Originally Posted by
Captain Kong
Hi Jim
Norway has always been very expensive for drinks, in 1975 I think it was over £5 a pint then.
so Never go there.
£1.60 a pint is very good these days.
.
Usually Cruise ships charge, depending on the company, $11to $13 US. a day "Hotel Charge". per person.
Now you can go to the Purser's Office and sign a paper saying you are Not paying it, and that is OK.
Next March, with Holland America, because I have booked early before the end of June, I do not have to pay any "Hotel Charge". So that saves a few bob.
.
The money is `Tips` for the Table Stewards, Cabin Stewards, the Galley Staff, the Laundry Staff, Cleaners etc. How much they get from it I do not know, .but there is no tipping in that system.
In the Bars there is usually a 15% tip in every drink.
I do not drink much these days so not a problem as there are ways of getting a drink free.
As I am a regular with Holland America, I usually get a Drinks Package free, eg. Six Bottles of Wine, then the shop where they sell bottles of Whisky , gin, rum etc., have a session where they have free tasting, usually Eight glasses of Johnny Walker black Label Whisky etc. and that is quite exhilarating. Then they will have on another day Wine Tasting for the regular cruisers, and around Eight glasses of free wine, , and then they will have on another day Free Rum tasting and so on. Then the Captain this time gave a free bar for one hour one day so I filled my boots in that one hour, and as Anne does not drink I then Double up on all of that.
. so this last trip in March to May this year my Bar Bill was less than £20
Also I take some bottles of Rum and a couple of bottles of wine to drink in the cabin before going to dinner.with me in my case,
So all in all not too expensive.
Cheers
Brian