BILLP1

We just came off a Royal Caribbean ship but always sail Celebrity at least once a year.

We purchased their package and an 18 percent tip was added. On the ship we were asked sign a receipt which showed a zero charge. I asked why we had to sign on their ship and not sign on Celebrity. We only signed at bars but not restaurants. What I found out that despite tips already included Americans when handed a receipt will almost always add an additional tip as opposed to Europeans who live with tips included and not use to adding any additional money. This was told to me by the pool bartender.

I watched as almost everyone added a tip despite it already being included twice you when you buy a package or buy a drink without a package. All drinks include an 18% gratuity plus another 18% for buying with the package.

Now if they could only fix the major service problems in the restaurants. Food was ok but service was way off.

We just got off the Anthem Of The Seas and the list only reminded us of the better and more choices on Celebrity. The food was not bad on the Anthem but the choices were limited. Glad our next cruise May 8 will be on Summit

Banana flavor ? Creme Brûlée has no Banana in recipe.

Sitting on the Anthem now in 80 degree weather in smooth seas somewhere off the coast of Florida. Most people seem very happy and we have free internet .

We board today. Nice to be paying all this money for a failed experiment in cruise dining.

Thans for your quick reply..

So where can we sit down mid morning for a cup of coffee and a free sweet ? We enjoy cafe Bacio on celebrity for that reason. Thanks.

The bus drive do get paid. Sure their salary is dependent on tips. That does not mean that they are not being paid the prevailing wage for bus drivers. If they are being paid say 100 dollars a day and you tip them that raises their pay. They are not dependent on you to tip for them to earn a days pay. This is an old scam

We liked Regent. Very expensive but to us it was worth it. We have done four cruises on Regent and have never had a bad cruise. Crystal was a disappointment for us. The restaurant had the worst service ever. We were supposed to have any time dining. It was like we did not exist. Finally after complaints to the manager we did get service but never up to the standard that they promise. If the staff knew you they would fawn over you. If not bad service.

You might want to try Regent. They would be more to your taste and Liking. Most cruises run about $1200 to $2000 per day per couple for a regular cabin. This is an all inclusive cruise line. Enjoy.

Port seems to happen the most but there is no way of knowing in advance.

If I had to eat dinner with the help I would prefer to dine with the crew that cooks ,cleans etc. Would expect some interesting dinner table conversation.

Thanks

Do the beds on Anthem balcony cabins separate into two beds if requested?

Anyone can be in any class that they choose to pay for. This is not some caste system that is determined by your birth place or family.

Yes

Take a taxi. Shuttle bus service is slow from my experience and not reliable. Waited at our Ft Lauderdale hotel for over an hour for the shuttle . They never showed up so we got in a Taxi. Everytime I called the person told me that the shuttle is close by .

Most of the time especially in the Caribbean. We enjoy the quiet on the ship and have seen every Diamond international.

Many ports are cancelled by the local port authority or the local Government. Some are cancelled by the cruise line's insurance company. The cruise line is not given a choice.

Thank's for your replies.

There is no limit to what you can order . About the time that you realize that there 's no way to finish you can cancel the rest of what you have ordered. Leave room for dessert.

What is the best restaurant to have breakfast on the Anthem?

It is a large open space on the ship that produces no revenue. This will now change and will now produce revenue which after all is what the cruise ships are all about.

Tuscan will bring in more new Celebrity cruisers thinking that they will be getting a decent Italian meal. For us it has been a real disappointment. Not worth the money unless they decide to upgrade the food. That will not happen.

My take is that Tuscan is cheaper to operate and will serve more people then the restaurant that it is replacing. The Normandy used to be a decent dining experience but as the cost kept going up the food quality and table side service kept declining. They did away with the European waiters and white glove service and the string players who played the background music.