Airbear232

So, every economist in the capitalist world doesn’t regard a person working full time hours on minimum wage as fully employed? Every economist believes minimum wage is only for part time students to make pocket money? I don’t agree. I think this discussion has strayed. I won’t convince you of anything nor will you convince me. Best wishes for many happy cruises and tip or don’t tip as you see fit.

According to who? Your definition doesn’t align with either how the government calculates unemployment or the realties of the workforce. It’s not 1950 anymore.

Oh economic savant, how ever did you come to that conclusion?

Whatever you tip is your prerogative. Regarding living wage, it was meant to highlight the disparity between minimum wage and what is actually needed by a person to more than just make ends meet. No one earning minimum wage in NA can make ends meet.

Well, we always erred on the side of paranoid caution (yes, we bubble wrapped our kids) and wouldn’t leave any child by themselves.

Don’t go! You sound like you’ll be anxious. Send me your tickets, I’ll send you pictures! 🙂

Not Starbucks but all other venues on ship. And, Royal now uses Starbucks for coffee so even better.

Apparently there are many longshoremen who do not even make $25/hr. There is no “free market”, some level of government always influences/regulates the economy. When the economy tanks big business is always there with hat in hand to be bailed out by the government.

Minimum income necessary to meet basic needs and attain basic standard of living.

Oldest = Majesty Newest = Symphony Favourite = tie Explorer (our first on Royal) and Allure (Oasis class and has Mamma Mia)

As others have noted, you can use it any way you choose. We don’t drink, but we enjoy mock tails, lattes, fresh juice from vitality spa and water.

I’m just going to throw this out there for those who are adamant rehashing this discussion about tipping porters (and it is absolutely your right to do with your money as you wish). For the sake of argument, let’s say the longshoreman’s salary is based on a more modest $25/hr with benefits - do you support a living wage for all of those on minimum wage where you live?

Huh? Them’s fighting words! 🙂. EOS is one of our favourite ships. DW and I have been on her many times. Decent size and amenities. One of the few ships left with free sauna and steam. IMHO, best waiter in the fleet in Gopakumar Viswanathan in Chops. We were on her in May and had a great time. Have a wonderful trip.

It’s like a kind of hurricane season.

Thx, will do.

Which dates are you on? We’re on the Oct 8 out of Barcelona. BTW, you can go to MDR after boarding and change your seating. Whatever you prefer in terms of seating (with others or by self) request that now, then follow up on ship.

Upper management bonuses based upon profitability! That’s the image presented but scratch the surface and you’ll see a majority of senior execs are healthily compensated and bonused for barely mediocre results. The best thing for consumers would be for new players to come into the market and introduce some competition on quality and pricing.

On cruises, my DW and I pay our standard gratuities and then give those who have made our experience memorable extra in envelops. That’s been our choice. On reflection, however, I believe the whole tipping culture in N.A. has gotten to the point of being ludicrous. We’re in Toronto and now most take-out restaurants and coffee shops have the option for a tip presented when you pay electronically. You have to decline it, if you choose, prior to paying. For me, tipping used to mean the reward given for superior service. This is a personal definition for me. Over the years, this definition has broadened to include regular service in the recognition that most N.A. restaurants underpay their staff with the thought the staff will work harder to get good tips. I’d really like to see tipping going back to being for superior service. An interesting thought, what if CEOs such as Jason Liberty for Royal were given a nominal salary with the rest of their compensation made up of tips. I bet the quality of the food in the MDR would go up markedly!

To add to my previous note, look at YouTube videos on each ship as well as ports, this should help you decide which cruise is best for you.

For a first cruise, like others, I would choose Adventure. It has the Royal Promenade which is basically like a street running through the ship with shops and cafes. The Adventure also goes to Labadee and San Juan both great ports to walk about and find things to do right off the ship. Whichever you choose, have a great trip.

For us, we feel the quality of MDR food has gone down substantially over the years. I would say this both in terms of the quality of ingredients as well as the skills of the cooking staff. When we started with Royal a shrimp cocktail appetizer would have large fresh shrimp. Today, you get much smaller and not so fresh shrimp. In the past, bread in the MDR was fresh and hot. Today, cold and stale. Overall, DW and I feel the “old” MDR was in line with a specialty restaurant experience today.

Objective, fair and honest review. Was your server in Chops G (Gopakumar)? He was our waiter in May (as well as in many past cruises on Explorer) and by far the best we’ve ever had! Glad you enjoyed your cruise!

Thanks, it was to me carrying it across ships and pushing my aunt. After some consideration, we've opted for the Symphony of the Seas out of Barcelona in October. Still wondering if anyone has experience with the Roughrider Wheelchair.

The C&A policy is “each day of the cruise, Diamond members receive four (4) complimentary vouchers….all drink vouchers reset daily at 5:00 am…”. So, yes you do have have fresh vouchers on embarkation day.

Yes, I always get a latte before I get off.