LobsterStalker

>>> Wonder why that is ?!? Cheers

Humorous how so many complain , but are also quick to join in ...

Well there.... You are the first I have heard refer to NCL's dining as chaotic...

I'm not sure I buy that theory as from what I understand most times specialty dining on Royal is hard to get reservations for , so they too should be spread out by that theory.. ?! Cheers

I have not experienced how other lines handle this properly ... (consistently) , with the exception of 1 NCL cruise that opened my eyes to the possibility , .... But I hope Royal can figure it out ! Based on my cruises since Restart , Royals MDR dining in general , is a $.hit show Cheers

You seem to be forgetting the part where (unless removing the auto Grats ) Everyone is tipping the first time around ! This is where the system is skewed for the worse ! So maybe you are suggesting remove the Auto grats and tip appropriately ?! Not what I am looking to do . Cheers ...And (?)

>>>> YIKES !!

I believe the cruising public will determine this one ! Cheers

>>>Ouch

I'd be curious how that 5 is handled between various wait teams. I'd be willing to bet some Head Waiters feel they do not need to share or at the very least feel they deserve a higher chunk. If we are happy with our service we always tip the assistant as much as the head , and in a couple cases have actually tipped the assistant more due to exceptional service provided ! On one of those occasions where the assistant provided much better overall service we actually had the head waiter apologize that his assistant wasn't great ...Blew my mind . Seems they often feel they are far superior due to title Cheers

You can, but some may worry that the ship won't get it to the right person and rather hand out cash directly Also , I would assume it will then become taxable Cheers

So are you telling me there is good news in this for me, my DW . You ,your DW , Oceansaway and their children as I am in that minority as well? I am after all hoping these prices are short lived and I will again soon be able to justify the prices to continue cruising ... which I love ! Cheers

Why ever would they not be ?

Yes ,maybe they are finally coming to terms with the fact that overpromising everyone's requests ahead of time and then asking forgiveness on Embarkation day is NOT the right approach ! So now we'll just throw a distraction noodle E-mail at everyone and hope this will somehow make things better ? Hoping the geniuses at the top get this straightened out ,( hopeful,but not holding my breath ) Cheers

Everyone always seems to give this advise , and though well meaning , it is not likely as viable an option as people seem to think . The MDR has been chaotic at best in its handling of my last 3 cruises and by the long lines of other soon to be disappointed guests , we are definitely not alone . I always E-mail ahead and have even received table assignments that are non existent upon boarding , and all we are looking for is a 2 top for early dining. I can't imagine what OP will be up against trying to arrange for such a large party with multiple bookings , if trying to resolve on embarkation . I wish you luck but ... Cheers

...Hmmm ?

Should say .... "When you find a good one "... Many are not ... actually why OP started thread Cheers

I wouldn't let someone calling it a booze cruise put you off Your 'kiddo ' will not be looking to hang out in Boleros ... or the night club ... or the casino. She is a huge ship and you can all have a great time !! Cheers

I often feel the recommendations are simply what they have the most of , and the stay away is what they are running short on ... Cheers

....Wow

Soooo rude ... to someone with every right to share about their clearly subpar experience !! This is Cruise CRITIC ! Cheers

I agree completely ! .... Though I may get banned for saying so As I read through the many (What I would consider ) harassing posts here ... It blows my mind what i just got warned by CC for . Cheers !

Our last stop we bought a day pass at one of the resorts which included access to the resort plus beach chairs and umbrella . Turns out It actually made the day soooo much better as it rained most of the day and we had much more space to roam . Even with the rain , ( one of the only rainy days we've experienced in the Caribbean other than a passing shower ) , still super relaxing stop ... Love it ! Pre shutdown our last cruise went to the ABC's . As world travel was getting back underway , we were thinking we would not want to limit ourselves to a ship with too many rules and regulations , so we had fully intended a 2 week stop to Aruba . As it got down to crunch time things seemed to be loosening up enough for us to want to cruise , so we booked B2B with second Leg to ABC's instead. Got phenomenal pricing and got ARUBA... It was a win win ! Cheers

We first went to the ABC's on our 10th cruise . Though we are addicted to cruising , and I don't think that will change anytime soon , we had gotten to the point where the ship was truly our destination and the ports were becoming insignificant ...Until the ABC's changed that ! For us there is just a totally different vibe down there . All fantastic , but Aruba was the kicker on first cruise there . People are just so freindly and absolutely none of the mayhem that you would run into in say Nassau or Jamaica or the like with people clamoring over you to sell or take you somewhere . Favorites in order would go Aruba , Curacao , then Bonaire , however last time we did an amazing snorkel trip in Bonaire that we are itching to go again to. Head and shoulders service beyond any other company we had snorkeled with. Cheers

With this follow up to your original post , and the cheerleaders here still won't acknowledge that this is service that is CLEARLY subpar and shouldn't be considered acceptable , it is clear how tunnel visioned they truly are ! Glad you're enjoying your trip ! Cheers