Jolly Ogre

5 Days!!... but sad that the app still does not show the menus for Costal Kitchen or the MDR for all the days, only some of the days.

There are servers all over the island... just be sure to tip well and often for the best service.
I tip $1 on order and $1-$2 when I get it depending on how fast they are and then $2 if i never have to ask again. usually they are back before I am finished with one.

I think there's a misconception by a decent number of cruisers that if you know what you're doing, what you want, and like to plan/research on your own, there is no use for a TA in that case... and that couldn't be further from the truth.

I am only able to cruise once or twice a year and still prefer using a travel agent. I started using MEI because of these boards and highly recommend them! I am still able to obsess over planning and researching but with the confidence that I have support if needed.    

I will join in on the TA All The Way crowd but I will also note that all TAs are not equal.  Many, many, many people start looking for a TA and are attracted by OBC or free goodies (specialty dining, etc.).  Be careful !  Those that hand out trinkets are not always the best "reservation managers" as @smokeybandit put it.  I'm not suggesting that all big box agencies are awful, but some are.  If you are looking for personalized, responsive and reliable service, I recommend a TA NOT from one of the big box/online agencies.  We have used MEI in the past and highly recommend them.

11 days until sail away and the app has not updated so that we can see the menus. what gives?? hard to plan specialty dining this way.

15 days!!

Just checking for Dec 2025 and Grandeur and Rhapsody are more than Indy for a balcony for the same weeks. 

And that was the end of the 90's....30 yrs ago was 1993.

Quality education doesn't preclude one thing from being easier than another.

This makes absolutely zero sense. I have a PhD in engineering, I know my math fairly well, and I agree that 20% is easier to calculate in a split second than 15%...neither are hard, but 20% is easier. 

Take out gets nothing. I am not tipping Taco Bell, Wendy's or the like.

This is what I was going to say. The recommendations used to be 15% baseline - everything was fine, 20% exceptional service and 10% for subpar service. Post covid, the baseline seems to have shifted to 20%. 20% is much easier to calculate than 15%.

Take out gets nothing. I am not tipping Taco Bell, Wendy's or the like.

If I am paying 18% on a cruise then on land they need to give me the same service for anything above that.

I would say 15% is still the baseline. 

Unfortunately so many job roles expect tips now.

No thank you... I like my meat killed, and still a bit bloody on my plate.

If they do, it is not by much... I always find it freezing cold.

So now that they have guards there, are they there all day? 
What happens if you are in at 4:45? Do they come and escort you out?

So now that they have guards there, are they there all day? 
What happens if you are in at 4:45? Do they come and escort you out?

So now that they have guards there, are they there all day? 
What happens if you are in at 4:45? Do they come and escort you out?

Not bad but not that good either.
My banner said up to 55% off, but when I go to the things that I want to book it is 30%-35% off. Still saved $256.

Not bad but not that good either.
My banner said up to 55% off, but when I go to the things that I want to book it is 30%-35% off. Still saved $256.
 
This is for my 2024 sailing... there were no savings for my 2023 cruise better than I got last year.

Not bad but not that good either.
My banner said up to 55% off, but when I go to the things that I want to book it is 30%-35% off. Still saved $256.
 
This is for my 2024 sailing... there were no savings for my 2023 cruise better than I got last year.