cruisingguy007

They can call it what they like (resort, service, whatever), they wouldn't need to raise them if everyone paid them, they may even be able to lower them a bit. Those that never paid them and those on the bubble about paying them will definitely not be paying them as they increase. They will just see it as a bigger savings over the $100 per head discount they get for removing them already and those who pay them will continue to feel like suckers and subsidizers. It's a vicious cycle.

The riff-raff is already removing their tips, this will do nothing but have those of us who always pay them (and more in many cases) further subsidize those who don't while increasing the pool of those who remove them. Raising gratuities only incentives the cheapskates to remove their gratuities even more. Making them mandatory or baking them into the fare would be the only way to accomplish reducing riff-raff.

Pre-pay, lower rate, post-pay, higher rate. It's sounding like all the other times, they want you to hurry up and buy before the specified dates. You can use OBC to pre-buy stuff now, most things anyway. If you already purchased, you're good.

Interesting, when I click it it shows $48 and kids $13. I wonder why it's different. I'm not logged in though so maybe that's why? That's crazy though if it is $65 now. More power to them if they can get folks to bite on this, it seems to work on other lines and folks like to feel exclusive and special, auctioning this off to the highest bidders makes sense. Maybe before people complain now they they will lead with "I'm diamond/platinum, only stay in suites and only eat at the $65 a night steak house....." as a badge of honor😁.

That link shows $48 for me still. I'm not seeing $65. I wouldn't pay $48 so $65 would be nuts.

It also keeps you off your phone and wasting time and entertaining yourself. If you're board/restless without internet, you'll have to entertain yourself in other ways that can lead to more OB spending (booze, bingo casino, shopping etc).

Indeed, I usually tip out each day at MDR on top of auto-grats, tip additional on drinks even that I get myself and leave additional for room stewards but it's getting a bit much. It's getting to where the auto-grats are enough when they charge them in general (per person, it adds up for families) and on everything else you buy on board, and at the same time are raising prices on everything from water to alcoholic drinks and excursions etc. They have to look out for their bottom line but we also have to look out for our bottom lines as well. These price increases on everything on board (water, booze, bottles, internet, dining, excursions sundries etc) need to be offset for passengers too. We can't simply generate more income on demand and have economic restraints as well. I hate to say it but I think the auto-grats will have to suffice to offset increases and additional gratuities and casino donations staying in the pocket can do just that.

Some countries don't allow auto grats by law and have gratuities built into the fare, I believe AUS cruises is one of them IIRC.

I agree, did 5 for my first cruise in an inside not knowing how small cruise cabins were, I literally did want to sleep on the lido deck and stayed out as late as possible as I dreaded returning to the cabin. I'm a big guy and claustrophobic so it was a huge mistake, I would never do it again, ever, even for free lol.

You should see if medical can wrap it for you for a reasonable fee or if they have ASO type ankle wraps on board. You may be able to find one in port also but getting pressure on that will help big time. Looks like you rolled it.

I'm still waiting and haven't gotten a reply. I guess I'll phone in again tomorrow.

I'm trying out family harbor suites for two specific cruises. It was a strategic booking decision during a special limited time sale. We usually do two cabins and will moving forward, especially with the single day cabin servicing and all the confusion it causes. They also raised gratuities for the inconvenience. Still haven't gotten a useful answer but it seems you can't ask a simple question on the subject without a bunch of snark, sarcasm and general asshatery replies. It's so frustrating and unhelpful (not you, others).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION WIFI PRICES AND RECOMMENDED GRATUITIES ADJUSTMENTS (U.S. AND EUROPEAN DEPARTURES) January 3, 2023 Dear Carnival Guest, We are writing to let you know that we will be adjusting internet prices and onboard gratuity guidelines with all cruises based on the schedule below. However, we will honor existing prices for pre-paid internet purchases and pre-paid gratuities, per the dates outlined below.Internet prices – effective with embarkations January 16, 2023 Social: $12.75, per day Value: $17, per day Premium: $18.70, per day Gratuity guidelines – effective with embarkations April 1, 2023 Standard staterooms: $16, per guest, per day Suites: $18, per guest, per day Remember there is still time to save. You may pre-pay your gratuities and pre-purchase internet at the current rates as follows:Internet prices – purchased before January 16, 2023 Social: $10.20, per day Value: $14.45, per day Premium: $17, per day Gratuity guidelines – purchased before April 1, 2023 Standard staterooms: $14.50, per guest, per day Suites: $16.50, per guest, per day Access My Cruise Manager using the “RESERVE NOW” button below to secure the current rates for any Carnival open sailing. As a reminder, unless they are pre-paid, recommended gratuities are automatically added to your onboard Sail & Sign® account as a convenience. However, while on board, you are free to adjust gratuities at your discretion. No adjustments will be made after the cruise. Our shipboard team members work hard to provide exceptional and friendly service, so we hope you will agree that this slight increase is well deserved. We look forward to welcoming you on board! Sincerely, Sarah Reno Sr. Vice President - Guest Operations

Anyone care to share their recent experience with this situation?

So you can close them securely without a key but only need a key to bring them down? Or do you close it without securely latching it? I'm trying to figure out some logistics for this once a day service with pullmans and having space during the day. Thanks.

It's just as safe, I wouldn't worry. There is not enough parking for all the ships. The shuttle will probably get you there faster than waiting in a long line up anyway. Any hotels that have the 7 day park and cruise rate will probably work with you if you call them. They may add a bit more but it will usually be cheaper than parking at the garage. The Convention center is cheaper than the Carnival garage also. Hotel Maya is popular for park and cruise.

What about the people who it is a problem for? That's the question.

Uh oh! TxTeach79 down for the count? Taken down by the all you can drink RUI palace excursion. This should garner them some popularity taking down the heavy hitter big dog TxTeach!😄 You need to put your big girl Megan-fifteen-drink-stallion pants on and get back after it man! Don't let them win! You need to harness the energy and remember that inappropriate T shirt that man was wearing when you first boarded. Tell your liver to shut-up and get his b***h arse back in the game! 😁

I don't mind once a day either, the only issue is they have built and sold cabins as expected occupancies. There are even signs to not to attempt to take care of pullmans and such yourself. Some cabins are not really usable without the conversion from day use to sleeping use. They have a lot of cabins that are for four or even five occupants, not everyone is just a couple. Are they going to start leaving keys in the cabins for the pullmans and instructions for do-it-yourself couch conversions? Just telling folks "oh well too bad you have no space or no where to sit" seems non customer service orientated. Many folks may have booked these before the changes and may have opted for additional cabins or different cabins if they knew they would be stuck without configuration choices. It's not a problem for most cabins but it's not insignificant either.

I think there is a good chance it will return. Once the race to the bottom is over and the books are back in the black, the various lines will be looking to differentiate once again and separate themselves from the pack. This could very well happen once things return to "normal" but the folks expecting the same product post-covid, that they had pre-covid, will be disappointed for a few years. All those little nice extra touches will be eliminated to maintain the meat and potatoes product but it won't always be like that, hopefully anyway.

Good point, or couches into beds all day and no sitting space. So not cleaning per sey, but day/night cabin service makes sense in some instances.

Industrial alcohol! They use that stuff in TJ too, it's no wonder you can get "all you can drink" in various bars for like $6-7 lol. There is a bar/restaurant (Aqui) here in Cali that is famous for its swirls that use this same alcohol.

That's the same resort that some lady went viral on tick-tok about. Thought I recognized it! 😂

A lot of them are, nearly every all-inclusive will have time shares, it's a huge money maker for suckers, er a "owners". 😁 All those fees aren't investments and are just a money pit. You can usually stay at any of the same places whenever you want without all the up-front and ongoing costs and worries about fractional ownership and deeded vs non-deeded ownership as most just perpetually depreciate. You can bet than any place that call sell them, will and is. There is no downside so why not? If you inquire at any of them I'm sure they will offer to get you set up and probably give you some "free" stuff just for sitting down with them. 😅

It's a time share mostly and there are a lot on redweek (and places like that), they also have built in services at the locations to act as agents so they show up on booking engines as well, some properties also have units for in-house hoteling as well (direct booking).