Tripper10

Air compression rifle shoots these down nicely. So creepy.

Gee I hope I'm there to see it.

You won't be, because it doesn't happen. You are just asked to throw the food away.

I like to navigate the room in the pitch dark. It's more of a challenge to go pee at 2am. After the first one or two times its a breeze.

It is interesting to see the entitlement attitude of "I don't have to follow the rules." If a government sets a rule and enforces it with dogs it probably isn't just a suggestion! People will always bend the rules or disregard them...

I agree 100%.

Don't bother with receipt .If some one give you extra care just give them cash tip . you don't have to do it every day , $10-$20 after cruise will work .

Tipping at the end of the cruise doesn't get you the same effect of tipping at the time of service.

I've been on 35 cruises and the sad truth is that a lot of the time I've come home with a head cold, the flu, or a sinus infection. But on my recent cruise on Anthem Of The Seas, I came home 100% healthy... and I think I know why.

 

So, what's the secret to coming home healthy from a cruise? A lot of people think it's all about washing your hands. But the truth is, it's not so much about washing YOUR hands... it's about getting everyone else to wash THEIR hands!

 

Take a look at this video I put together to show what Royal Caribbean's done to make sure that you don't get sick when you cruise on Anthem Of The Seas.

 

[YOUTUBE]hMzZjfriEZA[/YOUTUBE]

It's always the same people getting sick all the time. Hand sanitizer all the time and paranoid of germs. I have never came home sick from a cruise in over 35 . Yes I wash my hands a few times but germs build up your immune system. When you kill them all 20 x a day you get sick all time. It's kinda like drinking diet soda to eat less calories. It doesn't work that way.

And every other time you have potentially introduced destructive insects and/or plant diseases into the local agricultural community.

 

The agricultural laws of each country are there for a reason.

 

It is not a game to see if you can get away with breaking the local laws.

Not everyone cares about these things. To each is own I guess. I'm pretty sure a few cookies and a croissant will not ruin the agricultural but who knows. I'm sure the ship using thousands of gallons of oil driving us from port to port is pretty bad for the environment also. You still cruise I see, so you are not that concerned.

It's not the ship who enforces the law. It's the police of the country you are visiting. If you haven't been caught, you are lucky. Some countries have very stiff fines. In Chile, the border guards carry big guns and there are signs everywhere showing what can't be brought into the country. The ship will tell you about the laws, but it's the locals with the sniffing dogs and big guns who enforce them.

Lots of cruises and not my experience. Once a dog was smelling for fruit and people were throwing it away. No fines and no hassle.

Another funny thread. We have always been told, no fresh or ship prepared food can be taken off of the ship no matter where the port is. I remember a couple of years ago Rick Steves was on a Princess ship on a Northern European Cruise with his girl friend. They had a standard balcony cabin, however, Princess apparently comped them breakfast in Sabatini's (yes, as in the suite perk). I remember his girl friend posting on their blog that they liked to get the ham and cheese breakfast croissants and take them in their backpacks to have for lunch on shore. I guess that if you are a celebrity you get away with stuff....??:D

We take food off all the time, like the dress code on these ships, it's usually not enforced and we have never had a problem. We had to throw out some fruit one time.

I am looking at a 16 day med cruise I August. A Verandah room is £1700 pp. A Neptune Suite £4,300 pp.

Other than the space, can the extra be justified ?

 

Help

No, it can't be justified. Imo.

You can adjust gratuities on board at the service desk.

flip flops on formal nights are a reflection on the individual wearing them.

 

A post earlier in the thread, from Lanzalady, mentioned that all she wanted on formal night was to look clean and presentable.

As i explained, it is suggested to shower twice a day in warm climate, as there often are B.O. issues if not

She more than likely does not realize it herself that you might look clean and presentable, but may have body parts smelling.

 

Nothing as bad as being seated with someone with body smells.

That's not going to happen. I would asked to be moved immediately. This whole topic is about the fabric of culture especially in America. I'm going to do what I want, period. When there are no consequences, people will not follow the rules.

We have never ever booked a on ship excursion. We always book outside and have had grest results. Do your research and finish a hour before departure. They have always had us back well before the scheduled time.

What time do you need to be back on the ship so one won't get stranded? I have a private excursion book in St Maarten, intinerary states port time is from 8am to 5pm, excursion time is 9:30 am to 4pm-the excursion is the number one rated excursion per Trip Advisor is it is known for getting cruise passengers back to the pier on time. Is a 4 pm return getting it too close to ship's all on board time?

I would 100% book the excursion. You will be back on time barring some accident.

Someone had the flu at my work on Monday also.

Yes, I was here early, if you call 1000 such. But not to board the ship until 1230 is unacceptable. Never have had this problem at Celebrity. Wanted to try something new, but I will be returning to my Elite status over there.

Showing up at 10am is your fault. Boarding around noon to 1pm is normal.

No, they don't.

Hi all,

 

Will be going on the Oasis of the Seas shortly and I understand Lobster night is usually the second formal night in the MDR. Since i will be travelling with a 3 year old, I'm not too sure if he would be able to sit still and behave for 2 hours for dinner. Last thing I want is for my son to be disturbing other guests so we will possibly have to eat at the Windjammer. Does anyone know if they serve lobster at the buffet? Hoping i won't have to miss out on Lobster night! :(

Never in the Windjammer

The food on the Maasdam is the same as the other HAL ships: some love it, some hate it and most eat it. And - unless you're considering cruising within the next month or so - the staff will have had major turnovers by the time you board (as it will on any cruise ship).

 

But, in general, you won't go hungry!

 

:)

As food is subjective, all Hal ships are not the same when it comes to food. That being said, we found the Maasdam to be very good each time.

They will pull it out and put it back each night for you.[/quote

 

Of course, but we still lose that space when the kids are sleeping, and it makes it hard for us to get to the balcony during that time.

 

You sleep on the sofa, or move the kids there after you go to bed. You would have to pull the couch out yourself in this scenario.

Thanks. Not thrilled about the sofa pulling out, because you lose floor space. But at least the kids won't sleep together.

They will pull it out and put it back each night for you.

Seriously? Ebay to save a few bucks, after I've spent thousands for a cruise? I must be missing something here, isn't the card around $30.00?

Why so surprised, and what does "I've spent thousands " have to do with a Coffee card for sale at a discount on ebay. It happen all the time. People sell used and new stuff on ebay. You might find a 10 punches left card for 10 dollars and get a discount, yeah.

My PARENTS decided to take us on a cruise because our first choice for spring break was ridiculously booked (the DC area) and we had been in a rented house since moving 4 years prior. They never questioned the gratuity amount as it was stated - we paid that (which incidentally was a lot more than the standard auto-fee now) and more without questioning it. That was my point.

 

Kids use the same if not more services. I don't see why it is even a question.

 

That is my right. Just like it's your right to think that kids shouldn't have to pay as much or anything.

 

Edited to add: I was ASKING why people even think it's a question. I wasn't ridiculing anyone. I never heard of cruiselines deducting amounts from kids' gratuities, so I legitimately didn't even know it's a thing for some lines. I've always seen it as "per person" and since kids are people, they pay too.

So you didn't know what you where talking about, but still choose to call them out for simply asking about the policy.

Now I get it.

It baffles me that "do kids pay the same gratuities as adults" is even a question. They are using a bed in the stateroom that has to be made up (and put up/down (or in/out if sofa bed)) every day just like adults. They eat at the table and have food brought to them - and often even cut up for them - by the waiters - just like adults (though I haven't seen servers cutting adults' food, I guess it's possible). Their messes are cleaned up by the cabin stewards and dining room servers - just like adults. Why should they pay less when they are using the same cabin and dining services the adults will use??

 

I don't know, maybe my family is just weird, or maybe times really have changed with the sense of entitlement pervading so much of society now. But when I was in 6th grade back in the 80's, we took a family cruise on the Emerald Seas thanks to a "kids sail free" promotion, and it never crossed my parents' minds that the "per person" gratuity amount didn't apply to my sister and me.

 

Honestly if anything we were MORE doted on and taken care of by our cabin steward (he was forever hiding our stuffed animals and/or putting them in cute positions when he did the turndown service) and our dining room team (our waiter in particular offered vinegar or something else to put on my massive sunburn after our second day in Nassau). And from what I've observed in my cruises as an adult, the children are still doted on and cared for even more - yet some people have this idea that they shouldn't pay as much tip-wise?

 

I don't get it.

Obviously, people are different now a days. Some cruise lines don't charge gratuities for kids. Thanks to the kids sail free promotion you could cruise in the 80's, but you ridiculed people even asking about the policy and the norm of tipping to perhaps save a few dollars.

I don't get it.

They aren't in the tip pool because such a small percentage of people use the services; not fair to charge everyone for the service. Also, they all are degreed (usually in Education) and are paid rates for what they are worth. They are not just baby sitters.

 

As to whether people just "go with" the full rates for children I can't say. That's a decision you can adopt a wait and see stance to the services on board.

That's not why they are not in the tip pool. They make a salary is why they are not included, but still receive tips from some people I'm sure.