Current tip breakdown on Liberty:

Stateroom:

Attendant 3.20

Dining room 6.25

Other hotel services 8.55

Suites:

Attendant 6.50

Dining 6.25

Other hotel services 7.75

52 minutes ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

That’s where I looked. I still can’t get in either site without creating a new password each time, so I’ve been using the app only. 

Mine was doing this until I called Celebrity. Someone there deleted another email account that I had created in the past and forgotten about. Now it works fine and I use same sign in for RC and C.

On 4/14/2024 at 3:19 PM, Karen Lynn said:

I am SO stuck!!!!!
 

Perhaps someone can weigh in on their experience?

 

In Flam we have this tour booked (July - Celebrity) 
Destination Highlight: Fjord, Valley and Mountain by Land and Sea

Also check your price. It has gone down a bit since it was originally posted. 

On 4/14/2024 at 3:19 PM, Karen Lynn said:

I am SO stuck!!!!!
 

Perhaps someone can weigh in on their experience?

 

In Flam we have this tour booked (July - Celebrity) 
 

Destination Highlight: Fjord, Valley and Mountain by Land and Sea

Discover the beauty and wonder of Norway's one-of-a-kind fjords over water and land; later, relax and enjoy refreshments in the comfort of a mountain hotel. A fjord is any deep-cut glacial valley, often featuring steep mountain slopes or cliffs. You'll take a cruise through the Aurlandsfjord and into the Naeroydalen, which was recognized in 2005 by UNESCO for its wondrous beauty and geological treasures. Your boat will take you past steep mountainsides, beautiful waterfalls, and narrow fjord passages. You'll arrive at the breathtaking Gudvangen, which means playground of the gods. Here, you'll board your coach for a thrilling ride along Naeroy Valley's steep curving mountain road. Your coach will negotiate 13 heart-pounding curves, passing through tunnels and beside waterfalls. Stop for refreshments at Stalheim Hotel, where you'll enjoy unparalleled views of the valley below. Return along a winding road through the Naeroy Valley floor, passing through two, long, exhilarating tunnels.

Highlights

• Enjoy a relaxing sail into the Naeroyfjord–a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site–traveling past waterfalls and thrilling mountain precipices.
• Journey up narrow mountain roads, beside spectacular waterfalls and steep mountainsides, as you drive into the dramatic Naeroydalen Valley.
• Savor coffee, tea, and a pastry while enjoying stunning mountain views at the relaxing and beautiful Stalheim Hotel.
  
  
  We also have a boat cruise in Stavanger - Lysefjord cruise this sailing 
  
  Do we stick with what we have above in Flam or switch to the FLAM railway to Myrdal return?
  
  I am reading mixed reviews on the train ...
  
  
  THANK YOU!

I am on a different cruise but I am going to do this tour instead of the train. Not a huge train fan. 🙂  There are some similar (if not the exact tour) descriptions on TripAdvisor to read.

25 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

"They drained their bank accounts, including money saved for their next house payment, and maxed out Wasney's credit card but were still about $1,000 short, he said."

This doesn't even make any sense. 

Yes, I think it's too early. I usually get off the ship at Cape Liberty between 7:30-8am. Security/bag drop at EWR has been crowded and chaotic in the early morning hours.

It is more expensive and takes more time to go out of JFK or LGA but on a Saturday morning, it should not be as bad as during the weekday rush hour. So I would either change to another flight out of EWR (very short trip from the port) or choose JFK or LGA.  

If you could get another airline out of EWR I would do that.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/mexico-travel-advisory.html#Quintana Roo state

You came back for the upcoming 10 year anniversary of bananas in a bowl, next to the ketchup and mayo!

We have to find pinkribbonlady.

I read the article. What a tragedy.

I got these from Amazon:   Celestron – Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars – Outdoor and Birding Binocular – Fully Multi-Coated with BaK-4 Prisms – Rubber Armored – Fog & Waterproof Binoculars

 Swimming in the open ocean can be described as strenuous. I think the tour is reasonably described. 

7 minutes ago, suec12 said:

Well when I filled out our docs, 1:00 was the earliest offered - earlier times must have been offered to others.

 

To get the 'earliest' time, you have to do your checkin right after midnight. I would look for recent reports based on the port you are going to, but I almost always get to the Bayonne port around 10:30a and there is a short wait time inside before boarding.

On 3/24/2024 at 12:56 PM, AGE_Texas said:

The main reason I’m interested is because I don’t want to have to wait for hours to get on/off the ship with my little ones. But not sure how long the waits really are. 
 

Thoughts?

Generally, if you are up very early and can carry your own luggage off, departure will be fastest. Otherwise, times will vary. If you have an early flight you could get in one of the earlier departure groups, but in any case, departure is pretty efficient and you shouldn't be waiting 'hours' unless there is some kind of issue at the port, which happens infrequently but does happen.

Does the Loyalty discount always apply to specialty dining or is it a periodic sale?

I have done this tour. It's free but tips are appreciated.

https://www.gotobermuda.com/event/discover-hamilton-walking-tour/3137

https://www.cityofhamilton.bm/explore_the_city/town_crier_tours.php

2 minutes ago, UNCFanatik said:

 

Understood

 

The only thing is that you cant remove gratuities when purchasing drink package

Oh I see what  you mean. Who knows how they split the gratuity. It doesn't necessarily go to the bartender serving you. They probably have a budget to distribute tips and the comp per drink is just one part of it. 

1 hour ago, UNCFanatik said:

'

Let me make sure I understand this. All drinks have a mandatory 18% gratuity. If I get the drink package and order a $14 drink then 18% equals $2.52

 

The bartender would be eligible for $1 per drink after $1400 drinks in a month so we have $1.52 remaining from the $2.52 and we are not sure were that $1.52 goes? 

He said that different ships give different per drink compensation. Oasis was one of the higher ones at about $1/drink. He wasn't totally clear on how he makes all of his money.

No one knows what the actual tip allocation is. You can pay the autograts and be done with it, or you can remove grats and tip as you like. I see no problem with either method, nor does Royal. 

12 minutes ago, gavvy said:

I have no idea where the tips over the $1 value go too. 

Yeah he got asked that a couple times but just restated the formula. Someone asked a general tips question that he didn't answer at all. He did say that any extra amount guarantees better service.

Generally sounded like the 'extra tips' were appreciated but the bulk of his efforts were getting out as many drinks as possible for the per drink compensation. He said that soda and water does not generate this drink comp. See the part about why they like to serve shots.

11 minutes ago, doghog said:

No kidding. Speaking of the small CL where seats are limited. 

Last Pin Circle I saw, the people at each end of the 'table scape' were probably farther away from each other than if they just all sat in the pre-arranged seats.

@molly361  Wearing the pin means, 'go ahead and ask me something'. They ALWAYS talk. If you want to be incognito then leave it in the box.

30 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Mine is still in the box that it came in and that's where it will stay.  Don't care to wear it even when boarding.  I just show my SetSail pass if asked.

I think you should wear it; it's a conversation starter. 

There was a Pinnacle circle on our last Liberty cruise in the D lounge. The concierge was helping them move chairs. I don't think they should be allowed to do it, but I get why staff's hands are tied. Pulling up a chair is very different than re-arranging the room.

On 2/6/2024 at 7:29 PM, GetToLivin said:

I'm definitely priced out of Icon, so my little self thought to do a mock booking on Utopia, you know, being 3-4 nights it'd need to be less expensive, right? I was wrong! Essentially the same price with less time 🤡 I'll be sailing the "oldy" Oasis Class ships for my foreseeable future 😉

Look for a TA with group space. TAs posting here are not allowed to advertise but you can use your best googling abilities.

Last couple times I checked in you had to do it right after midnight to get the earliest time. I did it at 3am and I didn't get the earliest time.

1 hour ago, 2chiefs said:

Fares are already really high now! Now they're throwing gasoline on to the fire. I've been pricing cruises online for the 2025 season and have noticed the remarkable increase in price to be able to pick your own room. For instance today I mock-booked a balcony cabin on Adventure for May 16, 2025 and the price is $395 higher to be able to pick your own room. That's a lot of "insurance" to ensure you are not bumped from a cruise from the rampant over booking that cruise lines are doing now. I guess it's time to look at other alternative vacations to do. Hopefully all this price gouging the cruise lines are doing will reduce demand, so the prices come back down.

I know what you mean. They used to list guaranty rooms when the cruise was almost sold out. Now they are doing it much earlier. You have to choose a guaranty or pay a lot more. You could try using a TA that has group space: that way you can pick your own cabin at a better price, and it's refundable until final payment.