Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    HI!
    
    I AM GETTING MARRIED IN OCTOBER AND WILL BE GOING ON A CRUISE ON
    RCCL'S SONG OF AMERICA.  I AM A FIRST TIME CRUISER AND EVERYTHING
    ALREADY SEEMS TO BE PLANNED FOR YOU.  I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WERE
    ANY SURPRISES TO EXPECT........
    
    WE WILL BE IN FLORIDA'S KEY WEST FOR A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO LEAVING
    ON THE CRUISE.  SHOULD WE DO OUR LAUNDRY BEFORE WE GET ON THE SHIP?
    IS THERE A PUBLIC LAUNDRY ON BOARD, OR WILL CAN WE PAY A FEE TO
    GET THIS DONE?
    
    WHAT ABOUT SPENDING MONEY????  HOW MUCH WOULD BE A COMFORTABLE SUM
    TO BRING?  WHAT ABOUT TIPPING?
    
    ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
    
    THANKS
    
    

    I HAVE SAILED ON THE SONG OF AMERICA TWICE, THERE IS NO PUBLIC LAUNDRY
    ON BOARD THE SHIP. THEREFORE I RECOMMEND DOING YOUR LAUNDRY BEFORE
    BOARDING. HAVING YOUR CLOTHES WASHED ON BOARD CAN BE EXPENSIVE.
    TIPPING IS LEFT TO THE DISCRESSION OF THE PASSENGER, BUT THERE IS
    A GUIDELINE PRINTED IN THE BOOK THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE WITH YOUR
    TICKETS. EXPECT TO SPEND AN AVERAGE OF $3.00 PER PERSON PER DAY
    FOR THE ROOM STEWARD, THE SAME FOR THE WAITER, AND $2.00-$3.00 PER
    DAY FOR THE BUSBOY.
    DECK STEWARDS ARE TIPPED AN AVERAGE OF 15%.

    Hi,
    
    Last November I sailed on the Song of Norway, which is very similar to
    the Song of America.  The amount to bring depends a lot on how much
    you want to do, buy, and drink.  The drink prices are very reasonable,
    less than an average bar.  Every day they have a drink special for
    1.75, and every night after 1:30 all drinks go to 1.75.  I went on
    one of the tours from the ship on 4 of the 6 islands, bought a gold
    chain and earrings and MANY souveniers, and drank plenty for about
    $600, including about $100 for tips.  Travelers checques and credit
    cards are no problem at most of the stores.
    
    Have fun!
    
    Sharon