JenLovesToTravel

PRINCESS DOES, check your facts before posting. We get loyalty OBC for Elite and then Military OBC and always use it for auto gratuity. I have been on 3 cruises this year with Princess so I can say with certainty and (and it's recent) OBC that princess issues has no restrictions.

I know my facts, thanks! Loyalty and Military (or AARP) is not promotional OBC!!

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Carnival does. It's the reason why our onboard charges are less than $5 on their ships.

 

I don't see what the big deal is in this situation, you spent $150 on other things so you are not losing anything.

Only certain types of OBC can be used for gratuities on Carnival, not all.

This was posted as I saw I still had ship board credit remaining and a daily service chafe not covered. I just think I should be able to spend my ship board credit towards what. And yes at the end of the day we will exceed our charges but it's the principle that I can't include the gratuities (other lines you can)

 

 

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What other lines allow you to use Cruise Line provided OBC for gratuities?

Nobody is scamming anyone. Just playing by their rules. Do you work for NCL or something?

 

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I disagree. It sounds like a very calculated scheme to not tip. Whatever! Anyone willing to spend the time, energy and thought into how to get around a very nominal daily tip is really missing out on some of the joys of cruising and life in general.

Playing by the rules and not feeling entitled makes for a happy life!

All of the cruise lines limit what you can do with "free" promotional OBC. I don't know of one that lets you use it for gratuities. How can it be "the principle" when it's something they provide to you. They set the principle and they clearly state that it cannot be used for gratuities.

You are looking at this as if you are setting the terms and conditions. You aren't. When you cruise, you sign your life away agreeing to the cruise lines terms and conditions.

Complaining about "the principle of the matter" is silly. You should be thankful for such a great promotional OBC and be happy that some dining, drinks, a spa treatment etc. is free instead of grousing.

Try being grateful in all things, it's life changing. Said another way, how lucky are you to be able to cruise?! As you can tell by the responses to your post, attitudes of entitlement get old fast!

I was on the Getaway in February and will be on her again in September. I would suggest pre-booking the Illusionarium show. We didn't do any specialty dining so I can't speak to it personally. However, when we looked daily, there were usually openings in most specialty venues throughout the week.

Burn the Floor and Legally Blonde don't need to be pre-booked, there were always seats available!

Certain Spa Services booked up by the second day of the cruise. I wouldn't necessarily pre-book them, but I would definitely book them on day 1 if I wanted something!

Happy Sailing

Nah, it isn't that simple. You don't have to just endure and be happy anyway. We spend our hard- earned $ to go on vacation and not having a price- drop policy that is favorable to consumers is painful to most. If enough of us complain and it starts to hurt NCL where it matters, perhaps policy can become more consumer- friendly.

Their policy doesn't have to be favorable to the consumer. It has to make money for shareholders..

You can always go elsewhere for your vacation if you don't like it. Until there is no one left to replace consumers who go elsewhere, they are doing what they should, maximizing profits

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NCL has fewer ships but they are substantially better made than CCL. Great attention to detail, quality materials and decor. Much like RCCL, NCL has good quality beds and bedding.

Even the newer CCL ships can't compare, then again they aren't really supposed to. CCL is a discount mass market line vs RCCL and NCL being just mid market.

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Vibe passes are $79 each!!

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Vibe passes sold out at boarding group 2 on out February sailing

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I'm a New Englander and lobster in fancy restaurants are for tourists. The best, tender, sweet lobster is usually served in a paper basket and is eaten at a weathered picnic table

Btw the lobster in the buffet on the Getaway was excellent!!

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The menu is pretty limited but is great for snacks and pre meal bites

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I toured the Haven while on board and it was very full by the pool but not upstairs

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I offer every client a quote from Travel Guard insurance. Amazing customer service, great coverage

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Minimal motion on Getaway! Great ship

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You can't do Blue Lagoon in Nassau anyways since the Getaway doesn't get in until noon

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I enjoyed all the shows on the Getaway. All if them were entertaining and a nice way to spend the hour or so...

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I was at Spice H2O for Sailaway. Julie did a great job getting everyone pumped up for the cruise. Great location to see ALL of the ship at POM

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I loved the buffet on the Getaway. To each their own I guess

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We got there at 10, had a 30 minute wait until they let us in. We were in boarding group one. We were 5th in line for Vibe passes. When you get on the ship just go down the stairs 1 floor and straight to the atrium and guest services

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We LOVED Vibe. You have to be in the first boarding group to even have a shot at getting the passes. Super comfy seating, two hot tubs and best of all QUIET!!!

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Don't miss the Illusionarium!! Awesome show. Don't miss the made to order crepes in the buffet

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We've used OBC toward our Svc Xhgs before

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The ropes course is open immediately. All you have to do is go to the desk, swipe your SeaPass, sign the waivers and you're in. Remember, you have to have a full athletic shoe on. Toes have to be covered. No open toe sandals!!

My wife and I are fresh back from another excellent Royal Caribbean Cruise. Over the course of the next few days, I will share with you some experiences, pictures and even some video of our time aboard.

 

This was our 3rd cruise. Our 1st was on the Oasis for our honeymoon and our 2nd was on the Jewel roughly a year ago.

 

Leaving New England and Arriving in Fort Lauderdale:

For the first time ever, we flew out of TF Greene in Providence. What a huge change of pace from flying out of Logan in Boston! We had a 10:35am flight which went non-stop to Fort Lauderdale. There wasn’t a line at the ticket counter and the TSA line was all of 8 people deep. Amazing. We’ll be remember that little gem next time. Like many, we flew down the day before our cruise in an effort to make it a more relaxed start to our vacation

I'm originally from Massachusetts and fly home about 5 times a year to see my ailing dad. I ONLY use TF Green Airport. I've traveled through just about every airport on the east coast and it's by far the easiest, most relaxed experience. If only they would offer some more non stop service to destinations off of the east coast, I would be in business.