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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Cooke
This is the part where I would have a problem. I would bring my own liquor and soft drinks on the ship - walking to the stores from the ports of call
myself. No Taxis, no one to run errands for me, etc. . |
Actually, you are "prohibited" from bringing your own alcohol/soft drinks aboard. When you board, it's just like an airport. You have to go through a
metal detector and again after every time you get off the ship. Not sure if they are x-raying luggage yet.
If you buy bottles of alcohol on shore, they "hold it" for you till you disembark.
Best bet is to get the soft drink package for the ship and get your fill of beer/alcohol on the port stops.....why pay $5 for a beer on the ship when
you can get one off the ship for $1.
No cash transactions on board.......they charge EVERYTHING to your credit card.
[Edited on 1-6-2012 by bajaguy] |
This policy is dependent on the cruise line and the itinerary.
Back before this became an issue, I always looked forward to when the on-board duty free shop opened, and I could buy what I wanted to have in the
cabin for the cruise.
We took a Holland America cruise from Rome in 2000, and were dismayed to find that any alcohol purchases at the on-board store would be held until
disembarkment. AND, passengers were not allowed to bring any shore-bought alcohol on board.
Yet, on a Princess cruise out of Rome that went to the Black Sea, not only was the on-board stuff carryout, but they had no problem with bringing
anything on board from shore.
That said, and in conjunction with a number of other posters, despite it not being related to Baja, the most fabulous cruise we ever took was from
Rome, to Athens, with ports in the Black Sea, such as Yalta. A balcony cabin, with timing that had us enjoying brunch on the balcony as we passed
through Istanbul was memorable.
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8970
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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| Quote: | Originally posted by AmyPNW
Just check out the reviews on your cruise line and ship, what is included in the price and if you like the ports of call. Most of the short Baja
cruises I googled only went to Ensenada and maybe Catalina and the price didn't include taxes and gratuities. |
I was told that a passenger needed to tip the chef, all of the staff, maids, etc. So, I see the $300/2 passenger price doubling with gratuities and
taxes. Drinks and optional dining will add another $100-$200. So, in reality, the hidden prices will combine to just shy of $1,000. Is this correct
in everyones opinion?
Because, for $1,000.00 We could spend a solid week in San Felipe (or more) and feel just as relaxed without being bothered with too many people around
us.
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Islandbuilder
Senior Nomad
Posts: 555
Registered: 11-9-2011
Location: nob
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Mood: bewildered
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Cooke
| Quote: | Originally posted by AmyPNW
Just check out the reviews on your cruise line and ship, what is included in the price and if you like the ports of call. Most of the short Baja
cruises I googled only went to Ensenada and maybe Catalina and the price didn't include taxes and gratuities. |
I was told that a passenger needed to tip the chef, all of the staff, maids, etc. So, I see the $300/2 passenger price doubling with gratuities and
taxes. Drinks and optional dining will add another $100-$200. So, in reality, the hidden prices will combine to just shy of $1,000. Is this correct
in everyones opinion?
Because, for $1,000.00 We could spend a solid week in San Felipe (or more) and feel just as relaxed without being bothered with too many people around
us. |
Ken, that was the point I clumsily attempted to make earlier.
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
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But if you have never been on a cruise, a boat ride would be a new experience, and a new experience is a good thing.
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CortezBlue
Super Nomad
Posts: 2213
Registered: 11-14-2006
Location: Fenix/San Phelipe
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So here is the good news
No timeshare tours!!
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AmyPNW
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 1-4-2012
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I might do a cruise to experience what it is be like. When we have done them, it has made more financial sense to do the cruise rather than try to do
the trip piecemeal ourselves. If you're trying to get a deal, make sure that you will spend less than trying to do the travel, lodging and meals
yourself since you have just bought yourself a big floating hotel with interesting stops along the way. Places like Alaska and the Caribbean often do
well since it takes so many transportation dollars to travel from the mainland and around them anyway. If you live in Southern California and
regularly drive to Baja, a cruise to that destination may not meet the criteria.
To give you a little perspective a reasonable range for a deal is $75-100 per person per day. You might be able to find something for less but read
the fine print and make sure it is a ship you would enjoy being on for a few days. San Felipe, cruise ship, whatever. . . have a good time!
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El Comadante Loco
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Posts: 274
Registered: 6-12-2004
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I am sold on Baja cruises, love them.. I do not shop on board for anything but again I don't shop. I put my booze in my suit case and have not had a
problem yet and if I do all they do is take it away and give it back to you at the end of the cruise,
Once in port, I buy soda in the 2 liter bottle bring on board and again no problem.. If you like you can spike your soda with rum..
I tip for service and do not allow the cruise line to add it to my bill automatically All you have to do it to tell the front office to remove it from
your bill..
I always tip my steward and dinning room staff well but again I tip for service.. The cruise lines should be ashamed of themselves for paying slave
wages to their staff.. I have told them so and have also said that they should pay a fair wage for all those staff who work hard behind the scenes.
I would gladly pay the additional cost of the cruise for staff wages.
Now back to my point about tipping when the tip is automatically added to your bill it takes the service aspect out of the equation and you end up
paying for good as well as poor service.
The primary reason I love the Baja cruises is simple it is to fish for 3 days and it's much cheaper than flying, hotel and purchasing meals for the
week. Only one big problem, you can not bring your catch on the ship though I have smuggled 2 kilos of fresh Yellow Fin tuna, we caged in Puerto
Vallarta, on board for shikimi, I think that is how you spell it.. I cruise to fish...
Enjoy
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
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There may come a time in the future when your grandkids might ask, "Grampa, what was it like to go on a cruise back when people went on boats just for
fun?"
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8970
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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| Quote: | Originally posted by CortezBlue
So here is the good news
No timeshare tours!! |
In Santa Marta del Rodadero, Colombia, I was dumb enough to get sucked into one of these offers. I was with a friend, and we wanted to stay at a
particular hotel - which was unknown to us, was converted into a timeshare, but was listed in the Lonely Planet - Colombia guidebook as a hotel.
This is infamous Lonely Planet guidebook that made the news. Anyway, we were taken to this hotel and promised a free return trip - wrong. The boiler
rooms and the pressure were no joke.
I would never subject myself to one of these hard-sells again.
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
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My father told me that when he was a kid, he would go to the Sutro Baths in San Francisco. He said they would jump from a heated salt water pool into
a cold fresh water pool. They had heated fresh water and cold salt water pools there too. That's all history now. It would have been a shame for him
to miss that experience. Go on that silly cruise Ken - even if only to boast how much it sucks.
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
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And what's with that picture of Sammy Hagar?
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8970
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Packoderm
And what's with that picture of Sammy Hagar? |
He's the King of Cabo!
Him and Oscar de la Hoya!
I'll keep my eyes peeled for a super-cheap cruise and report back on how much fun was programmed into my day.
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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Cruising...
There is no greater experience than cruising, that is in fact if you love being on the water or near the water (any desert rats out there that don't
like the water living in Baja??)...my daughter loved it cause she went to the kids club all day, my son loved it when he was little cause he ran
around and made me go crazy looking for him while he hid in the movie theater and laughed about it...and I loved it because I met alot of great people
and there are parties night and day...of course I do confess to retiring to my cabin a few nights and watching a movie while they delivered steak and
lobster to my room...there is also food available 24 hours a day...my ex brother-in-law is up to about 275 lbs now and finds cruising an
addiction...(hmmm...wonder why??) so make sure you take your Zumba lessons on board to balance out the Pina Coladas and fried shrimp!!! | Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Cooke
| Quote: | Originally posted by Packoderm
And what's with that picture of Sammy Hagar? |
He's the King of Cabo!
Him and Oscar de la Hoya!
I'll keep my eyes peeled for a super-cheap cruise and report back on how much fun was programmed into my day. |
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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In the early a.m. day of the departure from your trip (last day)......the ship will leave you the tally for all charges...and a list of who should get
the tips. There's no way would I blindly give tips to those that dont deserve it......example is the guys that do the ship's laundry. Really?! I tip
to ONLY who earned it......and sometimes the individual is not allowed to accept tips directly from a passenger.......you'll have to game that out.
Two years ago we went on the Inside Passage route going up to Alaska. I tipped good to four employees....120 bucks. The largest amount went to the
cabin's service......then second went to a dinner server.
BTW.....not all meals are free!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is always a steak house...or some special eatery on board...these will cost you big bucks. The ice
cream bar is not free either. Basically you will be have buffet style or banquet meals.
While the officials on board may not be checking for booze......there have been times that I have seen the sniffling dogs in the cargo warehouses
(where all luggage ends up at before loading onto the ship) doing their drug thing.......dont take pot or whatever.
Do take candy and such!
| Quote: | Originally posted by Ken Cooke
| Quote: | Originally posted by AmyPNW
Just check out the reviews on your cruise line and ship, what is included in the price and if you like the ports of call. Most of the short Baja
cruises I googled only went to Ensenada and maybe Catalina and the price didn't include taxes and gratuities. |
I was told that a passenger needed to tip the chef, all of the staff, maids, etc. So, I see the $300/2 passenger price doubling with gratuities and
taxes. Drinks and optional dining will add another $100-$200. So, in reality, the hidden prices will combine to just shy of $1,000. Is this correct
in everyones opinion?
Because, for $1,000.00 We could spend a solid week in San Felipe (or more) and feel just as relaxed without being bothered with too many people around
us. |
[Edited on 1-8-2012 by mcfez]
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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Islandbuilder
Senior Nomad
Posts: 555
Registered: 11-9-2011
Location: nob
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Mood: bewildered
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To add to what some others have said; read the fine print and assume nothing.
I met a couple in Juneau a few years ago, they had spent all their money booking the cheapest cruise they could find for their Honeymoon. The problem
was, they "assumed" that all cruises were all inclusive. They came aboard with $50 cash, no credit cards, and then discovered that meals weren't
included in their ticket.
Word of their plight got out among the other guests, and they were invited to dinner every night, but they were still starving because they couldn't
afford breakfast or lunch. They were looking for a store so they could buy bread and peanut butter.
Different cruise lines have different policies, so read, and choose carefully. The cheapest ticket may not be the cheapest trip when all the extras
(like food?!) are added in.
Enjoy your cruise!
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8970
Registered: 2-9-2004
Location: Riverside, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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Deno, now you are making me nervous!
| Quote: | Originally posted by mcfez
I tipped good to four employees....120 bucks. The largest amount went to the cabin's service......then second went to a dinner server.
BTW.....not all meals are free!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is always a steak house...or some special eatery on board...these will cost you big bucks. The ice
cream bar is not free either. Basically you will be have buffet style or banquet meals.
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It seems as if a cruise ship is nothing but a big, floating ATM machine that intends to clean out your account!
Traveling around Baja is nothing like this. 
I would like to do this for my Wife, but thanks to everyone's advice, we might have to $$Save$$ big for a 3-4 day trip. Who would have thought?
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
Posts: 2116
Registered: 11-7-2002
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Ken, it's not always expensive. Like I said, my 11 year old son paid his own way on a Carnival cruise to Ensenada. All meals were free, he didn't
elect to drink booze, the unlimited soft drinks were $25. The cruise lines basically give the cruise away and make their profits on selling alcoholic
drinks. If you must be altered on board, just stop at the doctors to get Valium for cruise anxiety.
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Islandbuilder
Senior Nomad
Posts: 555
Registered: 11-9-2011
Location: nob
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Mood: bewildered
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Ken, I think that for most of us cruise critics, the intent was to inform you of things that have ruined our, or others, cruises so that you would
know what to watch out for.
Not to talk you out of taking the trip.
Better to know about the tip policy, extra booze and food costs, and the restrictions on bringing your own food and drink with you than to build a
budget that doesn't survive getting your gear into your cabin.
Read all the words, check out cruise advisor, and choose carefully. Then, relax and enjoy!
Giving your wife the trip she wants can't be a bad plan, right?
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Correct!
| Quote: | Originally posted by Islandbuilder
Ken, I think that for most of us cruise critics, the intent was to inform you of things that have ruined our, or others, cruises so that you would
know what to watch out for.
Not to talk you out of taking the trip.
Better to know about the tip policy, extra booze and food costs, and the restrictions on bringing your own food and drink with you than to build a
budget that doesn't survive getting your gear into your cabin.
Read all the words, check out cruise advisor, and choose carefully. Then, relax and enjoy!
Giving your wife the trip she wants can't be a bad plan, right? |
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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SteveD
Nomad
Posts: 106
Registered: 11-29-2007
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Some people cruise for the on-board experience. Some for the ports-of-call. We have gone on cruises where that is about the best way to experience
the ports: Alaska Inside Passage, Greek Islands and this April, the Panama Canal. For Baja, most places you can get to by car, it cost a lot less
and you get a better experience with the people.
We like Princess Cruises because you can bring on board all of the wine, beer and champaign you want. Our next cruise leaves from San Pedro and we
will be taking on about 1 1/2 cases of wine for the 14 days!
A good source to get information on the different cruise lines, ships, ports and any other question you have go on: www.cruisecritic.com. They even have "Roll Calls" for specific cruises so you can meet up with the people you are crusing with in advanced. We
joined a few private tours in some of the ports that way. A lot cheeper and better than the ships' tours.
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