Joseph2018Baltic

I always do a meet and greet in the bars on board.  Never needed antother one

2 hours ago, coolio111 said:

Is RCL offering the muster drill on the app now? I only sailed pre covid, have things changed for the muster drill?

 

Thanks

The muster drill has changed over the years and Covid did not have anything to do with the changes.  The e-muster was already in the plans prior to 2020 as cruise lines have been reviewing how to best manage the safety laws.  RCCL does not offer it, but rather require you to complete the muster drill by maritime law either on your app, or in your room.  Once you complete the final step, which is to report to your actural muster station, will your process be considered complete.  This is actually the second major change in the muster drill process this decade.

The auto tips are the customary amount to tip on an international cruise ship.  I do not tip extra, just like I don't tip anything extra than the customary amount in a restaurant which might be 18% in the USA, or much less intenationally.  I always know the customary amount, and try very hard never to go over it.  

Wouldn't the simple solution be not to link a status unless legally married, or kids. 

I see several things here.

First, people complain the auto tips up, buy then brag how much more they give

Second, People complain, but than remove the tips, and think that handing tips to employees themselves solve the issue

Third, the people who believe the staff and their sad stories

Fourth, people that think the cruise line steals from their employees.

My thought is this, I tip the recommended and customary amount, and I don't give extra, or take any of it away.  It is a customary amount, dictated by years of cruising, and I'm happy with it.  Oh, and my service is the same as the braggers.

I find this is a very common issue, where, you have a person bragging, and a person that is clueless. My last cruies, I heard a person brag how much better the food was for a suite guest and a special restaurant on the ship.  I know this is a RCCL page, but this did happen.  The ship, Celestyal Olympia, formally the Song of America, a RCCL ship built in 1982 has a reserved area for the 10 balcony suites.  Guess what, although a separate section of the main dining, the food was exactly the same.  The exact same menu.  Nothign different.  Plus, you still had access to the buffet that was also in the dining room.  Exactly the same.  I loved it. 

Moral of the story, is that some people, might actually believe what they are saying without ever knowing they are wrong. 

Never had an issue parking in any lot.  Arrive before your boarding time.

2 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

Well pardon me. It sure sounded like you did since you claimed they told sad stories of having 6 kids to feed.

I heard once 5 kids at home......but my point is they tell stories, and therefore, I don't chat with them.  I also was told once about how they used the money for food for their family (like don't we all use our money to pay for food?) and once how the wife needed a car for work.  

57 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

Never once heard any such story from any crew member on any cruise I've ever been on. We enjoy chatting with various crew members about "back home" and not one of them has ever told us a sob story or made us feel guilt tripped in any way.

I tend not to chart with the hired help.

On 8/12/2023 at 7:54 AM, Grumpella said:

I know this is a touchy subject, but just asking, so don't bite my head off.  lol

 

I just got off Anthem of the Seas last Friday.  I was in an inside studio cabin, 14 day cruise.

 

I paid the regular gratuities and then gave my room steward an extra $ 120 in cash.

 

He seemed disappointed with the extra amount.  The only thing extra that he did for me was put on an extra topping on the bed before I arrived, as I requested before the cruise because the beds are so hard.

 

Thank you in advance for your opinions.

So many opinions, but my opinion is that you gave him $120.00 too much.  The gratuities on a ship is based on a customary amount on an international vessal, and not expectations of a citizen of the USA.  Anything over a customary amount is always accepted  I personally don't recall the last time I tipped extra on a cruise, because I am happy and satisfid with my prepaid, recommended amount that I give. 

There is a thing that many of the staff will do now.  It is called the guilt trips.  The sad stories.  How they are trying to feed 6 kids at home.  You name it, they tell it.  Looking at $120.00 like you were a cheapskate.  It's a game with them, and you are falling for it, by feeling guilty of the amount.  

You tipped way too much, and no need to feel bad about it. 

Rule of thumb is 12:00 noon.  So any poster says before, was lucky, and anyone after, is normal.  Asking a question like this only means that you are justifying a situation, that is not predictalbe.  So I recommend that you do what you already want to do, and just hope for the best.

Being a parent and a grandparent, I really do not believe a 2 year old will know, or care or understand anything that is happening, and will have fun, with a water hose, if that was all it was.  You will have a long time, and many years of explaining why you can't do something yet to a child.  Go have fun, and your kid will have fun as well, where ever he is at this age.

Soda is a rip-off, but you already know, you paid for 7 days, and the cup, is free.  So, you know that if you get soda past the days you paid, it is taking something you did not pay for.  So why in the world, are you asking if it is ok?  

13 hours ago, baldilocks said:

With all the news about Haitian unrest, will Labadee be safe? I know they have fence guards, but a couple of years back no one could get off the ship due a fleet of small boats doing a protest.

The protest with the boats has nothing to do with the unrest in Haiti, different year, different situation.  If you need to ask, than don't go.  Labadee, is an isolated area in Haiti, and is leased by the cruise industry.  Every country has protesting (including the USA) and various other items to be concerned about.  That is the world.  So, there is nothing to be conerned about, but make your own choice in the matter.  

First a shuttle bus is a short trip, between say the ship, and a drop off place.  A tour bus, is larger, and can have a luggage area.  An excursion bus on small islands can just be a very large mini van.  

Point is, saying a shuttle bus, it will be a big Maybe.  Without know any details, no one can answer you and even if they do, they still might be wrong.

My wife has a travel scooter, and very seldom hafe issues, but if it is a shuttle bus, often times, since a "shuttle" is used for short trips, we just walk/drive scotter.

I'm confused.  If you are traveling to Asia, why would you think the cruise would not have a huge amount Asian on it, and why would you think that it wouldn't be culturally enriched?  Any cruise in Asia will not be like the Caribbean or like Europe.  It is completely different.  (And quite fun)

I'm Diamond.....and I have no idea.  Try calling customer service?

I prefer tipping the customary amount for an international flagged ship, and tip the prepaid, recommended amount.

But if you want to tip, more than customary, cash it is.

No two kids are the same and how they sleep certainly not the same, but at the end of the day, I think you are overthinking this.  Just go with the flow.  Kid will be tired, and all will be fine.

My oldest never had a passport while a kid, and my oldest only got one at 16 because of a school trip.  They each were on over 10 cruises and I have NEVER had a passport for those trips.  

I honestly believe that like all things, the email request have gotten out of hand, and so, they cut back on how they handle it.  

21 hours ago, Grumpella said:

I should have asked what is the 2nd best option, as I know the ATM is the best but I am travelling alone and will not visit an ATM alone.  Thanks.

Wait, you don't have a credit card that you can withdraw money with a PIN?  It is difficult and expensive with fees for getting money at a bank these days.  ATM might have a small fee, but if you are taking out say €300 and your bank does not do a conversion fee, then you might pay maybe €3,00 for the funds, much cheaper than any place else.

I don't understand if you can travel by yourself, why you can't go to an ATM at a bank, or someplace where you are not isolated from others.  Your hotel might even have one. 

I get your concerns, but I recommend using a no fee credit card, and carry small amounts of cash, for things like taxi, or tips or a bottle of soda or water etc. 

Umm, the cruise line was not responsible for this.  

Air2Sea is independant of RCCL, and is a travel agency for booking flights. 

Domestic flights happen several times a day, but International flights happen many times once a day.

Issue happens, than you have no choices to fix

They gave you a solution, and you did not like it.  (but that was you, and not your adult son).  

So all I see is that this was messed up by you, taking a risk, and they helped, but the help was not what you wanted, so you declined, and then you got mad because a taxi ride to the port was needed?  And yet, your adult son, most likely was OK with a few side stops.  I would have been ok, and yes, I had "issues" on trips several times.

you must check it!  But honestly, I wouldn't bother, it is way too much hassle, and risk to save a few dollars.

5 hours ago, rmzlvacationers said:

thanks all for the responses.  Think we are just going to take the birth certificates and roll the dice on no freak emergency that they would need to fly.

if married, which I'm sure is yes, you might need a name bridging document which is a marriage license.  Honestly, the card is very easy, and I use it all the time.  Eliminates any issues. But no, you don't need it, but it is extremely convenient to have.