Tin can

It was a few years ago now, not sure what terminal it was but we were queuing outside which stretched to near a multi storey car park. Inside was just as bad, it was an Easter cruise so maybe just a bad day for Port Canaveral.

I know that ships that sail out of the UK pay the staff more than they do out of the US. Our minimum wage here in the UK does not apply to the staff in UK waters so this doesn’t replace the lower tips earned. In the good times pre covid it was difficult to get staff here in the UK who could, and perhaps would prefer to be, in the Caribbean.

There can be a lot of activity in and out of the crew areas with doors slamming, just something to be wary of.

I agree, don't be pressurised into tipping however the odd tip to the bar staff does improve the overall experience in my opinion, you are remembered and get a better pour. Whether this is right or wrong is a whole different conversation but it is an American ship with American customs so as someone from the UK where tipping isn't customary I accept it as how it is.

Just out of interest if you have a table for two that isn't near other similar tables how do you find the service. My fear, perhaps unfounded, is the larger tables would get the service and attention from the servers.

Great news, I thought that would be the case. Enjoy your cruise!

I think there is a mono rail from the airport to the city centre in Bologna that takes about 5 minutes if the RCCL shuttle only goes to the airport.

Absolutely right, I can't remember the ship but there was a row of three tables for two people near our table for four. After a couple of nights there was a bit of interaction between the three couples but also privacy for the couples to talk alone. It seemed the best of both worlds to me.

I printed a big card myself with the ship and destinations on it and superimposed my wife's and sons head on to people at these destinations. It wasn't difficult to do and was very funny even if I do say so myself, they were confused initially and then very excited so it had the right effect.

This might not be the general opinion but we found Port Canaveral very poor for embarkation and disembarkation. Long queues and chaos at both, on boarding we were lining up outside in the car park and it was just as disorganised inside. Boarding and disembarking Spendour in Dubai was our best experience but of a course a smaller ship so less passengers.

Thats great thank you for that, all bases covered by the look of it.

Seemed to be the best time for MTD on our last cruise after letting the mad rush when it first opened die down.

They will certainly sort it on the phone or at the port. We messed something up regarding covid vaccines/paperwork on the App in May on Anthem and were technically denied boarding but this was quickly sorted at the port. I wouldn't be concerned about this, its an obvious mistake that will be rectified.

Good to hear, we are on Anthem next spring with Independence there as well and we were concerned it might be too much.

We have bought local speciality cakes on board before with no issue.

If they have then I think they are making a mistake and misjudging the market. Marella cruises here in the UK is gaining market share with an inferior product (in my opinion) and is not too dissimilar in price to RCCL as they capitalise on 'tips included'. Tips strike fear into a lot of folks over here in the UK, as bizarre as it might sound to the majority here from the US I know people who have booked a cruise line solely on the basis of the tips included.

I think you are right, the X Ray machine will struggle to identify what it is. I can only see hassle trying to get it on a plane from JFK to Heathrow.

Its terrible to see, as you say Royal should just include them in the cost of the cruise. Thats we we do when booking a cruise, we just add it into our own calculations for the overall total cost. I wouldn't mind but the staff completely deserve it but you probably know as well as me what a very volatile conversation this can turn into with our fellow countrymen who don't (or won't) understand the concept.

Thanks for the tip, looks about a 10 min walk from our hotel on the Waterfront when we stay post cruse in April so will check it out.

Thank you for confirming that, I wasn't sure how it all worked.

Very common on UK cruises, we (and I can use 'we' being British myself) generally as a nation just can't get our heads round the concept. We have been to the States many times now on holiday and cruised many times with Royal so understand and just accept the concept and tend to leave a bit extra on the last night.

Do you ever get given these on the actual ship you earned it on. We are UK based and will reach 140 points on Anthem next April and whilst looking forward to it being awarded I could see it causing issues at JFK with a solid glass block in hand luggage.

That was our experience the first time we were on Anthem but for our cruise in May it was reservations only.

Interesting question, I have never seen or even heard of anyone winning really big in a RCCL casino. I guess it must happen though and I'm also guessing the payout is in cash as who would be authorised on board to sign a large cheque.

On Anthem in May when we still had restrictions of 3 day negative tests etc there was a tribute band and a full compliment of musicians and singers around the ship so I'm not sure why this would be different to the original poster on Ovation at the same time. I feel for the musicians who were hit very hard during covid, the Caribbean band on Anthem had a tips jar which personally I have never seen before but even on a UK cruise I and many others contributed.