Blulady

We have discussed the tipping issue so much in our family and this is the plan we have put in place. Please note - I am an extreme budgeter (by that, I don't mean cheap, I just like to make sure all my ducks are in a row). 1. We always prepay the gratuities - we have our TA add them on to our invoice and we have them paid off w/ final payment. By doing this, I can cross them off my budget sheet and they are done and dusted - then, I forget about them and pretend they never happened. The reason I treat them as if they never happened: The amount is so small when you divide it up among all the people who make me feel like a princess for the week. 2. I decide what I feel each service I receive is worth to me from a tipping standpoint. Here's our values based on 2 people with the UDP & DBP: Lunch - $10, Dinner - $20-25, Bartenders - usually around $1/ drink, Cabin Steward - $100-150, Porter at the pier - $10, Cabana Attendant on Coco Cay - $100. My tip budget for a 7 day cruise is around $500 to make sure I have enough cash on hand.

We tried out the RU for our last cruise - it drove me insane. In the last 6 weeks leading up to my cruise, instead of every minute of every day being, "omg, we're going on a cruise! It is really going to happen this time!" It turned into a daily mantra of, "did they take our bid? Did we bid enough? Is it still being considered? Did it get declined?" Afterward, we agreed that we were never going to try to RU again. We decided it was better to just book the best cabin at the best price we were comfortable with.

This sounds like so much fun! I cruise w/ my sister Try to identify what type of cruiser you think you are: Busy, busy, busy, go, go, go! Or Let's relax by the pool w/ a book and a fruity drink. Try not to overpack! Most of all - have lots of fun! (I'm type A, too. I already have a full blown spreadsheet with details for our Norwegian Fjords cruise in 2023)

Congratulations! I would be over the moon!

I SO agree with you on this. I was excited to try it out and then found it to be worse than Taco Bell. To me, it was the school cafeteria version of Taco Bell. Blech!

Watching this as well! My sister and I, along with my son and daughter in law, are sailing on Sept. 16th, is this your sailing as well?

We always pre-pay the gratuities - I like having it already paid for ahead of time. My question: I do not use the MDR. Is a portion of my gratuities still going to them? Or do they divide it amongst the people who actually 'serve' me? I tip everyone in cash along the way, baristas, bartenders, etc. so I never have really thought about where those daily grats really go.

Congrats!!!

One of my fav dinners on Oasis was having an outside table. There was sufficient light to see. That evening, we were on the way back to NJ last week of Oct., it was lightly raining - it actually made the dinner even more special. So peaceful and you can't beat the food

Another vote for the Solarium Bistro for breakfast. So relaxed and quiet - the choices are smaller, but they had everything I wanted.

I totally agree with you on this! We were on Oasis the end of October and we decided one day to have lunch in the MDR. I believe we entered on the 4th floor (vax only) and *tried* to have lunch. The stench was so unbearable we left right after our food arrived. I could not eat - the smell was so bad. We commented about the odor before we even entered the dining room to the crew member at the host stand - she said it was a problem w/ the ventilation system. She also said that it wouldn't smell once we were inside. We got a table as far from the entrance as possible and the smell was still unbearable.

Thanks so much! I was hoping I could bring something acceptable from home for that first cup while getting dressed before I go get a real cup!

We have booked an Alaska cruise in Sept of 2022 on Ovation. I have been watching nearly every video I can find and I keep seeing coffee makers in balcony rooms - is this true? If yes, can someone tell me what type of coffee maker it is? K-cups, pods, etc. Thanks so much!

We ordered these and they are perfect. They have a super duty ziploc at the top. https://www.walmart.com/ip/2-Pack-Vaccination-Card-Protector-4x3-Inches-Immunization-Record-Vaccine-COVID-Holder-Clear-Vinyl-Plastic-Sleeve-Waterproof-Type-Resealable-Zip/310261891

Our sailing is Oct. 24th and we joined a FB Roll Call page. I'll attach the pics for days 1-4 I can't wait to see the rest!!

Does anyone have copies of the cruise compasses for Oasis of the Seas out of Bayonne? One revenue sailing has completed and another is in progress. We are going in October and would love to get a look at them. I've managed to see Days 1-4, but not the rest. Thanks!! Pam

That is fantastic!! Thank you so much!!

Hi everyone! We are SO excited to be getting back on a cruise! We are sailing on Oasis out of Bayonne on Oct. 24. As this is a new itinerary for Oasis, we don't have any past cruise compasses to consult. I am hoping one of you kind folks will post your cruise planners for your Sept./Oct. sailings on Oasis to Perfect Day. Thanks so much! Pam

I just have to chime in!! Michelle at MEI got us $683 OBC yesterday for our cruise next month! LOVE Michelle at MEI!

Hi! Sorry if this has already been asked/answered! If we book a cruise when it is 'kids sail free' and I book bringing along a child - what happens if, at the last moment, the child doesn't come? Do I still pay the port fees & taxes for the child, or would they be refunded? We have a little one that is uncertain. And.. if I book prior to a kids sail free promo, can my TA reprice when the kids sail free shows up? Thanks!

Got it! Thanks!

I haven't done the L&S yet, I'm going to do the 125% first, I just want to know if I'll be able to spend for May.

I'm hoping someone has the answer! We have a cruise for October 4th that just got cancelled. We are going to L&S to next October. I would like to take the 125% cruise planner purchase conversion to OBC. Here's my question: We also have a cruise booked for May 9, 2021. Will I be able to use the OBC that I got converted from our cruise planner purchases on our Oct. sailing to buy items for our May sailing, or will it only be able to be used on the new Oct. sailing that we are going to book with the L&S? Is the OBC tied to my account and can be used on any sailing, or is it tied to the particular sailing? Thanks so much! Pam

Hi Annette! Thanks so much for responding ? I will do exactly as you said and ask our attendant asap! I was SO hoping when you said "cooling" toppers that there was something new that would make me cooler for sleep! Bummer! LOL Thanks again!

Blistex (or some other type of chapstick). My lips can get dried out in a hot climate just as bad as they can in winter!