ldubs

Hence that general PA announcement -- "Is there a cobbler in the house?"😀

Even if not a make or break amount, I would not call it insignificant and individuals will need to decide if it is worth it. When looking at upgrades, we put it in terms of cost per day. In the example given the upgrade would cost $145/day for double cabin. Is worth it? That is really an individual decision.

I had not thought of it that way. Good point.

I don't mind smelling it (except for cigars - those are nasty). I just don't want my close to smell like cigarette smoke. I think some smokers fail to realize what their clothes smell like.

I think if I was bombarded with a bunch of "must do's", which are in reality someone else's personal preferences, I would start to consider cancellation. No disrespect to the previous posters, but the last thing I would ever want to hear is I should collect menus or keep a diary.

I've never been, so wonder what you mean. Is it just not a nice place to visit?

We were on carnival earlier this year. The pandemic protocols seem to pretty much be a thing of the past. Saying draconian would be excessively harsh. 😀

Thanks for the link -- It looks like good info. it is now bookmarked.

Yes, thanks and I understand. I realized the error of my response and did some heavy editing -- too late as usual. My original comment about other beverage plans was intended to mean they did not include the daily $15 (or whatever) gratuity. I hadn't thought about the 18% beverage grat. All my mistake for poorly worded comments.

We have also done a fair amount of travel by train in Switzerland, Italy, and Spain. I admit I spent a little time wondering if I should worry about our bags at the back of the car. Cable lock could be a good idea, but sometimes the way bags are stacked up, they could be an issue, IDK. OP - you already are familiar with using the European system. If crowding is an issue, it is worthwhile to consider first class cars. I assume they have those in the routes you are considering.

That is why I asked my not very well asked question. I don't understand why someone who claims they spend 4x on more on fares than the average passenger would shave $6.50 a day. Just seems the wrong choice for pinching pennies.

There apparently is not an option to purchase a less expensive package. If that is what you mean, then yep I agree (see post #85). Otherwise, there is an option to not purchase package(s), and that was my real point.

I hope it is a rumor. It is not uncommon for our table to receive some "speciality of home" to share in addition to the entrees ordered. Also pretty common for someone to order a pasta dish for the table to share. But I guess what might bother me most is that the cruise line is hard pressed to the point they need to do this.

On our recent Oasis cruise it was one lobster order per person.

?? If you are still on Atlantic time, then it sounds like you didn't change the clock. I know I'm missing something and likely going to regret the reply.

Cruising is supposed to be fun -- why the long face?

Were they removed from the cabin, do you know?

I agree it is hard grained (engrained, ingrained however we say it) but not sure about feeling guilty. It is just a deeply rooted custom, IMO.

Let us not forget dress codes! 😀

Yes, that is what I was trying to say. Sorry about the confusion. I have to remember not everyone can read my mind! Haha.

I've never bought one, so didn't know. Kind of surprising, and yeah, I can't help but agree.

We have also done both, balcony and insides. We opt for balconies if the pricing is good. Not because we spend a lot of time in the cabin. I guess it is for the additional light, maybe a feeling of openness, and perhaps a sense of having additional egress, not to mention Mrs Ldubs likes them. We have been on three cruises this year. Each was a balcony. I can honestly say I did not set foot on the balcony during any of those cruises. Mrs Ldubs used them but not that much. A balcony is a higher priority to us for places like the Panama Canal or Norwegian Fjords.

Daily gratuities are included in the packages you mention. If someone does not want to pay the expected gratuities, they shouldn't buy the package. There are other packages for drinks and wifi, that do not include gratuities. So, I guess those 75% are deciding not to do options 1 or 2. Hope the remaining 25% do the same.

Give money to recognize service.

I meant tipping. If they leave $10 daily to three people, they are tipping more than the expected daily gratuity. In that case it would not be a case of just being cheap. I think (hope) the same thing as you.