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ChessE4

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Everything posted by ChessE4

  1. If you are willing to get wet, the Amazing Secret River out of Cozumel is amazing. You must take ferry to mainland and walk/swim through cavern. In Costa Maya, we liked Chacchoben.
  2. Because a specialty lunch is so filling, we pick a day when the MDR dinner menu isn't our favorite. We found Jamie's and Chops delightful and are booked in Giovanni's next cruise.
  3. Look at cruise compass, link above on browser. Find similar cruise. I wouldn't worry. Just decide what you want to wear.
  4. There was a time we'd get coupons that added a few pages, but not anymore. I print itinerary, luggage tags, and emergency phone numbers. I also print set sail pass.
  5. The dining and beverage packages have gratuities added, but the stateroom fare does not. Lots of behind the scenes folks work with your stateroom attendant to make your cruise possible. If you look at the amounts that are imputed in the daily service charge, it isn't much. So most folks pay it as a service charge and then add cash as they see fit.
  6. Yes, we should pay people properly. However, in my home state and some others, the minimum wage for wait staff is ridiculously low because tipping is factored in. That is just the way it is. So tipping is especially important during "low volume hours" in the US. Now for cruising, regardless of how we feel about compensation systems in general, it is important to acknowledge that the travel industry depends upon tips to some degree (even in places like Europe/Australia/NZ where amount of tipping is reduced). I agree that base compensation everywhere in the world should be fair.
  7. The most successful cruise lines will accommodate multiple lifestyles. Corporate officials who manage organizational change find it helpful to explain the purpose of the change and how to navigate through it. This blog helps RC cruisers with industry changes. I was very reassured, for example when Matt published his tutorial on proctored covid testing - it really lowered my stress level at that unusual time. And all the guidance about using the App for checkin has been super useful. When we struggle with change, it's important to ask for help.
  8. You might try getting a coffee card for Cafe Promenade if you will want coffee while roaming the ship. I've done that several times, and it is cost effective for the premium coffee or 1 shot espresso drinks.
  9. We received 1 of 2 for that same voyage. Good luck - hope you get it.
  10. I don't like too much technology, so I sympathize. But I have found value in the App (I let my wife handle it), I arrange traditional dining, I use touch screens throughout the ship, and I don't sweat shuffleboard as teens usually have it. We are usually on smaller vessels with amore traditional atmosphere. That said, Central Park is great on Oasis class. We dress for dinner even if others don't, so we have a great time.
  11. We did the Belize cavern excursion. Jaguar something...not that strenuous but you carry your raft and get wet. We enjoyed it. About an hour bus ride from port.
  12. And if you are ordering in advance one or two meals, just book them at a good price. We've had MDR entrees change during a cruise. Usually last dinner isn't that great. Also, we prefer specialty lunch which avoids dinner issues.
  13. Check weather 3 days before cruise and cancel if you don't want to risk it. There just no guaranteeing weather on vacation. But it can be fun to be with others in a storm...
  14. I always wear a pouch under my shirt with extra cash and id/CC. It keeps stuff safe when traveling or in port. Too many people are pick-pocketed, sometimes electronically. I feel safe on the ship but it's getting there that's risky. Backpacks can be lost in 2 seconds.
  15. I would always take Seapass when leaving ship. The Port guards will expect to see them (as you enter the port area, not the ship itself), sometimes with ID, and they may not know what alternative access toys really are. They are likely looking for the name of the ship as well as your name.
  16. In 25 we are on Brilliance out of New Orleans, which supports your point.
  17. No smoke in Boleros. We danced a bit, sometimes sitting at Starbucks so music wasn't too loud. Overall, a great experience on Mariner.
  18. You need to identify what gives you joy/fun. For us on Vision class it was live music and dancing, awesome shows, better food than we had at home and dressing for dinner with great service. We felt special, not middle class. The pool was useful occasionally when out son was young, but not our favorite venue. I really sought the best itineraries. Now ship people - those who are less engaged in the itinerary - choose larger vessels as already discussed. But know who you are before you cruise, and what you seek that you don't experience at home.
  19. Using 18% as a tip rate, a $2 increase would cover an increase of just $11 in goods or services. Where I live dining out has increased significantly, leading to bigger tips. I am sure the value of meals and snacks on a cruise has increased at least $11 per person per day. Then there is the value of other services, although some will say that has declined. I am ok with the increase based on just comp food and drinks.
  20. Our excursion tip is to avoid back to back all-day tours. That can create fatigue. So blending a shorter excursion you do on your own with an organized excursion as discussed for a major port is good.
  21. The only special recognition ceremony I've seen is for Pinnacle.
  22. We enjoyed the regular bus ride excursion December 2022. At the park you can wander a bit or stay with your group.
  23. The benefit of a reduced deposit or a little On Board Credit may not be worth it if cruise fare rises for your desired dates/itinerary. I second contacting your TA.
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