ScottVV

18 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

We always prepay our tips.

When I give our CS extra cash tips I often tell them I have prepaid our cash tips so they know the cash is exclusively for themselves.

So, to play Devil's Advocate with you.. Even if you say that, how can you be "100% Sure" that your tip stays in the pocket of the person or team that you actually tip?  That's the fear and/or question for most and it's been beaten to death on this thread, that you just don't know for a guaranteed certainty that your tip stays with whom you're giving it to....

8 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

They can tip in cash at the end of every meal.

So, if you tip, let's say for argument sake (which is an oxymoron on this site lol), $20.. Does that entire $20 go to your wait staff only or to a pool that the auto grat goes to?

9 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

I would keep an eye on it and see if a third show appears.  If reservations just opened last night, it should not be full for that time yet, so maybe they are only doing two, but we have gone to a later show that ends after 11pm more than once.

Thanks!  That's been my experiences as well. They usually have a show at 8pm'ish..  But it's all good either way.. You're cruisin'!

Just now, reallyitsmema said:

 

There is usually a third show that is later at night.  

Unless they add it from now until the date of sail, only those two times were listed..

3 minutes ago, PigsCanFly said:

We have usually arrived in the 10:30-11 timeframe, and always had very little delay for the dropoff and prime spots for parking.  I believe that is a good window.  I expect that after 12, it will get more congested, but JMHO.

Oh no, you're correct!  The line down the road is as far as the eye can see after this time frame.. Which is when I'm sippin' on my 2nd or 3rd Bloody Mary whilst viewing the parade of cars trying to get to the pier...

So last night we found out that you could FINALLY book your entertainment on the Anthem..  But what I found weird was the show times for We Will Rock You... On day 5, they only had show times for 2:30, which I assume is the afternoon Matinee..  But the other time was 6:30 - Weird time for the nightly show right smack dab in the middle of dinner time.  And if you don't arrive 30ish minutes or so before the show, you're gonna get the worst seats..  Anyone know why the evening show is so early?   Looks like an early Dinner or late lunch on day 5!

10 minutes ago, sft429 said:

 

You got that out of my post?  

 

Sarcasm definition is - a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain. 

 

i·ro·ny¹

/ˈīrənē/

noun

 

1. the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite

Watch....

<Sarcasm font> Hard to get the employees to genuflect when you don't hand over the tips in person. </Sarcasm font>

Now, I would see you're being "Sarcastic" and see the "Irony" you're trying to display..  However comma you didn't come off like either, so yea...  I did get that outta your post.

3 minutes ago, steveru621 said:

I think Cruise Critic posts a tipping thread once a month just to get their ad page hits up.

 

Guess I fell for it?

"We" fell for it

5 minutes ago, sft429 said:

 

So you don't think there is any self-gratification involved at all when someone insists on tipping in person?

^^  This is completely different than what you said before...  Yes, I would as well to show him/her just how much I appreciated their effort for __________ (Fill in the blank for service)..   But I'd never expect someone to "Bow" in front me of me to receive a tip..  I bartended for years and if I had to bow to get a tip, I wouldn't last 5 minutes...  Which is what you originally said about having them "Genuflect" in person....

20 minutes ago, sft429 said:

Hard to get the employees to genuflect when you don't hand over the tips in person.  

Wow...  Can you be more ignorant?

4 minutes ago, ShillyShally said:

How much is parking at Cape Liberty?  This port is driveable for us so we've been curious to try it.

There are multiple places "near" the terminal that are cheaper..   this one is $14.00... 

https://www.bayonnecruiseparking.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-aK307mO4QIVAVuGCh3Aww1HEAAYASAAEgLAifD_BwE

Parking at the pier is $22.00 per day..  http://www.cruiseliberty.com/directions_parking.html

2 minutes ago, zdad59 said:

"I don't believe in tipping.   I believe in OVER tipping."

                                                      - Vincent Antonelli

Best.  Movie.  EVER!!!  "OK how about this? You sell me my double scotch, and you sell my friend his double scotch, but instead of putting his double scotch on his tray, you put it on mine and I'll pay you for both. By the way have I told you that you look lovely in red and blue... Pam?"  Lol

Good.  I hope they were all charged for the towels.  That'll teach people to be respectful of others and obey easy to follow rules...

But in all serious..  Tip as much or as little as you think you should with the quality of service (from your room steward, servers, etc.) you received..  Nobody can tell you how much to tip as we don't know your bankroll or tipping habits.  But just remember, if you turn off your auto grats, you're tipping from square one..  Keep them on, you're already tipping $14.50 per person, per day....

7 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

I have my popcorn ready for this thread 

Wanna share....?

4 minutes ago, cruisinfanatic said:

Probably embarrassed that her jewelry was found right where she left it

I hope she does find it..  But I also find it weird that she's not been posting ....  I'm on the Anthem in a month or so and hope it's found before I start to think their could be actual thieves

Has / will the OP post and update on her situation or just sit back and watch all of us comment on each other's posts?

5 minutes ago, island lady said:

I DO pay for my chair I happily hog and reserve for the whole cruise.  It's sitting on my balcony.  😉 

Lol.. Me too!  But, alas, Chair Hogs have and always will be an issue and problem.  It's too hard to watch each and every person using a chair to make sure they follow the rules.  I guess you'd have to literally ask someone to "Put a chair on the Clock" to have something done about the Hogs.  I've seen chairs not used for hours with just a towel lying on it and a pair of flippy flops underneath.   What I really love seeing is the "Towel from Hell" spread out and over 5 to 6 chairs at 9am.... and you see nobody in sight for hours..  Then, miraculously, at or about lunch time, people slowly make their way there with a plate of lunch lol.  Ignorant people make me giggle.....

Love to hear this!!  Due on the Anthem on April 20th and would love to have other options to eat and the Solarium sounds like a winner - for all meals.  Reservations made!

12 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

 

Same here. It's never been a problem. I like to stockpile water for later use.

Ditto on this!  Every beverage - bottle water, please :-)  By the time day 1 is over, I have about a case of water lol...

20 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

 

You can't just get up and get a drink from pool bar, always, many times it is 15+ minute wait and you do have people wave cash because they are"more important than you" and just jump the line. 

 

Yes, you can..  You just need to have patients.. You're on vacation.  I've never waited that long for a drink, so I guess I'm lucky in that respect.  I'm sorry you're having such bad experiences on yours...   Those people who wave cash are just ignorant IMHO, so wave away and pay more to get your drink a bit quicker... Me on the other hand, don't care..  I'm on vacation and can care less :-)  Happy Cruise'n!'! 

2 minutes ago, gatour said:

the 18% gratuitiy is based on the difference in the price and the "limit".

 

I.E. if you order a drink that costs $15 on a $12 limit ship.  You will have $3 charged to your account put 18% of the 3 dollars...54 cents for a total cost of $3.54

That's pretty much what I said ..  without doing the math .  I figured it was obvious, but to some it may not be

3 hours ago, Sitzmark said:

".... If the drink costs more you'll be charged the difference."

+ 18% Gratuity....

48 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

 

Years ago you didn't have to move an inch to get a drink, they'd come around offering you every 5 minutes.  It was actually a bit TOO much.  But it has swung way the other way now.  You can spend hours on the pool deck and maybe you'll have a server come by during the day, possibly.  

I do agree to an extent..  When the pool gets crazy busy, the servers are sorta few and far between, and from what I have seen and experienced, they are doing the best they can..   You know, just as I do, the servers are treated rude, they are yelled at, screamed at, etc., and they are just trying to do their job - but in the society we live in now, the "I want it NOW!" and my personal favorite, "I'm more important then you!!" crowd - supply just can't and will never hold up to the demand...  But you can always get up and get your drink just as easy..  I think people have become too lazy and feel entitled just because they paid thousands of dollars to be on the cruise - and they feel they can treat anyone how they want, when at the end of the day, they are just there to do their jobs....  Just my 2 cents.

4 Cruises under my belt (NCL, Carnival, and RC) and never had an issue getting a drink at anytime, anywhere...  Guess I'm lucky that way....?  If you're ordering a Martini at a Pool Bar, you're doing something wrong anyhow...  Leave those drinks to pre and post dinner bars where the clientele and bartenders are more your speed - and believe me, I've never heard or seen a bartender turn someone away for not knowing how to make a Martini....