galavant3

On the other hand, we find the benefits to be quite generous. We take advantage of the balcony discount of $225 and really enjoy the Diamond Club in the evening for cocktails. We also use the internet coupon and the free photo coupon. Probably a few others as well but those are the ones that stand out.

Galavant3

Do you think that you might be able to swing up to deck 12 and capture pictures of either cabins 1888 - 1886 or 1826. We have all 3 booked in December for our Grandsons Wedding but I know these are brand new and I'm really worried about 1888 because in the refurb pics from DrydockDave it had a staircase along the outside of where those cabins begin and I am afraid that it will be right along our wall in 1888.

 

Anything you can take would be greatly appreciated. I have seen pics posted of some of the panoramic view cabins up there but not the E2's.

Thanks so much

I'll check it out. I'm assuming the cabins will be occupied but I'll see what I can find out. I was curious to take a look anyway.

I'm sure you'll get a variety of opinions but I would always choose deck 10. Just my personal preference.

First of all thank you for the cost analysis! It is printed out and I'm taking it with me on Sunday.

For those that are considering the wine package, here's why we do it. First of all, depending on the wine you choose, there can be considerable savings.

But the bigger issue for us is service. When you have the wine package, they try and get to you right away with your order. Also, if you have wine left from the previous evening, it is on the table or in the chiller waiting for you. You won't be waiting 20 minutes for a glass of wine.

A word of caution. We find that they prefer to finish the bottle rather that store it so often the servers are heavy handed with the pour. If you've had enough, just make that clear.

Also, if you want a bottle to go, they'll give you a bottle from your pack either opened or unopened. Or you can just take what is remaining from that night's dinner.

Its been a while but my son was able to move up. They wanted him to stay with his group for a few hours then they moved him up. I think if kids are traveling with friends they will accommodate when possible.

You could always print out the policy from the website if you are concerned. The actual wording is...

Celebrity is pleased to offer the Captains Club Coffee Break experience and Cocktail Hour exclusively for Elite/Elite Plus members and their stateroom/suite companions.

Ports include Cozumel (been 3 x via land trips), GCayman (never been), Falmouth (not appealing but maybe I would be surprised.

 

We did the bobsled in Jamaica and it was awesome! If you are considering it, I'll dig up the details but everyone in our group (11 kids and adults) loved it.

Would not be worth it to me. Navigator with the flowrider will be a kick for the teen. Plus the balcony room on Navigator has a better layout than the one on Oasis.

Could not agree more. I've sailed on the Oasis and I felt we spent have the week just getting from one place to another. I think most people do prefer the larger ships, I'm just not one of them.

If you don't locate recent photos, I'll take some this weekend. I'll be on the Navigator beginning on Sunday.

Forgive me I haven't read every post, but from what I can see most people on this thread do tip. It's more a case of how and when. And that it an individual decision.

 

At a bit of a tangent, I believe if I remember correctly, that P&O do not add tips on a daily basis (may be wrong here). So when RC (who of course I recognise as being American) have a UK website and folk in the UK are comparing prices, RC cruises look, in my opinion, much better value. It is not obvious in the UK at all and is not a usual way of doing things.

 

Yes, of course people should read the small print, but its called small print for a reason, its not in big flashy numbers as part of the price of the cruise.

 

But for what it's worth, I think the service is exceptional in the main, and well worth the tip.

I've never cruised P&O but I did check their website (below). I agree with you...I think the vast majority tip at least the recommended amount. I also agree that the service is exceptional.

I understand that it isn't obvious and may seem "foreign" to others. It is not common to add "tips" automatically here in US either (except in certain cases like large parties). However, after one cruise on a particular line, you do know what to expect.

How much should I pay for tips?

At P&O Cruises our crew pride themselves on the service we offer to our customers and we know you will see this every day while you are on board with us. As such we do add a discretionary service charge of £3.95 per passenger (aged 12 years and over) per day to your shipboard account.

100% of this amount is distributed to your cabin steward, butler, head waiter, assistant waiter or junior waiter that have looked after you whilst you are with us, this is distributed through our tipping pool.

This charge is discretionary and we believe it represents a fair amount, remaining one of the lowest within the hospitality industry. We strongly believe that this amount should be voluntary and therefore can be varied at the reception desk at any time; of course we do hope that you agree that the service you receive will warrant the suggested amount and will choose for this to remain on your account.

Of course if you want to tip any other crew member in addition to this, please feel free to do so.

When did i say i withhold tips? I am just not in favor of giving royal the money.

I don't remember saying that you withhold tips. I was just commenting on the general nature of the thread.

And wasn't it you that titled the thread?

Anyone refuse to tip on a cruise?

OK...I had it backwards. 15.00 a carton. The 3.75 may or may not save you much depending on what you buy. I'll be a lot of people aren't aware of that till they disembark.:eek:

Yeah, even the 3.75 could be the difference between a good deal and not. I'm checking prices now to see if it makes sense to buy or just get locally.

For sure! I had seen him on another post stirring the pot.

The problem is, it almost needs to be commented on. There are new people browsing here all the time and I wouldn't want anyone to buy into the argument in favor of withholding tips.

For ships in Galveston Texas, there is now some type of tax the State of Texas charges on Liquor and cigarettes that you have to pay as you go through customs. I thinks it's like 15.00 per bottle and I don't remember what it is on cigarettes. Can't save money that way.

I leave on Saturday out of Galveston and I had heard about the tax but wasn't sure what it was. You are right, if it is $15 a bottle, it doesn't make sense.

I wonder what impact this is having on liquor sales on the Navigator.

Edit: I was curious so I looked it up...

For alcohol, the tax is fairly small — $3.75 for a liter of booze. For cigarettes, it is a pricey $1.50 per pack.

Gratuities are paid (or not paid) based on passenger choices. This is a service industry. Like any restaurant, taxi, or other service industry, tips are a reflection on the quality of service one gets. The staff is contractually compensated at industry rates...which is far less than most people would likely accept themselves.

 

I agree with what you've said. The issue, it seems, is that a small number of people are not tipping based on the level of service. They are withholding tips based on a philosophical difference of opinion. If someone receives sub par service (we never have), to me, a reduction is justified.

But to book a cruise - understanding that the crew works primarily for tips, enjoy the very high level of service, and never have any intention of tipping seems a bit unethical.

I thought the bottles of alcohol were good prices. We bought Patron for $35 per bottle.

Do you remember what variety that was?

When you drop thousands on a GS ,that is where Goldstein needs to pay his staff from. Tips are for good service not to be paying their sole income.

My point really was that no matter how you look at it, the wages will be paid by the passengers. You can argue over semantics and insist that it isn't right. But the reality is, if you remove the gratuities, you are taking money out of someone's pocket.

The vast majority of people do not drop thousands on a GS. But I find it even more bothersome to think that someone would spend thousands on a GS then quibble over $14 a day. Basically less than the cost of 2 drinks to receive extraordinary service.

You book a cruise with the knowledge that gratuities are expected and make up the majority of the staff wages. The staff accepts the position with the same understanding. You seem to want to change the rules in the middle of the game.

 

How dare you put the burden of these workers being paid on us!!!!

You do realize that even if the cruise line did away with tips, we would still bear the burden of paying the workers, right? I'm not sure where exactly you think it money will come from, other than cruise fares.

We book Aqua Class so it really isn't an issue for us. But I am grateful for my husband who just says, "What do I need to pack?". Sometimes it is a tux, sometimes a suit, sometimes a blazer and sometimes just dress shirts. Depending on the cruise line.

He knows from experience that if I'm happy, he's happy!

It probably will be mostly basketball but they will have volleyball and dodgeball also.

He will most definitely not be bored! There is just way too much going on for that to happen. I speak from experience having cruised many times with teenage boys!

If the staterooms are the same category (and both non-accessible), then they are the same size.

Agreed. My kids stayed in a stateroom that slept 5 and it was no bigger that ours next door that slept only 2.

They had 4 in the cabin and it was a tad crowded (huge understatement).

Actually I don't think it's the norm in the cruise line industry either. while they offer the ability to prepay, I doubt many take advantage of that. as noted, only those requesting MTD are required to prepay which I do find silly but then again, it's a choice one makes to book MTD. Personally, I prefer fixed seating as I like to get to know my waiter.

Good point. We don't do MTD but we always prepay. We are probably in the minority.

We didn't always, I just find it easier for some reason.

No just the opposite i remove the so called tips.And have had excellent service.And after the cruise they get their tips, as long as the service was good.Tips are given not taken.:)

Actually, I'm not surprised. I am lead to believe that worse than no tips would be negative comments on the comment card.

Personally, I find it alien to tip in advance, it doesn't rest well with me because of how I do things at home. However, if I was in America, I would follow the American way. The trouble is, being on a cruise often puts you in the middle of two cultures (eg, American cruise liner sailing out of UK).

For what its worth, it is not standard in America to tip in advance. The only place I am aware of is cruise ships. So the "tipping in advance" really isn't an American custom, more of a cruise ship custom.

95% of complaints from Aussies about Royal on Facebook groups here in Australia is tipping.

How do you remove/ can you remove the auto tipping is the top of the questions.

The rest of the world believes tipping should only operate in the USA.

I think when tips are removed, the staff is notified. I would hope that the level of service provided is adjust accordingly. That way, workers can go above and beyond for other passengers who will show appreciation for their efforts.