Manage your gratuities carefully – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

Any cruise virgin should be told BEFORE going on a cruise that many cruise lines automatically slap you with gratuity charges.

Different cruise lines have their own “tipping guidelines” that they use to charge you. Most charge on a per person/per day basis. With all of the people that expect to be tipped, this can get really pricey — especially for large families.

Cruisers should know that a quick trip to the Purser’s Desk can have those gratuities removed from your bill, and you’ll be free to tip deserving persons accordingly.

Don’t forget your room number – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

This tip is more for the young crowd than the more experienced traveler…

Some cruisers tend to over-indulge in the spirits provided by the clubs found aboard a cruise ship. I have to admit, I was one of those recent graduates enjoying my new-found freedom. I enjoyed it so much, in fact, I couldn’t locate my cabin when closing time came around.

Yes, I was one of the teenagers crawling the hallways of the cruise ship looking for her room. Therefore: I would highly recommend writing your deck and cabin number on some paper — or snapping a photo of your door with your cellphone — before starting the party. After all, the miles of hallways on a cruise ship do look similar.

Get a group together and lower your rate – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

When you’re planning your next cruise, don’t just bring your family — bring your golfing buddies, church group or the whole neighborhood. Most cruise lines offer discounts for groups of eight cabins or more.

In addition to saving money, group cruises are sometimes offered special events, such as a private cocktail reception aboard the ship. And on some cruise lines, the group leader (i.e. you!) gets to sail for free.

Bonus: Your kids will have friends they already know to pal around with in the children’s programs.

Long time in port? Rent a Car! – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

When you’re in a port for an extended period of time, rent a car.

When you have a car of your own, you can not only see the port of call at your own pace, but you can experience the local culture as well.

Additionally, this a less expensive way for everyone in your party to be together. Even the smallest island in the Caribbean has a rental car agency. If you can’t find an car rental agency on the Internet, contact the port of call’s Chamber of Commerce.

Spanish fisherman nets camera lost on cruise ship two years ago

by Scott Carmichael on

Back in October 2008, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory from South Africa were enjoying a cruise on the magnificent Queen Mary 2, making photos of their vessel passing alongside the famous QE2.

When taking their photos, the camera accidentally fell overboard into the Atlantic off the coast of Ireland. Usually, dropping a camera into the ocean means the end of the camera, and the photos stored on it.

To the couples amazement, their camera and memory card were returned to them this week after a Spanish fisherman caught it in one of his nets.

Apparently, Benito Estevez found the camera, and was able to track down where the photos were taken, contacted the cruise line, and managed to reunite the couple with their photos.

Of course, the camera was damaged beyond repair, but the memory card was still in excellent condition, as were the photos stored on it.

Peter Shanks, the CEO of Cunard obviously took good advantage of this fantastic event, and had the following to say:

“In all my years in the travel industry I have never heard of such a heart-warming stroke of luck and we at Cunard are delighted that Mr. and Mrs. Gregory have been reunited with their photos. The images are even more poignant as they depict the last transatlantic crossing of the great QE2 and can never be taken again.”

Kudos to everyone involved – I’m guessing that most fishermen would just throw trash like that away, but to go to this much effort to reunite someone with their photos is a breath of fresh air.%Gallery-71848%