S.A.M.J.R.

Sorry, was quoting you, commenting on your post, but then bringing in PP's comment. Didn't mean to imply that you said that. Sorry for any confusion.

If this is the only person claiming it, then I have serious doubts. But saying the guy is just claiming he's a victim, and the sinking was "tame" isn't right either. Just curious, what went wrong during your cruise for you to get that letter?

Not sure why it matters. When I was a teen, went to Europe, next international trip was to Mexico (flying). My point was people say "it's good for 10 years" and "you never know when you might need it" as reasons to get them. If you only travel internationally once in the 10 years, then it's still over $100 for a single use. And if you don't get opportunities (or the money) to travel internationally, have one sit in a drawer does no good. As far as passport vs Real ID, the Real ID at least is card size and easy to carry in a wallet/purse, and can function as a DL. A passport book just doesn't fit anywhere quite right and you'd still need to carry a DL (assuming you drive).

Exactly! When you're buying for multiple people, it's not "only $100+". And, yes, while its good for 5/10 years, they could still be "single use". I got a passport at 17(?) for an international school trip. That was the only time I needed one unil I was 42. I NEVER had to turn down a trip because I didn't have a passport for the 15 years mine was expired. Do I think they're a good idea to have? Yes, and we bring ours every cruise. But I'll never criticize anyone for choosing to sail with BC & DL.

Can you provide examples?

Its a simple math problem. Figure out the cost per point. I'm making up numbers, but if a solo interior cabin for four days costs you $800, and gets you 8 points, thats $100/point. And if a JS costs you $1500, and gets you 12 points, that's $125/point. Looking at just financial, the interior is better. Only you can decide if the added JS amenities are worth paying more.

How do we know the bolded? Or are you saying "many people have been denied boarding"? Sorry, I thought you meant many had been denied compensation.

If you're tempted to purchase those, then they're doing exactly what they should. The goal of ANY business is to get customers to spend money.

I have no problem with Royal using the app for check in. I think it's a mistake, at this point in time, to ONLY allow the app for check in. Of course, that and $1.25 will get you a soda from a machine.

I can agree with that. But I would question how much money not having website check in saves. I get every little bit helps.

But, believe it or not, not everyone has a smart phone. Or space on their phone for an additional app. If they don't have home internet, they can go to a public library or a friend's house or a work computer. IMO, it doesn't make sense to limit the options for your customers. If computer based internet was on it's way out, maybe. But that's not going to happen.

So what? Isn't what they make between the employee and the company?

So they make too much?

No, you're receiving 50% less. Doesn't mean the attendants are doing 50% less. If they did 15 cabins 2x/day in the past, that's 30 cleanings. Now they're doing 20 cabins 1x/day. Thats 20 cleanings. So they're doing 30% less. 😄

I think you missed my point. It doesn't matter whether RCI calls it a tip, service charge, or increases the base fare. Think of it as part of the cost of the cruise. IGNORE what RCI calls it.

I don't disagree with what you're saying, but why not just factor the auto-grats as part of the fare? Let's say your room is $1000pp for the week. Now add in auto-grats. That's an additional $126 if I did my math right. What difference does it make whether they say "take your base fare and add auto-grats" or "we've included gratuities in the base fare"? Either way, you're paying $1126. Or, remove the auto grats, hand the room steward $50, head waiter $40, and assistant waiter $36. I think too many people are caught up in "it's called a TIP!" Realistically, what difference does it make? "But if I don't get good service, I don't want to encourage them" What are you going to do if the Flowrider attendants are rude? What if the CD isn't entertaining?

As I understand it, especially at busy airports, it's not easy to change runway directions when the winds change. I was told that by a flight instructor. How true it is...?

I thought shows with no story line were bad and should be taken off Royal ships. 🙂

So in your travel group, 6 people had removed gratuities before. Now 32 people are removing gratuities (I think I have the math right). But, without knowing how many new cruisers there are who keep gratuities and how many people who did remove gratuities have given up cruising, you really don't know how many more (if any more) are opting out. Even assuming no new people, no new dropouts, while 26 more people are opting out, that's a pretty small drop in the bucket on an Oasis class ship, to say nothing about fleet wide.

Were they bumped BECAUSE they were flying on miles? Were they bumped because they checked in late? Were they bumped because they booked the lowest class of cabin? Were they bumped because the airline could get them to their destination on a later flight? Were they bumped because the new aircraft simply didn't have "Seat 23F"?

Why would you not? Room steward has do the same amount of work for kids (if not more) as for adults, as do wait staff and other "hotel services". Now, this is assuming you pay full gratuities for adults. If you opt out for one, opt out for all.

Do you have a source for that, or is that your hope? I'm assuming you're basing that on anecdotal information, not actually hard facts.

They feel they don't need to? They're still filling the ships, with the increased gratutities, decreased service, and increased base costs that people have been lamenting on here. Most people don't care what the gratuity distribution is.

Why would they HAVE to refund the flight? Is that part of the cruise contract? Also, do we KNOW that the folks bumped were picked BECAUSE they had Guarantee cabins, or because they were the last ones assigned? I'd be surprised if there were only 11 GTY cabins sold on the entire ship, so why did these folks get picked?

IMO, if you're going to come on to a public message board and say "Where does the money go?", you should all but expect someone to say "What difference does it make?" Obviously, I can't make them answer.