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We had them in a deck 3 outside room on the Grandeur, they didn't bother me at all.. I'm short 5'2" and didn't have any difficulties...

If you don't mind me asking...Do you wash your face at the sink?

"Vessel" sinks suck, IMO....not only do you have to clean the inside of the sink...you need to clean the OUTSIDE? Who thought this idea up? Idiots!

Exactly! I thought I was the only one who hated them. You can't bend over them to wash your face before bed.

My previous 2 cruises on Grandeur deck 3 interior, the last being in September 2017, had those sinks.

 

I don't like them as I am a short woman and I have to stand on my tippy toes to wash my face as the sink sides are too high. It is quite uncomfortable.

Darn! That's my problem exactly. I hate those sinks. I don't know whoever came up with the idea of them. They make no sense at all. Not at all practical.

What did you do? Any tricks to using them that I may not have thought of?

This may seem odd, but I recently saw a photo someone took in a Jr. Suite on Grandeur and the bathroom sink is the kind with the high sides that stick way up (about 4") above the counter surface with a faucet that comes in low just above the rim. I was wondering if all the sinks on Grandeur are like that now. We will be in an ocean view cabin on deck 3. I was hoping that deck 3 doesn't have those sinks. I have a specific reason for asking. Has anyone been in one of those rooms who can answer?

Thanks!

We have one of these rooms in March on Grandeur and we have requested the beds to be separated so we can look out the window without having to kneel on the bed.

Can't wait to read your posts! We're doing this 12 day cruise in March. I assume the itinerary is the same although you may have some different ports because of hurricane damage (not sure). Have a great time! Looking forward to your posts.

There are Ex Officio underwear for women, also. They are what I always take when I travel. And, I do wear them for my everyday undies at home also. Very comfortable. And, they are easily washable and line dried overnight!!

Good to know, thank you. Any idea where these ExOfficio items are available at a reduced price? They seem quite expensive. Thanks!

Can you order a fruity frozen drink of the day without the alcohol? If so, does anyone know about how much they take off the price for not including it?

Can you order a fruity frozen drink of the day without the alcohol? If so, does anyone know about how much they take off the price for not including it?

Magen's Bay is our favorite. Conde Nast Travel mag. voted it one of the10 most beautiful beaches. Not sure how it fared after the hurricane. Anyone know?

OOPS...I quoted the wrong post. I meant to quote the previous one. Sorry about that.

I love this concept. I’m packing for my first five day and have 3 outfits a day. My husband will not be happy. Lol. Not sure how I will pack for my 13 day next year. This is a great way to think of it :)

 

 

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Thanks for the suggestions, but I also have to pack just as much stuff for him too, so double your 38 and...:eek:

I'm sure I will mix and match as you and other have suggested.

Many have said they wash things out in the sink. The sinks are very small, so I'm not sure how that would work, also do you then have to pack laundry soap???

I do use some cubes. I use the mainly for underclothing and socks. When we unpack, I just open the cube and put it on a shelve. It makes that part very easy to unpack. For shirts I use a packing folder. The rest goes into our suitcases.

What is a packing folder?

I liked the cubes when I was on a trip where I was changing hotels every couple days. It was easy to take things in and out of the suitcase without messing everything up if I needed something in the middle or bottom of the suitcase. For a trip where you just unpack everything at once like a cruise, I probably would just pack things normally.

Wasn't being critical at all about those that don't pay extra. Was just being a little critical about those that remove the autograts. I'm on your side here.

 

And in my whole 55 years I've only cruised 6 times so you got me beat there. Can't call that a lot.

I certainly didn't think you were being critical at all. I know many people give extra, which is very nice. I was just saying that we can't and would like to know that the people we want to get it, actually get it. It seems from what I have read here that even if we hand them cash instead of auto tips, they have to hand that over to someone else who distributes it. :rolleyes:

In short yes. Just google it on this forum it comes up a lot.

What would I google to see that? And do we know that this is true or just speculation on the part of fellow cruisers?

Nope! I'm right there with you. This ranks right up there with wanting to know what my mailman and garbage man make for a living.

So if you folks go to a restaurant and add the tip to your bill, you're OK with the restaurant doing something else with it other than giving the entire amount to your waiter? That's dishonest and fraudulent.

How can we find out for sure what RCCL is doing with the money we give in good faith as tips? I assume that if I add a tip to a restaurant bill, our waiter is getting that amount. I would not be happy to learn that the restaurant is not giving them that amount. I assume the same if I auto add my cruise tips to my account.

Well, some here say they like remove auto grats and tip the people personally. Not a thing wrong with that other than the fact you probably interact directly with about 50% of the people who have done something for you on the cruise. This is why I leave auto grats on and give extra as deemed appropriate. Our way, we feel its fair, works for us. Your mileage may vary.

That's all well and good if that's what you choose to do (giving extra) and are financially able to do so. Many such as I, cannot afford to cruise often and we must keep our expenses in check in order to be able to afford the trip in the first place. We don't buy drinks, specialty restaurants, photos etc. We just can't. We enjoy ourselves with what come in the cruise price. I give the tips that are asked for according to RCCL guidelines and I feel strongly that those who serve me actually get those tips. I should not have to give extra to ensure that they do. This is why I am upset to learn that is not the case. I should be able to choose where my money goes.

So, let me get this straight...If I chose to give my tips at the end of the cruise as cash instead of auto-tipping, the person I hand the envelope to does not get to keep that cash??? Do we know this for sure?

Which is wrong when we give tips in good faith.

Yes. My point exactly

I did not say they pocketed tips. I said they distribute how they see fit, not how the guest sees fit. Frankly, I do not know what happens to any "withheld" amount, if it goes to general crew welfare funds, or how it is accounted for at that point. When you pay it to the company you relinquish control over who it goes to and in what amount.

Well, if that is truly the case (and who knows for sure?) that is still somewhat shady to say the least. I have no idea if the people I want to have my tips actually get them. Until now, I assumed they did.

LMaxwell posted the following on this thread regarding RCCL pocketing tips:

If you ever do a galley tour look for the score sheet on the wall. on our last cruise we were told that a score below 92 would result in some portion of gratuity being withheld from staff. When 10's are the only thing that count, achieving a 92% is very difficult. Many scores were in the 86-95 range. I don't know how much is withheld, but remember, any paid gratuity to the company is distributed how management sees fit, not how guests see fit.

Illegal in what country?

Not sure what you mean "in what country". If you give money for tips and the money does not actually get to the people you have given it to because they have not gotten perfect 10s, where is it? They (cruiseline) have essentially stolen your money to keep for themselves. Is that OK with you? It's not OK with me... Just sayin'.

I think with what RCL is doing to their crew we need to play RCL at their own game. The crew need the 10 score like their life depends on it. Any other way you do it may actually hurt the crew. Comments whatever you say is difficult for RCL to actually evaluate it. A 10 score or anything else is what will stick in their mind.

So it is a 10 score or nothing if you want to help the crew.

Any monster tips you give will end up in RCL pocket and help them perpetuate their system.

They will get their money for sure if you hand it to them in cash.