Ret MP

I'm with ya 100%. I'm a casual person, as casual as they come. After 20+ years of the Army, getting dressed up in my Class As (the Green suit with all the regalia) I've dedicated myself to not ever wearing a suit again unless specific/special circumstances/occasions like a wedding of funeral arise. Eating a meal on a ship is not one of those specific/special circumstances/occasions, for sure. On the other hand, I enjoy seeing those that do put on their best "Sunday-go-to-meet'in" clothes LOL. And my under or over-cooked Lobster doesn't taste differently, no matter how other people are dressed. I guess some folks are happier sailing on a cruise line like Silversea and be as stuffy as they want to be. But, to be honest, they can do that on RCCL, too.

You're right, Star Class is now insanely priced and I don't think I can afford to book one again for a long time. However, the one I have booked right now, Jan 2024, Harmony, out of Galveston, Star Class, there is 6 of us in the suite, and after everything is added up, it boils down to each couple paying about ~$4,500.00 per couple for a 7-night cruise and we booked it about 2 years ago. I can only think of one other vacation that I enjoy as much as cruising and that is Vegas, baby LOL. And trust me, I would spend a whole lot more than ~$4,500.00 for a 7-night visit there. And I'd get a lot less that is included in the vacation, like meals, adult beverages, entertainment (even if a little subpar to Vagas', with the occasional exception of Comedians, some are Vegas quality), and so on. DISCLAIMER: These are my preferences and opinions, not arguments and/or disagreements, they don't have to be anybody else's. I'm just responding as a discussion (this is a discussion board, right?) to a legitimate comment. Disclaimers are becoming the norm, I guess.

Well, after I said that I was done discussing "Cruise Fare", I didn't mention it again, did I! Please quote me where I did, if I did. So, I don't get your point with that. I think you are reading into something. What I was discussing after I said I was done discussing "Cruise Fare" Gratuity issues and whether there should be separate Gratuities or not, included Gratuities or not, voluntary Gratuities or not. And my OPINION is that Gratuities should be voluntary and based upon service, the quality of service, and the promptness of service, not a flat rate that pays servers the same. I was only responding, not challenging anybody and I don't feel the need to justify anything to you or anybody else. I'm not rude, in most cases, I answer things, and I don't ignore! There is only one person in here that I don't respond to. And you don't know me, you have no idea how much "self-restraint" I have or don't. And please be specific, if you can, where I misused the word "opinion". If I state how I feel about something, isn't that by definition an "opinion"? opinion noun opin·ion ə-ˈpin-yən Synonyms of opinion 1 a : a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter

If I used the MDR and if it wasn't for my wife, I'd be in shorts no matter what venue and what night it was/is.

I don't think I'll ever get to the Pinnacle status, being 71, but I'll passively give it a go. However, I think it is easier, faster, and cheaper to just book Star Class cruises. Double points, Internet for everyone in the cabin at no extra charge, Specialty Restaurants at no extra charge, all Beverage Packages at no extra charge, being treated with a little better luxury, Terminal Arrival Time solely at your discretion, no one says no to you (except ship's officers, that includes the Genie but they will do everything in their power to say, YES!) and so much more. Oh, let's not forget, twice-a-day cabin/suite service LOL. A lot of that is tongue-in-cheek. But, all of it is true.

Unfortunately, that holds true for about 99% of their own employees, too, even though those employees are entrusted with answering our, the consumers, questions. I can only think of one of RCCL's phone answerers that I've talked to that seemed very knowledgeable and was and it was about a decade ago.

I'm done discussing the "Cruise Fare" part of this. However: I don't want everybody to pay the same! I like freedom of choice, I like paying for exceptional service, not substandard service. If you want everyone to pay the same, there should only be one category of cabin, no suites or all suites, no balconies, no windows, and all servers are pre-programmed robots. I know where you can get where everybody pays the same but It's not allowed to discuss that in here. And if you really look, everyone in the two different categories (Suites vs Cabins) do pay the same, depending on the suite or not, "As of September 7th, 2022, the automatic service gratuity of $16.00 USD per person, per day for guests in non-suites staterooms, or $18.50 USD per person, per day for guests in Suites". There is absolutely no requirement to pay anything else to anyone a gratuity. As like already stated, you can line up several different people in the same exact category cabin and find that each has paid a different price for the exact same category cabin, it's called dynamic pricing, but they all did pay the exact same for the pre-paid or set sail account option. And yes, you can go to guest services and modify the gratuity amount. And, as a side note, you can Google the words "Service Charges" and most sites will acknowledge that gratuities/tips can be incorporated into the/a "Service Charge". In fact, those restaurants that do charge a "Service Charge" AND pay their servers much more than the prevailing minimum wage, and do pay their servers a portion of that "Service Charge" as their gratuities, it's a wage. But, it isn't considered a gratuity wage, it's a Service Charge, legally, and taxed as a wage, not a gratuity. But, make no mistake, it's a gratuity if any money from that "Service Charge" goes back to the server, in reality. "In 2012, the IRS made a decision that would impact the classification of automatic gratuities starting in January 2014. Previously, money from automatic gratuity was counted as a tip. With this update from the IRS, automatic gratuity would now count as a service charge, not a tip". So, no matter how you look at it if an amount of money goes to a server from the Restaurant, it's a tip/gratuity, it's just taxed and/or categorized differently. Note that the wording says that it would not be "counted" as a tip and it would be "counted" as a Service Charge. It doesn't say it isn't a tip or isn't a gratuity.

Okay, enough is enough, you and others seem to want to make this what it isn't intended or stated. My last comment(s): I never suggested, not one bit, that the line items be merged into the "Cruise Fare", not once and I don't care about any ramifications of taxes or anything else because merging ain't gonna happen. I'm only saying that this is my view/opinion/definition. It doesn't have to be yours or anybody else's, it's my money, my expenses, and my way of thinking of my expenses, the bottom line. The bottom line is the bottom line, for me! Nothing is static, everything has its, and, or buts. And lastly, if you cancel a booking outside of the 75% rule, I believe that is where the penalty starts, you get 100% of your "cruise fare" back minus the deposit and you get the deposit back if you have the refundable fare, that's if they even have a refundable fare/deposit anymore. Have at it!

Apparently, you didn't read what I said/typed. I said, definition - "BTW, if you look at the definitions of tip, gratuity, and service charge, they are all related to each other. A tip is a gratuity. Gratuity is a tip. Service Charge is either a tip or gratuity (except that a Service Charge can be compulsory and the customer has no options, that's one of many reasons I don't care for anything other than voluntary tipping/gratuities). So, nothing would change. Tomaaaatos/Tomooootos. JMHO". AND, I'd check each state's laws before making such a claim. Each has its own labor laws on top of the Federal labor laws. But, the "Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses" are paid upfront and you only get credit for them if you don't visit a port and it's only a portion of the total Taxes, ............. But, there is still that upfront cost of the cruise that must be paid. If you don't miss a port, guess what <that's not a real question. The bottom line is the bottom line and it includes all expenses that it takes to make a booking and, again, must be paid in full, first/by the final payment date or booking after the final payment date.

Geeeeeeeesh, some of you think I'm trying to change your outlook on life. I'm only saying that the "bottom line" is the "cruise fare", FOR ME! You're welcome to hold a different OPINION. It is my opinion that the bottom line, again, it the bottom line and part of the "cruise fare". I'm not arguing with you, I'm stating my opinion and how I look at how I define things, how I develop my opinion. And, you can OPT OUT of a "cruise fare", you don't have to take the cruise and some or all will be refunded to your CC or FCCed OR if you find a cheaper "cruise fare" for the same cruise, category, you get a credit for the difference. So, the "cruise fare" isn't as static as some would like others to believe. So, "I can't opt out of any portion of the cruise fare", isn't exactly fact!

No, that was just to show that the Gratuities are part of the total fare, if you elect to pre-pay them. That example is for a Star Class booking that I have going on now, gratuities are always show but then credited, you'll notice that it is credited right under the Gratuities. The credit is called: "TYV4-STAR SAVINGS". And like I've said, again and again, this is how I feel about the bottom line, you are free to feel differently. Please see my previous posts for context. BTW, the "Cruise Fare" is refundable in certain situations, TOO! BTW again, yes I did read your last paragraph.

This is my point or intent when I post FAQs or Policies from the horse's mouth, for the most part. RCCL and others can institute policies at will and have complete discretion in enforcing those policies. They also end most or many of their policies with, "This policy can be changed or modified at any time without notice". Or words to that effect. I don't post about policies in an attempt to say that it is black and white, I only do it to warn others that even though you may get away with not following policies by the letter of the law or RCCL isn't enforcing that policy "TODAY", RCCL can and does from time to time enforce their policy(ies) by the letter of the law, per se, and without layman reason. Those that, and I'm not aiming this at you personally, give advice Willy-nilly that say(s) "Oh, go ahead and do this or that because everybody does it" or "I've done it many times", without context, can be giving very bad advice without a disclaimer or actual policy quote, included in the advice/suggestion. That's for sure!

Just to clarify a misstatement: I said, "if you go back and read all my posts, discussion is about Surge Suppressors/Protectors". I should have said, "if you go back to posts after post #10" or starting from post #14.

There are other things that have surge protectors/suppressors that aren't technically "Extension Cords". I have a few outlet blocks that have no cords whatsoever but they do say that they have surge suppression protection. And some folks will tell you/me that Surge Suppressors/Protectors are a prohibited item, but not in this thread, yet. According to the lack of specificity by RCCL U.S., they are allowed. My whole, if you go back and read all my posts, discussion is about Surge Suppressors/Protectors, not about "Extension Cords".

And that's your option and opinion! Just doesn't happen to be mine.

Oh, Meeeeeeeee Toooooooo!

As stated above, no mention of Surge Protectors/Suppressors.

Yes, that is the U.S. Site and it doesn't mention a thing about Surge Protectors/Suppressers

That's what I thought. It's from Australia. For years now, I can't find an RCCL U.S. site that prohibits Surge Suppressors/Protectors. I'm not arguing for or against it if it is a policy. It's just that you, or at least I can't find it on a RCCL U.S. Site and wonder why. Yes, I understand that electrical engineers will tell us it's because the electrical system on a ship is different than land-based electrical systems. That's not the issue for me. It's about RCCL U.S. not coming out and saying so, one way or the other. I have a funny feeling that the government of Australia requires by docking agreement or treaty, or contract, or whatever, that RCCL and others notify passengers that Surge Protectors are prohibited along with other things, of course.

What site did you get that Q & A from?

It seems that whether a device like the OP pictured will get on board or not depends on the "Rent a Cop" at the terminal, not by policy. So, the FAQ only says in the FAQ, "Electrical Extension Cords". By the looks of it, it appears to be a device that extends the capabilities or reach of the electrical outlet supplied and it does appear to have a cord. It has a plug at one end, a receptacle at the other, and a cord in between. I believe that meets the pure definition of an Electrical Extension Cord. So, you be the judge and take a chance or not. However, you will probably get it onboard.

Unfortunately, the "Prohibited Items List" is so generalized, it makes it almost meaningless. No help whatsoever for issues like this.

Well, "Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses" are mandatory to pay, you have no option other than not booking the cruise. I'd call that part of the "Cruise Fare" as long as it is what shows up on the final payment on the final payment date, including Graguites if elected to pre-pay. The Bottom Line is the Bottom Line. And "everyone pays the same" is exactly what I'm against. If you get great service and I get crappy service, should I pay the same as you? If so, why? Should the great server get the same compensation as the one that gives pooooooooor service? If so, why? But, that's my opinion. It doesn't have to be yours. But, if RCCL sends out a questionnaire/survey about this issue (which I doubt will ever happen), I'll be sure to vote against any change that makes gratuities/service charges/tipping a compulsory expense. As a side note: I really don't like the 18% tip added on the bar tab on the ships, either. But, it is what it is. To be honest, in my case only, I believe the servers would do better if there wasn't that compulsory 18% even though I tip at least $2.00 above the final bill in cash IF the service was very good.

I think you need a new TA!

Makes me wonder, do "they" take away fingernail clippers OR did Mrs. @lenquixote66 fall victim to an untrained and/or power-hungry 'rent a cop"? I don't know but it sure doesn't sit well with me.