Ray

There is absolutely nothing wrong with anyone tipping etc if that's what they want to do! Where it's wrong is when people feel pressurised into tipping. 
On my recent trip to NYC after a long day walking about my wife decided she wanted a foot massage. Quick search of google gave me a site 2 blocks away! 
Foot massage was $30 with my back/shoulder costing $38
Now for my massage i was sat on a leather stool having to hold on for dear life as i was being pushed off it every 2 seconds! Worst massage i have ever had! 
My wife's foot massage was done with one hand only as the other hand was on wechat and other chinese social media sites on the mobile phone placed between my wifes feet.
On paying the price was $68 plus the expected 20% tip. 
Way i worked it out was no tip for my massage as i felt worse when i came out than when i went in, so only a tip for my wifes massage and since the only used 50% of their hands they were only getting 50% of the expected 20% so 10% which was an extra $3
Needless to say they were not amused and even laughed at the fact it was only $3. I honestly didn't care as i would never go back there. I just told them that the service they provided was terrible and they were lucky to be getting $3 and if they were not happy give it back! 
 
 

Totally agree! 
I just dont get this " im on holiday so i will do as i like " attitude! 
"Sorry kids have made a mess or are going to make a mess so here's 50 bucks" Do the kids get to make a mess at home? Probably not so why allow it when on vacation? 
Same with making beds or putting empty bottles or rubbish in trash cans. Would people leave garbage lying about their own rooms at home or is it a case of i have a servant for a week?
Way i see it treat your hotel room or cabin as you would your own home. No amount of money can buy self respect!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with anyone tipping etc if that's what they want to do! Where it's wrong is when people feel pressurised into tipping. 
On my recent trip to NYC after a long day walking about my wife decided she wanted a foot massage. Quick search of google gave me a site 2 blocks away! 
Foot massage was $30 with my back/shoulder costing $38
Now for my massage i was sat on a leather stool having to hold on for dear life as i was being pushed off it every 2 seconds! Worst massage i have ever had! 
My wife's foot massage was done with one hand only as the other hand was on wechat and other chinese social media sites on the mobile phone placed between my wifes feet.
On paying the price was $68 plus the expected 20% tip. 
Way i worked it out was no tip for my massage as i felt worse when i came out than when i went in, so only a tip for my wifes massage and since the only used 50% of their hands they were only getting 50% of the expected 20% so 10% which was an extra $3
Needless to say they were not amused and even laughed at the fact it was only $3. I honestly didn't care as i would never go back there. I just told them that the service they provided was terrible and they were lucky to be getting $3 and if they were not happy give it back! 
 
 

Totally agree! 
I just dont get this " im on holiday so i will do as i like " attitude! 
"Sorry kids have made a mess or are going to make a mess so here's 50 bucks" Do the kids get to make a mess at home? Probably not so why allow it when on vacation? 
Same with making beds or putting empty bottles or rubbish in trash cans. Would people leave garbage lying about their own rooms at home or is it a case of i have a servant for a week?
Way i see it treat your hotel room or cabin as you would your own home. No amount of money can buy self respect!

You seem to think Europeans don't tip! 
We do! but only for good service or good food! We do not to tip extra just to subsidice someone's wages! 
And as someone who previously worked in an industry dealing with tourists I can tell you that Americans are tighter than 2 coats of paint when it comes to parting with their money. 
 
If a taxi driver gets out of his cab and assists you with luggage or any other items you don't think they deserve a tip? Cabbies in NYC just push a button to open car boot and leave you to lift luggage in yourself and still expect a tip! 

Shouldn't make much of a difference as Americans have been disliked across the world for years due to their arrogance and looking down on everyone else . 

Shouldn't make much of a difference as Americans have been disliked across the world for years due to their arrogance and looking down on everyone else . 

Europe and the rest of the world are just catching up on the Good old U S of A who's government have been charging tourists to enter since August 2009

As soon as i hit the Airport Lounge thats me officially on Holiday! 

The 2 hyatts and the sheraton casino are the closest, about a 15 min walk according to google but thats without luggage or a hangover 

We quickly realised that most independent shops in Croatia, Greece and Italy preferred cash! 
We got a lot more discount if handing over cash instead of using plastic! 

We quickly realised that most independent shops in Croatia, Greece and Italy preferred cash! 
We got a lot more discount if handing over cash instead of using plastic! 

On the brightside, no porters saved you 5 bucks not having to bribe, sorry I mean tip to ensure your cases make it onto the ship 🤣

Not sure why no porters is a big deal! 
You get out of taxi/bus/Shuttle/private transfer, walk 20 metres with your cases across carpark and leave your them at a table with RC staff present for port staff to collect. 
Was the easiest check in we had! From getting out of private transfer onto ship took 15 mins. 
We actually considered getting off the ship and going to the beach about 200 metres away. 
As for Ravenna we loved it, lots to see and do 

Enjoy your cruise 🙂
Be prepared for constant upselling of everything onboard. 
Even when eating breakfast, lunch or dinner in windjammer or MDR staff were constantly coming round tables trying to get people to purchase speciality dining, WiFi etc ..even on the day the search and rescue was going on for the young lad who jumped overboard! 
A lot of people on board were complaining about being harassed while eating! It was constant! 

Enjoy your cruise 🙂
Be prepared for constant upselling of everything onboard. 
Even when eating breakfast, lunch or dinner in windjammer or MDR staff were constantly coming round tables trying to get people to purchase speciality dining, WiFi etc ..even on the day the search and rescue was going on for the young lad who jumped overboard! 
A lot of people on board were complaining about being harassed while eating! It was constant! 

Enjoy your cruise 🙂
Be prepared for constant upselling of everything onboard. 
Even when eating breakfast, lunch or dinner in windjammer or MDR staff were constantly coming round tables trying to get people to purchase speciality dining, WiFi etc ..even on the day the search and rescue was going on for the young lad who jumped overboard! 
A lot of people on board were complaining about being harassed while eating! It was constant! 

Enjoy your cruise 🙂
Be prepared for constant upselling of everything onboard. 
Even when eating breakfast, lunch or dinner in windjammer or MDR staff were constantly coming round tables trying to get people to purchase speciality dining, WiFi etc ..even on the day the search and rescue was going on for the young lad who jumped overboard! 
A lot of people on board were complaining about being harassed while eating! It was constant! 

I'm a good negotiator lol let's just say my on board account that had a couple of $$$ spa treatments, a couple of excursions some  transfers and room service vanished 😉

I'm a good negotiator lol let's just say my on board account that had a couple of $$$ spa treatments, a couple of excursions some  transfers and room service vanished 😉

I'm a good negotiator lol let's just say my on board account that had a couple of $$$ spa treatments, a couple of excursions some  transfers and room service vanished 😉

I'm a good negotiator lol let's just say my on board account that had a couple of $$$ spa treatments, a couple of excursions some  transfers and room service vanished 😉

They said they had a build up of soot in the funnels that they knew about but couldn't do anything about just yet 

Just got off the Explorer a few hours ago and wanted to give anyone who has an AFT Balcony booked a heads up! 
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE BALCONY
The ship has a serious soot issue that they are aware off but can do nothing about at this time! What this means is that you are paying a premium price for an oceanview cabin. 
We sat outside for about 10 minutes then had to go inside to shower as we were black. 
If you have time to change cabin I would highly recommend it, if not go to guest services and highlight the issue if it's still ongoing when you board. 
I did this ( nicely without shouting and understanding that it's a mechanical issue) I was more that happy with the outcome 
 
 

Just got off the Explorer a few hours ago and wanted to give anyone who has an AFT Balcony booked a heads up! 
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE BALCONY
The ship has a serious soot issue that they are aware off but can do nothing about at this time! What this means is that you are paying a premium price for an oceanview cabin. 
We sat outside for about 10 minutes then had to go inside to shower as we were black. 
If you have time to change cabin I would highly recommend it, if not go to guest services and highlight the issue if it's still ongoing when you board. 
I did this ( nicely without shouting and understanding that it's a mechanical issue) I was more that happy with the outcome