mathbees

Include gratuities with the cruise fare

Yep, same cruise line (I could, but won't, tell you about a horror story about our last cruise with them).  I remember, now, that one night that I couldn't wait to get to.  Oh, and that one large, very large cake that was about the size of a roulette table and about 6 - 8 inches thick and it was in different locations all the time/on different ships.  
But, on Royal, we've switched from the desserts to the "rolls".  Man O man they make some great rolls, especially the ones with cheese cooked into/on top of the bread.  Damn, now I really can't wait for the next 13 days to go by.

I think I was loyal to the same Brand. Had a lot of "fun" on that line for 5 or 6 cruises. And I do agree with you about the desserts. Of course, when I started cruising they were still doing a midnight dessert buffet one night. And I used to order multiple desserts in the MDR because I wanted to try them all... Now I'm struggling to get rid of all that weight... Ooh, maybe that's just Royal taking better care of their passengers - fewer choices, fewer temptations to overeat!
Seriously, though, now that we've switched to Royal, we won't be going back... I agree with 1st mate, that one minor thing was the only thing marginally better.

I was loyal to Brand X for several years and cruises.  I really can't think of anything that Brand X did that Royal doesn't do better.  Well, there is one minor thing though, Brand X's desserts were much better and a better variety.  That's not to say Royal's desserts aren't great!  But, that's not a reason to go back. 
Sorry, I'll not say the actual name of Brand X.  But, it is the largest or second largest cruise line in the world. 

I was there in March. I weigh in at 260 and had no problem on the scale. I can't tell you if they are completely accurate or not, since they are a red light/green light setup (presumably so you're actual weight isn't displayed for the world to see).

I was there in March. I weigh in at 260 and had no problem on the scale. I can't tell you if they are completely accurate or not, since they are a red light/green light setup (presumably so you're actual weight isn't displayed for the world to see).

These look like the standard gratuities that automatically get added to each guest's sea pass. Below is from my upcoming 3-day cruise confirmation. I always have my TA pre-pay these, so I do see the $43.50 already on my confirmation. Also see: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/onboard-service-gratuity-expense.

I personally find it to be a matter of expectations (and managing them!). If people are chasing D, D+, Pin, etc. because they *expect* better ____ (service, food, experiences, etc.) then they will be disappointed. The benefits should be like add-ons.
My wife and I enjoy the cruise experience. The idea that we don't have to cook, clean, etc. just by itself is wonderful, especially for a vacation. Our other vacation go-to is a timeshare where we do have to do those things. Never quite feels like a vacation to me. But I get a lot of relaxation in, anyway.
That said, having a waiter remember my name, drink order, etc., makes the cruise exceptional and I can ignore even mediocre food with great service. I don't go hungry on a cruise, even if the MDR quality is subpar. We enjoy the suite lounge when the regular crowds get to be too much, or the extras the genies provide, or the early boarding, etc. But we are not cruising for the perks.
We find that if we set our expectations at "we will enjoy this come what may" then the extras just ratchet it up to "we really enjoyed this immensely."

We recently sailed Freedom and had 5 rooms in a row.  We asked our steward as soon as we could get into our rooms to open the balconies and it was great!  Awesome early mornings sipping lattes and cappuccinos!  

In 2006 the Star Princess experienced a fire that started on a balcony thought to be caused by a cigarette being thrown from a higher balcony.  Her balcony dividers did not open.  One of the findings from the investigation was that fire fighting activities were hindered because the crew could not move from balcony to balcony, they had to fight the fire from within each cabin onto that specific balcony.  Had they been able to move laterally from balcony to balcony they could have put out the fire much faster.
As a result balcony dividers that can be opened became a new requirement when building a passenger ship.    Ships built after the Star Princess event have balcony dividers can be opened, at least for crew movement, if not for the pleasure of groups with multiple cabins.

I think they treat positive covid and close contact differently from other quarantines. They quarantined my niece for about 24 hours in her stateroom and performed multiple covid checks. Since she came up negative for each check, she was allowed back out.
Yes, if there is a reason to move someone to the actual covid isolation area, things would be different.

I travelled internationally weekly for a number of years (admittedly, not 23!) and I still get just as giddy getting onto a plane as I did every time then. Interestingly, since I no longer have any status with the airlines, when we fly it is likely to be in the cheap seats at the back, instead of the 1st class upgrades I came to enjoy before. I still enjoy the experience. I am glad, though, that cruise status doesn't reset!
Similarly, I did six years in the Navy, but I think I enjoy the cruises more because those years on board a ship got into my blood. I still get the knot in my stomach crossing the gangplank and have to fight the urge to salute the Ensign (flag). Some habits die hard. 
So, for me, at least, the answer is no I don't think I can go on too many cruises or too many flights, either.

I travelled internationally weekly for a number of years (admittedly, not 23!) and I still get just as giddy getting onto a plane as I did every time then. Interestingly, since I no longer have any status with the airlines, when we fly it is likely to be in the cheap seats at the back, instead of the 1st class upgrades I came to enjoy before. I still enjoy the experience. I am glad, though, that cruise status doesn't reset!
Similarly, I did six years in the Navy, but I think I enjoy the cruises more because those years on board a ship got into my blood. I still get the knot in my stomach crossing the gangplank and have to fight the urge to salute the Ensign (flag). Some habits die hard. 
So, for me, at least, the answer is no I don't think I can go on too many cruises or too many flights, either.

I travelled internationally weekly for a number of years (admittedly, not 23!) and I still get just as giddy getting onto a plane as I did every time then. Interestingly, since I no longer have any status with the airlines, when we fly it is likely to be in the cheap seats at the back, instead of the 1st class upgrades I came to enjoy before. I still enjoy the experience. I am glad, though, that cruise status doesn't reset!
Similarly, I did six years in the Navy, but I think I enjoy the cruises more because those years on board a ship got into my blood. I still get the knot in my stomach crossing the gangplank and have to fight the urge to salute the Ensign (flag). Some habits die hard. 
So, for me, at least, the answer is no I don't think I can go on too many cruises or too many flights, either.

I personally find it to be a matter of expectations (and managing them!). If people are chasing D, D+, Pin, etc. because they *expect* better ____ (service, food, experiences, etc.) then they will be disappointed. The benefits should be like add-ons.
My wife and I enjoy the cruise experience. The idea that we don't have to cook, clean, etc. just by itself is wonderful, especially for a vacation. Our other vacation go-to is a timeshare where we do have to do those things. Never quite feels like a vacation to me. But I get a lot of relaxation in, anyway.
That said, having a waiter remember my name, drink order, etc., makes the cruise exceptional and I can ignore even mediocre food with great service. I don't go hungry on a cruise, even if the MDR quality is subpar. We enjoy the suite lounge when the regular crowds get to be too much, or the extras the genies provide, or the early boarding, etc. But we are not cruising for the perks.
We find that if we set our expectations at "we will enjoy this come what may" then the extras just ratchet it up to "we really enjoyed this immensely."

I personally find it to be a matter of expectations (and managing them!). If people are chasing D, D+, Pin, etc. because they *expect* better ____ (service, food, experiences, etc.) then they will be disappointed. The benefits should be like add-ons.
My wife and I enjoy the cruise experience. The idea that we don't have to cook, clean, etc. just by itself is wonderful, especially for a vacation. Our other vacation go-to is a timeshare where we do have to do those things. Never quite feels like a vacation to me. But I get a lot of relaxation in, anyway.
That said, having a waiter remember my name, drink order, etc., makes the cruise exceptional and I can ignore even mediocre food with great service. I don't go hungry on a cruise, even if the MDR quality is subpar. We enjoy the suite lounge when the regular crowds get to be too much, or the extras the genies provide, or the early boarding, etc. But we are not cruising for the perks.
We find that if we set our expectations at "we will enjoy this come what may" then the extras just ratchet it up to "we really enjoyed this immensely."

I personally find it to be a matter of expectations (and managing them!). If people are chasing D, D+, Pin, etc. because they *expect* better ____ (service, food, experiences, etc.) then they will be disappointed. The benefits should be like add-ons.
My wife and I enjoy the cruise experience. The idea that we don't have to cook, clean, etc. just by itself is wonderful, especially for a vacation. Our other vacation go-to is a timeshare where we do have to do those things. Never quite feels like a vacation to me. But I get a lot of relaxation in, anyway.
That said, having a waiter remember my name, drink order, etc., makes the cruise exceptional and I can ignore even mediocre food with great service. I don't go hungry on a cruise, even if the MDR quality is subpar. We enjoy the suite lounge when the regular crowds get to be too much, or the extras the genies provide, or the early boarding, etc. But we are not cruising for the perks.
We find that if we set our expectations at "we will enjoy this come what may" then the extras just ratchet it up to "we really enjoyed this immensely."

I personally find it to be a matter of expectations (and managing them!). If people are chasing D, D+, Pin, etc. because they *expect* better ____ (service, food, experiences, etc.) then they will be disappointed. The benefits should be like add-ons.
My wife and I enjoy the cruise experience. The idea that we don't have to cook, clean, etc. just by itself is wonderful, especially for a vacation. Our other vacation go-to is a timeshare where we do have to do those things. Never quite feels like a vacation to me. But I get a lot of relaxation in, anyway.
That said, having a waiter remember my name, drink order, etc., makes the cruise exceptional and I can ignore even mediocre food with great service. I don't go hungry on a cruise, even if the MDR quality is subpar. We enjoy the suite lounge when the regular crowds get to be too much, or the extras the genies provide, or the early boarding, etc. But we are not cruising for the perks.
We find that if we set our expectations at "we will enjoy this come what may" then the extras just ratchet it up to "we really enjoyed this immensely."

I personally find it to be a matter of expectations (and managing them!). If people are chasing D, D+, Pin, etc. because they *expect* better ____ (service, food, experiences, etc.) then they will be disappointed. The benefits should be like add-ons.
My wife and I enjoy the cruise experience. The idea that we don't have to cook, clean, etc. just by itself is wonderful, especially for a vacation. Our other vacation go-to is a timeshare where we do have to do those things. Never quite feels like a vacation to me. But I get a lot of relaxation in, anyway.
That said, having a waiter remember my name, drink order, etc., makes the cruise exceptional and I can ignore even mediocre food with great service. I don't go hungry on a cruise, even if the MDR quality is subpar. We enjoy the suite lounge when the regular crowds get to be too much, or the extras the genies provide, or the early boarding, etc. But we are not cruising for the perks.
We find that if we set our expectations at "we will enjoy this come what may" then the extras just ratchet it up to "we really enjoyed this immensely."

We've only had two genies (Hannah and Israel), so far, and both were exceptional.
However, Marla was the Genia in the cabin next to us on Odyssey when we had Israel. We did interact with her since this was in October and the ship was only around 30-35% capacity.  I will say she did impress us and even though she wasn't our assigned genie, we felt like we could rely on her as much as on Israel!

I personally find it to be a matter of expectations (and managing them!). If people are chasing D, D+, Pin, etc. because they *expect* better ____ (service, food, experiences, etc.) then they will be disappointed. The benefits should be like add-ons.
My wife and I enjoy the cruise experience. The idea that we don't have to cook, clean, etc. just by itself is wonderful, especially for a vacation. Our other vacation go-to is a timeshare where we do have to do those things. Never quite feels like a vacation to me. But I get a lot of relaxation in, anyway.
That said, having a waiter remember my name, drink order, etc., makes the cruise exceptional and I can ignore even mediocre food with great service. I don't go hungry on a cruise, even if the MDR quality is subpar. We enjoy the suite lounge when the regular crowds get to be too much, or the extras the genies provide, or the early boarding, etc. But we are not cruising for the perks.
We find that if we set our expectations at "we will enjoy this come what may" then the extras just ratchet it up to "we really enjoyed this immensely."

I personally find it to be a matter of expectations (and managing them!). If people are chasing D, D+, Pin, etc. because they *expect* better ____ (service, food, experiences, etc.) then they will be disappointed. The benefits should be like add-ons.
My wife and I enjoy the cruise experience. The idea that we don't have to cook, clean, etc. just by itself is wonderful, especially for a vacation. Our other vacation go-to is a timeshare where we do have to do those things. Never quite feels like a vacation to me. But I get a lot of relaxation in, anyway.
That said, having a waiter remember my name, drink order, etc., makes the cruise exceptional and I can ignore even mediocre food with great service. I don't go hungry on a cruise, even if the MDR quality is subpar. We enjoy the suite lounge when the regular crowds get to be too much, or the extras the genies provide, or the early boarding, etc. But we are not cruising for the perks.
We find that if we set our expectations at "we will enjoy this come what may" then the extras just ratchet it up to "we really enjoyed this immensely."

@jay1021We had Marla (our one and only Genie experience) on Odyssey this year and I agree, she was amazing.  She read us so well we never even asked for anything special -  She just seemed to know what we wanted/needed and this was a last minute royal up bid so we never even did the survery!  Funny, Odyssey was our least favorite ship (and absolute BEST room) -  Quantum class isn't my favorite, but still travelling on it for Alaska.  This is one of the things that prompted me to post this.  We weren't crazy about the ship layout (especially the esplanade and playmakers location), but the ameneites (north star was beyond cool) and service were perfect.  If the times and itinerary worked out best, I'd sail her again in a heartbeat.  

I think you hit the nail on the head, something I just couldn't come up with/figure what it was.  MARLA KNOWS HOW TO READ PEOPLE, that's it.  She'd probably make a good detective.  Within the first hour of the cruise she was sitting down with us, very relaxed, not looking at her watch/phone and just talking to us, asking fact finding questions.  She must have done that for about 45 minutes.  After that, we didn't want for anything.   

Some people are only happy when they have something to complain about.  I think it’s easier than thinking of interesting or valuable to talk about.  
I was a waiter 30 years ago and had regulars that complained or were at least unimpressed with everything but they came in all the time.  I asked one older couple why they come back, when they don’t seem thrilled with the food, or even the service.  They were shocked, said coming in for dinner was the highlight of their week.  I think the complaining gave them something  talk about.  Some people are just miserable and want others to be miserable too.  Some people like to act like they’re above everything.  
It seems like sad way to go through life if you ask me.