saminina

Your knowledge exceeds mine. I've lived under delusion that crew on Explora are paid flat salary when signing a contract. The crew does not expect gratuities. It is not a separate line item. If a segment has ten or 900 passengers, crew are paid flat rate. Of course, any passenger can do what they want to do for tipping individuals. It is contrary to the original intent of all inclusive and why crew fund is popular to express gratitude.

There is only one spot to get the accurate head count.

I'm sticking with the problems originate off the ship. Ask to speak with GM or F&B manager. Glad I brought on maple syrup, toilet paper, facial tissue and a supply of cab.

Wave when passing by Explora.....if we're anywhere close. Looking forward to boarding Serenity next month.

That is a no-no. Host lifestyle fund is a yes-yes. No way you would know about it unless asking guest services.

It is unfortunate to have been on the earliest segments. Passengers being at different stages in life, your comments make total sense. Lots of errors on corporate level, but on board management is empowered and has been spectacular IMO. Way too early to predict how this plays out. Suits me fine at the moment. Looking forward to being on board Crystal Serenity next month which for my purposes is the only real competing product today. Strong emphasis on TODAY.

Current passenger count is 528. About 10% being children and most under 12 years age. From today's paper agenda. Dress Code at Fine Dining Outlets "Let's elevate our dining experience with a touch of smart casual flair. The smart casual style combines tailored essentials with relaxed pieces. Think tailored trousers or skirts paired with polished tops or shirts. Please avoid shorts and flip-flops. Because good taste extends beyond menu."

Reference made to this thread and not a particular post.

Isn't this entire thread based on "I was told"? Followed by "never able to verify."

Much prefer table setup in Silver Note on Moon. Very few would notice.

25 thousand tax free dollars sounds good. Party on.....sign me up for another contract. So I would have said in 1952. You can even adjust for inflation, but I demand to be on a ship built after 2010.

Using the in suite phone, can someone advise the per minute cost? Thanks!

Multiply 5 times a day and the feeling sorry begins to wear thin. It is not a bad gig.

Rather foolish of me to buy into a third party story as though it is new policy. If this pay scheme was created after contracts were signed, shame on spa operator. I'm tending toward "much ado about nothing." Who'd have thought such a story could be created in the spa area?

It is a horrible situation for the staff and an unpleasant position for the passengers. Neither are powerless in numbers. SB should not be sitting on the fence.

So spa staff will swim off ships. Beyond being well informed of the policy, it really is not any of my business. Last two haircuts, I wanted to go back next day and reduce the gratuity. The hair cutters I liked returned to Azamara. Quality staff will disappear if not worth the time spent on board. Same for passengers.

Lots of people feel this way. But not as many people that feel same way about the other two lines that seem to not have gone the deep discount route and hustling there cruises thru agents offering deeper discount packages. Seabourn suits because I am a cheapskate and have great on board benefits not available to me on the other two lines.

During October the count was about 350. I have not noticed it going on the heavy discount list.

I prefer tenders that have no A/C. Avoids arguments over where thermostat should be set.

I'll take Natalia any evening over some kind of show or piano player. She is a pianist. Do not confuse the two. Bingo-art auctions? Thankfully, not even close to happening on Explora. Or any other ship on our list.

Why keep harping about food? SB customers tend to be happy with the "we had a good time anyway" motto. Much of the quality crew of a few years ago figured out what loyal passengers have not.

Enjoy the sevruga. Maybe they've gone back to something more QG worthy.

Exactly......it's not a problem. On the side is as close as it gets to my plates. I order for the underlying product and expect no sauce required. Especially anything fishy.

You are correct about living in a dream world with Explora. That is why now is the right time to sail with them. It is why we have booked less popular itineraries near term. For me, the ship is the destination and right now the cuisine value cannot be beat on land or sea. Low passenger count makes the decision easy for me. Of course, this cannot last forever. They will do nicely with 630 (70%) passengers. I'll be out before that happens.

It's a punch in the gut to see you could have paid less for a cruise. But why waste energy overthinking it? It offered fair value at the time of purchase, yes? The hurt to me is that if sale is successful, passenger load goes up and I do not want to be on this ship with more than 500. We added two cruises with the sale on probably not so popular itineraries.