C2174

Thanks Cindy. I'm beginning to feel not as slighted.

Thanks, good to know. At least I can feel better about it. :-)

I've been to Costa Maya probably 10 or so years ago. I'm sure a lot has changed since then. I guess I'll go over to the other board and check it out.

We booked this cruise back in Dec/Jan when the prices were crazy low. It seems that they have changed the itinerary without letting us or our TA know (well within their right). But instead of going to Belize/Honduras/Cozumel it's doing Costa Maya/Honduras/Cozumel... Disapponiting because we had never been to Belize.

Anyone know why this sailing changed? We got such a great price that I'm not spending $600+ more on a balcony room to book a different week. Just a warning if you are looking at that sailing as it still has the original itinerary when you select it.

Thanks for posting this. I had forgotten about this benefit and didn't realize how many hotels they are affiliated with.

Why is this salient information for a cruise, when no one seems concerned elsewhere?:confused:

I have the same concerns with service positions on land. I compare what was automatically gratted and then chose to tip additional or not.

My main point was that with the drink packages I wanted to know if the people that were serving me were getting compensated to do so. The answer was yes, so I felt that $1 (depending on the drink) extra was what I wanted to leave. Had they said no. I would have increased that amount.

Yes, I'm glad this was brought up.

I asked the bartenders about how the new beverage plans were working because I wanted to make sure they still got the equivalent of 15% of whatever my drink price would have been. I believe that is the way it's working. The bartenders that actualy served you were the ones that got the gratuity not based on the cost of your package, but the grat that they would normally get on that drink. **Again, I believe this is how it's happening.** The bartenter we were speaking with said in the beginning it was a huge mess, but that it has settled out and they are being treated fairly.

However, It's typical of me to leave a dollar on top of the 15%. Especially if a drink was brought to me (as in the case of the casino or the theater or MDR).

I carried ones with me (that I got from the casino or guest relations). There were a couple of bartenders that I received excelent service from and I tipped them a little extra at the end.

It seemed that the bartenders knew after a day or so that I was tipping above the minimum and as I said, I received excelent service and it was well worth the little bit of extra money to me.

True, you would get the Navigator newly re-furbed, but I really like St Maarten and St Thomas. I would also consider leaving from Puerto Rico if the airfare is comperable. It was for us. While the ship was mostly Spanish speaking, the ports were wonderful. I do think that it had too many ports though.. would have loved a sea day on the way back too. :-)

RamsFan, Do you know how much the Taxi was to Mr Sancho's? How far from the dock is it?

We really enjoyed our time there. Good food, drinks, music and a beautiful beach!!

Sonya's are very nice and very good quality. I wear mine daily.