Incognito1

No flame, just a difference of opinion. You do you, and let others choose what works for them. From Mirriam Webster: : something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service especially : TIP added a gratuity for the server We almost always take it off and tip personally. It's usually more than the automatics, but we decide to whom it goes. In the past, we've usually used gift cards, at the initial suggestion of a steward who said he didn't have to turn them in. It would appear from the comments of others that they're no longer required to turn them in (just speculation since no one knows for certain.) We'll still use the gift cards because they're convenient, and cash for meals. I fail to understand the absolute hatred and bitterness some people seem to have when others don't do something their way. There are lines that include it in their fare - people make choices. I'm not going to berate someone for making a different one than mine on an issue so small.

While I understand that haggling is a normal part of some cultures, I don't do it. When the average monthly salary in Belize is ~$800/mo (and that's average, not for unskilled labor), the extra few dollars I might pay for something means a lot less to me than the vendor. Of course, it must be something I'm interested in buying, but I'm not going to haggle someone down to where they're barely covering expenses.

Good to know no burning, looting, or murder. We were a little concerned over the transportation strikes in France, and how they might spread.

Getting out the popcorn... How about we let each person decide what works for them for the gratuity (look up that definition) and not try to make every single one of these threads a battle?

^ This ^. Was tons of fun when a member of our party did it, but like most reality shows, it was a complete set-up. Worth it for the experience, but those initially chosen were often those from a large group who had many to vote for them (and do so loudly). Some of the people are quite good; others are karaoke-passable. It appeared that the winner had already been chosen as the envelope was in the hands of the presenter before voting. On our last cruise, the winner was a justifiable choice - however, she was the last singer, they hyped her up a tremendous amount to the audience, and fawned all over her for several minutes. I felt sorry for the other singers who did not have that "promotion." So, have her do it for the experience. Go to the tryout and clam and woohoo and scream for her as loudly as possible. ETA: She needs to pick a song that gets the audience involved, not necessarily the one that showcases her voice best.

Maybe in the minority, but I like seeing the photos of dogs, flags, statements, beaches, etc show up when I'm waiting for the elevators, playing games, etc Mine's not of a dog, but it's not my own photo except for security.

We're also in a 1A cabin, thinking we would upgrade as it got closer to the date. Guess what? It seems to be near sold out except for the Cove Balcony on deck 2 and GTY interiors. We're just planning to spend a lot of time out of the room 🙂

It would've been kind, though. RCCL sent us an email, called us, and then granted an extension for our FCC due to a cruise with COVID restrictions. We didn't even know we had any (too many canceled cruises at once to keep track of.) Was smart on their part as we booked a cruise with them right away -- sure we didn't pay full price once the FCC was added, but they filled an otherwise empty room and earned a lot of goodwill.

We were wishing we had done that pirate ship excursion on a previous cruise. The actors put on quite the show as people were boarding (seen from our balcony) and I'm sure they were just as enthusiastic on aboard. Plus, they spent several hours on the water - we saw them in many different places throughout the day. It seemed that people were definitely getting their money's worth.

We did not order a custom medallion nor pay for shipping, but received a tracking number for ours, so a freebie. Two free upgrades (started with inside cabin, now mid-ship balcony) and no charge for our medallion shipping. If we get on the ship and find out we have Princess Plus, I will *know* something is going on 😁. I can only guess that maybe it's due to the extensive report we filled out about our last less-than-wonderful cruise. Otherwise, maybe just the luck 'o the Irish!

We usually remove them and pay people directly. And, yes, we tip our waiters at dinner each night. And our steward handsomely (assuming he's great; almost all have been). You do what works for you. And ignore the haters who insist "their" way is the right way. As for rolling it into the cruise fare, it would be taxed completely differently.

However, there are several inexpensive TAs going the other way first. Almost B2Bs. Looking at TA's site right now and there are many for <$100/night. AND the Venezia cruise is showing $519pp! I may have to refare. Wow. Also, as it's first-come, first-serve, do you have any idea where to sign up? I'd like to get in on that.

Just beware that businesses in ports that are listed as accepting the medallion for payment all seemed to have "broken machines" when it comes time to pay and you're stuck paying cash. Found this out the hard way.

Answering that gets you a caution from the CCHost... You can a simple search, but I suspect you already know to what he's referring and you're just trolling.

Interior, yes. Cancun, yes. The western ports and especially Baja California, no. Excepting Tijuana, of course, but if you're not out alone at night or in areas where drugs are grown/sold, you're fine. My partner accidentally stayed in a cartel hotel on his last visit (cab driver recommendation). Everyone was armed, it was loud, but he said he did not feel unsafe.

I took an apple with me in Belize. Tried to feed it to the horse drawing our coach - he wouldn't eat it. The driver laughed and gave it an orange. I'd never seen a horse eat an orange, but he said the horse had probably never seen an apple. But getting through customs, I probably wouldn't take it. I'm sure peanut butter, especially, would trigger the dogs. If it's a blood sugar issue, maybe she could eat just before you get off.

90 days. oops. That's what I meant by hold; if you had to have it for 6 months first. Sorry for poor communication.

Tangentially on topic... We have three cruises in the next two months. The first one, Princess, we have far too much OBC to use up on a TA that we'll mostly be reading out by the pool. Some of it is refundable. The last one is a TA on Carnival, where we have just $300 OBC. Anyone ever move Princess refundable OBC to Carnival? Is that doable? Yeah, we could just wait for our Fall cruise, but there are a few things on the Venezia that I'd rather use OBC than cash for.

I'm guessing that if a lot of people started to do that, Princess would make the hold 6 months instead of 30 days.

If you don't see it, that's fine. I do realize you're in the UK, not the USA, and I think that makes a difference.

$1680 upgrade to Plus for next cruise. Take away grats ($406), Internet ($225) and it's a little over $1000 for drinks (not interested in the specialty dessert or fitness classes). We are close to teetotaling, but might enjoy the juice bar and definitely would make use of coffee. But not a thousand dollars' worth. Everyone has to do their own math - for those who drink a lot of alcohol, it probably makes sense.

If you choose to. You may choose to pre-pay gratuities, pay them onboard with your OBC (if you have some), or take them off completely and tip as you go, choosing where the money goes. There are several threads with pros and cons of each method here on CC, but in the end, you choose what works best for you.

An alternative choice is the Marriott Fairfield in Bremerton, or Hampton Suites there. Hampton is right on the water, about 50 yards from the ferry to Seattle. Nice hotels (we've stayed at both rather than deal with Seattle). You might check their prices.

It's that thing that staves off Central Bank Digital Currencies. (I am purposely staying away from politics, but you can do your own research.)

Deposits, withdrawals, wire transfers, gift cards, money orders, whatever I need. I prefer to use cash as often as possible and also do some business overseas that's best handled through direct bank transfers. I go to a small branch where I'm happy to wait for my favorite teller. She's bright, knows her stuff and knows us. There's a lot to be said for personal service.