AndyT3

Thanks for the tips!

Are there restrictions to the size of the carry on bag?

Thanks for the quick, and helpful replies!

I was a little confused when I read that review that one person left. It seemed like one of those overly dramatic reviews where everything was wrong, and nothing was done correctly. Thanks for the clarification!

Hi everyone. I have asked one of these questions in our specific roll call forum, but figured they'd be better addressed in their own thread.

1) What's the policy on tipping? I plan on paying off the cruise in the next few weeks, including all gratuities. However, I've read a few reviews that claim that other passengers have not tipped their first few days at sea when dining, and have gotten "poor" service. However, when they started tipping, their service increased dramatically. Don't get me wrong, I plan on tipping, but what have your experiences been?

2) Is room service available to all, or is this a service that is specifically for suite passengers? Am I limited to what I can order via room service, like only things from the specialty restaurants, or does it also include the MDR?

3) Can I bring my full size bottle of shampoo and body wash on board? Or is it like an airplane, where you are limited to the ounces of liquid you can bring on board?

4) Can I bring things I would normally pack if I were to go on a trip in the car? Like nail clippers, and shaving razors etc, or are there restricted items?

Again, I know many of these questions are pretty obvious to some, but I'm completely new to the cruise world, and want to make it as painless as possible. I appreciate all the help in advance!

I'm not big on public pools :cool: If we do go in, it's usually first thing in the morning before the masses arrive! Also, the chairs right next to the pool are not at all "relaxing" ... you have a ton of kids having fun, screaming, etc., and loads of people trying to cram a chair in to any available space!

Oh... that sounds lovely! :rolleyes:

Prime location would be right next to and near the pool. Definitely plenty of chairs available to soak up the sun on the upper decks.

I'm not really big on trying to get in a pool with 150 other people and trying to swim around. If I want to go to the pool, I'll do it later in the day when its not swamped.

Good to know though, since I don't need to be steps from the pool, I, hopefully, won't have to fight for a chair on the outskirts just to work on my tan.

Where are the "prime" locations anyway? I mean, your up there to get some sun, right? So, my assumption would be anywhere the sun is shining is a "prime" spot? Aren't these sundecks on the uppermost decks? Am I correct in thinking that the entire deck would be sun soaked, and therefore, prime?

Please excuse my ignorance, but this is all new to me.

Ya know...there's all kinds of situations.

 

Suppose a single person puts her stuff on a table for 4....then walks off to get her food. So...the 3 seats should remain "unoccupied"?

 

I wouldn't remove the person's stuff....but, I would sit in the vacant seats.

 

If someone wants to hold a place in the buffet....I feel that something should be left on each spot needed. One "book" shouldn't hold an entire table.

This is a logical answer. I would understand that thinking. As you said, you wouldn't know until the other returned to the table. I'm assuming they are all 4+ top tables? I've yet to sail, so I'm unsure if they have 2 two top tables too? But yes, I would understand asking if the others minded you sitting at the unoccupied seats at a table where they clearly aren't using all the seating.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was referring to the poster who claimed to get his/her food from the buffet, approach a vacant table with someones's belongings, put those items on the floor, and proceed to sit down and eat, even though it's obvious that the owner of those items is up getting food. Who does that?!

Oh!

Yeah, I couldn't imagine doing something like that. Would you do that in a buffet restaurant at home? No? Then what's the difference?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just curious...but how do you know if someone is gone 60+ minutes. Do you stand and watch the chair? They could be coming and going.

 

I use the rule "a while"...which means maybe 10 minutes and I'll ask the people at the next chair if "the owners" have been around "recently".

 

Amazingly....nobody has ever fought with me or beat me up.

True. I mentioned earlier maybe just grab an empty seat in the area and keep an eye on the ideal chairs. If no one comes since you've been there, and your approaching the 60 minute mark, then move in. It would also make sense, as you mentioned, to ask the folks seated next to the chair, if the "owners" have been around recently, or if they mentioned if they were just taking off for a few.

And for those on the other side of the coin, let your lounger neighbors know where your off to. If your just running to the bar for another drink, then your neighbors will know to let those coming to "steal" your seat that you'll be back in a minute.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

But apparently, there is a poster on this thread who will remove your belongings from the table, and put them on the dirty germy ground, even though it's obvious you are getting your food, and there is no way to carry your belongings along with your plate and glass.

If gone for 60+ minutes, then yes, that becomes fair game. Regardless of where you've gone, you should always be mindful that your belongings are being left unattended, and people are always searching for loungers.

Again, I feel this is a rather basic concept. If you run to the restroom, or to get a drink, or a quick bite to eat, then that's fine in my eyes. However, if you take off for an hour plus, well, then your taking that risk of your things being moved, and someone in "your" seat when you return.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like to get up early, maybe catch a nice sunrise, then I wait on the upper deck to watch the parade of people rearranging the chairs by the pool, rotating them just so and depositing the towels or the paperback books. This is happening at 6:30 in the morning. Then no one in site for hours. I think then it is appropriate to remove everything and start over.

Agreed. Like I said, I haven't sailed yet, but this seems ridiculous to me, that someone will place their things on a chair and be gone for hours at a time and think everything will be there when they return.

If your gone for over an hour, it's fair game in my eyes. I'm not really sure why this is so difficult for people to understand. And for those on the other side of the coin, that try to "reserve" chairs, I don't understand how you think it's okay. If you really think that's acceptable, then you are inconsiderate.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good to hear.

As someone who has yet to cruise, this seems like a fairly simple concept to me. If you see belongings on a chair in a spot where you would like to park yourself, keep looking in that general area for an empty chair. Keep an eye on the prime spaces, and when someone opens up, or those belongings don't move for an hour, then that should be enough to justify moving them, and sitting in those chairs.

I don't think it's okay to just walk up and move them right away, because, as stated previously, you don't know if someone went to the pool for a few, or to use the restroom, or to grab a drink.

Maybe it's just me, but this seems rather straight forward.

I'm not going anywhere with a timer. If I see an unattended chair for several minutes....and no other chairs around....I move the stuff and sit.

 

If the person comes back in a few minutes and starts crying, I give him his chair back.

 

I have 65 years experience on the NYC subway....I know how to share space.

 

Now...in the casino....someone sitting and not playing....I just say "Excuse me, if you're not playing I'd like to lose MY money here." Sometimes, if someone is just keeping a player company, I get a huffy stare...but they move. And I generally lose my money so fast....I give "the throne" right back.

 

Buffet hoggery....I ask people if we can join them when seats are available at a table...and I don't see other alternatives. I don't think I'd move things.

Think of all these hog situations as an opportunity to make new friends.

That's a very good way to look at it.

I am a full time Wheelchair user

 

I cruise with my wife, we go thru the buffet seeing what is available, then we go and find a table and I park there guarding the table until she comes back

 

Yes there are usually 2-3 tables with signs indicating that they are for handicapped people, most of the time they are filled with non HC people

 

On the last cruise they did have staff telling people to move.

 

And more than once, someone just took off the sign and threw it in the corner

 

I will not confront someone I will find another table, but my wife will express her opinion

That's just not right. And honestly, it makes me sick to think that some people have such disregard for everyone else.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would agree that the buffet table situation is much different than the deck loungers. Most people may have just gotten up to get another plate of food, then they come back, and their table has been taken. I know that would make me quite unhappy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's a good idea. I'll have to remember that...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just think this is obnoxious. If you go out on deck early in the morning to "reserve" a few loungers for your party, and not come back until hours later, then I personally think it's more than okay for other passengers to remove your belongings and make use of the loungers themselves.

I suppose the issue arises when the other party returns to see their belongings moved and someone in "their" chairs. I don't really look to create conflict while on vacation, but I think I may be open for discussion if this were to happen.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk