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and ensures that all passengers receive their meals in a timely fashion.

Be sure to discuss any special food needs or allergies with your server. Low carb, low sugar, low fat; the dining room staff will do everything they can to accommodate your special needs.

Some extras to expect when dining on a cruise ship include birthday celebrations. This can be very funny because of all the heavy accents of the wait staff. The word, "birthday" tends to come out as, "Berse-day." The staff encourages other diners near the birthday person, to join in and sing along.

On the final formal evening, a common event is a musical parade of chefs and wait staff, complete with "flaming" Baked Alaskas or Cherries Jubilee. (Sparklers tend to replace actual flames.)

While some cruise lines have discontinued tipping, many ships still expect their passengers to tip the wait staff, including the head waiter and the wine steward, on the last night of the cruise. You will receive an envelope for this purpose, and suggestions for an appropriate amount of cash. Expect to see your wait staff being extra solicitous on this evening, in a bid to increase their tip money.

Dining onboard a cruise ship is a lovely other-world experience especially for those who are used to fast food restaurants and home-cooked meals. Be sure to pack gowns and suits, however, as you will be discouraged from dining in less formal clothing on the ship's fancy dress nights.

Learn more about this author, Sheree Zielke.
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