

2-Tipping-The last time we cruised Carnival we tipped with cash at the end of our cruise. It is my understanding that tipping is now put on your sign and sail account. You can increase or decrease the tip according to the quality of your service. The reccomended tipping is $10.00 per person per day. This is split up between your cabin steward,waiter,bus boy etc. Apparently they started automatic tipping because some people would stiff the wait staff.

3-Food-The exclusion to freebies are:alcohol, soft drinks, expressos and other special coffee drinks, and meals in the specialty resturants. Otherwise everything else is included in your cruise fare.

Hope this helps.

Congratulations, and have a good time!!

msblackjack · #7 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2007, 02:58 PM

on some of the Carnival ships: your sail and sign card is not your room key; the older ships like the fascination, imagination, inspiration and I believe the Holiday, Fantasy and Ecstasy you get the sign and sail card and also a tan room key card -

bguppies · #8 (**permalink**) April 4th, 2007, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msblackjack

on some of the Carnival ships: your sail and sign card is not your room key; the older ships like the fascination, imagination, inspiration and I believe the Holiday, Fantasy and Ecstasy you get the sign and sail card and also a tan room key card -

Also get a room key on the Sensation....

The older ships also do not have the interactive TV features you hear about on the newer ships...
(dining room menu, order shore excursions, check sign and sail acount totals, etc...)

Bill

adias.angel · #9 (**permalink**) April 4th, 2007, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bguppies

Also get a room key on the Sensation....

The older ships also do not have the interactive TV features you hear about on the newer ships...
(dining room menu, order shore excursions, check sign and sail acount totals, etc...) Bill

Thank you. That explains why I couldn't see our sign and sail totals on the Inspirations TV.