JGmf

Assuming the OP generally means 'recognition' for his/her play. The only thing you can physically see or learn is your tier credit point balance. You can see your points earned toward tier status by popping your card (or touching it against) a slot machine. When you play machines, you can see your points accumulate in front of your eyes. After you play tables, looking at a machine, you can see that your point level may have increased. You could also ask the Casinos At Sea staff what point total you have. That said, while points equal advancement to different tier status, they do not necessarily translate into what casino discount/freebie offers you may get...that's based on a proprietary algorithm driven by duration of play, wins, losses, amount of bet, the cut of your jib, how funny you are, and how knows what else.

I'm curious why does it matter whose fault it is for the purpose of a public announcement? Princess provided their remedy to the canceled cruisers with the FCC. The case is closed on that. Also, on the matter of public announcement of fault...as mentioned, there's a lot of finger-pointing and big-time money implications between engineers, contractors, owners, and vendors when assessing liability or fault on any large project. Making any public statement complicates the legal and contractual battles between the parties.

Looks like the world needs more welders. It's a great job that pays a lot of money. My friend's son just graduated from a 2 year community college trade program in welding. Starting job out of school with about 6 months of trainee experience: $100+k! (It helps he has a great work ethic).

Amen to that. The wonderful staff on these ships are there to make a living for themselves and their families, working unfathomable hours Americans would never contemplate. It's not their hobby. They count on tips.

I can't assist on how to get credit for what you played (good luck with that), but inquiring minds want to know: why/how the heck didn't your card function properly in either machines or when getting rated? Didn't you get a new card? Was it b/c your name/account wasn't linked, but otherwise appeared to be linked? Seems very odd.

We don't know the contract, but here's some more conjecture: the contract may indeed have had some financial penalties if Fincantieri didn't deliver on time, but as these things go for any major, complicated design, engineering, construction and materials-intensive project -- the general contractor can very easily extend the schedule with delay claims, meaning, they formally get to extend the schedule due to what they argue are things they didn't cause. Examples include: Princess tweaks the design of some restaurant after materials are already ordered, the engineers do the same to correct some unforeseen mechanical issue, supply chain issues force selection of a different tile vendor, etc., etc. There's lots of finger-pointing, sometimes scores of entities involved....and the lawyers get rich arguing liability.

We don't know the details, but two weeks notice is not bad for such things. There are literally thousands of moving parts, logistics, whatever, and any one of them may have created a critical path delay in construction, delivery, staffing, sourcing, testing, training, inspection, etc. of the ship. Plans are on paper; and then any one thing on the project management flow chart could have gone off course. I've dealt with this for a lifetime at work for very critical construction projects. They don't pull the plug unless they have to.

@njhorseman you are always a great resource of information, esp I recall during Covid setting the record straight on Bermuda regulations. Anyway, this ferry option sounds amazing. Can you actually leave your car at the Weekawken pier (safely) for a week?

Welcome to CC. November 2025? Well, that's an eternity from now, so you have 21 months of fun to read these boards and become a walk-on expert to NCL. I've sailed on the Joy a bunch of times. I really love the ship, especially "The Waterfront" (an outside, open air deck that flanks either side of the ship with seating and bars and restaurants) and the "Observation Lounge" (upper deck, forward section of the ship, with seating, a bar, and snacks at various times of the day). The food is good, not great, but all food opinions are subjective. Given your screen name, note that the food is bland in a non-spicy way....so just be aware that it's sometimes difficult to get pepper or hot sauce in many places (with the exception of horrible Tabasco). At the buffet they have such things towards the Asian food station. Also, try Food Republic, which I think is the best specialty dining on the ship. Enjoy your cruise and hope to see you posting on these boards.

I have a timing question regarding 360. We're in a full suite and booked it last summer. The sailing is late next month on Enchanted. Previously, posters on CC said they were contacted by Princess a few weeks prior to the sail to ask when the suite guests would like to take advantage of 360 and if they have selected food allergies. Now I'm reading that folks are calling ahead and reserving even if they have it coming to them gratis, as part of their early booking. Anyway, what do you think? Sit tight and await a call OR be proactive and play the (long and annoying) phone call game to try to get it booked?

No need for an envelope. Tip your steward at the end of the cruise. If you happen to see the same buffet staff every day, who happens to clear you plates extra fast and/or routinely get your favorite drink, then, only if you want to do it, a $5 bill would be fine. That's my opinion. Others, of course, may have different perspectives..

I'm saddened for the disappointment that these inaugural cruisers must feel. That said, there's a risk to being the first for anything that involves facilities, engineering, construction, logistics and service staff: opening night/week of a restaurant, bar, hotel...the first month in a new office building....buying a new car in its first model year, etc. Operational downtime, on-the-fly fixes, learning-as-they-go, and, yes, construction and delivery delays are bound to happen. Anyway, I'm not shocked. I hope those who booked it did indeed buy travel insurance. I don't know, me? I'd never do an inaugural cruise. Need at least six months to iron things out...

It's doable. We were off an NCL ship in POM last January. It was a Sunday morning, so light traffic. We quickly walked-off our ship with our luggage, booked an Uber during the walk to the curb, and we were at FLL by 8:40am....more than 4 hours early for our flight. Too early to even check our bags!

I've never had luck with their chat...so I suck it up, brace myself for the horrible calling experience, and then do the dirty deed. The phone call usually works, but yeah, it's not a quick or pleasant experience. Good luck.

@Grace61 Welcome to cruise critic. As others have mentioned, tip what you are comfortable tipping. End. Other input if you are interested: Me? I treat a cruise ship sort of like being on land, but with a cruise 'twist'. Bartenders get a buck or two per drink, maybe $5 or $10 or more to start the cruise, and less per drink (with same bartender) as we sit there and drink longer. What I tip varies on whether I've designated a bar as my "home bar", the friendliness of the staff, the extra effort they've made to make or suggest a cocktail, etc. We tip the steward more than we would tip a hotel maid, but we do this at the end of the cruise, handing them cash. We usually round-up to the nearest $50. So for 7 days, minimum of $100, more if you asked for -- and received -- a lot of extra things. At specialty dining, we'll leave a $10+ depending on quality of experience/service. Less than a restaurant, I know. I've even tipped the guy at the Lido deck pizza place. He insisted on making me a special slice (b/c I mentioned I love toppings X, Y, and Z), so to me, that was worthy of appreciation (and it was indeed appreciated by the hard-working guy). I routinely tip the dealers on the tables in the casino, occasionally playing a bet for them and/or sharing a portion of a larger win. (That seems kind of rare in the Princess casino... I was kind of surprised). Anyway, I usually carry a bunch of $1's and $5's with me for the reasons above. The crew works crazy long hours for months on end. Yeah, I know they signed-up for it; but these $1's and $5's will mean more to them than to me. Enjoy your cruise!

Could not be more true! Several times I had to prompt the attendant to take down my cabin number when returning. I can't imagine having to filter through the lists of handwritten cabin numbers to figure out who picked up and returned towels... As mentioned, it's the 'illusion of accountability', as if someone is keeping track....not. It does it's job, though, if nothing else, cutting back on the number of towels that are handed-out (and may never return).

Following-along @PistolPete13. Living a close 2-ish hour drive to NYC, I'm very interested in your continuing comparison to NCL. Was similarly interested in @JamieLogical's impressions after their first sailing.

Agree with @complawyer We've never had a problem storing our full-sized luggage under the bed.

Been on many NCL ships, always saw towel distribution staff and tables on lower decks adjacent to exiting stairwell as well as on the pier itself. They ask you to provide room number and how many towels (illusion of accountability for ensuring return). Drop them of in the giant roll off bin on pier on way back. Can't imagine POA would be different.

Nope, no way. Never ever. Too much like that doll that chased around Karen Black in Trilogy of Terror giving me nightmares as a kid.

Rather bring "pop" than mom. Easier to sail with.

Insert editorial comment: It really stinks that they eliminated the 360 as a suite perk, especially since Princess has relatively few perks given the exponentially higher costs of a suite. It feels like a petty, short-sighted thing.

Here's to Princess. Agreed. Their casino comps are amazing too.

Thank you. I was too embarrassed to ask myself...

I always tap that SWA heart logo on the way in. Hoping for safe flight of course, but also hoping some smelly and/or large and/or loud and/or nose-picker (true story) doesn't sit next to me.