allhamm

USA are used to tipping every time. Japan and Australia never tip as do not tip their lawyer, the check out chick, hotel receptionist etc. as they are just doing their job. A waiter, hairdresser, barman etc. is doing the same. UK tip on good service. That is why they like to tip themselves at the end. USA culture does not encourage workers to do their best as getting a tip anyway? Also it has been exposed that cruise lines do not pass on the tips as tips, but as part salary. Better to put a price on and that is that. Then let people tip for good service if they want...,as in an hotel. I never sail on USA lines any more as the tipping culture got me down. An extra 15% to a barman for pouring a drink in front of me at the bar...,.and he said the tips were handed out on customer feedback..and there were not enough forms naming him as good. A scam?

We prefer P&O as you can opt out of their automatic gratuity scheme and do your own thing. (Their policy is to reward staff on the basis of reviews from passengers but that is not fair .. We have met many moany joanies that complain about petty things). We also watched a documentary that proved all the gratuities on cruise lines do not go to staff as tips ... Only as wages. Thomson cruises now include all gratuities including bar purchases. I found the hard sell of alcohol and the 20% tip on other cruise liners very off-putting! Royal Caribbean combined this with tannoy messages every half an hour, advertising activities and shop specials. NEVER again!

Thanks Campolady...Brilliant information. The Salobrena Tourismo Office gave me the contact details of an English lady who would do a tour. Is it worth booking this, or just easy to meander through the village to the top?

I must admit not hqving been to Cadiz.....so looking forward to the visit next week. However, just loved Seville and Cadiz doesn't seem to have anything to match. We had three days there and did the Alcazar, bullfighting museum, Jewish quarter etc. etc. Also did the free walking tours...brilliant. You give a tip...based on how you enjoyed it. They do this in Cadiz at 1pm (panchotours) which we will do, as you get a lot more history and fairly unknown facts.

There are some really good ideas here. Thank you,

 

Has anybody been to both the Alhambra & Seville? Out of the 2, which would you recommend for a visit? I have read that some of the buildings in Seville are more interesting & beautiful than the Alhambra?!

 

We explored the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul which was beautiful - Alhambra looks quite similar which is why I am wondering whether to head for Seville instead of Granada..... although Cadiz itself looks a lovely place to DIY!

i see this is an older post but updated in 2014. You must have got answers. seville hands down....Apart from AlHambra, Granada has nothing to offer.