ballarinamom

On 12/9/2022 at 9:22 PM, Ocean Boy said:

And how does it really make sense to tip on a percentage of a bill? Does a server work more bringing me a $30 steak than he/she does bringing me a $10 hamburger?

The point being, someone said they will tip 20@ of the cruise price- the discounted price. The reminder is that you do not tip in a restaurant on the bill AFTER discount. So if they are going to tip 20% of heir cruise rate, make sure its not the discount and where kids cruise free.

1 hour ago, RoperDK said:

My best guess is that because this is the Royal forum and therefore most people prefer Royal.  Carnival has been making many cutbacks and food downgrades, along with rowdy behavior in the news.  I think that 7 day or longer cruises on newer ships are fine on Carnival. They do have a lot of great free lunch options and good pricing.  

I agree. I think the shorter Carnival cruises tend to turn into booze cruises with the free drink package offers. I was just curious as the one comment said they were looking at other cruise lines but not Carnival.

40 minutes ago, jencruzin said:

Earlier on, right after they jacked up the gratuity fees, we decided - no more tipping the cabin stewards  or wait staff extra money UNLESS they do something extraordinary for us. We no longer "extra tip" head waiters (WHY) but we DO tip the bartenders each time.

Our upcoming cruise might be our last one with RCL for a while - it's just that it's time for us to try the other lines (EXCEPT Carnival), but we're expecting to see similar quality cutbacks as well.

Im curious as to why not Carnival? We've cruised on various lines for years. Or last cruise was Carnival. and it seems they have more/better free food options. more extended food options. Their app is amazing and MTD is actually that- you click on the app and they notify you when your table is ready. They have plenty of space in the dinning rooms for separate tables for two. he food was quality and variety in the MDR was very good but the price was good enough that he could pay for premium dining and still have money left over from the price of what we are paying for our next Royal cruise. And the clientele is beginning to look the same on both lines. So im just curios as to why so adamite about no Carnival? No trying to be rude, truly curious for your feedback. 

32 minutes ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

There are many cruisers, like me, who do include these costs when looking at the big picture, not just "cabin prices". I include the cabin, port charges, taxes, gratuities, and parking (or airfare) and divide it over the nights of the cruise for a per-night-cost. I know that Bermuda can be an additional $40 per person higher port charge for 5 nights compared to a 7-night Bahama cruise. You will often see the cabin price slightly lower for the Bermuda cruise, but it is more than offset by the higher port fee.

 

I would not say I am outraged by any of it, but I would say I am a savvy consumer. That total price per night is what I need to keep reasonable for the cabin I desire if possible.

Exactly. Look at the whole, total cost and see if it works for you. If not, wait for a sale or change plans. But you cant expect the cruise lines to add perks and refurbs without trying to make the money up somewhere. I live in San Antonio, Texas where chips and salsa used to be free at Mexican restaurants. Many now charge. Some places charge for bread or have stopped bringing it out. Things are getting expensive and if they can save from one area, they will do it. And keeping wages down on a cruise keeps the cruise line going. They are all in major debt after the shut down. 

20 minutes ago, The_Big_M said:

 

Not the same, and not true.

 

When port charges increase, firstly it's only to a specific port, not all ports, so doesn't affect all cruises, nor all cruisers. And secondly the increase is typically $5-10, which is much less than here, which would typically be $10-$30 - or in this case $35-$70 for a 1-2 week cruise. And I haven't seen any tax increases, so no comparison there.

 

Also not true as the closest comparable example was when there were fuel charges added, which is similar in that the cost impact was higher and also it affected all cruises, not limited. And that produced many threads and discussion/dissatisfaction. So when the impact is broader and greater like these gratuity increases, there will be threads.

Ive been on this board for a long time. The fuel charges were noting like the DAILY gratuities debates. And the taxes, not necessarily port charges, do go up and affect everyone the same. Yet there's no outrage when the taxes and port charges can cost the same amount, sometimes more, than the actual cruise price

5 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

The obvious solution is for a cruise line to pay better salaries. 

Then the threads will start about where have all the cheap cruises gone! LOL

10 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Not the same, taxes and port fees are compulsory and can not be removed. Gratuities are not compulsory and can be removed. 

Maybe they should not able to be removed is my point. For those who complain, why aren't they complaining about taxes and port costs? And for those who only want to pay 20% on a $200 sales price need to remember thats not the actually price but rather the "cost". It may seem like services arent affected with the labor issues but we dont see whats going on in the back ground. And by having two daily services, the attendants get less breaks. We visit with our attendants quite a bit and have learned they dont work 8 hour days. They dont get days off, just hours off. And their time off doesn't come in huge chunks. A few hours here and a few hours there. For the hours worked vs the money paid, its very little. I realize its more than they would make back home. But they are also isolated and away from family for months at a time and live in very cramped quarters

Has anyone noticed there are never any threads when taxes and port fees are increased? People probably never notice and never ask how to have them removed. Yet they are an addition to the cruise fare. I see the service charges in the same boat as taxes. Only I dont have to have them paid off 60 days prior to sailing. And people who say they will only tip 20% of the cruise fare, remember, you should tip on the retail/rack rate and not the sale price. When you go to a restaurant, you tip on the amount before the coupon is applied

7 hours ago, Pellaz said:

 

 

Couldn't help but contrast that with Carnival, where the towel animals join us in the room virtually every evening; my friend Kathy then preserves them on one of the shelves until the last day and gets a group-photo.  🙂   

 

 

Same. On our July Carnival cruise, we had daily towel animals even with the once a day service.

5 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

I haven’t seen martini tasting before on Royal,  although I wouldn’t totally trust my memory from years ago, just recently 🤪. On the Wonder TA, the had Scotch, Wine and Beer tastings. I did the beer and wine. I’ve always enjoyed martini tastings, and will be on Navigator on New Years, so will let you know what they have.

The first one we ever did was on the Monarch a long time ago! Unfortunately, we shipwrecked that same night and had to abandon ship in St Martin! LOL! NCL has one every night in a smaller bar and Carnival will do it on the first night in the Alchemy Bar. Was really hoping for one for this cruise as its a fun way to wrap up an evening. Thanks!

8 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Make friends with a bartender and ask them.

No offense but that's not what I asked. When they have "martini tastings" Its usually at a set time and a lot of fun. Bartenders will do tricks and usually a list of 10+ specialties. I know I can ask for any martini. But many cruise lines/ ships have specific martini bars or tastings that offer flights and I was curious If the Explorer had one. bartenders cant just make up 5 mini  martinis and I dont want five full size ones for tastings. And I doubt those around us want to wait whole we sample. 

Absolutely yes on the horizon part. I can get queasy in cars if I'm reading a book or looking down for long periods of time. Looking up at the horizon and taking a few deep breaths always helps. Ginger products, green apples and fresh limes can help settle your stomach naturally

we just took a Carnival cruise this summer and they were once a day. We actually preferred it and had a choice of morning or evening. We chose morning so we never had to worry about coming in after an evening activity and them being in there. We had everything we needed. Our steward had more rooms to attend to. Something to keep in mind, as these ships get bigger and bigger, less staff means more room for customer cabins and amenities around the ship. It also helps with immigration delay issues the lines are experiencing

We love trying new drinks and have enjoyed martini tastings on various ships and cruise lines. Usually you get a small version of several flavors and get to pick your favorite for a larger size. We have the drink package so we could try different flavors in the larger versions but would prefer to be able to walk out on our own! LOL! And recommendations for us on the Explorer?

5 hours ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

Go to the Guest Services desk once you get on board. Don't wait until day 2. Tell them who will be staying in which cabin. They will re-issue the appropriate cards to each of you.

We have done this a few times and they never question. Keep in mind onboard charges are tied to the Seapass which is also the room key. Their photo pops up for charges and boarding the ship in ports

4 hours ago, RedIguana said:

I've done The Key twice (sometimes it is worth it), Harmony 2019 and Explorer 2022. Had a table for 2 both times without even asking. Harmony was still in chops, Explorer was August 2022, so not quite post-covid free for all.

We're on the Explorer in January. Got it for $18.99 a day. We were going to do two internet packages anyway so its a good deal for the two of us

2 hours ago, PWP-001 said:

For forty years I have been in client/people-facing positions, so I know what you mean.  Yet, I typically don't mind the 45 minute to hour that a community table requires to enjoy a meal.  What I've found is that I don't need to be "ON" during those meals:  it's fairly effortless and not at all stressful to simply listen as others share their stories and experiences.  It's a brief period where there's nothing to sell, no agreements or signatures to be acquired.

 

I've met some interesting people... and once or twice a cranky cruiser who thought their elite status entitled them to a say in how the ship was run.  Or the woman across the table who made it an Act of Congress to make her tea, including instructions to an audience of two staff... But it's only 45-60 minutes, so something to laugh at and brush off.

 

Specific to your question, when I was traveling with a friend that really did not want to sit with others, the staff was reluctant to honor the request for a table for two, citing the limited space for The Key lunch.  But they did sit us at a table for 4 and never sat two others.

Years ago, we did enjoy meeting and chatting with new people. As we are getting older, more tired, we just want to relax. A table for 4 would be ok but not ideal. We just dont want a table for 10 on embarkation day. Thank you for your response

2 hours ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

Don't sweat small stuff!

This actually is not small stuff to us. I dont mean to sound rude, but we spend 40+ hours a week talking to 100s customers and clients each week. We would like to start our vacation by talking to EACH OTHER. If we have to spend the time at a table for 10, I would rather go straight to the WJ with our early boarding time and fins a small table and visit with my spouse. What may seem small to you is huge for us. We just want a break from small talk and thats whats great about a cruise. We can find ways to make it what we want. And a huge table of strangers isnt it. We have taken our share of cruises sitting at large tables and we prefer small ones.

First time getting the key. We have cruised many times and used to enjoy the large tables. But we are both in sales where we talk to so many clients/customers daily and now we just want to relax and decompress. That being said, at the Embarkation Lunch with the Key is there a possibility of a table for two? I know we want feel like socializing after traveling and boarding 

 TIA

On 12/2/2022 at 11:07 PM, Longford said:

Cruising might be good "bang for your buck", but for many of us ... probably not.  An alternative to other forms of vacation and travel?  Yes.  But less expensive?  

 

I'm a solo traveler, so my per person cost is higher than what a couple pays ... individually.  Add various expensive drink packages, internet, specialty dining, excursions, gratuities, etc. and it can be the more expensive option ... depending on the level of travel one chooses otherwise.

 

BTW:  I don't like imitation lobster ... such as "lobster tail".  Give me real Main lobster, and I might eat it.  It's not a choice I make eating in restaurants where I live, so I'd not be ordering lobster stomach/tail onboard the ship.  🙂  Offer me a quality filet of beef, or some lamb chops ... and I'd take the bait!

As the majority of people travel with at least one travel partner, a cruise is still the most bang for your buck. If you chose to travel alone then of course there are expenses that would normally be a shared cost that is solely on the person traveling. Thats the way a lot of things in life work. Technically these are not "imitation Lobster" as they are in that family classification. But as you stated, its your choose to not have it if you dont like it. When you break down  the price of a basic cruise with no add ons, a reduced menu in the MDR seems on par. As for "skimpy" I have eaten at various restaurants around the world that offer one or two choices daily based on freshness, availability and chef's mood. Those have been my absolute favorite meals. Michelin stars have been awarded to food windows offering only two  items. The "skimpy" doesnt bother me as long as the choices are good.
 

11 hours ago, kernow said:

I don't really like lobster and usually order something else on the menu so it doesn't really matter to me.

 

However as the point of the thread is really about RCL cutbacks (and I agree there are many) I just wanted to say I've realised this week what amazing value a cruise still is. We should currently be on an 11 night Ovation cruise, the second part of a b2b. However I tested positive for covid on the last day of the first cruise and we had to get off in Sydney.

I hastily booked a hotel here for 11 nights, a 4 star Rydges room only with a kitchenette so we could do some food ourselves. The hotel cost £1974, this was a mid priced hotel, I could have spent lots more. The total price for the 11 night cruise was £1918 (balcony room including grats), of course including all the food, entertainment etc.

We've already spent hundreds on food and that's eating a lot less than we would have on the ship. 

No entertainment, no lovely cabin steward and wait staff looking out for us. 

I'll never let anyone tell me that cruising is expensive ever again.

Agreed! Especially if you can drive to your port. You can drive to a ship and go to far away islands, be fed, entertained and sleep while others clean and cook for you. We vacation in various modes of travel. Cruising is still the bang for your buck. You can spend as much as you like or save where you can to make it fit your budget. I think we take a lot for granted

19 hours ago, Luckynana said:

We do use it as a wake-up call.  It's lovely to have that cup of coffee to wake you up!😉

Do you call it in or use the door hanger? 

4 minutes ago, Jcol5786 said:

Continental Breakfast is delivered for free. We do this sometimes to get an early coffee and danish to have on the balcony. I call this my "pre-breakfast".

We've done this before too. Do you order the night before as a backup wakeup call?  If so do you leave the door hanger or call it in before bedtime?

1 hour ago, poocher said:

This is not new.  Pretty sure this has been the case for a long time.

I have no problem with it. Our last few cruises were with Carnival and NCL and just wanted to make sure I understood it correctly. Carnival was the same

Great! Thank you!