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funship freddy

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    Paying Cash Gratuities Directly to Staff?

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    I started cruising long before the cruise lines came up with auto tips. In the “old” system envelopes were left in your cabin toward the end of the cruise. An envelope for your waiter,  your assistant waiter, room steward, assistant room steward and the dining room maitre’d. There weren’t envelopes for every crew member. Then (and now) I tipped our steward during the cruise and also at “envelope time”. I have always given bartenders and pool servers cash tips at the time of service.

    I far prefer the old system. The cruise lines now have control of our money and there is no way for us to know how much of this actually makes it to the intended party(s). Additionally, they diverted our tip pool to staff that previously were paid by a portion of your cruise fare. When you consider the many increases recently, it is a LOT of money. They raise the “crew appreciation” amount, they are reducing the service. (Once a day cabin service…..)

    I do understand that cruising is a for profit enterprise but the continual nickel and dime changes are making me think hard after 50+ cruises. Just my personal thoughts.

    • Like 8
    • Thanks 1

    Specialty Restaurant Pricing

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    My first specialty was on Princess years ago.

    8 dollars. I will be on Summit starting Monday for my first 2023 cruise and all the “adjustments”.  IMHO Tuscan is not worth $64 additional. Was on Sky Princess in December. Queen’s Grille was excellent and $29. I will tough it out in the MDR and see if the quality is indeed as bad as recently reported on CC. While we all understand the pandemic was very tough on the cruise industry they were very profitable pre-pandemic and will be again. Most cruise lines are reporting record bookings. Record profits will follow. I don’t understand expecting to recoup their losses rout step. Can you say GM, Mobil, Exxon ?

    Sky Princess 12/13/14

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

    11 minutes ago, Dreamcruiser185 said:

    Was it difficult to book the Sanctuary?  Heard rumors it sells out very quickly 

    DW was at the Sanctuary shortly after boarding. All of the Cabanas were gone for Sea Days.

    All of the individual beds were gone. We did two half days (afternoons) on Port days. The place was a ghost town. Maybe people pay in the event they want to use it. Not fair IMHO.

    MSC Seashore Day One

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    More on Day One…..

    I did pass thru the buffet to see what they offered. As it was mid day I grabbed a cheeseburger. MSC should be ashamed. It was way overcooked, dry and cold. I will try once again on another day and see.

    When I watched a video I was excited to see that they added an aft upper bar similar to the Sunset Bar on Celebrity S class builds. Once again MSC got it half right. Their Sky Bar serves only beer  and wine (no spirits or blender drinks) and closes at 8pm   FAIL

    The Sports Bar is the same as Seaside.

    MSC rfid technology is way behind Princess Medallion. Medallion is free and mailed prior to your sailing. MSC is $9 and requires a 2nd visit rather than being available at check in.

     

    Day Two - Nassau next “after these messages”

    • Like 1

    MSC Seashore Day One

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    Day one continued…..

     

    MSC’s new terminal is still under construction so we boarded at a temporary location. All was “sailing” along, we were next in line for security when the fire alarm sounded. Everything froze. The building was evacuated. Everyone. Passengers, Staff - Everyone. Outside away from the building in the sun. HOT

    After about an hour we all lined up again for security and then check/in.

    Day one always seems to drag. Up at 4:15. Airport was crazy. Flight delayed.

    Problem at the pier. Finally on board.

    We have cruised on MSC Seaside (3X) before and I read all I could find about Seashore and watched lots of U Tube videos.

    Seashore is very similar with a few twists. Seashore is larger. They much improved the adults ony pool on deck 8.

    Deck 7 on Seashore. The pool has loungers im the water and it isn’t all deep like Seaside.

    Our aft corner cabin is on Deck 11

    overlooking the adult pool/bar.

    It is outstanding ! Wrap around balcony with two chairs, a table and two loungers.  A doorwall faces aft and we have

    two windows on the starboard side.

    The specialty restaurants are now on Deck 5 and a couple offer al fresco dining.

    We dined in Central Park last night. It is open dining for passengers with the Aurea package. I paid the $8 upcharge for a NY Strip. Prepared as ordered but very thin. The mushrooms looked like they came out of the green and white can you get at your local supermarket.

    I would rate dining room experience on night one a C+
    The Staff was friendly and attentive.

    I did pass through the Marketplace buffet

    in the afternoon to just look. More on that soon along with my Sports bar visit.

    • Like 2

    MSC Seashore Day One

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    What a day.  Finally in the Sports Bar watching Kansas / Villanova having an adult beverage. Several hurdles but most have been resolved.  As with Seaside, a beautiful ship.  More on day one coming soon.

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