mz-s

Other than the fact that it's their job? I am not getting into a tipping debate here. You can tip if you want, that is your business. But if the servers don't want to serve people who don't tip extra then they need to be sent home at the next stop. Guests shouldn't need to tip extra just to get the basic service we used to be able to expect on Carnival. I know that Carnival is basically a floating Red Roof Inn/Burger King these days, but come on.

The standard of service on Carnival is seriously degraded. In the past when you mentioned something about the food for example, even if it was just in passing, the Maitre'D would stop by and ask for more information. On my last cruise my lobster was so overcooked I asked to speak to the Maitre'D and they never even bothered to stop by my table. Not really related to OP's immediate issue here, but another data point as to the standard of service on Carnival being more like a Burger King or Red Roof Inn these days.

I didn't say it was the same. I just explained how the pooled gratuity system works.

The server gets the same share of every Cheers purchaser onboard, so yes their percentage of gratuity from you personally is quite small - but they're well taken care of by the gratuity system.

The dreams sessions are free, you just pay for the photo package afterwards. The packages are expensive. If it's a once in a lifetime cruise, which it sounds like it is for you, I would definitely recommend booking a sitting. You are under no obligation to buy anything afterward but obviously the whole point is to buy a package and they do sell you pretty hard.

Yeah you can't actually change who is in a room once you're onboard, as far as I am aware. You can only do that beforehand and since presumably you and your spouse are the ones with the casino offers, that would leave the other room paying brochure rate. I would just try to qualify for free drinks while playing in the casino at least. And maybe in future cruises you'll get offers for Drinks on Us Everywhere, which is essentially Cheers but paid for by the Casino.

You can ask, in my experience usually they'll make it in a regular glass first to make sure it's the right amount and then pour it into your cup.

Doesn't matter. I carry mine on so I can use it immediately. It needs to be empty at the pier going through security, but once you're on the ship you can use it of course.

Right, people here genuinely think a $20 bill makes them royalty. It's so silly.

Carnival's cutbacks to their crew levels are severely affecting the cruise experience. They need to make major changes quickly to salvage what is left of their reputation.

If you switch rooms, then the second room would no longer be eligible for the casino rate would it? What is cheaper - Cheers or paying brochure rate for the room?

People are under the false assumption that if they throw money around people will fawn over them. Tip extra if you feel the service you get warrants it, or if you feel the service is sub-par and you need to tip extra to get good service. Each to their own. I don't care. But I don't like the air of superiority that these threads always have.

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3401/~/i-need-to-cancel-my-booking%2C-is-there-a-penalty%3F

Exactly what I said in post #2. ☮️

Very rare post-COVID. Generally if you wait, you pay more.

First I've heard of the distilled water being free on Carnival. How recently was this.

Not sure how much you know about Reddit, but nothing on that site should be taken at face-value. Why don't you trust what the first two links you found say?

That article just says what the map shows - that Starlink is not yet available in Singapore.

Absolutely - the prices today are good for today. Buy it today if you are sure you'll want it for your cruise. In fact, pre-buy everything you'll want. Excursions, gratuities, etc., because everything will be much more expensive next year. Carnival hikes prices every few months lately.

Only shows coverage over land, not the sea - so while you can sort of infer coverage (or lack thereof) you can't be sure. However, if we are going by that map - there is currently no coverage in Singapore, but there is in AUS. I wonder if Splendor is equipped with Starlink antennas, and if so how do they deal with gaps in coverage.

https://www.carnival.com/onboard/cheers

I don't know if Starlink has made it to that area of the globe yet. Assuming it hasn't, presumably they'd still be using the older satellite network which is not great.

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3372/~/cpap-machines

By the book yes it is true but in practice it is not enforced. I basically wear pajamas 24/7 on Carnival these days and sometimes I am overdressed in the MDR.

They raise prices literally every few months. It's meaningless to ask about prices now unless you cruise in the next few weeks.