Tripper10

We live in Florida and do get Drop and Go Sales, however, they are about three weeks out. After 9-11, it is no longer possible to get on a ship at the last minute.

I went on a cruise 1 day before at Christmas.

Whatever you decide to do, please remember that your room steward does not get a day off. 12-14 hour days, 7 days a week. Months at a time. Dealing with all sorts of personalities. A conversation with our last room steward made us realize the only days off he got were when the ship was in dry dock (how often does that occur), and when his contract was up. I hadn't really thought of it. I'm pretty sure it's not the job for me.

My dad walked up hill to work, both ways....in the rain....7 days a week. He did that to support his people. I never heard him complain once. Point is a lot of people work hard.

I have often noticed a meet-up listed in the Patter (the ship's daily newsletter of events) for those in the 18-21 range. I would think going to that is a good way to meet others to hang with. Besides that, your 18yo can engage in any of the adult activities s/he cares to: exercise classes, using the gym/pools, basketball court, pool games, trivia, etc. Just no drinking and, I think, no casino.

 

The late-night nightclub is 21+, but the regular bars are not off-limites. Obviously, the alcohol is no-go, but hanging in Crooner's and listening to the pianist or dancing in the Wheelhouse is certainly allowed.

It's a cruise, there is tons to do as soon as he breaks his phone addiction. There might even be a few girls to talk to.

We are an older couple for Carnival, I think, early 60's. We've only sailed on Royal Carribbean before. We are celebrating our 30th anniversary in August. While we are taking a celebratory cruise on Oceania to the Mediterranean in June, I'd like to actually do something on the date of our anniversary itself in August. I was thinking a cruise would be perfect since we love to cruise.

 

I know all the reasons why most cruise lines don't sail the Caribbean in August (yeah, yeah, hurricanes, not concerned), but I was shocked to see that the only choices from Tampa are a 4 or 5 day Carnival cruise. No other cruise lines go out of Tampa in August. While we live near Fort Lauderdale, I was thinking of going out of Tampa since we'll have a new puppy and that's where it will come from and I can board it with its trainer. I know we can do the Allure or the Oasis from our home port (been there, done both) but if we go from Tampa, it looks like it's just Carnival.

 

I have a vision of Carnival as a party ship, or spring break type ship, I'm guessing in August it will be a lot of multi-generational families and lots of little kids. Those of you who have been on Carnival, specifically the Paradise, do you think we would be happy on there? We wouldn't be going for the ports, just for the ship experience itself. Are we too old? Would we be out of place?

 

I can't believe the lack of choices for Florida ports in the summer!

RCCL is pretty busy also, carnival is not that different if your cruise is 7 days or more and not on spring break or school vacation. HAL, Princess or Celebrity is way more laid-back.

If you complain about anything "medical" they will move your dining time. Just have to talk to the people in charge of seating on the first day.

Whatever makes your feel better. It's not badgering, it's an opinion. If you think an extra $10 a day in top of your $1000 cruise is too burdensome, don't do it.

 

I tip for just about everything - hotel stays, several dollars day, deliver toothpaste, a $1, open my door or load my suitcase in a car, $1 per bag, bring me ice $1, deliver a package and I'm home, $1., hail a cab for me, $2. A few dollars here and there won't bankrupt me, but I know the extra money for those on the service industry, can make a difference. Maybe it's because I grew up very poor, had a mother who worked 3 jobs and was a cocktail waitress myself.

 

Delivering my breakfast, an extra $1 or $2 won't break the bank, but can really help the person who delivered it. If you don't want to do it, don't do it.

 

Nothing is required. But, as a Buddhist, I believe in good karma. Again, that's just me.

 

You do whatever feels right for you.

 

 

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That's wonderful, tip as much as you want. To some people your cheap and to some your trying to "bribe" the staff and get better service. I personally could care less, but guilt tripping people with your blog quotes is cumbersome and dilutes the gratuity system that the cruise line put in place.

Tip as much as you can. I just finished reading the "Cruise Confidential" blog. A few dollars every opportunity you can will make a huge difference in the lives you encounter. You've paid a good sum to be on the ship, what's a few dollars every time someone delivers food, cleans your room, makes you a drink, or does something nice for you? It's maybe an extra $10 a day on top of auto tips? That's two Starbucks drinks.

 

Quote from the blog:

CC: Can you talk a little about what a crewmember earns and how tips play into it?

BDB: Tipping is serious stuff. It represents well over 95% of what the crew makes. Carnival gave me something around $60 a month or so when it was all said and done. "Salary" also included the cabin you share, plenty of food and two crew parties a month. There was also an unfulfilled promise of medical care

 

 

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Most of the crew leave thier country for a greater opportunity of employment. What they negotiate is not my business or concern. I actually find it quite rude that you beg others to donate more money over and above the auto-gratuities system that's in place for them. It's almost like badgering people to do more. Yeah, I know they work so hard....and so do a lot of people. Some get promoted and some don't and that's life. The fact of the matter of this post is tipping extra for room service is NOT REQUIRED as some people on these boards guilt trip people into doing so. Some people don't want to be bothered about who, when and where to tip, hence the auto-gratuities system which covers it all.

We always choose late dinner. Eating at 6pm isn't for us. You would have to get ready at 5pm and most ship and shore activities are still going on. Late seating is more laid-back. We find having a seating rather than anytime dining is much better service.

It's included in the auto-gratuities but we normally give a few extra euros.

A tuxedo wouldn't help either.

You would be surprised, a tux will make anything look better.

- Porters (per bag)

- Bartenders (every couple of drinks)

- Room Stewart (per day/week)

- Room Service delivery person

- and nyone else I might have forgotten?

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

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The tips are included in the auto-gratuities and automatic 15% bar fee except for the porters who get 1-3 dollars per bag if you choose. Anything over or under this amount is up to you on the quality of service.

We always pre-pay gratuities and usually add a bit more in person. On an upcoming cruise we plan to eat in the Steakhouse almost every night- it may end up being every night. We plan to tip in the Steakhouse. But what happens to the MDR tips if you never eat there?

If you don't eat in the MDR at all you can remove that portion of the gratuities if you please. The tip is included in the specialty restaurants fee but some people choose to add extra.

We are joining some friends on a cruise to Alaska on the Legend in July. We have become NCL loyalist but all decided to book Carnival for this one. Can someone give me an update on clothing policies in the dining rooms? Our guys usual wear jeans an polos and the ladies wear capris and sandals. Would this be acceptable in the dining rooms on CCL?

Yes, that's fine.

What I struggle with here is, you gay for gratuities and then your slogged another 15% each time you buy from the bar or order wine with dinner. Now what's that about?

It's about getting the most money from you on your trip without you thinking about it. It's a business.

What the crew does is thier business. You don't know if they are off the next morning or what have you. They live there, surely they are allowed to eat and drink at appropriate times.

In regards to the same-sex issue, I don't think you'll have any problems at all. We always love sailing Princess and have never been uncomfortable.

We have traveled most of the cruise lines. Would same sex couples have any problems on any cruise line? Personally, my wife and kids don't even notice such a thing.

Yep. The obsession with doing everything online i dont get.

There is value in not actually talking to annoying humans, that's why.

We love to eat, and at home snacks like this are great. I can't figure out on a cruise why on earth would you need these options with all the available food.

If you can get drinks for $7 each I'm going to start sailing on this cruise line. [emoji1]

 

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Yeah, HAL is much cheaper for drinks. There is happy hour at multiple bars with 2 for 1 drinks also. Oh, also drink of the day.

For a 7 day Koningsdam next Feb, the Signature package is 361.83 for the cruise.

 

Another option is a beverage card that can be purchased for $100 or $250 but is also subject to a 15% gratuity .

Why is a beverage card a option? There is no added value, discount or break even point. Just another card to carry around besides your key card which doubles as your charge card on the ship.

Ship?

Maybe read the thread.

Strange I paid the same price as was quoted to me before the explore 4 package was introduced, actually that is not fair it did go up about half the value of the explore 4 and then my TA negotiated it back down.

The cost of the sailing has never come down since the offering was removed.

Doesn't matter too much to me as I would have purchased the sbp anyway and the pg dinner and spent the obc.

 

 

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That's great you got the deal you wanted.

Yeah

So I "significantly" overpaid at the time I booked?

 

 

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I would think so, yes. If price point isn't a concern for you, it's no problem. We sail all types of cabins. It's a rare happening that you got a good deal with explore 4 promo, but believe what you want it's your money.

If I overpaid, why is my cruise now considerably more expensive $1000pp and I got the package which is no longer offered?

 

 

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The demand for a particular cruise will always determine the pricing trends. If you booked a popular cruise, the price went up as usual.