chineplate

6 hours ago, DeanoNorthPerth said:

My guess is with your policy, the guy who works in the bowels of the ship keeping the engine going so you can enjoy your cruise would never see a cent of any money tipped. Hardly seems fair.

Your guess is correct. Tipping incentives and rewards good service, it shouldn’t be the expected norm.

47 minutes ago, Harters said:

On the other hand, if it did go into a tip pool then staff, who have not received cash tips from the likes of me, would also benefit. So, your generosity would be touching more people than you realised. 

Whether they are worthy of it or not.

Ha tipping, that old chestnut. Easy solution.

1. Remove all automatic gratuities from on board account.

2. Cash tip individuals who give service above the expected norm.

Great day out at the welsh village. Heritage, history, culture and a particularly good choir. Very welcoming and friendly people who are rightly proud of there community.

Great reporting thank you. I've been following the ship on Marine tracker so can see all going to plan. I'll be joining you in Rio, flying out on Thursday for a few days in the city beforehand.

Last report as follows:

Arrived back in Southampton this morning and the clean down started immediately.

With all the hygiene issues and health concerns on board I wouldn't have believed if i hadnt seen it; undercooked roast chicken being returned to the kitchen at last nights dinner. So much for their robust health practices

Cruise safe everyone and be vigilant.

Further info from on board:

Latest news, now docked in Zeebrugge for a run ashore to Ghent, Brugge etc.

All on board received notification of a tightening in hygiene practice and that the medical director was favouring Norovirus, introduced at the start of the cruise (5 days ago), as the source of the current gastrointestinal issues. it is now effecting approximately 50 passengers, the majority of whom fell to the illness at about the same time. I have no doubt that I and many others have suffered because of contaminated food consumed on xmas eve. To make matters worse, when trying to get information from the medical or reception staff you're met with a brick wall or worse, ignorant indifference. There are some very unhappy people on board.

Just heard from a friend that there maybe a spot of mild food poisioning on board. Ship is currently anchored off the Norfolk coast sheltering from the previous rough seas.