TXcruzer

If your travel agent is charging your card for your fare and not Royal directly, that’s a whole different concern.

The cruise-line keeps the entire process cloaked in mystery. What we know as fact is the minimum wage is currently $658 per month. This is mandated internationally. In my opinion that amount is the responsibility of the employer to pay from their revenue. The daily gratuity, again in my opinion, should be awarded ON TOP of the minimum; but there is no transparency this is being done. If the cruise-lines are using the daily charge to supplement the minimum wage, then the folks I want to reward with that money are not receiving full benefit. Therefore, I have chosen to not participate, to force the hand of the cruise-line. This way, I can assure my tips get into the hands of those I intend. As far as feeling the minimum wage is low, one needs to look at this through the eyes of the crew members and their perspective where they are from; not through an American union member’s eyes. This sum is quite a windfall, as is apparent my the folks that spend multiple years on the ships.

Exactly why I don’t participate in the daily gratuity. It’s for the cruise-line to fully fund that minimum. I tip cash

Minimum base salary is $658 monthly, raising to $666 on Jan 1 2024. No one NEEDS to pay for internet and alcohol

Give me a break, it was heavily covered on many news outlets.

If only I could afford the fare......

The paper compass availability varies from ship to ship. We have been accommodated at times, but more often than not, we are told it is not available any longer.

Her 2020 Drydock was cancelled

This is a big unknown piece of the puzzle, and I would like to know as well. It seems the number of positions that are included in the pool is constantly growing.

But wait!!! ALL that money goes to crew; NOT to Royal. wink wink

Beats me, but it states on my $0 receipt that gratuity is covered on this bill (paraphrasing)

The staff does receive a tip on the voucher drinks

The double points promos post Covid awarded just slightly over the number of points that were lost during the lockdown. This really isn't a major factor

I hate to bring up the other site, but over on CC there was a thread some time ago about a fair number of folks being denied boarding on a closed loop cruise stopping in Colombia because they did not have passports. Do NOT trust a Royal phone rep with questions about immigration rules.

I have had an annual policy from Trawick International for many years now.

If your cruise stops in Martinique you will not be allowed to board the ship without a passport.

Allure has the best Diamond lounge in the fleet

This isn't TSA at the docks, they are not allowed to cut off your lock, or open your bag without your physical presence.

We did Scandinavia and St Petersburg itinerary and had to surrender our passports to Royal.

Probably a sound decision. Too much potential for trouble with open bar on a short cruise.

The access was only limited to a Casino Royale cruise with larger than normal numbers of high tier sailers. There has been no policy change.

But they are taking a berth that could otherwise be sold.

Real ID does not affirm citizenship, only identity

Just wait until you hear about the process for your luggage on the last night

Absolutely nothing abnormal about your experiences Weather cancellations can occur days in advance, due to weather predictions and timing to reach the destination or sail around weather (this is especially true during hurricane season) Refunds for missed ports are a 50/50 proposition at best. Those that were refunded for the Canaveral missed stop were probably given the consideration because the reason was mechanical difficulty with the ship, not an "act of God". Port taxes and fees are rarely refunded due to the constant fluctuation of these fees, what you paid is probably less than what the ship was charged for the journey, so they will keep these fees to offset the difference.