4/26/09 Live from Carnival Splendor !!!

[jpbullfrog]

Last sea day

 

We are currently moving along but knee deep in Fog, the ship is blowing her Fog Horn every 2 minutes to prevent collision with a sailboat or even a Naval Sub. Chance are the Sub has us in site miles away on their radar.

 

I finally had my signature sandwich onboard, the Grilled Tuna on White with extra Mayo and Tomatoes. Yes, on Splendor they made it just right.

 

The Galley Tour was short but I was able to take pictures and will write a thread on it when I return.

 

Well I have a picture of something everyone has always wonder about and will you be shocked when you see the picture. I will only post the top of the list in the picture and thats it, I think I took 2 pictures and have a zoomed print of the subject line. Its a list posted on the wall in the galley of those passengers that did remove their Tips or Gratuities from their Sail & Sign account. I am not making this up, another Cruise Critic member took a picture of the list as well.

 

So there you have it, now you know why some people write about having a bad waiter or a horrible dining experience, we know you took your tips off LOL....

 

One thing I didn't see on the wall was the Platinum VIP list. There were many memos and other lists of people that required special dishes etc.

 

At noon the Burrito bar and other food stations will be open for business, so I will go up and take pictures in a few.

 

I was also able to get the info on the Carton of Cigs from the ships store,

 

1 Carton is $23.95

2 Cartons is $42.90

5 Cartons is $94.95

 

Glad I don't smoke because thats a high price to pay for me. The rep told me that they are currently out of Red's not sure what the heck that means but he did say he will get a full shipment once they hit Long Beach. Red's must be a popular brand of Cigs.

 

Down $200.00 in the Casino!!! oh well, there is always the next cruise.

 

 

 

Fred

 

I look forward to seeing that picture, I can attest to that list being on my previous cruises. During one of those, the asst waiter and waiter seemed to give two people at my table less attention then they gave the rest of us. Later found out that they removed all their tips. I have no proof, that this is why, but it does confirm some suspions.

 

Its been exiciting following your SF adventures and i look forward to the pictures.

[Peaceful]

Having worked in the hospitality business most of my life (I'm free now, thank goodness), I always "jokingly" told cranky people they would have their names on the wall in the kitchen...I didn't really do it, but maybe I should have....hmmm...what do they say about hindsight?

[cathyz]

By the way, Splendor is still serving Filet Mignon, they had it last night and we totally missed it!!! Oh well, no answer from the Asst. Maitre'D during the Galley tour as to why they removed the Fruit Punch, I am only guessing that it was probably due to he Booze Smugglers and the Rum Punch !!!

 

 

Fred

Fred, in one of John Heald's blogs, he said the head F&B guy said they are getting rid of the fruit punch because of the stains on the carpet and upholstery it causes that can't be removed.

[Froufie]

I look forward to seeing that picture, I can attest to that list being on my previous cruises. During one of those, the asst waiter and waiter seemed to give two people at my table less attention then they gave the rest of us. Later found out that they removed all their tips. I have no proof, that this is why, but it does confirm some suspions.

 

Its been exiciting following your SF adventures and i look forward to the pictures.

 

Just curious about this 'list' - don't some people take off their automatic tips cus they lke to tip 'in person'?....at the end of the cruise? So why would the wait staff 'shun' these individuals assuming that no tips were ever forthcoming? What if the plan was to hand over $100 or so at the end of the week for good service - yet they received none....aren't the waiters just shooting themselves in the foot? Does not sound like a good plan to me!!!

 

Of course those that don't tip deserve the poor service but I don't know how they wait staff or other service staff can tell in advance that some cash will not be presented later on?

[Katz A Prowl]

Now who is Melting Down? Don't worry, be happy. :) It's just a Message Board. ;)

 

Did you not notice the smiley?? I have been amused by the whole thing. I have not read anything this hilarious in a while.

[SDPadreFan]

Just curious about this 'list' - don't some people take off their automatic tips cus they lke to tip 'in person'?....at the end of the cruise? So why would the wait staff 'shun' these individuals assuming that no tips were ever forthcoming? What if the plan was to hand over $100 or so at the end of the week for good service - yet they received none....aren't the waiters just shooting themselves in the foot? Does not sound like a good plan to me!!!

 

Of course those that don't tip deserve the poor service but I don't know how they wait staff or other service staff can tell in advance that some cash will not be presented later on?

 

I know in our case we never remove/adjust the auto-tips. We just personally hand deliver any additional tips we wish to give to specific crew members.

[starraz]

They should be compensated in some form.....but most certainly not for good citizenship.......for a cruise that went awry.......

It only makes perfect business sense........it might be in the works right now.......well see.....

 

It makes good business sense to write a contract that covers many of the situations beyond the cruise lines control (which they did). If they had to give everyone their money back every time an act of nature altered the plan, we would probably not all be able to enjoy the cruises that we do. Carnival and others would not make any money. The sea is a wild and crazy place. You need to know that when you sign up. Actually you do cause you agreed to the terms of the contract.

[ottergal]

It makes good business sense to write a contract that covers many of the situations beyond the cruise lines control (which they did). If they had to give everyone their money back every time an act of nature altered the plan, we would probably not all be able to enjoy the cruises that we do. Carnival and others would not make any money. The sea is a wild and crazy place. You need to know that when you sign up. Actually you do cause you agreed to the terms of the contract.

 

I don't think they HAVE to do anything, but it's obvious that even the cruise lines understand that changing a cruise from a warm weather port intensive cruise to a colder weather/ more days at sea cruise is a bit different than changing Puerta Vallarta to Cabo (I know that they are both Mexico, it's just an example of a "like for like" sort of swap). I think that you're seeing compensation and special treatment for these types of things because the cruise lines know it.

 

I know that many of the people in this thread like sea days, but you might want to consider that many people look at cruising as a large floating hotel that takes them to remarkable places. I don't care how nice the hotel is, if you lock me up in it for 7 days I'm going to be unhappy and want to get off.

 

That being said, there is no excuse for taking out frustration on the ship's staff or other passengers - it's not their fault either and they have no control over it. I understand making the best of a (to some) bad situation, but I think you have to admit that this is a pretty extreme itinerary change and probably not really within the spirit of the contract that you sign.

[parisbully]

Do not understand the post about removing tips from sign and sail. Do you mean that people remove after they get on board. Or is it that they do not pre pay the tips?

[big_duck]

Do not understand the post about removing tips from sign and sail. Do you mean that people remove after they get on board. Or is it that they do not pre pay the tips?

 

He means the former, but let's not get into all that on this thread please.

[Wennfred]

We just came from the shops, they broke out WATCH sets that are listed from 79.00 to 99.00 and all were selling for 20.00, these Watch sets included ladies rings, earrings and neckles and for the mens watches it came with cufflings or matching pens etc. Mobs of people were buy up the maximum allowed which was 5 boxes. These watch sets were very nice and would sell for alot more on Ebay or you could give them away as gifts. So save some of the Casino money and wait for the last day when they break out the watches.

The Basket of free sample items in the bathroom include the following:

One ZICAM, Free Starter Kit, Cold Remedy

Two Crest Toothpaste in different flavors

Two BIC Comfort 3 shaver for Men

Two BIC Soleil Citron (pivot) Shaver for women

Two Benefiber powder Stick Packs

We have a Cruise Critic Party today at 5pm then Dinner at 6pm and then Packing time, we will have to have 2 luggages outside of our cabin doors at a certain time. We are only going to roll 2 pieces of luggage off the ship. We don't have to rush leaving tomorrow nor do we have to pick up the 2 beagles, just going to take our time heading home.

If its foggy heading in tomorrow morning, we might be delayed, who knows for how long.

Fred

[parisbully]

He means the former, but let's not get into all that on this thread please.

 

I am deeply sorry for asking a question on a comment that was made by the OP........

[lookslikdi]

Last month while on the Conquest my DW won a watch raffle. It was the first time she won anything in her life. The watch was beautiful and listed for $99.00. She took the ladies watch and it came with a pen and I think a neckage. Two-three days later that same watch and others were on sale for $20..The same watch sale that Wennfred just attended...Up $99.00 and down to $20.00..We are still $20 ahead and will regift it for Christmas

[big_duck]

I am deeply sorry for asking a question on a comment that was made by the OP........

 

Please don't misunderstand, I wasn't being critical of your question. It was a plea to the usual suspects not to turn this into a "tipping" thread.

[lookslikdi]

Are they selling future cruises on the Spendor????

[skidrue]

Tottsmom, we feel the same way you do. Thanks for writing, it was well put.

 

So what do you think of this?:eek:

(04-28) 12:21 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- The Bay Area's first confirmed cases of swine flu have been identified in Marin County, health officials there said today.

 

That was TUESDAY, they actually have a few more today. Mexico ports had NO known cases, but yet the Bay Area did and you all went there. Makes perfect sense to me.

 

Carnival cares:D

[Crusin6]

Glad all of you who stayed had a great cruise...we too had a great cruise when we elected not to abandon the Disney Magic during Hurr. Frances.

 

However, I still have to wonder why Carnival thought that leaving warm waters to sail up to SF was such a great idea?

 

 

I say that they should have let those who wanted to debark in LB and then just anchor back down south...OK OK not too far south, but at least in warmer water.:confused:

[Crusin6]

Tottsmom, we feel the same way you do. Thanks for writing, it was well put.

 

So what do you think of this?:eek:

(04-28) 12:21 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- The Bay Area's first confirmed cases of swine flu have been identified in Marin County, health officials there said today.

 

That was TUESDAY, they actually have a few more today. Mexico ports had NO known cases, but yet the Bay Area did and you all went there. Makes perfect sense to me.

 

Carnival cares:D

You see...if they had just stayed anchored in warmer waters they would not have exposed all the cruisers to swine!!:D

 

Realistically, they should not have gone to a US port with a confirmed case of swine!

 

There is going to be more to this...sheesh!

 

This whole thing is just so overblown it is amazing. Now, I've seen it all....but I am sure there is still more fun to come!

[tedjazz]

He means the former, but let's not get into all that on this thread please.

 

Nice...you really have a way with words.

[maxamuus]

This whole thing is just so overblown it is amazing. Now, I've seen it all....but I am sure there is still more fun to come!

 

I agree but these days its all about lawsuits. You know, i know, and Carnival's lawyers all know that had the Splendor pulled into port and even one person got the sniffles they would have been sued into the next century.

 

Carnival went the path of the least liability. Can you honestly blame them in the days we live in?

[quickrate]

I'm starting to refer to this as the media hysteria! This flu has been blown way out of proportion! People have become way too swayed by mass hysteria.We need to realize that people die every year from the flu and we don't even know about it.

Pat

[colette5479]

I feel so bad for those whose cruise was affected by this. I hope everyone tried to make the best of the situation.:o

[Head Shot]

I'm starting to refer to this as the media hysteria! This flu has been blown way out of proportion! People have become way too swayed by mass hysteria.We need to realize that people die every year from the flu and we don't even know about it.

Pat

 

I agree with you as this being a media feeding frenzy more than it should be, but a ship is a confined and rather enclosed container of 3-4,000 people. If a flu passes in such a place, it tends to have a magnifying effect.

 

The judgement call I believe was the best judgement call under this unique travel situation.

[jckvpa0]

Fred, have always loved all your posts from your cruises ! I can't not thank you enough for posting this time !!!

 

When I am home working, I work an additional 80 hours of over time on top of the 160 hour work week, so thats alot of hours with little sleep.

 

Fred

[/quote)

 

 

I knew I needed to move to C.A., I always suspected you had more hours in your day than we did here in the Northeast !!!

[pauline664]

I would like to say, "Thank you". For all of you that posted in this thread. All your incite was great for a fairly new cruiser, such as myself. And, Thank you" to Laura and the other host's onboard this ,rather differant:D cruise.

 

I have enjoyed reading , every last reply and page.

 

Happy cruising to all.....and to the Lemonade Cruisers, THANK YOU, VERY MUCH.:D