BlerkOne

The Plus package has a two meal limit for "free"

I think the food shuts down earlier, though.

True.

Most restaurants are independently owned and many are family operated. Have you ever asked for recommendations? If something is wrong with the food or wine, who is typically making it right? But if you insist on tipping the owner, go for it. Unless the owner is serving me, I will tip and not belittle the waitstaff.

No beverages from bars. You can still get premium coffees as soon as you board.

I'm still not sure how that works. Is Princess going to charge you for the first day gratuities? I assume they won't refund medallion shipping charges (if applicable). Maybe other differences.

That reason being gratuities have forever have been part of the compensation for many cruise line staff. It absolutely has to to with people tipping at least a recommended minimum amount.

If it makes you feel better, think of it as a commission.

The competition does the same. It would be a disadvantage for Carnival to not follow suit. As Carnival is the Walmart of the Seas, of course they undercut Royal on suggested gratuities.

The cruise line suggests gratuities because some never run out of excuses for tipping or how much to tip.

The $150 is a new experience Carnival is trying on a few ships. I think even these prices might be a little stale An 18% service charge will be added and applied directly to the guest’s Sail & Sign account. additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. The fee does not include any beverage that is normally ordered through bar service such as wine, liquor, soda and bottled water. The reservation fee is $90 USD per person on the following ships: Carnival Conquest, Carnival Elation, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Luminosa (on Alaska cruises), Carnival Miracle, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Valor. The reservation fee is $119 USD per person on the following ships: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Dream, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Magic, Carnival Pride, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Vista and Mardi Gras. On these ships, the Chef's Table offers an enhanced experience! The reservation fee is $150 USD per person on the following ships: Carnival Firenze, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Venezia. On these ships, the Chef's Table offers an enhanced experience!

Tips on land and generally a percentage of the check. Do you tip 15% or more of the cost of your cruise?

Yes. I posted the activities from a couple of Regal cruises here:

Very misleading Chef’s Table Expereince $80 to $99 $99 to $150 Up to 52%

Can't run a cruise line without ships.

That's an opinion, not a fact. Carnival wants all cruisers. It's a mass market cruise line. That cruisers mature out of a market is a fact.

The ships are pledged as collateral.

The same can be said of all cruise lines. Those who switch will never know what they missed - at least not first hand.

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3510/~/2023-christmas-holiday-season

Obviously Carnival could choose to go bankrupt, but they choose to stay in business. Bravo for them!

I do.

At least one of the Fantasy class had individual stateroom access points. Carnival was head of the curve.

But there are no chair hogs? Starlink doesn't sell domes, but the antennas can certainly operate inside of domes, as long as they are transparent to the specific frequencies. Will last longer, too.