S.A.M.J.R.

Trip in July, so no need to panic yet. Her husband applied for his first passport two weeks after she sent hers in.

Sorry, didn't explain myself well. The government logged it as "received" on 4/10. She mailed it 4/6. This was a renewal/name change (due to marriage), and no expedite.

With all the issues with Royal IT, I wouldn't be surprised if the system linking reservations for checkins is different than the system for dining. So I thought I'd ask.

The only place I can see on the app where our reservations are linked is if I go to book something (dinner, etc). Is there somewhere else I should see the other cabins?

FWIW, DD mailed her passport and was received 4/10. Still "In Process". NOT expedited.

As I said, relative. 😉

That's relative. Our first cruise was in 2013. After July of this year, we'll have 43 points. At this rate, we might get to Diamond about when we retire.. MAYBE.

How are you able to get to the airport (for your flight to the cruise), or to the port (to catch the cruise) without a "cruise excursion" to get you there on time?

Just curious... (I really don't know), does Unlimited dining also cover your breakfasts and lunch? If not, do you leave tips there? No, you don't. OK, they might go "in the pocket" of the person you hand it to temporarily, but you have no idea if they share them with anyone else. Claiming "I know who gets my tips", IMO, is just a "feel good" saying people use.

Are you sure you posted in the right thread?

You really don't know that. People like to say "I'm just going to tip who wait on me, I'm not helping those I don't see!" but, just like in a restaurant on land, you have no idea what happens to that tip money. Does the person you're giving it to share it with other individuals? Do they put part of it in a "pot" for employee parties? A seven day cruise w/Royal's tips ($18.50pp/pd currently, right?) would be $129.50pp. Assume two people and you're at $260. That's the "automatic gratuity". But you like to give cash, so you remove the auto grats, and give $50 to your cabin attendant, $50 to your waiter, and $40 to your assistant waiter ($140). Then $5 for each breakfast and lunch (another $70), then $1/drink (say $5 per day, so another $35). $245. You're still out about the same amount of money, but you're "sticking it to Royal", because your money isn't "subsidizing" other's pay. Which you really have no idea about.

That doesn't make sense (as a reason to not roll in the gratuities to the cost of the cruise). If they increase the cost of the cruise, they can still keep a "small percentage". And do we know for sure that Royal is keeping some of the money? Again, you're not paying attention. It comes down to what Royal ADVERTISES. I just went to their site. At random, picked a 4 night on Freedom leaving from Miami on August 18. ADVERTISED as $481 per person and said I have two people travelling. Start filling things out. "Taxes and fees" make the total $1260 (now we're at $630pp). Fill some more out. Look, there's the choice to add gratuities (another $72pp), and insurance (+$59pp). So the ADVERTISED rate of $481pp is really $702 with grats, and even more if you want to select your own room or purchase insurance through Royal. Sure, go ahead and claim people are gullible and deserve what they get. But Royal is going to do what they can to make their ADVERTISED price attractive, especially when compared to competitors.

Thanks @Biker19!

You're missing the point. The $1000 price is BEFORE gratuities. At issue is why Royal doesn't just up the cruise fare to include gratuities. Because they want to advertise the price without the grats. It looks better when people are shopping. Look at how many people ask "Is 30% off the best deal on the ultimate drink package"?

I'm betting it has something to do with showing a lower fare for passengers. Tell me which would you book? $1000pp for a seven day cruise or $1126pp for a seven day cruise Of course, if you purchase the $1000 cruise, later on you find out they want to tack on an extra $126. So you're paying the same, but $1000 looks better.