Tlbecker1

This is what was posted: From a cruise ship hotel manager. This is not me. I have managed Hotels on cruise ships for nearly 30 years; 28 different ships for 18 different cruise lines. I have had 10s of thousands of tipped crew working for me over the years. Every few months we get some guest who thinks it’s cute to tip with strange currencies or denominations. The crew brings the odd bills and coins to me to see if I can change them for something that’s is useful to them. They cannot take the strange currencies home, as they cannot change them there. Many times they cannot find time or a location to change them during the cruise. Generally the crew purser will not accept any unusual coins or bills from the crew. So the crew is usually just stuck with them. After smiling at you when you hand them the strange bank note, they only remember the nitwit who thought he / she was being cute. $2 bills are a total challenge for a crew member to use.

We have done the Taste of Royal on the Ovation last year and enjoyed it a lot. We also will be on the Quantum starting on 8-22 for a B2B and we’re thinking about doing it again.

I agree with you. Someone posted about not giving crew members $2 bills. I would hope that they would be happy with anything, since I know that many don’t tip at all.

We always do $2 for a drink also.

Good point. I use our DP340 number, C&A number and sometimes no number to see what works for the best rate.

I am really sorry that you are stressed. I would just do a emed home test whenever it is most convenient for me. A lot less stress IMO.

We also go directly to all of the activities to sign the waivers needed. It used to be nice doing them before the cruise even started.

We really loved the Odyssey gift shop. So many different things to purchase, that the other ships don’t have.

Keep in mind that from what I have read on other posts, it is hard to get a hold of anyone if you have a problem. Cheaper isn’t always better.

Absolutely! Top notch!

The only port that we live close to is Seattle. It is still a 3-1/2 hour drive, but the Alaska cruises are usually pretty expensive unless you enjoy inside rooms.

And expect great entertainment, shows, food, etc.

Good point, I only noticed that it was a 4N cruise.

Maybe have your friends call Royal and ask if there are any rooms available? It doesn’t hurt to ask. There are OV rooms available on a TA website that starts with a “C”.

I just tried to book one. It isn’t showing up on Royal’s website. It is only 19 days away, so it makes sense that there are not any available rooms.

I hope so!

I had a crew member thank me for giving him a $2 bill. He said that he was saving them for his kids. I also have enjoyed not packing 1’s, due to that would be at least $10 a day and if we do 3-7 day cruises that is $210 in 1’s.

I am hoping that they last us a while, but I doubt it. We have 8 cruises booked through December. Love the vouchers!

You jersey girls and us Oregonians!

We just went to the bank today to get $100 in $2’s today.

When we renew our license, we also receive a paper copy and don’t receive an original for 2 weeks.

I wouldn’t be concerned about emed. My DH and myself have used them 10 times and have never had any issues. We even used them in Italy with no problems. You don’t make appts. with emed, you just contact them and start the process, it has never taken us over 20 minutes.

We have never had any of our suitcases damaged on the ship. We have on the airlines of course!

From the ship to Venice airport. Enjoy your trip!