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Bea
We stopped in to have breakfast at a little place by the beach in Redondo Beach. Normally this place is jumping all morning long on a summer weekend and we feel lucky to get a table in 30 minutes. Today we were able to walk in and just sit down and there were empty tables nearby.
This might be a sign that the economy is slowing and people have less money to spend to go out to breakfast or that fewer people are spending money to drive to the beach on a Saturday morning.
Answer
I know it's vacation time and people around here, who yes still have more money than brains, are on vacation but there is a definite decrease in traffic at times when you'd think the roads would be crowded. Plus we were given a gift card for dinner and it was the strangest experience. My husband and I were the only ones in the place, plus they had a bar and it was happy hour and no one was there either. Great food, so I know it wasn't that. I have also started noticing what people are putting in their shopping carts at the grocery store. More store brands and less of the higher priced coffees, exotic fruits and veggies, more basic things and always those items on sale, plus people are using coupons more. I know from talking to my husband's family, he's from a family of eight, only one is taking a vacation away from home this summer and no one seems to be eating out.
I am looking to go on a Cruise and know nothing about it?
area51base
I am looking to go on cruise with Carnival Paradise going from Long Beach, Ca. I have never gone on a cruise before and know nothing of what it has to offer. What I like to know is, if anybody been on a cruise and how much money I will be expecting to pay. I always hear there are fees and charges for almost everything, Like food or whatever. Please share your insights and what packages include whatever. The distention is to Catalina and Ensenada. I may travel alone or bring a friend.
Answer
Since you have never been on a cruise I will give you my full explanation, which will be rather long.
First of all the terms "cabin" and "stateroom" mean the same thing; the cruise industry prefers stateroom. The standard cabin that most people get (inside/outside/balcony) are generally between 175 and 200 square feet, about the size of a 9 by 12 ft home bedroom (balconies are about 45 to 55 sq ft). Each cabin has a two beds which can be made into a queen, a bathroom with a shower stall, a closet and some drawer space, a TV and telephone, a safe for valuables, a mini-refrigerator, and a life jacket for each passenger. Some cabins that are built to accommodate 3 or 4 people will have a pull down bed and/or a sofa bed.
The price of a cruise includes your cabin, all shows and other entertainment on ship, use of all of the ship's facilities (except you have to pay for getting your hair and nails done ,for massages and wraps and other spa treatments), use of the gym, pools and hot tubs, use of the clubs, bars and disco, all meals and snacks all day and night. There are places on ship where you can go to breakfast, lunch and dinner and midnight buffets and all of the food is free. There is generally a room service menu that you can order from 24/7 and that food is free (you should tip the delivery person a couple dollars). There are places where you can get something to eat 24/7.
Not include are soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. The ship will provide unlimited free coffee, tea, milk, juices, and drinks like lemonade and punch for free. BUT, you must pay for soft drinks (usually about $1.50) and all alcoholic beverages including beer and wine.
You can eat in the main dining room and the buffet for free all of the time. But every ship has what they call specialty restaurants, like a French, Tex-Mex, Sushi, or steak house where there is a charge. The charge can be from $5 to $20 per person each time you eat. They call it a gratuity or service charge.
When you arrive at the port to check in you (each passenger) will have an on board charge account set up and receive a key card which will serve as your room key, charge card for anything you buy on ship (i.e.,drinks, souvenir, tours, photos, etc) and its also your pass to get on and off ship in each port. When you first board the ship the security personnel will have you insert your key card into a scanner and then will take a photo of you that is included in the magnetic strip on the card. Each time you get off ship you will need this key card and many times also a photo ID (passport or driver's license). This card allows them to keep an accurate track of all passengers entering and/or leaving the ship.
Each day of your cruise you will receive in your cabin a "newsletter" listing the time, place and particulars of everything happening for you on ship. There are generally activities like demonstrations of ice carvings, napkin folding and towel folding, and cooking demonstrations. There may be organized games and other activities around the pools. In the evenings there are shows, one show for those with an early dinner seating and another (same show) for those who eat late.
The ship will have a casino with slots and table games. Some ships have a movie theater, generally small but nice, and you can also see movies in your room. They have ATMâs and a purserâs desk where you can cash a check or exchange currency if you need to. There is a tour and activities desk so you can schedule land tours and activities.
Ships have free morning exercise programs, stretching and walking, etc, and on some you can pay for other things like Spinning. All cruise ships have gyms so you can go workout, usually any time from 6:00 AM to late at night. There is usually a walking/running track on one of the decks also. Some ships leave the gym open all night. They call the gyms Spa because they do promote getting pampered with things like wraps and massages with aroma therapy. They will also generally have a beauty salon to do hair and nails.
There are always pools. Some ships have more than one and the newer ships generally have an indoor pool as well as outdoor ones and all of these have hot tubs. There is generally a basketball court on the top deck, a place for scuffle board, and a mini-golf course.
There are places on ships to play cards and board games, and the cards and games are provided. If you want to just sit and read, thereâs a library where you can bring your books or select one from the shelf. Ships have internet cafes and some offer WIFI if you bring your prefer to use your computer in your cabin (some ships offer notebooks for rent). They charge a hefty fee for internet service on ship. There are cocktail lounges that feature a variety of music. Some have a piano bar with jazz. There is usually a disco that starts after 10:00 PM each night and last until everyone leave. On certain days ships will have special activities like a chocolate lovers buffet, or a midnight deck party .
The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM. So take swim wear, shorts, sandals, beach shoes, your snorkel equipment if you have it, sun glasses and sun screen, lotions, a cap or big hat for the sun, a book if you are a reader, your music player, sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym, your camera, and other personal toiletries.
After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc.
Most 7-day cruises have two formal nights when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the shipâs Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women. Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown. You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up. (we usually take off the formal stuff after dinner and pictures anyway).
Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage. Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and and your clothes that you sleep in.
The hidden costs on a cruise are your tab after the cruise for drinks (alcoholic and sodas), tours, photos, souvenirs you buy on ship, and gratuities. The largest of these are generally for tours and gratuities. Many ships now add the recommended gratuity to your on board tab. The gratuity is about $10 to $12 per day per person. You can give more if you want. Tours can add hundreds to your final bill, depending upon how many stop the ship makes and what you want to do. Study the tours carefully; some places you may want to just go on your own.
Finally, all cruises cabin are sold DOUBLE OCCUPANCY which mean that if you go alone you will pay a double fee (for two people) so get someone to go with you.
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