Ret MP

No, it wasn't to debate, it was a couple of simple questions, period. Again, however, since you seem to want to debate, I'm not talking about what you tip above and beyond what is already included in your cruise fare. I'm talking about the tip/gratuity/"hidden costs". Can you adjust it, or remove it? Do the not-so-great servers get the same % of the "hidden cost" as the good servers? Simple questions, REALLY!

I totally agree people have bad DAYS. But, on a cruise ship, you get to know the crew that serves you as you see most of them over and over again, especially if you eat in the MDR most nights. On our last Alaskan cruise, we had the same servers in the Coastal Kitchen for every meal that we had there, yes, that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they worked long hours and the ship was short-handed, post-COVID. We, our group of 4, got to know who the good servers were and who weren't. We did individual envelopes for each server. One had a dollar in it, the others had a lot in it. And I'm not shy, I did tell the bad server many times that I wasn't too happy with his/her service and attitude. On the last day, I had a short talk with the maitre d, about the poor service and attitude that one server provided.

This is not to debate with you. I feel that you, as a country, should do what the people will tolerate/want. It's your country, it's your decision. What I want to know is, however, what do you do if you receive substandard service, that you already paid for? Does a lazy employee make as much as an energized, <for lack of a better term, employee does?

That's the only reason^^^^^

Thank you

I'm getting closer and closer to entering the danger zone, "between two preferred cruise terminals and a bunch of local (Gulfport) casinos. We just received a tentative move-in date of November 28th. My wife is already looking at future cruises. I guess I'll just have to go with the flow and enjoy counting my pennies.

Even with a Birth Certificate, you still need a government-issued photo ID. I believe you said that your DL has your maiden name on it. So, you should be good with that. However, if there is a need to fly back to the U.S. because of an emergency, it could get complicated.

Yep! We were over 2 hours late getting back to the dock in Panama, actually Colon, the ship was there and waiting on us. It was an excursion we booked through the cruise line. Otherwise, we would have been S*%# out of luck. That was my very first cruise ever and I was and still am glad that we did what we did. I'll NEVER book an excursion that isn't a cruise line-offered excursion.

Very true. Except it doesn't help with the myriad of other issues that can cause delays in debarkation. To be truthful, I never think of checking the webcam(s) on the mornings of debarkation. I'm so excited, in a hurry, and way too focused to get to the terminal. Trying to sleep the night before embarkation is futile, for me. I love cruising way too much, I guess.

Discrimination can be just and non-prejudicial. That's my point. Just like Homicide can be legal, justified, and the right thing to do.

As I said earlier, not all discrimination is illegal, immoral, or bad.

I'm sure! But, for this purpose, I'm generalizing.

Non-profits!

As I said earlier, or words to your effect, the sweet spot is a fluid thing. If all is as scheduled, I'd feel safe to say that between 9:30 and 10:00 is the sweet spot. The problem is how are we to know if everything is as scheduled? The only way I know of is to watch when there is a big flood of people getting off the ship. But then, you are already at the port.

Naaaaa, don't need to, I'm a good judge of age.

I know a lot of Texans that don't feel that way. And, I wasn't kidding, I was asking for a friend, A Texan who lives in Seguin and is sharing our suite with us. BTW, we both have spent many years in German and we know/appreciate real beer. My favorite beer in the world is: But the real deal, not the Americanized type.

How is a business to know if you or anybody else are capable of doing the minimum physical requirements of a certain activity? As I said earlier, I feel, at age 72, capable of doing just about anything that Royal's excursions offer. Is the business supposed to just believe you/me or should they go by the advice or requirements of their insurance company(ies)? Companies that have done their due diligence in formulating such advice/requirements. And surely people understand that businesses can't do a physical assessment test of those old folks who swear that they are capable of doing this, that, or the other thing. Even if the business is willing to do it, who pays for it? I'm sure it ain't cheap. No, let businesses do their risk management, as long as it isn't done for nefarious reasons. Remember, Royal and other businesses are in the business of making money, not turning away paying customers.

..... I'm wondering if cruise ships that embark from Galveston have Lone Star Beer on them. Asking for a friend. 🥸 On Royal Caribbean, that is!

And how about parents teaching their kids good manners, like giving up their seats to older folks? Hell, I still do it and I'm 72.

While a garage does provide limited protection from some elements, there is no guarantee from any parking activity that your vehicle is safe from any damage, dirt, bird poop, criminal activity, or whatever. A garage is just a verticle parking lot. I can give you example after example where a parking customer would have been better off if he/she would have used a surface lot. Read your parking contract (on the ticket, usually). I try to park in a garage only because it is usually the most convenient parking lot to the terminal/activity.

Potatoes, potaaaatoes. For me, the lack of a dive board is just a birdbath.

Discrimination is one of those words that many people automatically associate with an illegal act. It's like homicide, not all homicides are illegal. The profession of Human Resources is one that finds ways to legally discriminate. It happens all the time. The execution of a criminal is homicide, but legal if state-sponsored. I, for one, am glad there are age restrictions on lots of things, like driving, drinking, and certain activities while on cruises. Oh, I'm 72, well I will be in 20 days, if I'm told that it isn't safe for someone over XX years of age, I move on. However, I feel I'm in good enough shape to do just about anything that I've seen on an excursion. But, it doesn't matter what I think, it's their ball.

Well, that just made me hungry as s.....! Looks very good, both pictures.

Funny thing, as many times as we sailed ships that have JRs, all of them so far, and eat at JRs, I've never been there for breakfast. In January, I've got to give it a try. We did eat breakfast at a JRs in Windsor Canada in the casino there, just a few weeks ago and the Peameal bacon was fantastic.