CruiseGus

13 hours ago, zillono said:

I too am going on my very first cruise soon. I never know how to tip coz I'm rarely in that situation, and I always feel awkward when doing it. That's why I pre-paid the gratuities and thought that solved the problem.

From what I learn here today, looks like the biggest expense on my upcoming cruise will be tipping. The amount you guys suggested are way more than I plan to give.

Thank god I read this thread. Otherwise I'll probably be labelled as "that cheapie" by the staff.

Just one quick question. I don't drink at all. But do we usually tip servers at the buffet, Cafe Promenade and El Loco Fresh? I mean where the food is "free".

And at MDR, where we're not gonna receive any bill, I can just tip our server before we leave right?

Thanks.

Honestly, after many many cruises, I find that the tip "a lot" advice you get on any of the forums is very exaggerated.

You pay your gratuities that are charged daily or prepaid.  This also covers the buffet, Cafe Promenade and El Loco Fresh who area all in the tip pool.

You pay18% per drink or via the package purchase that added the 18%

You pay an 18% gratuity for a specialty restaurant, or if pre-purchase before boarding it is included in the price.

Really about the only time you have to worry about extra tipping is when you finally reach a C&A level where you are getting free drinks, or use the services of the concierge, then it seems more appropriate.  Then again if any service is way over the top, then you might consider a little extra. 

No one on the staff is going to label as "that cheapie" , they reserve that for those that remove their daily gratuities ....

go to shore excursion desk as soon as you board, It is possible they will have a few open slots, much like the dining rooms do.

in most states if actually depends on the school district as they set school schedule, within state mandated guideline.  I know in here in contiguous cities the spring break weeks are different

please review your experience with the rest of us once you are reached out to

7 minutes ago, spiralqueen said:

The gratuity charge is not added on to the dining package if you buy it ahead of time in the cruise planner. I just double checked my confirmation email to make sure I wasn't making that up. 

this is correct, the price in the cruise planner has the gratuity included

If i remeber even on the Oasis class ships which normally have the actual "Starbucks Kiosks" your drink selection will be limited, a good variety but limited.  Also note that will pay the 18% gratuity even if you are using your Starbucks card.

also want to add that all MTD dinners will be in the same dining room as to not interfere with the traditional dining service.

yes Royal for the past years has seemed to have a very active relief effort especially noticed in the Caribbean.  My complements to the management.

2 hours ago, SPS said:

My guess is that these signs are "leftovers". They've probably got a fair amount of these pre-printed and stockpiled and are using them until they are exhausted. They'll probably update them once these run out.

I would agree, use until exhausted

52 minutes ago, KeKe said:

 

I also read that the coast guard has shut down port Canaveral. I wonder what will happen to the ships out at sea that have already been extended.I would be ready to get home now. Maybe they will port in Tampa?

Tampa has major restrictions on the size of ship that can get under the Skyway Bridge into Tampa Bay

8 hours ago, ScottL said:

Thank you!  My mom said that on Carnival you are not allowed to bring plastic containers so she wasn't sure how RCCL handled them.  We'll bring our own shampoo/conditioner but she was worried about getting that vitamin water on board!

Yes big difference in policy.  Carnival has to be cans or cartons only No plastic allowed.  12 pack of vitamin water in plastic bottle less than 17 oz or less each bottle can be brought on Royal during embarkation

I have always had mine hole punched and when purchasing something I just take the whole lanyard over my head and hand it to the bartender 

Royal should be providing what I have normally seen as generous compensation 

And NCL "free" drink package does not even include bottled water.  Also premium liquors are priced above the limit on the package.  When I compare like cruises same type cabin same weeks, I almost always find RCCL cheaper even including a drink package and internet purchase to make them comparable 

The recent comments led me to do another web search on subject and I could find no information new or even from anytime in August 2019

I do wish that the final San Juan police investigation report would be made public.  That would answer a lot of questions I believe 

22 hours ago, Rob&Ana said:

I guess the main thing is are you happy with the extra perks each category offers....I know many people that just can't sail in anything less than JS...they need the walk-in closet and bathtub....others say it's because of the double points....

Lucky we have lots of different categories on ships so everyone can buy what suits them best. It's great to have a choice.

 

I like the way you're thinking about this

5 hours ago, niksal said:

As a first time RC cruiser, I am disappointed to read this thread. We are booked in a JS primarily for the added space (travelling with 2 children), and access to CK sort of clinched the deal. I did not see anywhere any disclaimers related to this. 

I feel that I need to lower my expectations towards our Allure cruise early December. First an itinerary change, then possibility of no access to CK. What more disappointments are there to come? 

That was the main problem I had.  I guess I hadn't noticed on any of the forums that CK was space A for JS.  If it states that specifically in RCCL literature I sure never saw it.  Although we love the extra room and tub in a JS I might not have sprung for a JS on that cruise had I known I could not I had a chance of not getting into CK for dinner.  It is the only time in all our RCCL cruises I have really been unsatisfied.

5 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I personally find it distasteful to beg to be allowed into the CK. Half the time you have to bang at the door to even be let in. 

I agree so i just camped out till the door opened then went to the podium.

great laugh, I actually thought i was going to find something to help keep my DW out of the gym for a couple of hours each day while on a cruise.  Her workout throws my whole routine off every day.

On 8/26/2019 at 12:31 PM, DMLM said:

I have never done a cruise on a ship for the holidays but have traveled with small kids over the holidays in the past.  What we chose to do was bring a gift (or two) from Santa and a note from Santa indicating that he dropped the rest at home so that they could enjoy them upon their return.  My kids loved it as they felt it was like having Christmas twice.

D

Our kids were a little older when we did our first Xmas cruise and that was their present.  In fact being a year or 2 past the Santa stage, I said to them, I can buy a little bit of junk or you can go on this awsome cruise over Xmas, the response was overwhelming.

But I like @DMLM suggestion, a few thing and the rest at home.  It's like with one of our grand-kids that has Xmas day with us every other year, his cousins know they get 2 Christmas's that year

1 hour ago, dodgestang said:

Labadee.....think of a lagoon fill with clear water with a slight green tint because of all the vegetation, surrounded by tall hills with few waves except the ones made by passing jet skis (unless you go to the ocean side beach, then you get some waves)

CocoCay.....think of a flat island miles away from a protective reef so there almost zero waves with crystal clear water and many fish...oh and it has a water slide and hot air ballon

 

Otherwise...they are the same

very good explanation

Congrats to the OP.  Enjoy the benefits.  Royal definitely has the best loyalty perks of any cruise line.

On 8/25/2019 at 6:28 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

... JS guests on Oasis class ships have had trouble sometimes getting into CK every night.  In fact, I have heard on most OA class ships, they will only take JS reservations by the day, upon availability.

Was my experience 2 year ago on Alure, I actually couldn't get in at all or lets just say after the 5th straight day in a row I gave up trying those last 2 days.  The part that bothered me the most was that I had booked approx 2 years prior and there had been no talk of JS being "Space Available" and at the time I couldn't find that anywhere is Royal literature.  So I never was able to experience CK and really didn't like the Oasis Class ship that much, especially having to book your shows which to me defeated the purpose of a leisurely cruise vacation.

On 8/22/2019 at 1:59 PM, coneyraven said:

What was really funny about the Poker Run portion that year ..... after they took a picture of me and the winning hand, I took a photo of the rest of them .....

They were supposed to look mad, upset, sullen, that they didn't win ..... some folks, including my wife, didn't follow instructions.

Why wouldn't your wife be smiling??  You know the saying "What's hers is hers and what's yours is hers".   I thought that was a universal truth.

2 hours ago, Corky441 said:

there are ATV excursions offered through RCCL in both San Juan and St.Kitts

Both are requiring a $500 deposit per person before being able to ride to cover damages. They say that it’s refundable, but what if an ATV is defective and they try to pin it on us ???

had anyone else done these excursions and paid the deposit??

This is the 2nd time i have heard this recently. 

Personally I think it is outrageous on the part of RCCL to allow their vendors to do this.  I just did a private ATV excursion in the ABC islands this past Feb and have another one booked in Cozumel for Nov and no one is asking for a damage deposit.  Its not like these ATV are all that expensive, major brands can easily be had for 15K .

DMLM has it correct.  OP currently has "My Time" dining and is on the waitlist for early seating.