@@jolo3118 Thank you!! I try to stick to a schedule of vlogs on Thursdays and tips videos on Sundays! I hope you come back and share how your cruise was next May... I'm truly excited for you!
@@dannywinters4336 The only cruise line specific one I've made (besides vlogs) has been advice for families sailing on MSC. Is there a cruise line you're specifically interested in? I'll see about making something.
Great all we need is more stress when booking. If the cruise lines were just honest, rather than screwing everyone we could enjoy the whole process...... this puts ne off for life.. Thank you for your honesty.
Right you are - sorry about that! I have an annual trip insurance plan through Allianz which is a great option if you're cruising several times a year as it saves you money. However, if you're looking for coverage for individual trips, I highly recommend InsureMyTrip...they aren't the actual insurance provider, but you'll enter the info about your travel party and upcoming trip, and they'll give you pricing and coverage options for a number of different providers. They're like the Google of trip insurance and they have a great tool (and they're not paying me to say this): www.insuremytrip.com/ Good luck and thanks for watching...happy sails!
I always buy cruise protection. If you have issues finding how to purchase it, call the customer service or travel agent they can add vacation protection.
I saw multiple videos advising not to book spa treatments until on board because there would be last minute promotions. However, that was so far from the true. we sailed a Mediterranean cruise 2024 summer, all spa treatments were sold out on day two.
@@imalltheway It's definitely a gamble... If you want them for sure, pay the full price in advance. I would say it's about 50/50 the cruises where we see discounts offer for treatments later in the cruise. I'm sorry you missed out!
@@stephensanford4383 We are in Virginia so we have to fly for all of our cruises unfortunately. You're right though, that would have been a good one to include in this video!
@@kelsiewilson What cruise lines have you been on just out of curiosity. The only one I can remember being on that didn't have a lobster night was Disney.
Ask your bank to order you NEW $2 bills, uncirculated. They make impre$$ive tips and almost always create a comment from other cruisers which often ends up in a conversation and friendship. MANY staff say they save them.
Gratuities should be included in the fare. This is such North American stupidity. Why only customer service staff have a variable salary and NOT the management Captain included or even the management staff in HQ. In that case if the cruise line remove a port, to save money or if the ship cannot go fast enough due to maintenance issues, I can remove THEIR gratuity. also why only customer service staff salary is based on occupancy level. It is the sales department responsible for filling up the ship and the waiters/room attendance etc should not get a lower salary. Virgin Voyages is the example, NO gratuities Also illegal in places like Australia.
@@robbroere1384 I hear you, but that's just the way it is and I'm not going to punish the crew who has no impact on it. I'm happy to tip additional for great service as well... It's a great motivator for people to provide excellent service. When we visit places like Europe where tipping isn't as big of a part of the culture, we always notice a big drop off in service and I'm sure that's why.
@@FamilyAtSeaAll I say is include Gratuities so you cannot remove it. You can still tip for exceptional service and we do. The service we had on Virgin Voyages, in Europe in June 2024, was great and I believe they just pay a more fair wage so crew is happy. The US culture including restaurants is to pay peanuts and then staff is full dependant on tips to make a living. Is that fair? It more or less becomes bribing people, to get service.
@@robbroere1384 I see both sides of it. As an American, tipping culture is pretty engrained but I can definitely see things from your perspective as well.
In a perfect world we could convince the cruise lines to take better care of their crew. However, that's not in my control, but tipping the people who make our cruise great is in my control, so I happily tip. I do understand your perspective though and appreciate you taking the time to share it! Whenever you cruise next, happy sails!
American tipping cultures out control. The employers have transferred the low paying problem to the customers. We should not spread this toxic culture to around the world.
I tip well above the gratuity charge but do it directly; if the cruise line wants me to help pay unknown staff they are going to have to make it part of the fare. As long as I can, I will remove the gratuity from my account and generously tip knowing it is going to workers rather than under the control of the cruise line.
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Now this was the best vlog of anyone on social media. Very informative and spot on.
@@JayCanell Thank you, I truly appreciate it!
Thank you. One of the best videos I’ve watched
@@KimTimmins-i8r Thank you, I appreciate the positive feedback.
Happy sails!
Really enjoyed this video - glad to have just found your channel. Great to find a fellow cruise UA-camr - hello! :)
@@FraserAtSea Ahoy and welcome!
Here's to smooth seas and happy sails... Perhaps our paths will cross someday out on the open seas!
@@FamilyAtSea here’s hoping!
Wouldn't be a weekend without Family at Sea! I wish next May would just get here already! Thank you for your dedication and hard work😊
@@jolo3118 Thank you!! I try to stick to a schedule of vlogs on Thursdays and tips videos on Sundays!
I hope you come back and share how your cruise was next May... I'm truly excited for you!
I see you went to WVU, so did my husband
@@karensjacobscook1890 He must be a good man!
Let's go Mountaineers!
A useful video, do you have a cruise line specific guide to their secrets?
@@dannywinters4336 The only cruise line specific one I've made (besides vlogs) has been advice for families sailing on MSC.
Is there a cruise line you're specifically interested in?
I'll see about making something.
Great all we need is more stress when booking. If the cruise lines were just honest, rather than screwing everyone we could enjoy the whole process...... this puts ne off for life.. Thank you for your honesty.
Cruising is an amazing experience, but it helps to be armed with the knowledge to have a great experience.
Give it a try and see for yourself!
When I see videos with phrases like "...they don't want you to know..." I don't watch them. This one included.
@@ArtJorgensen I appreciate the engagement in any case, it helps the algorithm!
Onto the next one!
I pay good money for my cruise vacation that gives certain services included. I am not handing over money in hoping it will give good service.
@@seastheday956 I get it, I'm just trying to help people have the best experience possible.
Don’t see the link for travel insurance?
Right you are - sorry about that!
I have an annual trip insurance plan through Allianz which is a great option if you're cruising several times a year as it saves you money. However, if you're looking for coverage for individual trips, I highly recommend InsureMyTrip...they aren't the actual insurance provider, but you'll enter the info about your travel party and upcoming trip, and they'll give you pricing and coverage options for a number of different providers. They're like the Google of trip insurance and they have a great tool (and they're not paying me to say this):
www.insuremytrip.com/
Good luck and thanks for watching...happy sails!
@@FamilyAtSea thanks for the info!
@@jkconner9636 Happy to help... Thanks for watching (and for catching that I left out... That's fixed!).
I always buy cruise protection. If you have issues finding how to purchase it, call the customer service or travel agent they can add vacation protection.
I saw multiple videos advising not to book spa treatments until on board because there would be last minute promotions. However, that was so far from the true. we sailed a Mediterranean cruise 2024 summer, all spa treatments were sold out on day two.
@@imalltheway It's definitely a gamble... If you want them for sure, pay the full price in advance.
I would say it's about 50/50 the cruises where we see discounts offer for treatments later in the cruise.
I'm sorry you missed out!
Good video but intro too long. Took a while to get to the tips.
@@lindajacobs378 That's helpful feedback, thank you!
I'll work on trying to get there faster in future videos.
Evidently you live close to a port as you did not mention the advantages of booking your own flights and arriving a day early.
@@stephensanford4383 We are in Virginia so we have to fly for all of our cruises unfortunately.
You're right though, that would have been a good one to include in this video!
Lobster night? I haven't seen a Lobster night in years.
@@kelsiewilson What cruise lines have you been on just out of curiosity.
The only one I can remember being on that didn't have a lobster night was Disney.
Ask your bank to order you NEW $2 bills, uncirculated. They make impre$$ive tips and almost always create a comment from other cruisers which often ends up in a conversation and friendship. MANY staff say they save them.
@@mackellar829 That's a great way to be both generous AND fun...I love that, thank you for the idea!
Great idea! Ty
Going 4/25 I will take $2
Gratuities should be included in the fare. This is such North American stupidity. Why only customer service staff have a variable salary and NOT the management Captain included or even the management staff in HQ. In that case if the cruise line remove a port, to save money or if the ship cannot go fast enough due to maintenance issues, I can remove THEIR gratuity. also why only customer service staff salary is based on occupancy level. It is the sales department responsible for filling up the ship and the waiters/room attendance etc should not get a lower salary. Virgin Voyages is the example, NO gratuities Also illegal in places like Australia.
@@robbroere1384 I hear you, but that's just the way it is and I'm not going to punish the crew who has no impact on it.
I'm happy to tip additional for great service as well... It's a great motivator for people to provide excellent service.
When we visit places like Europe where tipping isn't as big of a part of the culture, we always notice a big drop off in service and I'm sure that's why.
@@FamilyAtSeaAll I say is include Gratuities so you cannot remove it. You can still tip for exceptional service and we do. The service we had on Virgin Voyages, in Europe in June 2024, was great and I believe they just pay a more fair wage so crew is happy. The US culture including restaurants is to pay peanuts and then staff is full dependant on tips to make a living. Is that fair? It more or less becomes bribing people, to get service.
@@robbroere1384 I see both sides of it.
As an American, tipping culture is pretty engrained but I can definitely see things from your perspective as well.
What's this obsession that Americans have with lobster? Is it rare or something given how you all fuss over it? It's nothing special.
I checked and you're right - Americans consume more and export more lobster than anywhere in the world... We do love our lobster!
Great video. But please don’t encourage tipping. It’s not our responsibility to fund payroll.
In a perfect world we could convince the cruise lines to take better care of their crew. However, that's not in my control, but tipping the people who make our cruise great is in my control, so I happily tip.
I do understand your perspective though and appreciate you taking the time to share it!
Whenever you cruise next, happy sails!
American tipping cultures out control. The employers have transferred the low paying problem to the customers. We should not spread this toxic culture to around the world.
It's such a North Americas thing. It's considered to be insulting to tip in many parts of the world.
@@willscottytvIt's part of our culture for sure, but the crew definitely appreciates it as well!
I tip well above the gratuity charge but do it directly; if the cruise line wants me to help pay unknown staff they are going to have to make it part of the fare. As long as I can, I will remove the gratuity from my account and generously tip knowing it is going to workers rather than under the control of the cruise line.