Mike.s

In the end they should just include it as part of the fare like other lines do. 

Adam Ruins Everything taught me that our(ie American) tipping custom actually dates back to gangsters and the like sliding extra money (aka bribery) to their servers for better service (and you know...to ignore the crimes happening probably). Then, when big bad bosses caught wind of this they figured..oh well why should I pay you when the customer is paying you?, so then they cut back on employees wages.
Only that practice stayed even though most of us aren't gangsters, because cutting employee wages nicely lines the pockets of corporate. And corporate always cares about corporate first.
So,  tipping wasn't/isn't about - do good and you'll get some undisclosed amount of money. If anything it was, "here's some extra money, keep serving me better than you do the others and I'll give you more of what you're already seeing"
So tipping up front and then adding more later...very classic way.
 
Also, modern tipping, in my view, should be a sign of appreciation for someone going above and beyond the expected services. So like when my stateroom attendant made towel animals every night, or made sure to keep our suite stocked with large coffee cups, or when they chased down to find our missing luggage. Things outside of their normal duties that they do because they want to make my experience better than average.
 
Anyway - here's the video. I think this is a clip from a longer show but i skimmed and it should talk about it and cite sources.
 

Gratuities should be part of the base fare, leaving guests to tip in cash for truly good service

Not everyone is attuned to the Super Bowl and its importance to their everyday lives. 😁 The ship will show the Super Bowl on several venues so those who want to enjoy it's significance to them, but not everyone is attuned to football.
I have seen the Super Bowl onboard but honestly only about 30 percent of the folks onboard are interested and the others are looking for a good time on an amazing time on their vacay. Hope you have the time of your lives and enjoy your time aboard.

TikTok is the most inane and senseless use of the internet to date. Not worth wasting your time on.

Would love to understand why it's only cruises that include the Caribbean, but I've given up trying to understand RCL logic, and also their maths 🙄

Hi there! I normally just lurk on the blogs, but there is an interesting piece of information that I have not yet seen elsewhere:
I’m currently on the 11 Night Caribbean Sailing on the Anthem of the Seas, and this morning I attended the Captain’s Corner event in Two70. Captain Tony began by talking about the upcoming launch of Icon for a few seconds and then mentioned what I assume is related to Project Discovery, he did not actually use this phrase.
In his words “After Icon, there are plans to build new smaller ships. These are planned to be between the size of the Voyager and Radiance classes.”
He did not mention anything else, and no one asked any follow up questions. (Most of the questions for the QnA were complaints about the quality of food in the Windjammer and the change to once-a-day stateroom housekeeping.)
Anyway, I’m not sure how credible Captain Tony is and where he might’ve gotten this info from, so I’m curious as to what everyone else thinks.

Honestly, I hope nothing for a year or two. Let the debt come down a bit so they can stop asking us for more than the cost to rent a small island for an interior room. If anything they need something to start to replace Grandeur and other tiny ships to still get the smaller ports. I get the point of them pushing the mega ship to go almost no where to keep a captive audience but some of us still cruise to actually cruise and get off in port and they lose the tiny ports with those mega ships. I can go to a water park and a pool at home for a tenth of the money.

Still too expensive. Should be included in the cruise price. I'm not going. 

One we're hoping is true, that and a smaller class of new ships 🤞

On our recent cruise from Barcelona they did offer a 3 night pre cruise stay, it was very expensive (in our opinion). Post cruise don't remember any overnight stays, just the usual airport drop off options.

Bit concerning that it already needs repairs to one of it's Azipods

Bit concerning that it already needs repairs to one of it's Azipods

Bit concerning that it already needs repairs to one of it's Azipods

When it comes to IT the goal is to enhance the customer experience while reducing cost.  For example, providing easy MDR linking and table preferences (not linking for Cruise Planner purchases) would enhance the customer experience while eliminating hundreds of phone calls with customers on hold.  Multiple efforts can reduce staffing requirements.  I think RCL IT is much better than NCL but improvements can still be made. 

We forgot to request one in advance, we mentioned it to our cabin steward on arrival, it was in the room when we returned from dinner.

I must admit I really do love being in a country that doesn't normally tip and includes tax and all other costs on the price tag. It makes a heck of a lot easier. Ocassioanlly I'll tip for absolutly exceptional service but or if I seea a servier worker is having a tough day but it is certainly enver expected). It used to be a pain when I lived the US to try and work out the cost of a meal because you had to work out tax and tips on top of the menu price. 

Taken from a speeding tour bus

She's made it to Cadiz, she's huge(and ugly) in our opinion. Sorry for the grainy pictures taken from Celebrity Infinity at dawn

Taken from a speeding tour bus

Taken from a speeding tour bus

She's made it to Cadiz, she's huge(and ugly) in our opinion. Sorry for the grainy pictures taken from Celebrity Infinity at dawn

Taken from a speeding tour bus

She's made it to Cadiz, she's huge(and ugly) in our opinion. Sorry for the grainy pictures taken from Celebrity Infinity at dawn

The European sailings for Europe are available, have to say the itineries from Southampton are way more interesting than the Royal ones. Tempted by the October transatlantic on Apex from Southampton.