Hutcha

On 10/2/2022 at 12:59 AM, 4-2-N-8 said:

Also, will restaurants be able to accommodate ten to a table? Sounds like the good views in Coastal Kitchen should expect to be taken by the Pinnacle members ahead of Star class. That's a shame.

I would not expect a Pin to get a table head of you. For CK, I think this is the biggest table they have. If you need 10, I think they would push some tables together.

Chef's table is just ok. They basically take food that's available in specialty restaurants and put a little twist on it. Not necessarily a better twist. In June, on Harmony, we were there for 4 hours! 

Yes, you can. Also, consider the water park cabana, because it includes water park access for six.

On 9/11/2022 at 10:33 AM, Ginlady said:

What are some of the common afternoon snacks that people generally ask for and can these be varied daily through discussion with our Genie (who I understand is called Alexa)? 
4. I don’t like the idea of too much structure and being locked into multiple dinner reservations (apart from a couple I’d like to try like the Chefs Table and Wonderland) or activities, preferring to ‘see what I feel like’ on the day, etc. Can we do this? Are our chances of getting a table relatively good? 

You'll want to lock in Chef's table and the hibachi as soon as possible. The rest is flexible. The genie can most likely get you reservations for that night if you let her know in the morning. 

First off, welcome to Royal and welcome to Star class. For some great information, head over to that site that rhymes with Base Book. Search for "Star Class Cruisers".

It is ridiculous, but they will not (usually) bring bottles to your room, unless you pay for them. There is a discount on wine (20 or 40%). They will deliver 6 saran wrapped glasses, but not the bottle and a half it took to pour them. You can have drinks delivered as much as you want. You may put in a standing order for the whole cruise, or change it day to day. The genie will need some lead time (1-2 hours) to get it done.

For snacks, if it's available on the ship, you can have it delivered. Really, think of anything you would like. Don't forget that you can also have breakfast, lunch and dinner delivered. Dine in your cabin, or have them set up your balcony table. Here are some pics from our last cruise...

Go to the site that rhymes with M@ce book. Search for Star class cruisers.

The main advice you'll get is to forget the gift, and put it to his tip

16 hours ago, little britain said:

It’s only in England and Australia ( I think ) where the price legally has to show the total; so if you buy a drinks package in England for  a Caribbean cruise then you are subject to the lower $13 limit and the additional sum +18% if you go over.

So, the answers given (overage + 18%) are correct for 90-95% of the cruises then. Seeing as the op didn't state where they were cruising from, the given advice stands.

47 minutes ago, little britain said:

Sorry incorrect! If the drink is $16 you get a bill for $2.

Tip is included in the price you pay in England. 

Figures! If anyone would be able to get out of paying a tip........

8 hours ago, planaholic said:

however, I’ve just read on one of the info pages on the app that 18% gratuity is automatically added to your drinks bill.

This is true. If your drink is under $14, the bill is 0.

If it's $16 they will give you a bill for $2, plus 18% on the $2

Last year, I got a beginners scuba dive for $69pp (reg around $109), private photo shoot with 5 retouched prints for $150, Water park cabana with 6 passes for $700, and a water park pass for $49.

2 hours ago, poocher said:

My guess is what she thought happened and what security found were not quite the same.  In no way implying that she lied, just that it didn’t happen as she posted.  

Maybe she jumped overboard, because she was stricken with grief...

There's a very nice Mercedes SUV, sitting in the garage of the airport near me. Covered in dust. Plates expired over a year ago. Got to wonder what happened to the owner? Maybe this will be something like that.

On 8/30/2022 at 1:50 PM, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

That is not even close what is in the local news paper.

Can you give a reference? Numbers? Anything???

23 hours ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Was in the local paper today. Check again. A lot more expensive than you indicate for only a year plus that does not include a lot.

What the OP didn't factor in was the purchase price. You can, however, sell your lease when you're finished. 

$113.7K a year (538sq/ft unit) for 2 people is all inclusive. That assumes you're onboard for 365 days. If you only want to cruise 6 months out of the year, and their predictive rental income is correct, you'd pay $38.5K for the year, or $6.5k a month.

Welcome to the board. 

First, I would put any weight into what one call center rep says. They are often under trained and ill-informed. As far as the "Sale", prices rarely change from sale to sale. The 30% off means little. The kids sail free can sometimes benefit, but I've seen a lot of reports of it not changing the price.

8 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

"It does add up" sounds like a complaint to me.  But you do you.

YAY for you! One post closer!!

I broke it down for you

4 hours ago, molly361 said:

I wouldn't think so if saying a buck and a half a day is that important  Just sayin😇

4 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

True! Though for some increase alone could add up.

22 minutes ago, jolly3 said:

It's been a while since we've cruised and a lot of things have changed. Can you still opp out of having gratuities automatically added to you bill and tip with cash in envelopes at end of cruise?

Yes you can, however a lot of people that receive the gratuities would not get them. Behind the scenes folks, Windjammer, etc. Also, it's been reported that your waiter and room steward are "supposed to" turn their tips into the pool. Why they would lie about that escapes me. It only would incentivize you to not tip them directly

38 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

That's like complaining that you are paying twice as much as Joe Blow is paying, when he is cruising for one week and you are cruising for two.

 

Or another way to look at your "reasoning":  You are solo in the cabin for all those weeks.  Your cabin steward is only getting one person's "auto grats".  

 

So, if I were you, I would..................ST.................

Where do you get that they are complaining??? They are only saying that with 75 days of cruising booked, prepaying before the increase saves more than a couple of bucks. As a side not they mention that they DO tip extra, and they are easy, with few needs.

Maybe slow down and read, on your race to 100K posts.....or maybe....... ST? 

This should not be a "too bad, so sad" situation. If you leave a bag behind, someone rifles through it and takes $100 cash, Is that not stealing? If security can track down door magnet thieves (also things left in a public space) they can track who took your voucher!! If it shows that the same person who touched/took your bag also cashed in the voucher, bye-bye thief!

Popcorn anyone? 🍿🍿

2 hours ago, cruise_co said:

The dinner is included, the wine pairing is not. We are sailing in 2 weeks. Our genie told us to pre-book it because it sells out fast. He will reimburse the cost minus the $25 per person wine charge. 

I can confirm this. Did it in June. 

On 8/3/2022 at 9:05 PM, marktwothousand said:

$100 should MOSTLY cover what it would have cost for the extra drinks pack…which if I am not mistaken is not cheap to buy daily!

$18/day to upgrade, which is significantly cheaper than the premium plus on NCL

All of the above also depends if you're Star class also. 

"Worth it" is very subjective, and varies per person. My June RC cruise had it included, so I didn't have to think about it. My Feb cruise on NCL had the drink package included (like most), but I did a lot of back and forth on whether or not I would upgrade it to the Premium Plus package. It was a significant upcharge. In my research, I came across quite a few things that made me think. I may not have recouped my money, but it was nice not having to think about what to order (NCL has a lot of selections not covered under the standard package).

What it comes down to is this.... Do you mind having to make the trip to the suite lounge for a drink? Do you usually only have that one glass of wine at dinner? What about a mimosa with breakfast or Miami Vice by the pool? If you're the type that's going to count how many drinks you order, and kick yourself if you don't recoup your outlay, don't do it. If you have the attitude that you may come up short (and it sounds like you may), but you like the convenience and freedom, then do it.

1 hour ago, robmtx said:

We do like settle in around 10:30. I know there are shows in the theater that start at 10:15 or 10:30 --- so for others who've stayed in ATS, there's no noise from theater in the bedroom portion of the suite?

No noise in either bedroom. With the balcony door closed, the noise is very muffled in the living room. Keep in mind all of the perks when bidding. Not just the dining and drink package. Tips are included (except for the genie), laundry, Wi-fi for each guest, Starbucks, front of line privileges for flow rider, zip line, bumper cars, iFly, north star. Food and drinks delivered to your room whenever you like. Showing up to the theater 10 mins before the show starts, and getting the best seats in the house. The genie is indispensable. They are your sole point of contact for anything you need done on the ship. 

19 hours ago, vjmatty said:

 

You know, this is often the reason for how travel staff in other countries treat Americans. I mean as long as you are good with this....

Yeah, I'm good with it. I've never received bad service because my countrymen are known to be bad tippers. I've seen many a poster in these tipping threads that complain about the service they receive, once their accent is heard. Even though they've always followed the custom of the country they're in

3 hours ago, hotsauce126 said:

I can’t believe people are trying to defend the practice of adding tax at checkout when it absolutely is deceptive to the customer when the US is the odd one out on it. Yes we’re used to it but that doesn’t make it a good system

The US doesn't have a national sales tax. It varies by state, and in some places is zero. It's not deceptive if it's a practice that's been in place for decades. It may catch you off guard the first time you visit, but once you know, you know. Given the choice of paying 0-7% of sales tax in the US or 20%+ of VAT, would you choose the VAT because you don't see it?