I am going on my first cruise in two weeks (Royal Caribbean. Its a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas. I a few questions for those that have been on cruises.
1) We opted for the drinking package (we are going to be lushes on this cruise). When we paid for the package there was a $67 service charge. Does this mean that we do not have to tip for drinks? If we should tip is it customary to tip at the end or per drink?
2) Are you allowed smoke on a cruise? If so is it only in certain areas of the ship?
3) My wife and I are not signed up for any excursions but thought that we might walk around the town where the ship makes port to go to local shops and such. Is that safe in the Bahamas?
Thank you in advance for your help.
That said, we initially opted to just have a bottle of wine for dinner until we realized how easy it was to smuggle booze on at the port of calls. They would x-ray our backpacks and bags for bottle shapes, but we poured it into a Camelback bladder which they did not inspect.
Also, nobody even inspected our carry-ons when we checked in, we could have brought a bomb aboard,and we saw booze bottles in the garbage as the rooms were cleaned, so it was obvious people brought it on initially.
I u8nderstand that other cruise lines are much more rigorous, though.
They have designated smoking areas.
Bahamas are relatively safe assuming you use common sense.
The port in the Bahamas is filled with touristy crap, tons of people trying to sell you stuff, etc. If you're there with other ships it's a nightmare. I'd suggest an excursion or try to make your way across to Atlantis.
Way better $$$ wise than the "drink package".
The Bahamian beer is Kalik
If your on a budget do not eat at the Resort.
Also if you are touring Nassau try the native desert called Guava Duff.
Way better $$$ wise than the "drink package".
They still charge some fee on top of the wine you bring in.
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at the initial boarding to smuggle 2 bottles of liquor on board in our bags. Wine you can bring on board without issue 2 bottle per person.
Way better $$$ wise than the "drink package".
They still charge some fee on top of the wine you bring in.
Maybe they made a change but we did not get charged I just tipped the cleaning lady to place fresh wine and cocktail glasses in the room when she cleaned it in the morning and at night. I could not pay 100 bucks for a bottle of bombay gin.....
We didnt book any excursions. What we did was walk up to one of the local guys who's waiting by the ship, asked how much it would cost to drive us around and show us the island, and then got in (not the most safe but it worked).
Otoh, Atlantis is great fun. If not Atlantis, I would walk down the beach out of town. There's some good places to eat and its peaceful.