BND

We tip per drink and if we have a server that we use regularly, seeks us out, etc, we tip extra at the END of the cruise. Just remember, there are those on these and other places online who spend their time baiting people. They can say they do something, but that doesn't mean they do. I also think that there are plenty of crew that tell sob stories. Not all by far, but like anywhere, not everyone is completely trustworthy/honest.

Hmm, someone takes things way too seriously.

I'm sure staffing has been reduced as testing requirements have dropped quite a bit. When we tested in Apr and Jul, we never had to wait more than two minutes at most. Since they are reachable from anywhere there is a wifi connection, they are 24/7. In Nov, we were in FL and there was a testing site in the hotel which made it very easy. So glad we don't have to test for our upcoming Jewel cruise.

They do ask you if you're vaccinated as one of the three check in health questions. I've been fully expecting dropping of all requirements very soon. Multiple people have reported not being asked for their vax card at the pier.

"Pissed them off"? Sorry, but they were doing their job and marking all empty chairs. If they came back before the time was up and the crew came back by, then what is the issue with a sticky note? Take it off and they won't remove your stuff. No one has an issue with people actually using the chairs. The issue is those that come down at 6 am, put towels, flip flops, etc and then don't return for 3 or 4 hours and sometimes longer. That is the issue.

I have seen sticky notes put on chairs in the Solarium several times over the last 5 years or so. The stickers are only as issue if someone doesn't come back within 1/2 hour.

We've done multiple cruises of 8-12 nights. There are something like 14 different menus. Some items repeat but the menus are different.

No idea, but the excursion got back probably three hours before all aboard. I don't remember if we saw them as it's been probably 7 years.

Depends on the ship. Vision class does not have a suite area. Also, our experience is the suite areas are always in the direct sun, so no thanks. When we want to spend a lot of the day in the Solarium, DH gets up at his normal time, usually between 630 and 7 and heads up and grabs two chairs in what we hope stays shade all day. I'm usually up there within 30 min of him and we grab a quick breakfast to eat at our seat and do the same for lunch. Randomly, seats will open up throughout the day. The worst person we ever saw in the solarium had a lounger in the sun and one in the shade. She would move back and forth. I've also seen people drop towels on loungers, get in the pool or hot tub, get out and grab their towels and leave and never sit in the chair. Not sure why they each need a lounger for a towel.

These are the same people that when they do an excursion are always the last ones back to the bus and late at that. We did an excursion where we had like two stops and then the beach and there was a couple that was late getting back to the bus every time and made us wait and lose time at our next stop. When we got back on the bus to head back to the ship after our couple of hours at the beach, they were the only ones not back. Everyone on the bus, including the tour guide and driver were frustrated with them. Every single person on the bus, said "leave them and let them find their own way back" (there were taxis there also) so we did. We waited at least 20 minutes past the time we were supposed to leave and we had all had it with those two. So, never assume an excursion will wait for you also.

LOL. Your post is just as judgmental as those watching pier runners. You have a good day.

We live in No VA which is a high cost of living area. I usually drink wine or sangria which normally runs $9-13 per glass depending on type. That's about what the ship's charge too. Mixed drinks run $13 and up in most places here.

I haven't had a beer on a cruise in at least 10 years.

Cost of everything is going up everywhere. They're just passing on those increases. They really aren't much more than drink prices on land.

I got a blue one on Enchantment in April and yes they are crew neck. I also picked up a white one in Bermuda at the Crown & Anchor store. They are so comfortable. I plan to pick one up on Jewel in three weeks if they have them.

Also, what I find interesting in Cozumel and this has happened every time is the ferry usually arrives just after all aboard time so there's always about 30+ people arriving late. I assume they're on an excursion to the mainland, but we have seen this every trip. They all get onboard and then we wait for the inevitable late arrivers. We're going to Cozumel on our next trip and hope that we dock portside to the port so we can watch from our balcony.

Unless you're giving away your drink voucher drinks to others, it really doesn't matter.

Not a guest pier runner, but a crew member coming back to the ship drunk. We were in Cozumel a few years ago (can't remember which ship) and a girl was weaving down the pier with security steering her away from the edge as we were watching from our balcony. She was crew and we found out later from our waiter she had to go see the Captain. Don't know what happened to her but she was late for crew return and really drunk.

Not that we've ever been anywhere near late getting back, I would not be a pier "runner". More like a "limper" with my knee.

Read the email I posted that I received. The wording sucks because it says nothing about those two groups. What is posted on RCI is much clearer and includes everyone. The email is very poorly written and completely leaves out what I said. The email should say ALL vaccinated guests are exempt. We all get it, but anyone who is new or doesn't read these boards would be totally confused.

And, this is what the email I got says: U.S. & Canada Departures 9‐Nights or less Below find our updated protocols for U.S and Canada departures that are 9 nights or less — excluding sailings to Bermuda. Should there be any changes, we are committed to keeping you informed. Vaccination Recommended If eligible, we recommend that guests joining us be fully vaccinated and boostered, against COVID‐19. While vaccination is not required, we kindly ask you disclose your status during check-in to ensure we maintain a highly vaccinated onboard population. Testing Pre-cruise Unvaccinated guests aged 12 and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of our sail date. Fully vaccinated guests and guests ages 11 and younger are exempt from this test. Accepted Tests Guests can take advantage of in-person, telehealth, and self-swab tests. This includes unsupervised testing. Proof of a negative test can be the printed or digital results, a clear photo of your self-test result, or your actual self-test in hand. To learn more about our accepted tests, visit our FAQ.

And, here's what the RCI website says which is much clearer: For Cruises from North America and the Caribbean (U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, and Barbados) Vaccinated guests do not need to take a test for sailings of 9 nights or fewer. On sailings of 10 nights or longer, fully vaccinated guests age 12 and older will need to bring a negative test result for a COVID-19 test within 3 days before boarding day. Guests age 12 and up who are not vaccinated have 3 days to take a test before their cruise, regardless the duration of the cruise. Guests under the age of 12, do not need to take a test prior to cruising. Required testing can be completed using any type of PCR or antigen COVID-19 test. It can be professionally proctored at your doctor or drugstore, or it can be a test you administer to yourself at home without supervision. Tests must be arranged on your own and are at your own expense. Please note: A guest is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the required number of doses in their vaccine series have been fully administered (e.g. 2 shots of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, etc., or 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson). Vaccines must be approved for use by the WHO or U.S. FDA, with the exception of CanSino.

What they don't mention is UNVACCINATED under 12. What they mention is vaccinated under 12. What about guests over 12 who are vaccinated? The wording sucks.

It depends on itinerary. Most cruises out of US have what you posted. TA's and Bermuda cruises have what others have posted. That's where the confusion is. My email says what yours does as we're doing a closed loop out of PC.

It's been taking about two weeks.