Mum2Mercury

It's not JUST housekeeping services ... it's this PLUS a whole lot of other cutbacks. Taking away services so that they alienate customers doesn't seem like the right plan either. I'm actually surprised at how many people on the board are saying this doesn't matter to them. But that wasn't an ice machine open to the general public. Workers aren't likely to be the people who think it's funny to pee in ice machines -- that's late-night drunks. They know ... they're searching for the sweet spot between cutting services and keeping customers. Honestly, though, I think they've gone a step too far in raising tips while cutting services.

I've always thought people were trying to gauge whether they were doing "enough" or "too much", especially new people. How are they to know if they don't ask? It seems to me that the workplace as a whole has become a whole lot less friendly and less fun over the last decade. Nah, some people brag about pulling their auto-tips and dividing them as they see fit -- even saying they don't care if this means stiffing some staff who've worked hard for them behind the scenes. This is where I'm hung up: They JUST raised gratuities, now they're removing service. One or the other would be acceptable, but not both. I wouldn't mind filling my own bucket, but if I'm doing this task, I'd expect tips to decrease to reflect the service I'm no longer getting.

The worst will be people who have babies /toddlers in diapers. Their trash cans will be bad. Yes, this is one of the things I've been wondering about -- I want a paper Compass. Agree with piss-poor decision. Doubly so because they just raised the cost of tips, now they slash the service. I'm sure they don't -- few people want to give poor service at their jobs, but with more cabins to clean, that's the likely outcome. Agree, and -- while that's a small thing -- we'll miss the towel animals. I don't see how they manage to do it all on turn-around day now -- this will put more on their shoulders. I suspect we'll be waiting longer for our cabins to be ready. Disagree ... right now we're getting one good clean in the morning + a touch-up around dinner time. What we're losing is the touch-up, but it will sting. Trash cans not emptied, towels not replaced, used glassware not removed. You're not wrong.

Several reasons: - We have an 8-hour drive ahead of us, and we want to get started down the road. - Not all flights are the same price, and some people will try to hit a time-window that'll allow them to take advantage of lower prices. - Some of us are fortunate enough to be retired, but many people have to go to work the next day, and they want to get home and prepare. - If you wait, the departure lines are longer. - Not much point in staying on the ship with all the amenities (except breakfast) closed down. And you're kicked out of your room.

Yeah, doesn't matter what company you're talking about ... final dollar math is the only way to go. Makes me think about buying a car: Me: I only want to talk about the final, total, out-the-door price. Salesman: Okay, what kind of monthly payment are you comfortable with? Me: I only want to talk about the final, total, out-the-door price. Salesman: I see, but you must have a price range in mind. Me: This car. I only want to talk about the final, total, out-the-door price. Salesman: And do you have a trade in? Me: I only want to talk about the final, total, out-the-door price. Salesman: And let's go ahead and talk about financing first. Let's be sure you qualify. Me: Dude, I can do this all day -- I only want to talk about the final, total, out-the-door price.

Yes, DIY is the way to go! Our artist daughter made us lovely goldfish -- just paint on a piece of poster board. I asked her to keep them moderately small (so they'd fit into a small-sized manila envelope) and easy to transport. She made us two kissing goldfish with several "bubbles" to float above them. Once they were done /cut out, I ran them through my small laminator with (free) magnets from various pizza and dog grooming businesses on the back side. Our goldfish store in the manila envelope, and the magnets are literally attached, so setting them up is quick and easy -- and no need to search for magnets each time. Definitely. I particularly enjoy the door decorations when we're smack-dab in the middle of a long hallway. Other people have told me, "I look for your goldfish, and I know I'm two doors down."

You're right, but I hope everyone would be smart enough to "do the math" before buying. For us, this is the best price we've seen (recently, I mean). Doesn't mean that's true of every cruise.

Or the better time slots. Many excursions run a morning and an afternoon option, and most people prefer to get up and do the morning excursion ... then have the afternoon for a meal and shopping on shore ... or a late lunch back on the ship, then the afternoon at the pool.

Yes, small differences between rooms in the same categories (for example, standard balcony vs. large balcony) is an easy way to "go wrong".

I'm all about watching for price drops, and I'll make two comments on this: - When you call and ask for a price drop, they'll almost always say, "Yes, we have a price drop. Wouldn't you like to bump up to a nicer room?" Just consider ahead of time whether this is what you want so you'll have your answer ready. - Be 1000% sure you've done your math right. Check it twice, write it out and have that note pad in front of you. A relative of mine recently called and HAD IT OUT with a Royal phone person ... only to realize his math was wrong. Oops.

They don't always respond the same way to your requests. I think it's because different dining teams (different ships) handle them differently: - When we cruised Explorer in October I emailed about a specific, unique dining need. Their team responded ASAP and gave us exactly what we needed. - When we cruised Indy in December I emailed about the same specific, unique dining need. No one answered, and we were assigned to an MDR table that didn't work for us. Once on board, I went to the MDR ... supervisor? and he immediately switched us to an ideal table. They definitely took care of us, but that two-weeks-ahead email was wasted effort. Having said that, I have a "cruise template" that I made for us -- it includes our checklist of "must dos" and our packing list. I still have a line item for "Email MDR dining team", but my expectations are lower now.

Well, everything cruise-related's more expensive in the summer months.

Today is national Margarita day -- weird, huh? Anyway, Royal is offering the Beverage Package BOGOHO today only ... so for our October cruise the Beverage Package is $65.99 + 18% tip = $77.86/day, which extrapolates into $545.08 for the week. BUT with BOGOHO, that's $817.61 total for a couple. Figures out to about $58/person/day. Still a pile of money for drinks, but less than usual. Again, today only: Wednesday, February 22, 2023.

They used to allow the second person to have soda package. Is that over? Yes, they used to have a beer-and-wine-only package that was cheaper than the everything package.

Thing is, if you want chairs a deck above the pool, they're just not hard to find. Even multiple chairs.

Agree ... but they're not offering half the service for the same gratuity. No, they're offering half the service for a recently-increased gratuity!

It was $3.55 before gratuities went up -- we haven't seen a new tips schedule. Consider, too, this is per person, so the cabin steward is probably getting close to $8/day for cleaning a two-person cabin. Assuming everyone tips (and that isn't going to happen), a steward who cleans 25 2-person rooms in a week earns $1400 + room and board. Hard work, but not bad money for a job that doesn't require anything except hard work and friendliness. BUT this isn't Royal's biggest concern. Agree. Stiffing the little guy is not the answer. Do people have to fold out sofa beds themselves in hotels? I can't say I remember doing that. I'm also not aware of hotels cutting out daily service -- except Disney, where they offer a gift card for in exchange for foregoing daily service. How do you find the steward mid-day? They aren't always on the hall. I must admit I love ice, and I've noted a shortage on my last two cruises -- in the Windjammer and promenade Coke machine, I mean. I never actually ask for it in my room. I don't mind walking /picking up fresh ice when I want ti. Agree.

How old is your toddler? I ask because a 15-month old is quite different from a three-year old. Regardless, I'd suggest having the toddler out walking, to the playground, whatever after dinner to WEAR HIM OUT REALLY WELL! So he will sleep quickly and soundly. Consider getting a balcony room. Put the toddler down, then you have the balcony as "your space". It's considerably cheaper than a second room for the toddler. Some rooms have a curtain divider, which can be pulled between the bed and the seating area. This would give you a very small space, and you'd have to be quiet on your side of the divider until the child's asleep. I've read about some people bringing a shower curtain to create more of a barrier. If your child's still in a Pack-n-Play, here's a trick my daughter has used -- this assumes a balcony: Set the Pack-n-Play against the wall and bring the curtain over the top of it. This essentially creates a little, separate space for the toddler, and it allows you to move about the stateroom (quietly) and keep the lights on. Something we did when our kids were small -- though this would require you to be in a larger room /I'd think Junior Suite at the least. We brought along a small pop-up tent and put the kids down to bed in the tent. They loved having their own tiny space. I really would not pay for a second connecting room for a single toddler. It's just too much.

This is old -- from before the increase in gratuities:

It is a tiny issue. If someone hadn't given me the towel clips, I never would have bought them. More than keeping towels in place, they make it easy to find your chair in a sea of identical-colored towels. But they are far, far from a need.

No one thinks he or she is voting here, but we do know that Royal (at least sometimes) reads these boards, and hopefully they're hearing the dissatisfaction with this choice. Carry dirty dishes up the elevator (other guests will love that), and then do what with them? Hand them to the Washy-Washy staff? Agree ... it'd be wrong to take this out on the little guy, the cabin steward. Yes, pulling out the sofa beds is particularly going to pose a problem. I know opinions differ, but I don't get the point in having the bed made just before you get into it. I'll be in and out of the room all day, and I don't want the bed a mess. Thinking this through: - They just raised the cost of daily tips. - Now they're lowering the service (for non-suites). - How can Royal justify those two choices? - Yes, the cabin steward will receive more money (assuming everyone tips), but -- with double the cabins -- he's going to work for it. Since the suite gratuities are only slightly higher than regular rooms, 2Xs a day service is quite a bargain. But someone still has to look at the list of people who want the Compass, pick them up, deliver them. Small tasks add up. Assuming one is in a balcony cabin.

I definitely want "morning service", which would include the bed made, trash emptied, any dishes removed, and the bathroom freshened. Evening can be more of a "refresh", but it's absolutely necessary. I don't really care if the bed is turned down, but I want the trash emptied again and any dishes removed. And a paper Compass left on the bed. Agree, but this is really a reduction in service. At home I have a larger bathroom, and my towels are stretched out over a large bar where they can actually dry. And we're not talking JUST about towels. No one is a fan of dishes outside the door. Or left in the cabin. That's one reason we need the evening service. I definitely want a paper Compass. Always.

Having a Playmakers onboard would be a point towards Mariner -- it's my husband's favorite. Doing both would be ideal! Looking at the longer cruise is reasonable -- if for no reason other than to make the most of the cost to get to your port city. Hey, Royal, these are the right prices for day beds /cabanas! Are you listening? Hey, I'm doing the same! I retired from teaching high school last June -- but the teacher shortage is very real, and my old high school has many empty classrooms. I'm working three days a week as a "permanent sub" in a study hall, where the students are enrolled in an online class.

Doors too. We like to divide our daily meds into tiny plastic baggies that're easy to carry in a pocket or purse. Rather than leaving your personal identification in an unattended suitcase, scan the passport and email the image to yourself. In the unlikely case you have an emergency, you could pull up your email in any emergency office where you find yourself. I've never noticed this! Absolutely true. Aside from your clothing and documents, you need very little. You already have a suitcase -- it's a perfect hamper. Just put it in the bottom of your closet and toss in your clothes. On the last day, zip it up, and you're packed. Zero reason to bring an extra item. Consider that, even if seasickness on the big ship isn't a problem for you, small boats can make you seasick. If you're going out on a snorkeling excursion, for example, you might need that seasickness med. I like crystalized ginger because it works INSTANTLY. Great for car sickness too. Absolutely -- reserving resources you aren't actually using makes you a jerk. Yes to reading the cruise line's information: - The cruise line would like you to believe you must buy a soda package or NEVER have a soda ... that you must buy a dining package or NEVER eat in a specialty restaurant. - I saw a You Tube review recently in which a well-spoken spokesperson complained he hadn't been aware until mid-way through the cruise that small venues like Park Cafe, El Loco Fresh, etc. were no-cost. No excuse, Dude! That information is printed in your Compass! Absolutely. Anyone can fall and have an accident. I buy travel insurance specifically for medical evacuation protection. No, I'm not likely to need it, but IF I do, the cost is SOOOO high that it's not worth the risk to go without it. Mandatory.

Random thoughts: - The two ships are equal, so no help. - Obviously 6 days are better than 5 days. Even 6 is kinda short. - Can you get the cabin you find most desirable on each ship? - Is one of the departure ports easier for you to reach? Or better in some way? - What's the price difference? - I love a beach day, but I don't 'specially want two in one cruise.