ChrisdK1

The worst table experience I've had is with my husband about 16 years ago on a Carnival cruise out of San Juan. We were seated at a table for 4, two couples. Unfortunately, my husband and I don't speak any Spanish other than 'dos cervasas por favor. And this Puerto Rican couple didn't speak any English. We asked the Maitre'd to switch us, and he refused. After the first couple of days trying to communicate (picture a nightly game of charades), we avoided the MDR.

This is great information to know. Do they have documentation to show that the costs are getting into the proper hands? If so, where please? I always want to vet this type of thing and if it proves legit then I would do this in a heartbeat!

Hi, I looked again at their website to find more info. This is what they've said about the excursion cost:

ShoreTrips GIVE was developed to connect travelers with ongoing volunteer projects in the Caribbean. To accomplish this, ShoreTrips has partnered with Hope Floats, a non-profit foundation, which has agreed to organize these activities and to provide a meet and greet representative. The fee to participate in a GIVE activity covers all administration costs; the fee is not tax deductible.

I suppose you could contact Hope Floats if you want more info on how the money is used.

So many replies already that I can't read them all so apologies if I am repeating...

1. RC couldn't return if the ports weren't open. So seems like they are being invited back. The local governments wouldn't open the ports if they weren't ready or needing the revenue.

2. I have read about offers of "humanitarian cruises", so perhaps you could transfer to one of those?

3. I have also heard mention of "humanitarian shore excursions", so perhaps that is worth looking into? If one is not already organized, try your roll call, try your local church to see if they have any contacts, or pick a church on the island you are visiting and see how you can help.

Shoretrips.com has humanitarian excursions where you can volunteer for a day or half-day. I believe the money that you pay for excursions goes to the charity, but not 100% sure. Btw, I'm not a travel agent, nor do I work for shore trips, but I had seen these excursions and am considering doing this with my teens as a teaching tool.

Because workers on a cruise ship are captive. If you decide not to eat at the MDR, a waiter is still there regardless. They can't just leave and go to another side gig to earn a living. So that service is there for your benefit whether you use it or not. Just like there is service in the Windjammer whether you are there or not. Which is why tips are spread around accordingly. Cruise ships are unique, and that's why there is a set daily amount based on the number of passengers sailing that is distributed equitably to the crew.

 

The set gratuities is not for the "wait staff" - its for "dining services" - big difference.

 

You can expect negative comments because you aren't as clever as you think you are. Now you know. ;)

I appreciate the information found on this thread...I was unaware of the way gratuities are distributed. A bit misleading, because I've seen where it says your $13.50 is divided - so much for waiter, so much for assistant waiter, so much for room steward etc. It makes it seem like you are paying a set amount for each type of service, so it made sense to me that if I'm not using a specific service that I shouldn't have to pay what is essentially a 'service' charge. Now that I've read everyone's input, I have a better understanding. Isn't that what these boards are for? And I was expecting negative comments not because I think I'm clever, but I feel terrible for the nasty remarks that have been made to rcdlfamily for suggesting that the gratuities add up for a family of 4. I think this forum is great for educating people, especially those of us who aren't able to cruise often, but would expect the nastiness to be left out.

LOL. And the tipping back then was? These responses are all so difficult to read. All too unfriendly sounding. Our kids have been raised properly. They throw their trash away. Re-use towels. Geesh. You make them sound like animals. They are also used to eating at nice restaurants and behave themselves accordingly. The restaurant doesn't have to "go out of their way for them". My kids are more adventurous eaters than I am. Yes, they are charged less. Because the cruise line understands that they will make more by cramming as many people into a room as possible. So while you are all comfy and cozy in your room, we're fitting 3 additional people in there. The cruise will make more off of us. Actually, if you think about it, the poor room steward is losing money on just one person in the room. He could make so much more with us awful and terribly messy families. These comments are so belittling. I just wanted to have a friendly discussion. I didn't say I didn't want to tip. I just feel that $500 is a bit much for one room of people who typically stay in the buffet. If I could have deleted my comment to dodge the rest of these unfriendly replies, I would. Does anyone know how? And thank you to those that actually offered productive and friendly feedback.

No judgement from me. We are a family of five, 2 adults and 3 teens (2 cabins). My kids NEVER eat in the MDR, just the buffet. And as much as others will say that the staff in the buffet deserve tips, the level of service is just not the same. So, I've been debating whether or not to remove SOME of the gratuities that is supposed to be for the wait staff. I will certainly be paying the grats for the room steward, but why pay for a service I didn't use? Oh oh, now I'm going to be getting the negative comments...bring it on.

It's a lot of work keeping up with replies and posting and finding pics and keeping the dip stocked and the glasses filled. It's exhausting! But as long as my guests are enjoying themselves while I work my butt off, that's all that matters.

 

Hi! I'm joining this post as a reader, but don't bother wasting your time replying to my comment...just give us more! I'm transported to my childhood when my friends and I would brattily pound our fists on the dining room table chanting "We want food! We want food!" but instead it's now "We want more! We want more!"