rolloman

A few more observations. For those that want this thread and all tipping discussion nipped. Quick reminder, this is a message board dedicated to cruising discussions. Tipping is currently a hot topic due to recent rise of auto deductions. In addition, there are several who feel that not only is auto tipping not enough or feel the need for random crew performing non-customer facing duties being further compensated...How about this idea??? How about the cruise line tipping me or rewarding me with a fare reduction for my stellar performance as a passenger? How about tipping me if I report to the pier check- in at my stated boarding pass time? How about tipping me for doing a great job of going to my muster station in a timely manner? How about tipping me for treating the crew respectfully? The list can go on and on...proper use of the snoozing and cruising magnet for my cabin door...washing my hands prior to entering the buffet...following debarkation rules...As you can see with these examples there are a lot of expectations put on passengers and since we live in a tipping frenzy world...maybe I deserve a piece of the action too? It certainly makes as much sense as me roaming the passageways and grabbing a random crew member and begin stuffing dollar bills into his shirt while he on his way to repair the plumbing system.

Please supply information to validate your statement.

With respect to cruising and assuming you actually cruise... when it comes to gratuities, it very much so is your "business". In essence, the cruise lines are putting the onus on the passengers. Sorry for you Viktor and Sanjid...the evil passenger removed the tips...nothing we can do...better luck next time, maybe you need to work on your panhandle technique. Personally, the game is getting old. Pay the crew what they should be paid and raise the price of the cruise if necessary. Quit trying to hide the cost of cruising by using the passengers as pawns. Just my two cents.

Oh boy...personally I have never removed auto tips...probably should have a couple times in the past but that is another story in itself. I do find it annoying for those who are worried the guy in the boiler room should be getting tips from me. The whole premise of tipping is to reward someone who you have encountered during the cruise and who has gone above and beyond to take care of you. Let's face it, I am not privy to who is doing a good job in the boiler room. However, I am well aware of people who personally interact with me throughout the voyage and make my stay a pleasant one. I tip extra to those crew members. Royal needs to pay the guy in the boiler room...in my view I have already paid him via the cost of the cruise. If Royal feels the boiler room guy needs a raise... then Royal needs to raise the price of the cruise. Increasing tips to accommodate an employee raise is abusing the whole premise of tipping. This out-of-control tipping thing is reaching its breaking point. Those of you who think the removal rate is 3 percent lol...not even close...and as time goes by...that removal rate will continue to rise...trust me on that.

Keep in mind, from the ship, you will not see with the naked eye what is depicted in those photos without some type of scope or binoculars. I am confident those pictures were taken with a very nice camera.

No, it should not effect the departure...I was on a recent Independence of the Seas cruise where the rocket lifted off around 12pm and I stood next to the Captain on the Lido deck watching the lift off. So, yes, you will clearly see it.

Pretty small when you bet the minimum...put a healthy bid in and then get back to me.

Lol...it is a race to the click...deal or no deal.

That stand-by price you speak of can go away with a simple click from the passenger bailing out of the system. I say they have a set algorithm they follow and if everything lines up the system won't hesitate to implement the upgrade. My previous post was only an example to explain a full ship will not necessarily halt the program. Through the Royalup program they can effectively squeeze as much juice out of the lemon as they can until the bitter end. Personally, I like the current system as the old way back in the day was to talk to the pier coordinator at check in and see what kind of a deal you could work out. This system also eliminates a few thousand people standing in line on day one at Guest Services asking the same question lol....

It does not matter if the ship is full... whoever came up with the idea is a corporate genius. For example, all they need to do is hold back one suite in the inventory...then the process begins of upgrading cabins begins bottom to top with the existing passengers. Creating found revenue on an otherwise sold-out sailing.

That is what they call an anomaly.

Calm down...I was being sarcastic about the suite lounge...however...I am serious about the waste of space Diamond Lounge. The anytime drink vouchers have all but eliminated the once fun perk.

Since they have effectively killed the Diamond Club...maybe it would make more sense to move the Casino there? It is actually a few steps closer to the main casino than the Jazz venue. Give D+ access to the Suite lounge for those who just have to have the free coffee machine and light snacks in the evening.

Are there any noticeable enhancements since the return? I understand it was mostly technical but there were a few minor upgrades. New machines in the casino perhaps?

It may show on your list but I doubt if it shows points received. The one you just returned from will show points in about a week or so.

When I purchase a carnival cruise using the card...yes...I get double points for that purchase. When I go on the aforementioned cruise and use my same Carnival Mastercard for onboard purchases I do not get double points for those purchases. For example if my sign and sail card final bill is $500.00 and charged to my carnival Mastercard I should get 1000 points. I do not and have not for quite some time.

In theory they are supposed to. It has been my experience they do not give you double points for onboard purchases. I have called them on this several times and have never received a logical response nor have they changed the point total for me. A couple cruises ago I did not get any points at all for onboard purchases and Barclays says it is up to the ship to report it.

I think it has slowed down a bit but I do know someone who racks up about 4000+ points a trip...she has a ton of offers I do not get. As for the slot pulls...there is a famous you tuber who is a high roller who actually has a slot machine created in his caricature. His slot pulls in Vegas have $200.00-$500.00 buy in...kind of crazy but people do it...more than likely just to be a part of his online shows.

You think it is "not unusual" for 75 people to be in a cruise ship slot pull for $50.00 pp ??? I am going to have to check the exaggeration meter on that one... as that kind of a pull would be very unusual. To me, it seems you are trying really hard to make a point about your disdain for slot pull organizers and slot pulls in general. Most cruise ship slot pulls I have been in (or viewed) had about 10 to 30 participants with $20.00 or so entry fee. For the record, I was on 11 casino cruises the past year and currently have 4 in the hopper. I doubt anyone joins these pulls dreaming of getting rich...instead it is a fun way to meet people and spend your time....especially when your only other option is the basket weaving seminar or the Nassau port shopping show.

Well let's fact check your math. Every 5 dollars spent equates to 1 point. Typically, each player gets 3 five dollar max spins. This equates to a total of 3 points per player accrued on the organizers card. So assuming, as you say, "any decent size slot pool" equates to 50 people (which is actually a lot), the total amount of points accrued on the organizers card would total 150. Even if you add another complete round, the number of points is far short of any free cruise as you described.

Well I have a hundred (100) cruises if you want to brag...and I have met many who were happy after scrimping to be on their first cruise. As a matter of fact just last week while onboard I had some lady come up to me and say she wanted an omelet but couldn't afford it and I happily mentioned to her they were free. With my current position, I know first hand...yes...first hand...there are quite a few passengers who save for their cruise. There is no way the cruise lines will advocate to have the birth certificate rule changed as you propose. Next time you get off a ship watch how many people go through the birth certificate line in customs vs. passport. That should open your eyes. Well, then again, maybe not yours as you are desperately trying to work in the "they have to be birth certificate drunks with a drink package angle"

You pre-pay at number 1. You pay after on #5 and #6

It is just a horrible assumption on your part. Whether you believe it or not, there are quite a few passengers on each ship who saved (in some cases for years) to be on the ship and then they arrive with the bare minimum in ancillary funds. In some cases you will see these same people forced to remove tips, not because they want to but because they have to. Therefore, several hundred dollars in passports fees which are not a required expense is just not going to be an option. Secondly, I also believe the Cruise Lines would never promote the idea to only allow paid in full passengers to board who possess a certain cash threshold in their bank accounts. Never a good idea to "group think"

I sailed both 5 and 6 the past couple of weeks. I did not have a problem getting in the garage either time. 5 seems to fill up quick but they have an over flow ground parking right next to the garage they divert you to if necessary. This is the big problem...you pay when you leave and you must scan your ticket and then put in your credit card. When people do not have a ticket because they lost it then guess what...cars exiting have to wait and the line backs up. On Sunday it took almost 45 minutes just trying to leave the garage. Super frustrating. Even folks with their ticket seem to get confused and cause delay. I think one reason is when they scan their ticket a pre-recorded voice continues to say scan your ticket and people freak out. The trick is...scan your ticket, it beeps... and then the little display to the right shows what you owe...put in your credit card and then the gate opens once processed. Disregard the annoying voice trying to give you instructions because it is out of sequence.

You really seem to be hurt over the cabin perk for certain gamblers. I am pretty sure the bean counters have analyzed the data (of which you are not privy to) and the results are positive income. Looking at it from a somewhat different angle...would you rather sail with empty cabins or fill them with revenue generating passengers? I am sure there is a one off or two who may make out but in the end, however, statistics prove the casino always wins.