cruise4kicks

My wife finally stopped smoking by using the electronic cigarette and now if she can only use smoking areas, it will become a strong temptation to go back.

 

It just does not make any sense at all.

You are SO right.

I was on X a couple of years ago. I'd been on the ecig for a couple of months. X would only allow them to be used in the smoking area. I said, Heck with this. If they're going to treat me like a smoker, I'm gonna smoke a real cig. Back on the regular cigs for nearly two years now. :(

I found it was easier to tip wait staff at the end of each meal in Cagney's because we didn't have the same server every time and I worried about who the concierge gave our lump sum tip to, that way I knew the server always got the money.

We've been known to give a lump-sum tip to the maitre'd and ask them to distribute it to the staff.

The gratuity is the service charge, you are not expected to pay more unless you want to give extra tips

:eek:

The butler and concierge are NOT included in the pool for the daily service charge, so you will definitely want to consider tipping them separately.

... But then you knew that already. ;)

You might have better luck posting this question on the RCI boards. ;)

1743 :d

1707! :d

1586 ;)

Is the food in ghe sports bar comp or do you pay for it?

Comp

TOTALLY agreed.

It was okay once, I walked out the second time, gave it a try on a third cruise in the intervening years but found it was the same old stale material and walked out again.

Second City had been so well known for fresh material and improv. What went wrong with them and NCL???

NCL, time for Second City to be cut loose... Either find a way to get them to do something fresh, or let them go.

Yes, there is a 3% fee for cash withdrawals at the cashier's cage, unless you are one of the higher tier CAS players, in which case the fee is waived.

Why take cash out at the window instead of the ATM? If you're having it charged to your room/credit card, that's why. ;)

Not sure about Disney's or RCCL's islands nearby

DCL rarely misses their stop at Castaway Cay.

DCL has a pier at Castaway Cay.

1523 ;)

Sailed in aft cabins on the Gem twice. I agree with both of the above posters... Have had both of their experiences. The thumping from Bliss, however, was not enough to keep me awake.

1456 ;)

Also I read here... If you remove the auto tips or service charge and then give cash they are required to put the tip back into the tip pool anyways. If you do not remove the auto tip and then give them extra... They can keep it. Just what I have read on here.

Just want to second this sentiment. Leave the DSC in place, and give tips to those you want to tip. If you remove your DSC the stewards and others are supposed to turn in any cash tips to the pool. (Don't ask me how they know who removed the DSC and who didn't, particularly if you remove the DSC on the last evening...)

<double post>

Sounds like you ought to call your PCC and ask. ;)

Free upgrades such as the one you seem to be looking for are rare on NCL. You ~might~, however, get a call from the Upsell Fairy, who might offer you a higher level category cabin at less than the currently going rate. ;)

One more thing, how long should I wait to inquire about another trip. i don't want to seem to anxious and maybe not get the best offer.

They usually say to wait about a week after your return from your last cruise so that your play will be showing on the system at CAS.

I honestly don't know if you'll get a better offer if you wait. Last time I checked in with CAS he pulled my rating for my last cruise and said that I would qualify for an SF. HOWEVER, I think what you qualify for can depend on what sailing you're looking at (e.g., high vs. low season, is the ship selling, how is Kevin Sheehan feeling that day :p, whatever).

Does anyone who has been to cagneys know if you can "special order" your meal or do u get exactly what it says on the menu. DH won't eat Veggies, any onion or garlic or any seafood. Some of the sauces or sides I'm not sure he will eat. I hate to pay money and he be unhappy.

My husband is just about the pickiest eater you will ever meet!!!!

LOL I think we should pit my daughter against your husband and see who eats more! :p I've often said she'll be the first person in history to starve to death on a cruise.

To answer your question, go to the maitre'd the day before your reservation to make arrangements for special requests. So long as they have a decent amount of advance notice to give the galley, you can get a steak/salmon/chicken/whatever without the spices. This can be done in the MDRs, too.

Good luck, and enjoy!

Oh, and FWIW, my vote for favorite specialty restaurant is the oriental (Orchid Garden, I think it's called). It's the only one I've been happy with EVERY time I've eaten there, on any ship across the fleet. I could happily make a meal of 5 or 6 of the apps. :)

Fantastic post pokerpro5~

Ditto that! Best post I've seen on CC for a loooooooong time. :D

My understanding is that if you want to upgrade at some time after booking, the price is not based on current fares, but on the rates in effect at the time of booking. Moral of the story: Book what you will be happy with at the time of booking, because they won't give you the lower fares later.

I'm curious about your exact itinerary. Did the cruise call on any port other than the typical Caribbean islands?

Colombia, Aruba, Curacao, St. Martin, St. Thomas

1361 ;)

I'm just saying that if the trend continues... CAS isn't giving as much as you might think they are if you never checked prices continually.

And if you're willing to wait until the last minute to book, you might be able to get those really low prices, too. ;) But so far as I'm concerned, since I'm only paying taxes and port fees, it doesn't much matter when I book through CAS, so long as it's far enough in advance to get the category I want.