[CCLtalk]

Yep, there is always "fine print" - and that goes for the cruise industry as well. Forunately, you have ME to let you know about the little things that aren't immediately known to first time cruisers.

1. "Automatic" tips for your room steward and wait staff: Once you check onto the ship, you will be asked to provide a credit/debit card/cash so that your account, while on board, can be kept current. If you order a beverage, buy something from the ship's store, or get a picture - it is charged to your onboard account. The ONLY place you can conduct actual $$$ transactions is in the casino. Here is the small print: Within 24 hours or so, your account will automatically be charged at a rate of $10 PER person PER day. For a 7 day cruise, this comes out to $70/person. I fully support the "automatic" tip - your steward and wait staff certainly earn it... trust me. It's just one of those "things" that you see on your sail and sign sheet for the first time and ask outloud "what the heck is this?!". Now you know!

***TIP*** Don't use your everyday ATM/Debit card! If they happen to overcharge your account, it can take several days AFTER the cruise is finished to get that balance back into your account. We always apply cash towards our account - and if it starts to run low and we have more "things" to do, we'll hit the onboard ATM for a withdrawal.

2. "Dont' forget to tip the person who takes your drink order". Trust me, that will never happen... why? Whenever you order a drink, be it soda/pop or alcoholic in nature, the charge for that drink is put on your room charge (referred to as your sail and sign card). Your drink will be brought to you and you will sign the receipt indicating that you "authorized" the purchase of said drink which also includes the standard 15% gratuity. No way around this folks - even if you order the drink yourself directly from the bar, 15% is thrown onto your bill.

3. "Port Charges/Taxes": You found that wonderful cruise at an AMAZING price... good for you! Unfortunately, in most cases, that price does not include the port charges and taxes. For the port charges, the port of entry requires the cruise line to pay a certain amount to them for each and every passenger on board. Even if you don't get off in that particular port, the cruise line has to pay. Soooo, YOU actually have to pay. As for the taxes - well, they are taxes... thank you Uncle Sam!

Even with the above "Fine Print" issues - cruising is STILL a very economical and certainly enjoyable vacation! If you don't drink alcohol and/or soda - and don't spend time in the casino - and don't shop in the at sea store, they will actually lose money on you! But don't let that worry you - there are PLENTY of people onboard who will make up for you in the bars and casino.