Ray

It's not an unusual for a cruise director to ask the audience during the welcome aboard show.  Someone always cheers when they ask if anyone is celebrating a divorce.  Sometimes its me.  

As a newbie who's first cruise is in Nov this year, i can honestly say this site has not only been a massive help but has also and maybe more importantly made the prospect of cruising less stressful. Simple things such as what time we can board ship, information regarding dining procedures or even the fact that disney is better for sailing if you want lots of sex , any question that is asked is answered in a friendly manner .  
Should RC do something to help Newbie's settle in? definitely!!! Not every newbie will find or even look for this blog  

This post is "spot on."  Even with 7 Royal cruises, I'm still learning.   Agree with Ray, this blog site contains a wealth of information (and cruise humor).  I can't see a down side for a "Rookie " Cruisers Orientation, even for veteran cruisers on a new ship class (voluntary).

Me neither.  Draws too much attention.

I am beyond excited! I have to share this news with my RC Blog family! As some of you know already know from reading my posts, star class has been on my radar for a while now. I was never able to do it though for various reasons, either kids too young or work or price too crazy.
Anyway, as @WAAAYTOOO mentioned in another post, yesterday I noticed early in the morning there was a STAR discount of $1000. I had my eye on upgrading my Anthem sailing next month to the GLS but sadly I moved too slow and it was gone. 
Because I am obsessive by nature, and also persistent, I knew that I wanted to take advantage of the $1000 discount which ends at midnight. So this morning, I was able to find (although I'm not sure what I signed up for) a 2BDR ATS-GTY for about $3400pp on none other than my favourite ship ever-Harmony!  I did not hesitate this time because for a March break sailing, I knew that price was a no brainer. I am just praying that I guessed the correct dates for march break 2019 because the school calendar doesn't even come out for another two months. 
I am beyond excited but I have never done a guarantee room on anything before. So I am not sure what I will end up with. Any thoughts anyone? But as @WAAAYTOOO put it, the worst I can get is an A2 on deck 10 and even that is amazing!  Only 403 days left but who's counting!

visited NY for 1st time in july, saw lots of bums, wino's and litter filled streets but as hard as i tried i just couldn't find any hookers 

As a newbie who's first cruise is in Nov this year, i can honestly say this site has not only been a massive help but has also and maybe more importantly made the prospect of cruising less stressful. Simple things such as what time we can board ship, information regarding dining procedures or even the fact that disney is better for sailing if you want lots of sex , any question that is asked is answered in a friendly manner .  
Should RC do something to help Newbie's settle in? definitely!!! Not every newbie will find or even look for this blog  

visited NY for 1st time in july, saw lots of bums, wino's and litter filled streets but as hard as i tried i just couldn't find any hookers 

Indian registered ship docked in my home port, not sure what happened but word got out that crew hadnt been paid for months by owners, ship was seized by port authorities and held until court proceedings instructed ship to be sold and crew to be paid wages from the sale 

Maritime law is fascinating.  It helps too when port, fuel or dock workers aren't paid which paves the way for local laws to trump international conventions.

Indian registered ship docked in my home port, not sure what happened but word got out that crew hadnt been paid for months by owners, ship was seized by port authorities and held until court proceedings instructed ship to be sold and crew to be paid wages from the sale 

Being in a tourist destination we have many restaurants include the tip or "service fee". You have many different cultures and tipping is mostly a North American standard. I do believe if cruise lines feel these are required they should be a service fee. This way we know the ones in the background get their cut. If I get extra service I will gladly tip extra. You also learn if you tip along the way you are more likely to have your drink waiting for you on a busy day at the bar. 
I also never heard it mentioned about how they are paid. I was always under the impression that they are regulated by the minimum wage and laws of where the ship is registered. Since when on board you are considered under US law should the employees not be under the same?
I also know on some ships the employees do have their own hot tube area and common area to relax and unwind (however not as nice as our areas.) I have worked with many Filipinos as I work in the construction industry, making even $5 an hour is like $100 back home. Houses are cheap to build and the food is even cheaper. One of my good friends can send home $1000 and can cover his families expenses, schooling fees and others. I was also told they are actually trained specifically for cruising industry. It is not often you are something else. Coming from first world countries we find it hard to justify but if you think about it if they were to make more they would have to work more. Think of what the new Ontario law has done to benefits. If it was not a great opportunity they would focus on other industries but it is one of their most desired jobs for a reason.
I am not saying they don't deserve what they are getting for sure. I also don't fully agree with how cruise lines handle or word it. The way it is worded causes a lot of drama compared to a service fee. I think if it was a service fee people would actually be more willing to give extra. Going back to restaurants and the "included service fee". If I got mediocre service I may just give what is asked and if good service round it up or give a little. If I get bad service I am also now more likely to mention something to a manager, now if they are having a bad day this may impact their employment. However, if it was up to me I normally give a minimum of 10% for even horrible service, you still deserve something but I may not feel it was worth everything and now the next time they are better I might even give 20-25% easy. I always feel that if you thank for great service with higher % and maybe deduct % if you had a bad time is better control then something like comment cards as it leads to fewer employers jumping the gun and firing employees for 1 bad night, but they still get the message.

Don't remove gratuities.  If anything, tip additional for good service.  Envelopes can be found at guest services.  That's my two cents.

when i worked in middle east i had guys from india, pakistan,  working for me, their basic wage was about £150 a month, guys from Philippines were on double that about £300 a month i was shocked when i discovered this but they told me not to worry as back home they would only get half that so they were actually rich
I also know someone who works for aida cruises they earn $900 a month ( not sure if that includes tips) , given that that average wage in PH is about $150 per month there isnt a lot coming over them, yes they send money home but they also manage to buy new sneakers every months, shop in pandora, drink in staff bar and when in port go out to eat and drink etc in places like hard rock cafe, then post all their photos on Instagram.  
 

personally i think you would sail in anything lol i await your live blog from inside a submarine  

Maybe with that GoFundMe page I could live up to that expectation!

I totally agree with this.  Most of us here are onto them but looking at other boards and posts, there are so many out there who have no idea.  And like @PrincipalTinker mentioned, it can be confusing for many first timers.

There's really only one way to stop the charge and that's just don't go! Plenty more to do on the ship, it's not like you're going to Broadway in NY. That's ridiculous paying that amount. 

Not a case of what are they thinking! more a case of what they are hoping! that being people will be stupid enough to book this, which some people will just to say they have done it, as for some it's all about being or at least making on they are better than others.  

personally i think you would sail in anything lol i await your live blog from inside a submarine  

personally i think you would sail in anything lol i await your live blog from inside a submarine  

i've been watching flights from JFK to San Juan for nov, prices go up and down more often than a prostitutes underwear 

Entertainment Backstage Tour
At noon there was a backstage tour of the main theater.  This is presented by two members of the technical crew as well as the dance captain for the theater.  There is a separate dance captain and cast for Two70°.
It was interesting to hear from the technical folks who are behind the scenes as well from one of the cast.
For Broadway shows like We Will Rock Rock the cast has an eleven month contract.  The first two months are spent in Miami at the Entertainment studios for Royal Caribbean.  Following two months of preparation they move to a ship and begin a nine month run for the shows.  The main theater on Anthem has a cast of 24 and they remain together for those eleven months coming to and leaving the ship as a group.
After a short Q&A session we were escorted backstage.  It was interesting to see bits and pieces of The Gift and We Will Rock You put away in storage until they are needed again.





 

With the stage ready for tonight's Going Away show most of the sets for the other shows are secured and will be behind curtains during the show tonight waiting to be set-up once again next cruise.

Here they show one of the wigs used during We Will Rock You.

Luis the stage manager will be moving to Symphony soon.  He's been with the company for 15 years and has moved between a number of ships and has been involved with a number of shows.  His least favorite is Cat's because there is very little to do during the show with just four cues he needs to hit over two and half hours.  On a show like We Will Rock You he is constantly busy with cues and there is little time between them so he is constantly busy which he prefers.

Luis explained it takes around 4 weeks to move a new set onto a ship and at least two weeks to dismantle one to move it off ship.  Everything comes to the ship in small pieces and they have to re-assemble it on board.  When Mama Mia was moved between ships he was sent to dismantle the set which took four weeks in that case.  It's very complex to coordinate because each venue offers multiple shows and there is limited storage between performances so it's not so easy just to move a show from one ship to another as it takes great planning to figure out where everything will be stored between performances.  
As such the average Broadway show runs a minimum of 5 years to recover the costs involved in both cast and sets.  
In May the next cast of We Will Rock You arrives to replace the current on board cast.  They'll begin dress rehearsals in Miami next week as they begin to get ready to take the show over. During the transition both casts will be on board.  The new cast will execute dress rehearsals  until Luis is satisfied they are ready to assume the show safely.  The cast does both The Gift and We Will Rock You so they focus on one show first, then when they have proven themselves ready to assume that show, they begin to practice the other show during the day until they take over that show as well.  Only at that point does the previous cast leave the ship.    
The studios and stages in Miami are common to all shows across the fleet so at any given moment there are many different casts all preparing to move to a ship to relieve the current cast on board every ship.  It's quite an operation when you think about not only the Broadway shows, but Aqua Theater show, Ice Skating shows, Aerial shows and shows like Columbus the Musical, 1887 or The Gift.  All of these shows have multiple casts rotating onto ships, taking breaks between contracts them returning to Miami to start the cycle all over again.

i've been watching flights from JFK to San Juan for nov, prices go up and down more often than a prostitutes underwear 

i've been watching flights from JFK to San Juan for nov, prices go up and down more often than a prostitutes underwear