Eclipsing Northern Europe by cruise : Basic black , and Baltic blues

[MicCanberra]

Wow , that sound like a great tour and deal ! :D

 

As for the crew , they probably needed the nap . ;) They have a busy jobs , with very long hours , and are separated from their families for extended periods . And yet , they make our vacations amazing !

 

They deserve more respect , more money - and a vacation with naps too ! :) :D

 

I think the crew definitely need to be paid appropriately for their work. However, if that was at the Australian wage levels, that will drive up the price of cruising considerably and ships wouldn't fill. Even at other OECD countries wage levels it would be much higher, which is why cruise lines mainly employs crew from developing countries like SE Asia and the sub continent or even former European Eastern block countries.

[scubacruiserx2]

I think the crew definitely need to be paid appropriately for their work. However, if that was at the Australian wage levels, that will drive up the price of cruising considerably and ships wouldn't fill. Even at other OECD countries wage levels it would be much higher, which is why cruise lines mainly employs crew from developing countries like SE Asia and the sub continent or even former European Eastern block countries.

 

We as Americans have many service type jobs which rely on tips like our youngest daughter has ( and my Mom and Pat had in the past ) . And our personal belief is reflected by that . We consider 15 % of the bill as a starting point for basic service when dining out and very rarely give less . If we can't give that or more then we won't dine out . But not all Americans think the same and are willing to leave little or nothing . And so we always give extra on the cruise over and above the standard gratuities , and base it on their performance . We can afford to do this based on our low tax structure , with us choosing whom to give special attention , and we enjoy this system .

 

We don't know much about the Australian system . We did however hear a few things from several of the Danes about theirs . They all earn high wages and pay high prices for goods and have high taxes . We listened to a bus driver who said that in an effort to achieve financial equality , wages were equalized with doctors earning almost what bus drivers or fast food workers earned . He also said that they had a 60% income tax . His observations were that it was too expensive to eat out (even with his high paycheck ) and that many of the good doctors had left the country .

 

Adam shared with us how expensive and difficult it was to own a car in Denmark . He said that the government had just lowered the car registration tax from 180% to 150% ! . This is paid in addition to the high price of the car in the first place . Thus the price of a small car selling for $30,000 , becomes 75,000 . :eek:

 

 

Could it be that what Marcellus said in Hamlet is true ?

 

 

 

For most Americans a car = freedom , and for many - a necessity .

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

On this this day at sea there were some beautiful shades of blue to be found .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jack Staff]

We as Americans have many service type jobs which rely on tips like our youngest daughter has ( and my Mom and Pat had in the past ) .

 

We did however hear a few things from several of the Danes about theirs . They all earn high wages and pay high prices for goods and have high taxes .

 

Adam shared with us how expensive and difficult it was to own a car in Denmark . He said that the government had just lowered the car registration tax from 180% to 150% ! . This is paid in addition to the high price of the car in the first place . Thus the price of a small car selling for $30,000 , becomes 75,000 . :eek:

 

 

Could it be that what Marcellus said in Hamlet is true ?

 

 

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

?

or

"

O, wonderful" ?

 

Denmark does have high taxes but also a very good and free welfare service that includes a health care service.

Edited September 1, 2016 by Jack Staff

[scubacruiserx2]

More blues , forward facing aft

 

 

 

 

and aft facing forward

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting for the Hot Glass show

 

 

 

 

Ball games

 

 

 

 

These two look like they were taken with a drone cam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[nursedibdob]

Whole review has been fabulous as always & so informative, but I must be honest & say that these gorgeous photos of Eclipse are a treat, especially since I'll be boarding her in just 2 days [emoji3]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[scubacruiserx2]

Whole review has been fabulous as always & so informative, but I must be honest & say that these gorgeous photos of Eclipse are a treat, especially since I'll be boarding her in just 2 days [emoji3]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

Woohoo , we hope that have a great cruise with great weather ! :) :D

[scubacruiserx2]

And here's why I want a drone cam ! A stunning video of the Eclipse's sister ship the Equinox , in Santorini by fellow CC member slidewilson . :) :D

 

 

 

[MicCanberra]

We as Americans have many service type jobs which rely on tips like our youngest daughter has ( and my Mom and Pat had in the past ) . And our personal belief is reflected by that . We consider 15 % of the bill as a starting point for basic service when dining out and very rarely give less . If we can't give that or more then we won't dine out . But not all Americans think the same and are willing to leave little or nothing . And so we always give extra on the cruise over and above the standard gratuities , and base it on their performance . We can afford to do this based on our low tax structure , with us choosing whom to give special attention , and we enjoy this system .

 

We don't know much about the Australian system . We did however hear a few things from several of the Danes about theirs . They all earn high wages and pay high prices for goods and have high taxes . We listened to a bus driver who said that in an effort to achieve financial equality , wages were equalized with doctors earning almost what bus drivers or fast food workers earned . He also said that they had a 60% income tax . His observations were that it was too expensive to eat out (even with his high paycheck ) and that many of the good doctors had left the country .

 

Adam shared with us how expensive and difficult it was to own a car in Denmark . He said that the government had just lowered the car registration tax from 180% to 150% ! . This is paid in addition to the high price of the car in the first place . Thus the price of a small car selling for $30,000 , becomes 75,000 . :eek:

 

Could it be that what Marcellus said in Hamlet is true ?

 

For most Americans a car = freedom , and for many - a necessity .

 

 

In Australia, we have a system similar to Demark as we have high wages and as such a high cost of living, however, wages vary greatly still due to the skill set and demand. (I.e doctors earn much more than bus drivers.). Taxes are moderate and tipping is appreciated but not necessary here. I think we sit somewhere between the two (Denmark and USA) systems

 

As for my tipping practices, I follow the custom when visiting the various countries, and when cruising, I pre pay the gratuities.The room steward always gets an extra tip, the amount depends on any extra service provided. Every crew member that we meet or serves us, gets a smile and a thankyou which always helps and then they often will then go that bit further when they serve us again. We then reward the individual staff members or crew if we feel that they have gone above and beyond the normal duties (waiters, bar or drink staff, concierge, etc).

Edited September 1, 2016 by MicCanberra

[MicCanberra]

And here's why I want a drone cam ! A stunning video of the Eclipse's sister ship the Equinox , in Santorini by fellow CC member slidewilson . :) :D

 

 

 

 

Wonderful photo's Joe and this video is fantastic.:D

[scubacruiserx2]

In Australia, we have a system similar to Demark as we have high wages and as such a high cost of living, however, wages vary greatly still due to the skill set and demand. (I.e doctors earn much more than bus drivers.). Taxes are moderate and tipping is appreciated but not necessary here. I think we sit somewhere between the two (Denmark and USA) systems

 

As for my tipping practices, I follow the custom when visiting the various countries, and when cruising, I pre pay the gratuities.The room steward always gets an extra tip, the amount depends on any extra service provided. Every crew member that we meet or serves us, gets a smile and a thankyou which always helps and then they often will then go that bit further when they serve us again. We then reward the individual staff members or crew if we feel that they have gone above and beyond the normal duties (waiters, bar or drink staff, concierge, etc).

 

Thank you Mic for your POV and sharing the Aussie model with us !! :) :D

 

Edited September 2, 2016 by scubacruiserx2

[Gracie115]

We as Americans have many service type jobs which rely on tips like our youngest daughter has ( and my Mom and Pat had in the past ) . And our personal belief is reflected by that . We consider 15 % of the bill as a starting point for basic service when dining out and very rarely give less . If we can't give that or more then we won't dine out . But not all Americans think the same and are willing to leave little or nothing . And so we always give extra on the cruise over and above the standard gratuities , and base it on their performance . We can afford to do this based on our low tax structure , with us choosing whom to give special attention , and we enjoy this system .

 

We don't know much about the Australian system . We did however hear a few things from several of the Danes about theirs . They all earn high wages and pay high prices for goods and have high taxes . We listened to a bus driver who said that in an effort to achieve financial equality , wages were equalized with doctors earning almost what bus drivers or fast food workers earned . He also said that they had a 60% income tax . His observations were that it was too expensive to eat out (even with his high paycheck ) and that many of the good doctors had left the country .

 

Adam shared with us how expensive and difficult it was to own a car in Denmark . He said that the government had just lowered the car registration tax from 180% to 150% ! . This is paid in addition to the high price of the car in the first place . Thus the price of a small car selling for $30,000 , becomes 75,000 . :eek:

 

 

Could it be that what Marcellus said in Hamlet is true ?

 

 

 

For most Americans a car = freedom , and for many - a necessity .

 

 

 

We share your philosophy....and it's interesting to hear what the Danes you encountered had to say.....

[scubacruiserx2]

More photos of the Eclipse aft , on this beautiful day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The aft is our preferred location and view . The heart marks our balcony from our TA on the Eclipse .

 

 

 

 

Here's a view of the S1 Sky Suites .

 

 

 

 

This seminar from the Celebrity Today caught my attention . Would it be worth $20 to see if a coke drank from a Riedel glass would taste different ?

 

 

 

 

But we decided that the money would be better spent on the lunch special at Tuscan Grille !

 

 

 

[MicCanberra]

We have some Riedel glasses (white and red varieties) and it can make a difference to the taste of the wine or at least how it smells anyway. Not sure if they are worth the expense but the wine tastes good even with a $5 bottle.

[scubacruiserx2]

I don't know if we had entered the North Sea at this point as it seemed so calm , like the Caribbean .

 

 

 

Except we were on a different ship

 

 

 

 

with a TV screen

 

 

 

 

and an adult pool

 

 

and a brilliant sunset .

 

 

 

 

Oh , that was the Regal ! :cool:

[scubacruiserx2]

It's a bit early for lunch here , and a bit late for lunch in the UK , but on the Eclipse it was the perfect time .

 

 

 

At the Tuscan Grille they had a reduced menu and a reduced price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was Tyler's favorite restaurant so far

 

 

 

A crispy crab cake

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

The view

 

 

 

Tyler's Shrimp Alfredo

 

 

 

 

 

Pat's Filet Mignon

 

 

 

 

My Scallop Risotto

 

 

 

 

Tiramisu

 

 

 

Chocolate Lasagna

 

 

 

 

[KikisDad]

After booking two years ago and reading both your TA and this review, we board Eclipse tomorrow. :D

[scubacruiserx2]

After booking two years ago and reading both your TA and this review, we board Eclipse tomorrow. :D

 

Thank you for reading and writing ! We hope that you have an amazing trip and say hello to nursedibdob for us . :) :D

 

[scubacruiserx2]

I can't post photos of our dinner at Murano as Photobucket is undergoing maintenance again . We will post as soon as they will let me .

 

We're thrilled to see that the Caribbean Princess is returning to Ft. Lauderdale soon and so we booked a nice aft cabin for December . We have a popular thread which shows 4 Caribbean cruises which we did on that ship , and it's found here if you care to see it :

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2094420

[perfect match]

I can't post photos of our dinner at Murano as Photobucket is undergoing maintenance again . We will post as soon as they will let me .

 

We're thrilled to see that the Caribbean Princess is returning to Ft. Lauderdale soon and so we booked a nice aft cabin for December . We have a popular thread which shows 4 Caribbean cruises which we did on that ship , and it's found here if you care to see it :

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2094420

 

I had already noticed that cruise on the CB in your signature before you mentioned it. About time you two, or is it 3, went diving! :D Great choice, booking an aft cabin. :cool:

 

Loved the look at Tivoli Gardens. May have to plan a visit there some day. My list of places to visit somehow seems to keep getting longer and longer.....

[MicCanberra]

What would the water temp be like for diving in December, I suppose it is only slightly above the equator so not too bad.

[scubacruiserx2]

I had already noticed that cruise on the CB in your signature before you mentioned it. About time you two, or is it 3, went diving! :D Great choice, booking an aft cabin. :cool:

 

Loved the look at Tivoli Gardens. May have to plan a visit there some day. My list of places to visit somehow seems to keep getting longer and longer.....

 

We haven't been able to dive together since Pat got medical clearance . But we've booked Cozumel for a long week with some friends in late October but , unfortunately , we have to return before you reach Cozumel because we would love to dive with you !

All of our upcoming cruises are just Pat and I . But we do have a snowcation trip planned for Tyler & his brother ( they have never seen snow ! ) over the Christmas / New Year's Holiday .

 

:) :D

 

[upwarduk]

. But we do have a snowcation trip planned for Tyler & his brother ( they have never seen snow ! ) over the Christmas / New Year's Holiday .

 

We do the opposite, we have started spending New Year in Tenerife, to have at least 2 weeks away from the 'white stuff.'

[scubacruiserx2]

We do the opposite, we have started spending New Year in Tenerife, to have at least 2 weeks away from the 'white stuff.'

 

You have a similar climate to where Pat grew up in Michigan which it quite different from here . It's only ever snowed here once - and that was the year in which Pat moved here ! :eek:

 

We used to love going to Michigan with our kids to visit for a couple of weeks in the Winter for a White Christmas or in the summer for a break from the Florida heat and humidity . Your Summers are like our Winters , but we prefer to live here and visit there . ;)