DunkelBierJay

Nope! We're in a regular balcony. I didn't buy anything extra except the Deluxe Drink Package. 🍷 I'm gold and my husband isn't any tier for loyalty. 

Well, this is a hot topic because the drip drip drip is now a regular flow. I wrote a post earlier that may not have posted, so here is a summary:
It's definitely irritating in an environment where they are taking away services and perks while waiters still make the "give me a ten" pitch. I noticed the recent survey I completed didn't ask about it...I always lied and gave a 10 anyway if an 8 was warranted and I liked the waiter. No more...I won't go to the last night in the MDR any longer so I don't have to hear it...the song and dance is a little old too I would like to see more choice or no choice More choice -- let guests pick how much service they want in their rooms...example 2-5 night sailings can get 1X service, 6-9 night can get 2X service, etc...all in exchange for lower gratuities -- I say this knowing that it's wise for company employee eyes to make sure everything is cool in the staterooms Less choice -- work it into the cruise fare and be done with it RCI is posting record on board sales and this doesn't sit well They may need to re-work the MDR concept or eliminate it entirely and just go for buffet plus more choice with specialty dining I share the sentiment of many with 🤬
...and to those who are ok with it's only another $28 for a 7 night cruise...ordinarily, I would be with you, but I am drawing the line here, not because I can't afford it, but because the company's timing with and positioning on this is so poor.

Well, this is a hot topic because the drip drip drip is now a regular flow. I wrote a post earlier that may not have posted, so here is a summary:
It's definitely irritating in an environment where they are taking away services and perks while waiters still make the "give me a ten" pitch. I noticed the recent survey I completed didn't ask about it...I always lied and gave a 10 anyway if an 8 was warranted and I liked the waiter. No more...I won't go to the last night in the MDR any longer so I don't have to hear it...the song and dance is a little old too I would like to see more choice or no choice More choice -- let guests pick how much service they want in their rooms...example 2-5 night sailings can get 1X service, 6-9 night can get 2X service, etc...all in exchange for lower gratuities -- I say this knowing that it's wise for company employee eyes to make sure everything is cool in the staterooms Less choice -- work it into the cruise fare and be done with it RCI is posting record on board sales and this doesn't sit well They may need to re-work the MDR concept or eliminate it entirely and just go for buffet plus more choice with specialty dining I share the sentiment of many with 🤬
...and to those who are ok with it's only another $28 for a 7 night cruise...ordinarily, I would be with you, but I am drawing the line here, not because I can't afford it, but because the company's timing with and positioning on this is so poor.

Well, this is a hot topic because the drip drip drip is now a regular flow. I wrote a post earlier that may not have posted, so here is a summary:
It's definitely irritating in an environment where they are taking away services and perks while waiters still make the "give me a ten" pitch. I noticed the recent survey I completed didn't ask about it...I always lied and gave a 10 anyway if an 8 was warranted and I liked the waiter. No more...I won't go to the last night in the MDR any longer so I don't have to hear it...the song and dance is a little old too I would like to see more choice or no choice More choice -- let guests pick how much service they want in their rooms...example 2-5 night sailings can get 1X service, 6-9 night can get 2X service, etc...all in exchange for lower gratuities -- I say this knowing that it's wise for company employee eyes to make sure everything is cool in the staterooms Less choice -- work it into the cruise fare and be done with it RCI is posting record on board sales and this doesn't sit well They may need to re-work the MDR concept or eliminate it entirely and just go for buffet plus more choice with specialty dining I share the sentiment of many with 🤬
...and to those who are ok with it's only another $28 for a 7 night cruise...ordinarily, I would be with you, but I am drawing the line here, not because I can't afford it, but because the company's timing with and positioning on this is so poor.

Well, this is a hot topic because the drip drip drip is now a regular flow. I wrote a post earlier that may not have posted, so here is a summary:
It's definitely irritating in an environment where they are taking away services and perks while waiters still make the "give me a ten" pitch. I noticed the recent survey I completed didn't ask about it...I always lied and gave a 10 anyway if an 8 was warranted and I liked the waiter. No more...I won't go to the last night in the MDR any longer so I don't have to hear it...the song and dance is a little old too I would like to see more choice or no choice More choice -- let guests pick how much service they want in their rooms...example 2-5 night sailings can get 1X service, 6-9 night can get 2X service, etc...all in exchange for lower gratuities -- I say this knowing that it's wise for company employee eyes to make sure everything is cool in the staterooms Less choice -- work it into the cruise fare and be done with it RCI is posting record on board sales and this doesn't sit well They may need to re-work the MDR concept or eliminate it entirely and just go for buffet plus more choice with specialty dining I share the sentiment of many with 🤬
...and to those who are ok with it's only another $28 for a 7 night cruise...ordinarily, I would be with you, but I am drawing the line here, not because I can't afford it, but because the company's timing with and positioning on this is so poor.

Well, this is a hot topic because the drip drip drip is now a regular flow. I wrote a post earlier that may not have posted, so here is a summary:
It's definitely irritating in an environment where they are taking away services and perks while waiters still make the "give me a ten" pitch. I noticed the recent survey I completed didn't ask about it...I always lied and gave a 10 anyway if an 8 was warranted and I liked the waiter. No more...I won't go to the last night in the MDR any longer so I don't have to hear it...the song and dance is a little old too I would like to see more choice or no choice More choice -- let guests pick how much service they want in their rooms...example 2-5 night sailings can get 1X service, 6-9 night can get 2X service, etc...all in exchange for lower gratuities -- I say this knowing that it's wise for company employee eyes to make sure everything is cool in the staterooms Less choice -- work it into the cruise fare and be done with it RCI is posting record on board sales and this doesn't sit well They may need to re-work the MDR concept or eliminate it entirely and just go for buffet plus more choice with specialty dining I share the sentiment of many with 🤬
...and to those who are ok with it's only another $28 for a 7 night cruise...ordinarily, I would be with you, but I am drawing the line here, not because I can't afford it, but because the company's timing with and positioning on this is so poor.

Well, this is a hot topic because the drip drip drip is now a regular flow. I wrote a post earlier that may not have posted, so here is a summary:
It's definitely irritating in an environment where they are taking away services and perks while waiters still make the "give me a ten" pitch. I noticed the recent survey I completed didn't ask about it...I always lied and gave a 10 anyway if an 8 was warranted and I liked the waiter. No more...I won't go to the last night in the MDR any longer so I don't have to hear it...the song and dance is a little old too I would like to see more choice or no choice More choice -- let guests pick how much service they want in their rooms...example 2-5 night sailings can get 1X service, 6-9 night can get 2X service, etc...all in exchange for lower gratuities -- I say this knowing that it's wise for company employee eyes to make sure everything is cool in the staterooms Less choice -- work it into the cruise fare and be done with it RCI is posting record on board sales and this doesn't sit well They may need to re-work the MDR concept or eliminate it entirely and just go for buffet plus more choice with specialty dining I share the sentiment of many with 🤬
...and to those who are ok with it's only another $28 for a 7 night cruise...ordinarily, I would be with you, but I am drawing the line here, not because I can't afford it, but because the company's timing with and positioning on this is so poor.

Well, this is a hot topic because the drip drip drip is now a regular flow. I wrote a post earlier that may not have posted, so here is a summary:
It's definitely irritating in an environment where they are taking away services and perks while waiters still make the "give me a ten" pitch. I noticed the recent survey I completed didn't ask about it...I always lied and gave a 10 anyway if an 8 was warranted and I liked the waiter. No more...I won't go to the last night in the MDR any longer so I don't have to hear it...the song and dance is a little old too I would like to see more choice or no choice More choice -- let guests pick how much service they want in their rooms...example 2-5 night sailings can get 1X service, 6-9 night can get 2X service, etc...all in exchange for lower gratuities -- I say this knowing that it's wise for company employee eyes to make sure everything is cool in the staterooms Less choice -- work it into the cruise fare and be done with it RCI is posting record on board sales and this doesn't sit well They may need to re-work the MDR concept or eliminate it entirely and just go for buffet plus more choice with specialty dining I share the sentiment of many with 🤬
...and to those who are ok with it's only another $28 for a 7 night cruise...ordinarily, I would be with you, but I am drawing the line here, not because I can't afford it, but because the company's timing with and positioning on this is so poor.

Well, this is a hot topic because the drip drip drip is now a regular flow. I wrote a post earlier that may not have posted, so here is a summary:
It's definitely irritating in an environment where they are taking away services and perks while waiters still make the "give me a ten" pitch. I noticed the recent survey I completed didn't ask about it...I always lied and gave a 10 anyway if an 8 was warranted and I liked the waiter. No more...I won't go to the last night in the MDR any longer so I don't have to hear it...the song and dance is a little old too I would like to see more choice or no choice More choice -- let guests pick how much service they want in their rooms...example 2-5 night sailings can get 1X service, 6-9 night can get 2X service, etc...all in exchange for lower gratuities -- I say this knowing that it's wise for company employee eyes to make sure everything is cool in the staterooms Less choice -- work it into the cruise fare and be done with it RCI is posting record on board sales and this doesn't sit well They may need to re-work the MDR concept or eliminate it entirely and just go for buffet plus more choice with specialty dining I share the sentiment of many with 🤬
...and to those who are ok with it's only another $28 for a 7 night cruise...ordinarily, I would be with you, but I am drawing the line here, not because I can't afford it, but because the company's timing with and positioning on this is so poor.

Well, this is a hot topic because the drip drip drip is now a regular flow. I wrote a post earlier that may not have posted, so here is a summary:
It's definitely irritating in an environment where they are taking away services and perks while waiters still make the "give me a ten" pitch. I noticed the recent survey I completed didn't ask about it...I always lied and gave a 10 anyway if an 8 was warranted and I liked the waiter. No more...I won't go to the last night in the MDR any longer so I don't have to hear it...the song and dance is a little old too I would like to see more choice or no choice More choice -- let guests pick how much service they want in their rooms...example 2-5 night sailings can get 1X service, 6-9 night can get 2X service, etc...all in exchange for lower gratuities -- I say this knowing that it's wise for company employee eyes to make sure everything is cool in the staterooms Less choice -- work it into the cruise fare and be done with it RCI is posting record on board sales and this doesn't sit well They may need to re-work the MDR concept or eliminate it entirely and just go for buffet plus more choice with specialty dining I share the sentiment of many with 🤬
...and to those who are ok with it's only another $28 for a 7 night cruise...ordinarily, I would be with you, but I am drawing the line here, not because I can't afford it, but because the company's timing with and positioning on this is so poor.

Well, this is a hot topic because the drip drip drip is now a regular flow. I wrote a post earlier that may not have posted, so here is a summary:
It's definitely irritating in an environment where they are taking away services and perks while waiters still make the "give me a ten" pitch. I noticed the recent survey I completed didn't ask about it...I always lied and gave a 10 anyway if an 8 was warranted and I liked the waiter. No more...I won't go to the last night in the MDR any longer so I don't have to hear it...the song and dance is a little old too I would like to see more choice or no choice More choice -- let guests pick how much service they want in their rooms...example 2-5 night sailings can get 1X service, 6-9 night can get 2X service, etc...all in exchange for lower gratuities -- I say this knowing that it's wise for company employee eyes to make sure everything is cool in the staterooms Less choice -- work it into the cruise fare and be done with it RCI is posting record on board sales and this doesn't sit well They may need to re-work the MDR concept or eliminate it entirely and just go for buffet plus more choice with specialty dining I share the sentiment of many with 🤬
...and to those who are ok with it's only another $28 for a 7 night cruise...ordinarily, I would be with you, but I am drawing the line here, not because I can't afford it, but because the company's timing with and positioning on this is so poor.

Ok, well of course a snarky comment would come. Did I say anything derogatory about the crew members? I vehemently stick up for the crew at every turn. 
All I said is it's not as horrible as people make it out to be. I work overtime as much as I can and in the winter will get well over 63 hours. I get paid by the hour though, quite different. 

This 💯 

I don't mind an increase in gratuities, but what I do mind is that they are increasing and taking away services. Staterooms are cleaned once per day now and they want me to tip more. 
I know that is a FWP for me the consumer to want fresh towels 2x per day but it is cruise standard, so I would like it done if I am paying more.
I generally leave more money in the stateroom after the cruise anyway, but this kind of irritates me. 

I had a few cruises where I had not already requested prepaid grats.  I was surprised....I thought I had taken care of that on all of my booked cruises.  Pays to check, I guess.  Pretty easy to get them added.  Should be set to go now.  So annoying though....They are so tone deaf on these "cruise enhancement" combinations - reducing services in combination with increasing prices and fees.

Also I don't want to sound bad but we tipped our room attendant and extra 60 bucks on our cruise last week. It's going to get to the point that may not be the case going forward. We also extra tipped the head waiter. 

The 14 bucks per person per week is ok by me.  I prepay so won't be impacted until I make another booking.
 
From the $14/day it was about 13 months ago, this is like a 28% increase.  From the $16, it's 12.5% on top of the 14% climb last year.

🤬

I agree with those that have expressed disappointment with the changes.  Increasing gratuities is fine (a sign of the times) but when reducing services at the same time it's a recipe for disaster.
Now that former CFO is in charge, expect more of this ......
RCL reported Net Income for the third quarter of $1.0 billion compared to Net Income of $33.0 million or $0.13 per share for the same period in the prior year.

And the person with the sign might actually be in the pool or whirlpool. Unless I saw them post the sign and then leave, I'd assume they've had issues in the past (I know I have as a solo cruiser) and decided to literally leave a sign that the chair is in use by someone using the pool deck.

Very well put. Agree with everything you wrote. The website of my favorite St Martin excursion even says “We’ve never let anyone be late or else we wouldn’t have a 5.0 on TripAdvisor.”

Probably won't book scuba through Royal again. I've always felt either rushed or on an overcrowded dive boat. There was one dive in Cozumel where another person (beginner diver) on the excursion got sea sick and hurled over the boat while hugging my gear. I liked that a lot. 😐 Scuba at PDCC?...don't even bother. It's an awful shore dive.
I've done third party a few times, and it's always better.

We live in Florida and send citrus gifts to friends up north.
Places like https://www.gregorysgroves.com/ ship and not more expensive than buying here.
Why haul and hassle? 

become a monetized cruise vlogger with 100,000+ subscriber. sound simple.

become a monetized cruise vlogger with 100,000+ subscriber. sound simple.