Time4Ama

I completely agree with you all....cash is number 1! [emoji4] Our gratuities were pre-paid through a promo offer however we still handed our steward an additional tip each day. [emoji106] .....and sometimes a tiny trinket of love because that is what we wanted to do.

I too worked through college in a 'service' job and worked for those tips. Yup, the gifts were nice but sure couldn't pay my water bill with a candle. I recognized that this was that persons way of showing appreciation...so be it.

I just don't think that it is necessary to make hurtful comments in explaining that cash is preferred. What they want is cash....what you choose to do is your choice. :-)

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[ I know this is an older thread and I am not trying to be personal but I am with Laurie, someone from Indonesia or Peru etc. is not interested in a bead from Boise. ]

I guess I just will never understand why some feel the need to 'get personal' and put others down. You did exactly that, put someone else down. :-(

I agree with cash being best but is it really necessary to belittle others? The 'bead from Boise' comment ...ouch!

Let's be nice to one another, shall we? And by the way, some staff DO appreciate 'trinkets' and some do not. I just received a card in the mail from our room steward with a beautiful pic of her family thanking me for the lotions and extra cash we left for her.

We are all different and unique and show appreciation in many ways....and that's OK. [emoji4]

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Definitely use 2-1/2 gallon zip bags. (Packing cubes are fancier and cost more but are not see through). This saved us with TSA. They checked our bags....took stuff out!!! Bras and panties, hubby's undies: all packed tightly in zip bags. They were examined and squished and then put back. Can you imagine if not in zip bags? Yuck! I couldn't believe what I was watching. From now on ALL my stuff is rolled and packed tightly in bags.

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We just finished a 7 day cruise and packed clothing came out beautifully! My suggestions are to use packing cubes or even 2 gallon ziplock bags for undies, bras, socks, ect. When TSA goes through your bags...those things stay intact. :-) I wrapped shoes in bags along the edge of the suit case....filling them with bagged small toiletries, ect. I rolled (tightly) most of everything else, except dockers/pants. I hung everything as soon as possible...plenty of hangers provided! I used Downy Wrinkle Release for the very few things that appeared wrinkled. AND, just to share....the room steward will have your dress shirt pressed for you! [emoji4][emoji106]

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We picked a cabin that was not close to activity or noise. We picked R214 and it was wonderful!

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We just completed a 7 day Alaska cruise on the Princess Ruby. We stayed in a balcony room in the front: Rivera R214. It was perfect! Not much movement, under the the Lotus Spa so no noise. The 1st sea day was a tiny bit choppy. Hubby had no problems while I had a patch because I know I don't handle motion well (car, plane, etc). It was nice to go out on the balcony and see the awesome length of the ship!

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Our first cruise was wonderful! We were impressed with the embarkation and disembarkation process. The staff was helpful and pleasant...most of them at least. Our room steward kept our room fresh each time we stepped out of it. We gave her a small bag of gifts (items produced from our area: almonds, raisins, dried fruit, etc...with a $5 bill tucked in too). The staff in the DaVinci and Michaelangelo were spot on wonderful!

The Horizon Buffett was upsetting. Rarely could tables be found, the selections were pretty much the same each day, and most of the staff were clueless. We were approached by wait staff each breakfast asking if we wanted coffee and juice and replied Yes. Coffee was poured into our cups but then they picked up our juice glasses by grabbing them at the top, by the rim...the area we would sip from. :-/. We watched them pick up dirty dishes, utensils, scrape food and then come over to grab juice cups without washing (or using sanitizer, required of us though) before touching what was going into our mouths. We didn't drink the juice. We explained why and always said no to juice from then on. We actually stopped going there after being yelled at on Thursday. I was leaving and was told by one attendant to exit on the right....then that attendant said no, exit on the left. Nobody entering, nobody there except an attendant so I just walked through to go find a seat...was 6 steps into the dining room when this attendant hollered 'Ma'am' 3 times and shouted that I needed to come back and exit the other way. So humiliating, all eyes from the area on me as I was scolded!

We had an incident in the jewelry shop where I was looking for a ring to purchase while an attendant, svan was rude and making mocking gestures about me while I intently looked at the jewelry. My husband stood by the door waiting for me and watching this rude man. Hubby called me over and the we left. So rude!

Another incident was in the Fusion, when I attempted to get a drink. The bartender (washing glasses behind the bar) asked if I had the package, I told her no. She then asked to see my shop card (blue). She gave it back and told me to find a seat and she would send a server over in 10 minutes. I sat down and as I was telling my husband we had 10 minutes, a male cruiser approached her. Showed her his gold card, and promptly got 4 drinks made for him. I went back to the bar and politely asked for a drink again to once again be told that I needed to be patient and to just wait.

We tipped 1, 2, 5 dollars when we felt we wanted to show appreciation even though our package came with pre-paid tips. Yes, money was appreciated far and above small gifts. Our first cruise was eye-opening. Beautiful, mostly fun, and, at times, difficult. I'm glad we did it but doubt we will again.

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Oh my goodness! It just gets better and better! Thanks for sharing the great info! [emoji106][emoji4][emoji177][emoji171]

Thanks! Now the 175 days of waiting for our first cruise just seem longer! [emoji53]

Wow! Thanks for the input and the great pics Mellowmarshmom! My girls actually picked up a cute Coach lanyard and cross body at our local outlet. Super sweet gifts...on sale as well [emoji106][emoji6] Your VB's are way more color, love it! Thanks again for the input. :-)

Thanks for the input Laurie S, Honesty is wonderful...and so is gentleness. :-) My friends that are 'crew staff' agree with you: cash is a wonderful #1 gift, hands down. [emoji106] The input I have received from each of these 5 friends is that if a trinket item, or a treat, or a gift other then $ was given it would be received graciously. It would be perhaps shared with others, saved, sent home to the family with the story of who gave it, or trashed. I just feel that what one person ( or set of crew staff) feels shouldn't dictate the feelings for all. We are all unique and show love and appreciation in each of our unique ways...and that's ok.

Travelwiser13, Thank you for your heart-felt suggestion. It's a cute idea! I'm sorry Laurie was so abrupt in her response. :-( I get the point of what she (and others) are pointing out but, as you stated, it was a suggestion to be taken or left. The Golden Rule speaks volumes when interacting with others. When traveling, I do both: tip AND leave a small memento. If they toss it or keep it, their choice. :-) I don't let the opinions of others change who I am or what I like to do.

Thanks for all of the great input! I have decided to wear one....and proudly! [emoji6]. My sweet hubby won't, not his thing, no big deal. I agree with you Gut2407, lots of cruise pics show people wearing them: new cruisers and seasoned cruisers. No worries here, just going to have tons of fun!

Here is my initial rev of a beverage package evaluator - if you see items that are incorrect/missing, please let me know so I can improve this spreadsheet. All of the soda/water/juice prices are estimates for now, I can't seem to find current actual prices. Hope this is useful!

Thank you so much! DH and I are scheduled for our first cruise 6/19 to Alaska on the Ruby. He does not drink but I enjoy a glass of wine,many even a martini at times. I was wondering if a beverage page would be too costly. Your info helps, thanks!

Thanks Griffy, that is exactly what I was thinking of when I said 'ditch' it. [emoji6] I wear a laynard for work and ditch it in my top when I'm working with kids (with grabby hands) and then have it handy for doors when needed. [emoji106] Great advice! That scenario would be frustrating...can hardly wait. :-/

Thanks for the input Arvin! And yes, great idea to ditch the thing while off ship. [emoji6]

Thanks for the input! We are booked on the Princess Ruby and we are flying into the destination port. We were unable to arrive a day earlier but booked airfare through Princess to arrive the early morning of...so hoping for the best. :-/ Thanks for the tips, learning a lot here. [emoji106]

To Laynard or Not To Lanyard...

I am going on my first cruise and Yes, I am getting a laynard. I really don't care if I am branded a newbie for doing so. My question is: the cruise card, is it the same size as a DL? I want to be sure the pouch will be the right size.