Jolly Ogre

12/2/23 Symphony

12/2/23 Symphony

We have the 3 night package too. We have set MDR time, so that's squared away but like you we want to figure out which MDR menus to skip. Plus we also have to  coordinate around late port days and entertainment reservations already made. I can't wait until that's all squared away and we can finally feel like we are on vacation!

You will only be able to do this if you pay for your cruise in qualtoos.

My passport has expired, but I have a US green card. Will I be allowed to board the Carnival Cruise Ship, Independence of the Sea to Labadee, Haiti with a US green card?

And currently it is not showing any menu for Coastal Kitchen.

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.