RCVirgin22

Part of the appeal of a cruise is that fact you can get a good deal versus a land based vacation, the issue becomes when you raise you prices to match it now loses that advantage/appeal. I might as well just go on a land vacation now as I have more freedom than on a ship that visits only specific ports. I also see people try to compare room prices, and for a land vacation you can get a cheaper price on a room that's the equivalent of a standard stateroom on a cruise ship. Sure that also means food is extra but a lot of places have cheap cafe's versus high end restaurants.  A dinner doesn't have to cost $50. What I find most often is that "Cruisers" are the ones who most defend this aspect, just the same as Disney fans defend every decision that company makes regardless of the absurdity of it. As someone above mention they don't mind being slapped in the face while their credit card is charged. You simply can't make an argument to them for the case of anything else. And if we remember correctly Disney park was created for all creeds to visit, not priced like it's a high rollers club that it seems to cater towards now. My family had to save for several years before we could go to Disneyland, and that's when it was still only $100 for every ride in the park and had been so since my dad went as a kid. If we had to pay the prices they're charging today we'd have had to wait even longer all the while prices increasing annually putting it out of reach with each passing year.  
What I find the most distasteful is when they do gratuity increases, yet cut back on said services that they encompass. 

There was an interesting article on tipping that I watched the other day, and it seems like some companies simply took advantage of people's good will during the pandemic by asking if you'd like to tip on just about everything non service related. I mean why am I tipping on a carry out that I drove to your establishment for? All you did was cook the food which is your job. Plus you've got this whole new thing where people order via apps which have you tipping prior to being serviced, which makes you think if you don't tip then how will your order arrive and will it be delivered expediently?  Because you can opt to tip in person but the driver doesn't know if you will or not. 
As for the percentage, that shouldn't be dictated by a Company. Who are you to determine how well the customer was served before the fact? I also feel 25% is way too much for anyone, it's not my fault if that person is overworked or in a potentially bad work environment. And the games Cruise Companies play to get around paying them a decent/legal wage in the first place also isn't my fault, and perhaps that should be looked into more. I'm also not confident the people directly involved with my services will be getting "my" tips, it feels like all tips are pooled and the dispersed evenly among the employees regardless of who might have worked harder or gave a more enjoyable service to passengers. They've taken the "personal" out of a thank you and made it corporate. 

There was an interesting article on tipping that I watched the other day, and it seems like some companies simply took advantage of people's good will during the pandemic by asking if you'd like to tip on just about everything non service related. I mean why am I tipping on a carry out that I drove to your establishment for? All you did was cook the food which is your job. Plus you've got this whole new thing where people order via apps which have you tipping prior to being serviced, which makes you think if you don't tip then how will your order arrive and will it be delivered expediently?  Because you can opt to tip in person but the driver doesn't know if you will or not. 
As for the percentage, that shouldn't be dictated by a Company. Who are you to determine how well the customer was served before the fact? I also feel 25% is way too much for anyone, it's not my fault if that person is overworked or in a potentially bad work environment. And the games Cruise Companies play to get around paying them a decent/legal wage in the first place also isn't my fault, and perhaps that should be looked into more. I'm also not confident the people directly involved with my services will be getting "my" tips, it feels like all tips are pooled and the dispersed evenly among the employees regardless of who might have worked harder or gave a more enjoyable service to passengers. They've taken the "personal" out of a thank you and made it corporate. 

There was an interesting article on tipping that I watched the other day, and it seems like some companies simply took advantage of people's good will during the pandemic by asking if you'd like to tip on just about everything non service related. I mean why am I tipping on a carry out that I drove to your establishment for? All you did was cook the food which is your job. Plus you've got this whole new thing where people order via apps which have you tipping prior to being serviced, which makes you think if you don't tip then how will your order arrive and will it be delivered expediently?  Because you can opt to tip in person but the driver doesn't know if you will or not. 
As for the percentage, that shouldn't be dictated by a Company. Who are you to determine how well the customer was served before the fact? I also feel 25% is way too much for anyone, it's not my fault if that person is overworked or in a potentially bad work environment. And the games Cruise Companies play to get around paying them a decent/legal wage in the first place also isn't my fault, and perhaps that should be looked into more. I'm also not confident the people directly involved with my services will be getting "my" tips, it feels like all tips are pooled and the dispersed evenly among the employees regardless of who might have worked harder or gave a more enjoyable service to passengers. They've taken the "personal" out of a thank you and made it corporate. 

There was an interesting article on tipping that I watched the other day, and it seems like some companies simply took advantage of people's good will during the pandemic by asking if you'd like to tip on just about everything non service related. I mean why am I tipping on a carry out that I drove to your establishment for? All you did was cook the food which is your job. Plus you've got this whole new thing where people order via apps which have you tipping prior to being serviced, which makes you think if you don't tip then how will your order arrive and will it be delivered expediently?  Because you can opt to tip in person but the driver doesn't know if you will or not. 
As for the percentage, that shouldn't be dictated by a Company. Who are you to determine how well the customer was served before the fact? I also feel 25% is way too much for anyone, it's not my fault if that person is overworked or in a potentially bad work environment. And the games Cruise Companies play to get around paying them a decent/legal wage in the first place also isn't my fault, and perhaps that should be looked into more. I'm also not confident the people directly involved with my services will be getting "my" tips, it feels like all tips are pooled and the dispersed evenly among the employees regardless of who might have worked harder or gave a more enjoyable service to passengers. They've taken the "personal" out of a thank you and made it corporate. 

There was an interesting article on tipping that I watched the other day, and it seems like some companies simply took advantage of people's good will during the pandemic by asking if you'd like to tip on just about everything non service related. I mean why am I tipping on a carry out that I drove to your establishment for? All you did was cook the food which is your job. Plus you've got this whole new thing where people order via apps which have you tipping prior to being serviced, which makes you think if you don't tip then how will your order arrive and will it be delivered expediently?  Because you can opt to tip in person but the driver doesn't know if you will or not. 
As for the percentage, that shouldn't be dictated by a Company. Who are you to determine how well the customer was served before the fact? I also feel 25% is way too much for anyone, it's not my fault if that person is overworked or in a potentially bad work environment. And the games Cruise Companies play to get around paying them a decent/legal wage in the first place also isn't my fault, and perhaps that should be looked into more. I'm also not confident the people directly involved with my services will be getting "my" tips, it feels like all tips are pooled and the dispersed evenly among the employees regardless of who might have worked harder or gave a more enjoyable service to passengers. They've taken the "personal" out of a thank you and made it corporate. 

Part of the appeal of a cruise is that fact you can get a good deal versus a land based vacation, the issue becomes when you raise you prices to match it now loses that advantage/appeal. I might as well just go on a land vacation now as I have more freedom than on a ship that visits only specific ports. I also see people try to compare room prices, and for a land vacation you can get a cheaper price on a room that's the equivalent of a standard stateroom on a cruise ship. Sure that also means food is extra but a lot of places have cheap cafe's versus high end restaurants.  A dinner doesn't have to cost $50. What I find most often is that "Cruisers" are the ones who most defend this aspect, just the same as Disney fans defend every decision that company makes regardless of the absurdity of it. As someone above mention they don't mind being slapped in the face while their credit card is charged. You simply can't make an argument to them for the case of anything else. And if we remember correctly Disney park was created for all creeds to visit, not priced like it's a high rollers club that it seems to cater towards now. My family had to save for several years before we could go to Disneyland, and that's when it was still only $100 for every ride in the park and had been so since my dad went as a kid. If we had to pay the prices they're charging today we'd have had to wait even longer all the while prices increasing annually putting it out of reach with each passing year.  
What I find the most distasteful is when they do gratuity increases, yet cut back on said services that they encompass. 

Considering the tonnage of these new ships Displacement of the Seas seems fitting, or Encroachment of the Seas. Joking aside maybe Poseidon of the Seas, not really fond of Star as it just doesn't seem to make any sense. Unless they're suggesting Star as in a celebrity not an actual physical star. 

Glad that this affect me in absolutely no way. When I take a vacation I block out the rest of the world and enjoy why I'm there in the first place, everything I left will still be there when I get back. 

Part of the appeal of a cruise is that fact you can get a good deal versus a land based vacation, the issue becomes when you raise you prices to match it now loses that advantage/appeal. I might as well just go on a land vacation now as I have more freedom than on a ship that visits only specific ports. I also see people try to compare room prices, and for a land vacation you can get a cheaper price on a room that's the equivalent of a standard stateroom on a cruise ship. Sure that also means food is extra but a lot of places have cheap cafe's versus high end restaurants.  A dinner doesn't have to cost $50. What I find most often is that "Cruisers" are the ones who most defend this aspect, just the same as Disney fans defend every decision that company makes regardless of the absurdity of it. As someone above mention they don't mind being slapped in the face while their credit card is charged. You simply can't make an argument to them for the case of anything else. And if we remember correctly Disney park was created for all creeds to visit, not priced like it's a high rollers club that it seems to cater towards now. My family had to save for several years before we could go to Disneyland, and that's when it was still only $100 for every ride in the park and had been so since my dad went as a kid. If we had to pay the prices they're charging today we'd have had to wait even longer all the while prices increasing annually putting it out of reach with each passing year.  
What I find the most distasteful is when they do gratuity increases, yet cut back on said services that they encompass. 

Part of the appeal of a cruise is that fact you can get a good deal versus a land based vacation, the issue becomes when you raise you prices to match it now loses that advantage/appeal. I might as well just go on a land vacation now as I have more freedom than on a ship that visits only specific ports. I also see people try to compare room prices, and for a land vacation you can get a cheaper price on a room that's the equivalent of a standard stateroom on a cruise ship. Sure that also means food is extra but a lot of places have cheap cafe's versus high end restaurants.  A dinner doesn't have to cost $50. What I find most often is that "Cruisers" are the ones who most defend this aspect, just the same as Disney fans defend every decision that company makes regardless of the absurdity of it. As someone above mention they don't mind being slapped in the face while their credit card is charged. You simply can't make an argument to them for the case of anything else. And if we remember correctly Disney park was created for all creeds to visit, not priced like it's a high rollers club that it seems to cater towards now. My family had to save for several years before we could go to Disneyland, and that's when it was still only $100 for every ride in the park and had been so since my dad went as a kid. If we had to pay the prices they're charging today we'd have had to wait even longer all the while prices increasing annually putting it out of reach with each passing year.  
What I find the most distasteful is when they do gratuity increases, yet cut back on said services that they encompass. 

Part of the appeal of a cruise is that fact you can get a good deal versus a land based vacation, the issue becomes when you raise you prices to match it now loses that advantage/appeal. I might as well just go on a land vacation now as I have more freedom than on a ship that visits only specific ports. I also see people try to compare room prices, and for a land vacation you can get a cheaper price on a room that's the equivalent of a standard stateroom on a cruise ship. Sure that also means food is extra but a lot of places have cheap cafe's versus high end restaurants.  A dinner doesn't have to cost $50. What I find most often is that "Cruisers" are the ones who most defend this aspect, just the same as Disney fans defend every decision that company makes regardless of the absurdity of it. As someone above mention they don't mind being slapped in the face while their credit card is charged. You simply can't make an argument to them for the case of anything else. And if we remember correctly Disney park was created for all creeds to visit, not priced like it's a high rollers club that it seems to cater towards now. My family had to save for several years before we could go to Disneyland, and that's when it was still only $100 for every ride in the park and had been so since my dad went as a kid. If we had to pay the prices they're charging today we'd have had to wait even longer all the while prices increasing annually putting it out of reach with each passing year.  
What I find the most distasteful is when they do gratuity increases, yet cut back on said services that they encompass. 

Part of the appeal of a cruise is that fact you can get a good deal versus a land based vacation, the issue becomes when you raise you prices to match it now loses that advantage/appeal. I might as well just go on a land vacation now as I have more freedom than on a ship that visits only specific ports. I also see people try to compare room prices, and for a land vacation you can get a cheaper price on a room that's the equivalent of a standard stateroom on a cruise ship. Sure that also means food is extra but a lot of places have cheap cafe's versus high end restaurants.  A dinner doesn't have to cost $50. What I find most often is that "Cruisers" are the ones who most defend this aspect, just the same as Disney fans defend every decision that company makes regardless of the absurdity of it. As someone above mention they don't mind being slapped in the face while their credit card is charged. You simply can't make an argument to them for the case of anything else. And if we remember correctly Disney park was created for all creeds to visit, not priced like it's a high rollers club that it seems to cater towards now. My family had to save for several years before we could go to Disneyland, and that's when it was still only $100 for every ride in the park and had been so since my dad went as a kid. If we had to pay the prices they're charging today we'd have had to wait even longer all the while prices increasing annually putting it out of reach with each passing year.  
What I find the most distasteful is when they do gratuity increases, yet cut back on said services that they encompass. 

Having done both Sandals in St Lucia and done 7 night cruises, these are indeed VERY different. A $7000 room is MUCH larger than a $2700 room on RC. I can get a butler for $7k at Sandals. That’s not happening on RC for 7 nights at $2700.  Sandals includes all drinks and all specialty dining. Only up charges are for VERY expensive wines. At Sandals, I don’t have to watch the time to make sure I get back to the resort on time because the resort isn’t exactly going to leave without me. Comparing these are a whole lot closer when you are looking at a suite on RC as I have a feeling the $2700 they priced isn’t even for a balcony. Even then it’s just so different 

Glad that this affect me in absolutely no way. When I take a vacation I block out the rest of the world and enjoy why I'm there in the first place, everything I left will still be there when I get back. 

Unless you changed the locks, shut of the water and electric while gone then probably so. 

Glad that this affect me in absolutely no way. When I take a vacation I block out the rest of the world and enjoy why I'm there in the first place, everything I left will still be there when I get back. 

Due to all the various travel restrictions I always just buy whatever I need, such as bug spray, sunscreen etc. wherever I'm going.  Surely there is some place that offers Bear spray in Alaska, just as you sure to find a pub in Ireland! 

Glad that this affect me in absolutely no way. When I take a vacation I block out the rest of the world and enjoy why I'm there in the first place, everything I left will still be there when I get back. 

When a towel is laid over that sign, it’s meaningless.

Yeah I doubt very much they're in the joking mood with regards to any of that kind of stuff, heck i don't know that there's any scenario you'd want to prank/joke with them about as it seems a quite serious job. Exchanging pleasantries is about the furthest one should probably go with customs or border agents, just provide docs answer their questions and move on. 

I'm constantly having to check this! User zbrady posted a nice chart in this thread that I printed out and keep next to me whenever I do any cruise-related research: 
 

I think this is wise for international travel, especially by flight and especially if you're prescribed something that may be considered a narcotic.
if you're staying domestic or Caribbean, you can use the pill boxes.
Make sure you have enough for the trip and then some for emergency. 
Check your destinations Embassy for meds that may not be allowed. 

I think it's just a matter of them wanting the info on who is and who isn't for data purposes, a box for refusing to answer doesn't assist them very well in that data collection.

Still a long ways off for me to plan anything, then again I do not like traveling during Holidays of any kind due to the mass of other travelers and the games airlines like to play with delays or cancelations.