Spang1974

3 minutes ago, Damyb said:

Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't a million hand washes not mitigate the possible airborne droplets coming into contact with you? If I'm on the cruise, I can't really know when or if the person next to me is going to cough or sneeze etc.

Not trying to be impossibly paranoid though. 

I have lived 46 years without being sneezed on, I think I can make it through  an 8 night cruise. I'm not intending to be a smartass. Just want you to know the chances of somebody sneezing/coughing on you are slim to none, and for that to be an infected person is even less. 

I am not worried at all and I work in a UK hospital. I am more worried about slipping on ice or catching the flu.

You have better chance of getting the flu. I wouldn't worry about it.

1 hour ago, princevaliantus said:

Try CDC site where I got my information on their weekly surveillance reports I receive. I'll leave it at that. Take it with a grain of salt.

 Flu season started in 2019, so comparing numbers from 2020 only is misleading. Influenza has definitely killed more than 14,000 people since beginning of the flu season which started in 2019. 

https://www.aappublications.org/news/2020/02/14/flu021420

Recently did this for my Check-in date of February 15th. It was all sorted and I was able to check-in on the day.

Definitely more cruises. I'd be happy with crew quarters if it meant deluxe drink package and UDP at no cost.

30 minutes ago, krisco420 said:

SO I want to do this and is it possible to use Izumi as the 2nd choice? DO you have to wait to reserve the 2nd reservation until you are on the ship? 

Yes, but as long as you make the reservation as soon as you board you will have no problem getting Izumi for the day and time you like:)

16 minutes ago, 1Cruiser1 said:

In the UK if a bill comes to £65.54 for example, you give them £66. 

Thats the only sort of tipping we do. Obviously some times you might give them an extra £5 but its very rare. 

The price is the price. Hence why I don't agree with gratuities personally, the company should be paying its employees the correct living wage and not having them rely on gratuities. On my recent cruise I tipped the room attended $15 as she was exceptional. The bar staff got a $1 tip after every 4th drink in the same place and the waiter/assistant waiter in the main dining got $10 each as they served us every night. 

Gratuities are a big no no in my opinion, a bit like a service charge on a bill. If they want you to pay extra then include it in the main price from the offset. 

No judgement here, everyone is different, I am not trying to change anyone.

I'm in the UK and I am the opposite, It's rare I don't tip at least a £5 on a £65 dinner bill. If I feel they deserve it they get a tip.. I look at it as if it was me doing that job or giving that service, what would I deserve.  I think it's different every situation you are in, exactly why it can be so confusing for persons travelling in the UK and EU.

The company should pay their staff a living wage (minimum wage is not a living wage), but unfortunately Cruise companies (at least the service staff) don't, and the staff depend on tips, just the way it is. I think we will see tips included in the UK cruise prices (along with an increase) in the future. 

39 minutes ago, berkeleykel said:

I may be wrong but I thought I read that if you book on the Australian site the price already factors in gratuity.

+1

7 minutes ago, SteveinSC said:

Its growth rate on a cruise ship (which has grown by 1% since I wrote that) cannot be compared to the growth rate outside in the real world.   Its night and day difference. Norovirus, Influenza and every other virus spreads faster in a confined space. My bigger message in pointing all of this out is bigger than JUST coronavirus....its living in fear as a result of hype and hysteria. I refuse to buy into it before looking at cold, hard numbers first, because numbers never lie. Im inside 90 days on a cruise, and im more concerned with breaking my ankle tripping over my 4 year olds toys because statistics show im more likely to do that than contract Coronavirus. Welcome to the boards, btw!   

I work in a hospital, and there are zero concerns. Obviously we have systems in place and are ready if it does become a concern, but for now it's a wait and see. In my opinion I have a better chance of getting it at work in my hospital the I do on my upcoming cruise  

Exactly, it is a bit confusing. Like I said if you think they deserve it, go ahead, they will appreciate it. I always tip if the service was adequate, even when it’s not expected. 

1 hour ago, FManke said:

Going to Europe for the first time this fall. This will be hard for me. Just not used to that. I just have to realize, that's not how they do it.

If you feel they deserve a tip please do. Not everywhere or every occasion warrants it but in my opinion I would never say it’s “just not done”.

1 hour ago, 1Cruiser1 said:

I cancelled my pre paid gratuities and instead tipped accordingly to the waiter directly etc. 
 

Then again I am European and tipping is not something we do over here.

In my opinion it depends where in Europe, it is definitely something I do when it is appropriate. 

2 minutes ago, FManke said:

I've read that others have had luck with this, but sharing is a big no-no!

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I did not intend to suggest they make an exception on sharing. You cannot share drink packages. I meant an exception to both of you purchasing the deluxe drinks package. They will sometime let one of purchase the deluxe drinks package and let the other purchase the refreshment package. Again you have to call them.

2 minutes ago, Susie Q said:

I just wish RC had a single package. My husband does not drink at all

You can call them and ask them to make an exception, but you have to call them, you cannot book only one through the cruise planner.

5 hours ago, [email protected] said:

I'll be on the quantum in may, I hope

The English pub may have draught beer, but would be anyones guess which beer it would be? Maybe somebody who has sailed her recently might know? I forgot to mention, the beer choices may also depend on the location of you are sailing from, I have yet to get a answer to this query.

36 minutes ago, SweetHomeLady said:

Add on (related) question.  Can I make same day reservations for dinner in the MDR using the app?  Say we decide at 3:00 p.m. that we want dinner at 6:00 p.m., can we reserve it then?  Thanks in advance for your help.

If you have MTD you can make same day reservations, but your choice of times may be limited. You can also do walk up and wait with MTD.

2 minutes ago, 1Cruiser1 said:

That’s certainly more expensive that a one week all inclusive holiday.

i really find some of the pricing to be very expensive.

Definitely! I can do ALL-Inclusive with flights to Spain 10 days for £800pp. Cruising from the states becomes expensive for the UK due to flights, currency conversion, and other factors. Have you tried looking at other cruise lines or sailing from the UK or Europe?

21 minutes ago, TheJones said:

If it has the muster station printed on it they won't let you reuse it. 

Some ships will reprogram them, others will refuse.  Seems to be inconsistent

Just book the same ship, same room on the next cruise:) Same muster station. Problem solved 

21 minutes ago, [email protected] said:

Hi, do RC do draught beers or is it all bottle?

Depends on the ship, mostly cans and aluminium bottles.

11 hours ago, LJM9504 said:

We cannot afford this next time. We'd like somewhere around £1k each. I'd sacrifice a balcony but only for a window room. When booking Allure it was only £35pp to upgrade to a balcony. 

 

Thanks for your help

 

If you are looking for £1k each with flights and cruise? In my opinion you would be looking at more like a 3 or 5 night cruise and a 1 week holiday.

1 hour ago, JamesGurner said:

We are cruising on anthem in June 2020 just looking and the transatlantic cruise arrives in Southampton on 24th April although the next cruise is due on May 23rd. is anthem due any repairs or work? Nearly 4 weeks in between sailings.

It's only three weeks between her return to Southampton and her next sailing, she is also doing an 8-night from Southampton on May 15th, 2020. Like @cmdrfrag said, just her 5 year routine maintenance. 

Found this page:

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en/faq/questions/driving-directions-port-southampton-england

15 hours ago, Harper said:

Maybe we just had off experiences. I’m really thinking it had to do with being in my time dining, our waiters just didn’t seem to care. It’s just hard with a young kid to do the set dining times, I like the flexibility

We had MTD, and different waitstaff each night, but were in Silk overnight, and we dined at different times. Sorry you had a bad experience. 

No, too early. They will probably have all new entertainers after the transatlantic relocation and drydock. I sail her May 15th and will post my cruise compass here afterwards. Could change sailing to sailing though.