How much clothes to take?

Lux · #1 (**permalink**) May 4th, 2007, 05:54 PM

Hi
We booked a balcony cabin for a two weeks Mediterranean cruise. We are two adults and a child

We have two questions:
Is there enough room in the closets of the freedom class ships? Enough to take clothes for all three of us for swimming, sports, casual and formal nights?

The second question: Our booking is supposed to include all gratuities, but I noticed that not all bookings include gratuities, so how do the ship’s staffs know?

This will be our first cruise.
Thanks for your answers.
Lux

AF1 · #2 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2007, 09:57 AM

Hello, you should have ample closet space. Most people overpack, then don't wear all their clothes. The ship has laundry services which are reasonably priced. You can pack for one week, then have laundry done on ship. Royal Caribbean has tipping policy posted on their website. For a tweleve day cruise you will be tipping your room steward, dining room waiter, ass't dining room waiter, plus matre 'd. There is a daily charge of around $3.50usd per person. Mulitiply the amount by the number of days you're at sea. Also you can have the tips added to your cruise account, or you can pay in cash at the end of the trip. Hope this helps.
Cheers

Lux · #3 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2007, 11:01 AM

Thank you tkerwin for your helpful advice.

Our travel agent (in the UK) insists that tipping is included in the price we paid, so that we do not have to pay anymore. RCI does mention in its brochure that customers can choose to pay gratuities in advance (at the time of booking), which we did.

The question how do the ship’s staff know that we already paid their tips?

Lux

AF1 · #4 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2007, 01:50 PM

The night before u disembark from the cruise you will receive envelopes for tips. If you have already prepaid your tips, go to the pursers desk and ask for a receipt for your tips. Enclose the receipt in your envelopes. You should receive four envelopes. One for your cabin steward, one for the table waiter, the ass't table waiter, and one for the matre d'. Place the receipt showing that you have already prepaid your tips, that way the crew knows they will be getting their tips when you leave. Hope this helps.
Cheers,

Lux · #5 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2007, 02:30 PM

Thank again tkerwin for your helpful advice.
I can see your ship sails next week. Wish you a very nice time.
Lux

ssantow · #6 (**permalink**) May 8th, 2007, 07:26 PM

Best packing advice I ever heard.

Pack everything you think you may need and everything you must have, then take half of it out and leave it home.