sparks1093

I would expect so since gratuities make up most of their compensation. Just like in a land based restaurant the busier it is the more tips are earned the same applies at sea.

The 15 day limit is for all alcohol drinks, not just those purchased under Cheers.

The only restriction that I'm aware of for the MDR for dining times other than dinner is no swimwear.

I would consider her an operator.

Things like this are probably why the cruise line doesn't offer excursions from them. They do vet all operators and won't book with problematic ones.

I think that it's enough of a possibility that I would ask. Worse case scenario they can't do it, best case you'd get the chair.

I don't give any information when doing a faux booking unless it is absolutely necessary, but if it is necessary then I will input something similar to what others have posted. Usually it isn't necessary and there is a button somewhere on the page that says "continue as guest" or something along those lines.

Yes, the passengers are going to be a problem and with the crew not working with all of the passengers all at once their training isn't going to be as comprehensive as it could be. The crew needs to know how to handle hundreds of people all trying to find their way and while some of that can be taught in a classroom setting the best experience is actual experience. Your tales only re-enforce my point.

You first sentence is exactly on point, none of us knows for sure. Therefore the best course of action (in my mind, obviously others will have a different opinion) is to leave things the way that they are because then the crew gets exactly what they agreed to when they signed on. It's not our job to re-invent the wheel. As for the maitre'd it was announced some years ago that they were removed from receiving any portion of the tips. It is my understanding that when a passenger removes the tips the main crew members are questioned about it, since the implication is they weren't doing their job. At the least they are notified when passengers remove the tips. Yes, it is the honor system for them to turn in what they get and I think this is mostly done for the same reason the waitress in my previous example turns in that $100 tricky wink tip- that's how the system works and the staff knows it.

That's how it's supposed to work as I understand it. Fortunately for the crew that's not likely to happen.

(Elaine I am using your post as a springboard.) Only up to a point. The cruise line is obligated to pay a minimum amount even if tips are removed, but the amount that they get if all of the tips are kept in place is much higher. Similar to what happens in most restaurants ashore- servers receive less than minimum wage with tips making up most of their compensation. However if they don't earn enough in tips then the restaurant has to make up the difference so they get full minimum wage. As for removing tips and only giving it to staff that directly serves you it's great in theory, but when tips are pooled it just doesn't work that way. Again, to use a land establishment as a guide if you're eating in a restaurant where tips are pooled (which you probably won't know) you can't slip your server $100 and a tricky wink and say "this is just for you, don't share it". The money will still end up in a pool. Yes, there are some that might keep it, but they typically don't last long. Finally, the tipping system works for the cruise lines and the employees. The amounts paid are the minimum amount, like a 15 or 18 percent gratuity ashore. If someone has an issue with the service they received then the amount can be reduced (hopefully after complaining to a supervisor first). If someone really enjoyed the service they can leave more. Regardless of how any of us feel this it is how many of the staff earn their compensation and they earn every penny.

Yes, I am well aware of that. I'm referring to actually being able to work with a massive crowd of passengers week after week and getting them to cooperate. That real hands on experience is hard to simulate. During an emergency if muster needs to be done they'll know what to do, but they'll have to learn how in the moment.

I know a lot of people think it's great but I do wonder how it will affect a real emergency. Not because of the passengers but because the crew isn't receiving the same level of training that they used to receive.

The people who clean the common areas, move the luggage at embarkation/ debarkation, etc. OP the info has always been available on the app AFAIK.

I think it is relatively new, yes.

This. Plus, you will be limited in getting drinks until you've completed the muster.

You still might find yourself in need of medical evacuation, which could include a transfer between hospitals.

A lot of people do this- they read until they think they have the answer they are looking for and then they stop, not realizing that what they are really looking for is really further down the page. Sometimes they will ask on here to verify, sometimes they'll just head to the port. (When we first cruised I was guilty of not reading far enough- I read the NCL FAQ about tipping and as soon as I read "tipping is not required" I stopped reading. Not too much further on they discussed the daily service charges that would be applied. I was lucky, it was a two nighter and it was just DW and myself, so having those charges appear on my invoice were a surprise, but not a game changer even though not budgeted for. Had we been on a 4 day cruise with all of the boys it would have been a different story.)

And everyone's reading comprehension isn't equal, so having a forum where one can verify what one things one read is a good thing. If you don't want to participate you certainly don't have to. At the end of the day it is still the traveler's responsibility no matter what they read or what anyone else says and if they get it wrong it is on them.

And yet confusion still exists.

But the website has gaps that can be filled in and clarified. The discussion about REAL ID licenses and EDLs is a case in point. People who rely just on the website can and do think they have an EDL when all they have is a REAL ID compliant document. Verifying something like this on multiple sites can be helpful.

And that extra paperwork leads people to believe that they have an EDL. Many folks miss their cruise because of it, so we try to keep the record straight. (And knowing what works in addition to a passport can be helpful. I've read of a few cruisers whose passport went missing, sometimes even en route to the port.)

Think you missed a "not", as in "would not allow".

"The way they treated me was like a criminal". Well, of course.

Ohio doesn't issue Enhanced Drivers Licenses. What you have is a REAL ID compliant license. The difference is an EDL proves ID and citizenship in one document and may be used at land border crossings and sea ports of entry. A REAL ID won't do that.