7 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Very interesting discussion.

Personally as D+ we have never used the internet services on board even though we have a free allowance.

I use my own phone internet data allowance from my service provider EE when I can get a signal from the country we are visiting and only post on CC and my wife emails family and friends or we use WhatsApp.

Yep different needs for different people,  some of us are running businesses or have jobs that require constant contact.  Our only choices are to stay connected or stay home.  I try not to work for a week and I certainly need the break.  For me it is peace of mind knowing that everything is ok and no disasters are going to be waiting for me.  I try to only check emails twice a day.  Another reason I use it is get notifications from my security system and cameras, again peace of mind.  (Yes, I know I sound really paranoid).  I also charge the WiFi cost off as a business expense.

5 hours ago, Sizzlechest said:

guarantee

 

Then RCL should provide a list of ones that do. According to the staff on the ship, it's unsupported. Until RCL can guarantee that a particular VPN solution works, you cannot suggest using it.

 

They are definitely doing QOS or some other kind of packet priority. Streaming from one of the major services like Hulu or Netflix works well. Try to stream video at a lower bandwidth from a private IP address and it won't work. The only way a VPN is going to work for sure is if RCL officially supports it. Otherwise, you're going to have to rely on https. There aren't many major services that don't support https, so I'm not sure why a VPN is a must.

If you are using an email client like Outlook vs webmail, https is not relevant.   No URL is used without going into your Outlook setting which is not easy for many people.

I never liked the Concierge lounge on the Voyager class.  It had no windows, low ceilings and crowded with furniture.  I felt very claustrophobic therefore we rarely used the space.  I am looking forward to the new Suite Lounge on the Adventurer in a couple of weeks.

I always wear a sports jacket with short sleeve dress shirt and no tie.  I usually only bring one sports jacket and wear it twice with different colored shirts.  No reason to bring a full suit or more than one jacket.

2 hours ago, icsys said:

 

The bar staff get 18% from purchased packages and every drink ordered. They get a share of the daily grats as well?

No not both, the way I understand it is that the direct bar staff (bar tenders, head bar tender and waiters) split the 18% on the tab as well as any extra tips given.  The auto-gratuities are shared with the behind the scenes staff such as those who deliver the bottles and stock the bars, clean the bars and tables, dishwashers, etc.

1 minute ago, Thorben-Hendrik said:

Totally disagree!🙄😱

The problem starts with the definition of "performance".....🤮

This subject is always a big debate.   In the case of tipping it is simply whether or not a service is delivered to the customer's expectations as defined by the customer.  100% fixed pay leads to mediocrity at best not meritocracy.

On 7/20/2019 at 4:44 PM, springfire said:

I have heard people say this before but I have heard many people deny as well .  I really wish Royal (and other cruise lines) would come clean on who gets to keep the gratuities. 

They are very clear who gets the gratuities.  Here is an excerpt from their Tip Policy:

8 hours ago, springfire said:

It is just wrong of Royal to expect passengers to tip crew behind the scene.  

I disagree.  If they are not included then their salary is increased and your cruise price is increased proportionately so you will pay the same price anyway.   By including them in the tip pool they feel part of the team and incented to support the team.  I believe everyone's pay should be based on performance with very small guaranteed salary.

6 hours ago, biomedbob said:

For those who have chosen to remove the prepaid tips from their account while on board and handle them individually with the crew direct,  what is the process and how involved is it?  Does the removed amount then show up as OBC or credited back to your cc account?

 

Just be aware that what you propose will result in many behind the scenes support staff not receiving any tips from you.  The cabin stewards relies on many people to provide their excellent services such as their assistants (who you may never see), laundry and maintenance workers.  All these people share in the auto paid gratuities.

A side question.  We are also on the Adventure and have Oli's Trolley scheduled for 10am so we need to be in line no later than 9:30am.  We are in a Grand Suite and I read we get priority tendering.  Can anyone tell me how that works and what time we should be in the tender area?

I suggest you go into AA's website and do a mock booking.  You can see the flights that you may have to take if you miss your connection in PHX.  Click on the word "Seats" on the flight.  You will be able to see how many seats are still available.  If there are only a few make sure you point that out to the AA representative and it may make a difference in waiving the change fee and rebooking you on an earlier flight.  If there are a lot of seats available then you can stop worrying so much.  Even if there are  a lot of seats available keep checking as you get closer.  If there are only a few seats on the next flight it may also help change your husband's opinions as well since the risk goes up.

We have done it both ways and I see no financial benefit either way.  Either way it shows up on my credit card.  So I either pay it now or pay it later.  However, if you are not paying the full balance after making your final payment, then you will be paying interest on the gratuities for an extra 2 months or more if you include pre-paid gratuities at time of final payment.

It also has nothing to do with paying extra in cash to those who deserve it.  It also should have nothing to do with insurance.  Pre-paying should not increase the price of your insurance since gratuities are fully refundable by the cruise line if the trip is canceled, even if it is canceled the day before sailing just like the port fees and pre-paid excursions.

3 hours ago, mommyof2monkeys+princess said:

This is my picture - it was not hidden at all.  I bought off Amazon with it saying it was cruise approved. The set up has been in full display of my room attendant.  There is no chord it just plugs into the wall outlet.  It does cover up the 2nd outlet but it gives us 3 plugs plus 3 usb so it's been working great for us this week.  It allows the 5 if us to charge at night. 

It's not the cabin attendant that one has to worry about, it is the port security.  As twodaywonder stated, just because you got lucky doesn't mean the next person will.  I had a very similar 3 plug adapter (no cord) confiscated by security.  When I said it had no cord or surge protection they said they were told to take any device that extended the number of plugs period.  The next week or at a different port, they may use different rules.  The only things truly safe from being taken are USB hubs and single outlet European plug adapters (so you can at least use the plug for one device).

55 minutes ago, icsys said:

I don't want to get dragged into the debate, plus its off topic, but if the flag is identifying someone as a constant complainer then it will uniquely identify the consumer, otherwise it is pointless.

Nope, a simple rating flag such as 0=never complained to a 10=>10 complaints are typical flags.  This in no way identifies the consumer, only their behavior.  By itself it is useless.  Plus you did not get the information from external sources (the consumer or 3rd party).  Sorry for being off-topic, just clarifying a previous comment.

The OBC is per person (Sea Pass) not couple so you will need to identify the amount for each person.  You can split it 4 ways if you want.

On 7/9/2019 at 9:18 AM, CarnivalCruiser32 said:

for US citizens sure, but under GDPR which is in effect for all EU citizens all you have to do is request a copy of the information a company has on you and they have to provide all their data to you as is with no edits/changes and within a timely manner. So, if an EU customer requested their info and received something that noted they were a problem customer (because Royal would not be allowed to delete that before sending it along) for example, you know it would turn into an outrage echoed across all customers everywhere especially the ones who can't legally request their file as easily to see what RC said about them (aka US folks). so RCI wouldn't risk bringing themselves that kind of negative media attention by putting those kinds of notes on customer files

Actually, GDPR only pertains to information that a company collects from you or outside sources.  A flag regarding a company's internal assessment of your purchase behavior or customer support is not covered under GDPR and can be withheld from a consumer's request.  GDPR is about protecting consumer's personal identifiable information only (name, address, TN, email address, IP address, etc.).  A flag identifying someone as a constant complainer or frequent purchaser is an internal assessment and does not uniquely identify the consumer.  You are right though that Royal does have to be GDPR compliant since they have EU customers.

4 minutes ago, Jazzykatt said:

Thank you for the response.  He is an only child and very quiet.  He will definitely not be hanging around.  I’m just hoping his brief presence doesn’t upset anyone. 

I can't imagine any sane person being bothered by a 14 year old passing through.  The rule is designed to keep young children out of the pool splashing and making a lot of noise.  Most of the people in the Solarium have their eyes closed or buried in a book anyway.

7 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Are you saying that something about the ship's power is preventing those USB hubs from functioning properly?

No, I am saying that the Anker and RAVPower USB hubs do not work with the Samsung Wireless (QI) charging pads.  They work with other brands just not Samsung.  Anker does state their hubs will not work with Samsung's Wireless chargers.  I did have some problems when I plugged the Wireless charger directly into the ships outlet but got it to work. The best option is to leave the Wireless charging pads home and use a direct connect using cables.

On 7/9/2019 at 1:22 PM, nc2sc said:

Glad I saw this. Didnt realize cords had been banned.

What about simple T shaped adapters, are they still ok?

 

I had a t-adapter and simple power bar just like the one in twodaywonder's picture confiscated last year.  I was told any thing with a cord and/or electrical plug is not allowed.  USB hubs are the only thing for sure that will make it through. 

By the way, if you use a Samsung Wireless charging pad, the Anker and RAVPower USB hubs will not work.  You will have to charge directly with the USB cord.

On 6/28/2019 at 10:27 AM, meatloafsfan said:

 

That's good to hear. The pizza used to be terrible - it was marginally better last May on the Adventure. If it's improved even more that's great. And happy about the dipping sauces. Sometimes you just want a little zip with your za.

I am curious, are you saying you dip your pizza in sauce rather than the sauce being on the pizza?  I have never heard of anyone dipping pizza in ranch dressing at least no here in Jersey, is that a Canadian thing?

Last year I had a simple T adapter (1 to 3 plugs) confiscated, no cord or surge protection.  They told me any device that increases the number of outlets regardless of surge protection is no longer allowed.

Yes, almost anything is ok but to specifically answer the OP's question, I usually wear a jacket with no tie and my wife wears a dress (sometimes cocktail but nothing too glitzy).   I am on the August 3rd sailing of the Adventure and called Royal about the number of formal nights.  They said there should be 2, on the 2nd and 5th evenings.  However, I have seen some recent Adventure cruisers post that they only had one formal night.  

Schooner Lounge at night, Crown Lounge in the afternoon and must try Giovanni's.

8 hours ago, nelblu said:

Not that easy on the Anthem as the Music Hall is the overflow for the DL and non Ds are allowed in that area especially since it has pool tables.  The only way is to close the Music Hall to non Ds during the 3-3.5 hrs. or have some staff member closely monitor the flow of Pax.

It may have changed but the last time I was the Anthem you could only order your drink in the D lounge but could take it out to the Music Hall to drink it.  I guess you could bring a drink to a non D in the Music Hall but as difficult as it is to order a drink in the DL when it is crowed I doubt it is worth it.

8 hours ago, nelblu said:

And yet, on my January 11 niter on the same ship, no such oversight.  I guess it may be random or on certain sails.

The OP stated it started June 1.  I think January came before June 1st this year.  But then again I may be looking at my calendar wrong.