rs45thompson

In my case I agree with tipping the room steward, bartenders and dinning room staff. I normally get great service and they deserve it. I disagree with them expanding it to others that they should be paying a wage too. It should not be my responsibility to supplement the wages of those that wash the linen or vacuum the common area, etc. I don't do it at a hotel and I shouldn't be doing it on a ship. Everyone is entiled to their opinion and that is mine. In saying that I will admit that I prepay my gratuities so I don't have to worry about it.

I agree with tipping room steward, dinning room staff, bartenders. I do that at home and when I travel on land. I don't agree with tipping all the others. Just my personal opinion.

I'm curious. Do you tip the same people at a hotel? Do you find the people cleaning the stairways and hallways, restrooms etc and give them a tip? If not then why should we on a cruise ship? A tip is supposed to be a thank you for a service well done, not something you are forced to give to someone you haven't even met.

Have your travel agent link your reservations. If you don't have a travel agent call Royal Caribbean and have them link the two reservations.

Thanks for the suggestion. Changed to deck 10.

I am booked in this room December 16. Has anyone sailed in 12185 yet on the Apex? Do we know about the noise yet? Hopefully it is underneath the hands, so no noise early in the morning.😊

We did the Chef's table on the Celebration. Had a great time! I want to say it was about $100 per person. You meet at the Coffee shop and they walk you to the galley. You get a galley tour and an appetizer and then they show you how to make the melting chocolate cake. They then take you into the Chef's table room. You have no problem hearing the Chef. Here are some pictures. IMG_2332.HEIC IMG_2338.HEIC IMG_2339.HEIC IMG_2341.HEIC IMG_2345.HEIC

Sometimes they call them in groups, like A01-A03 but if not it isn't that long between them.

Things may have changed but when I used my BC and ID they told me to bring my marriage certificate to bridge name.

Thank you! Yes, I meant what drinks are complementary.

Does anyone know what drinks are included on the Apex if you didn't get the all inclusive package?

All cruise lines have had mechanical issues. Ships, cars, trains they all break down and have to be fixed. Maybe you hear about Carnival a little more because they have more ships I believe. It happens.

Is it cheaper to book in advance or are there deals to be had onboard?

This will be our second trip to Saint Marten. The first time we did Bernard's Tours and loved it. This time we want to go to Marigot, enjoy a pastry and do a little shopping at the market. I would also like to get some of this GuavaBerry Rum I have heard about. Which is the the best and cheapest way to accomplish this? Is it doable? My first thought was the water taxi but in researching found it didn't go this far. Second thought was to take a taxi, does anyone know the current price? I have read that it is possibly a 45 minute ride? Do you know where I can find the GuavaBerry Rum? I saw the emporium was closed permanently. Thanks in advance for your help.

I would be interested to hearing about your experience. Also, what was the price?

We are in the same boat. We are in our early 50's with a 17 year old son. We like Carnival, with Royal being a close second. On Carnival Celebration (my favorite ship) the kids were running up and down the hallway at 11-12:00 at night. On Mariner we had kids running (almost knocked a lady over) and preteens pushing buttons and running out of the elevator. Hoping Celebrity will be better.

Nice view!

I didn't think about the Visa Gift Cards. That is a great idea!

I tipped who I wanted to tip. Once I hand the money over it is no longer mine and they can do with it what they will. At that point, it is no longer my concern.

In my opinion, if enough people remove gratuities that will show how unhappy we as cruisers are with the changes. If we pay it and keep on, nothing will change. They will just keep taking and taking and giving us less. They are trying to see where the breaking point is and I am at mine. Not enough to stop cruising but enough to take notice.

Yes, didn't really think about it. I mean I paid the auto gratuities and paid a little extra if they did a fantastic job. Now with the increase in gratuity, the once a day cleaning, the 2 hour plus dinners I want to know where my money is going. I think for the first time when I go on my cruise in November I am going to stand in that awful line and remove my gratuities. I will then pass it out to those who I want to tip. I'm going old school.

Yes, she is the only one to be paid. I think as Americans we forgot what a tip is. We over-tip and tip for everything. I do the auto gratuity but totally disagree with it. This is the definition of a tip: noun: tip; plural noun: tips 1. a sum of money given to someone as a reward for their services. "he never leaves a tip" It is my money I worked for and I should decide who to tip and how much. It shouldn't be mandatory and I shouldn't be made to feel guilty if I don't want to tip everyone on the ship. When I go into a restaurant I tip my waitress. I don't tip the cook, the dishwasher, or the person who seats me. When I stay in a hotel I don't tip the people who clean the sheets or the person who checks me in. I leave money for the person who cleans the room. At this point on cruise ships, we aren't tipping but supplementing salaries and that is not the definition of a tip. Maybe that is why they have changed the name to service charge. This is my opinion and I'm sure others have differing opinions.

We will have to agree to disagree. Have you been on a carnival cruise?

I have never experienced this on Carnival. I don't know why people dump on them. They are no different than any other cruise line.

Thank you for sharing. Love seeing the old Capers.