Ret MP

I just did a quick search for parking around Cape Liberty. It looks like their websites have shut down or they have gone out of business. I didn't find anything available. But, keep in mind, I didn't spend too much time on it either. You may want to do deep dive into it. $30.00 per day is totally ridiculous, it wasn't that much when we cruised out of there. Also, you may want to check into some of the more popular hotels in the area, they may allow you to park there, for a fee, but not provide a free shuttle. We stayed at a hotel nearby but decided that we didn't like the location (sketchy) and decided to bite the bullet and park at the port parking. Good luck!

That's exactly what we did on our last cruise, Oct - Nov, last year. We got there super early and went to Grills, had breakfast and after that, went to the outside bar and started the adult beverage thing.

Nope, can't say that I do.

I have not a bone or anything else in my body that cares what Rustbucket Cruise Lines (has nothing to do with rust) is doing. But, Meat Loaf is one of my all-time favorite meals, especially the way my mom made it with a few whole hard-boiled eggs in the middle. The slices looked like they were looking bakatchya. Oh, I love Lasagna, too. But, to your point, It is my opinion that the new MDR menus that are so-called themes are a disgrace to themes. Having said that, I'm still loyal to Royal. What we're looking for, they provide, mostly. BTW, your premise doesn't escape me. BTW, I'm holding out for Encrusted Spam with S car go.

Ya, that's great. Thanks. And just to be clear and factual, not Sky, one more up. I do Star about ~60%. I don't brag about it, I'm just thankful that I can do it every now and then. We usually go, at least one night to the MDR when we cruise in a Balcony Cabin. My wife loves the Lobster in the MDR, so I give in on those nights. I love the WJ for breakfast, regardless of our class, it's all about Bacon (and breakfast sausage links) without guilt. LOL

I can't tell you how much I agree with that. I may have completely different reasons. But, after years of cruising with them, I'm done, long ago. Long story that I'll spare everyone from. But, it has a lot to do with a particular ship and how they treat ADA folks.

I haven't cruised with the new menu, YET. And, I'm not a big fan of the MDR, anyway. But, looking at the new menu exhibits shown in CC, I can say that I'm not impressed with the limited options and the so-called" theme nights. It has nothing to do with quality or taste, obviously. There are only two things that I go to the MDR for when I do go: the French Onion Soup and the Shimp Cocktail. Those two items aren't available on every menu, every night like they used to be. I don't know if you can ask for them even if they are not on the menu. But, I've read that they do not accept special/off-the-menu requests anymore. So, I'd be greatly disappointed, regardless of the quality and/or taste.

And I really don't think that it is anyone else's business what, how, where you or I tip. Yes, I follow my own signature, though! LOL

Yes, I understand that. I was being specific! He never said that he doesn't tip, period. Who or what he does or doesn't tip was not addressed.

Just fruit for thought and @not-enough-cruising can speak for him/herself but I didn't read that he doesn't tip, he just doesn't do the auto tip feature. But, of course, I could be wrong.

Because of stomach surgery, I've had, I'm required to have XX amount of protein a day. To achieve that I have to supplement my diet. I've been on two cruises where I've brought my own protein, one was a powder and the other a 15-pack of Premier, by far my favorite. It wasn't a problem. I had a doctor's not just in case, I didn't need it. You may have to check on this but I think I read on another cruise social media site that if you contact RCCL and their special needs desk, they will provide protein drinks. I just really like what I'm used to and prefer to bring my own. And I prefer Whey Protein and I'm not sure they would take special requests for Whey.

Port Everglades doesn't. Port Everglades charges an hourly rate of up to a daily maximum rate. This means if you park at say 1:00 PM on embarkation day, and you leave before that time on debarkation, you aren't charged for that partial day. I was the parking facilities manager for Port Everglades for years (retired): https://www.porteverglades.net/cruise/parking/ Parking Fees (garages and lots) $15 daily maximum $19 daily maximum for over-sized vehicles (*) $3 for 0 -1 hours $6 for up to 5 hours, and then $1 per hour thereafter up to daily maximum All daily rates begin when you pull the parking ticket from the machine at the garage or parking lot.

???????????? And none of that means anything to me or the thread. But, thanks, I will enjoy my cruising and I'll be happy to pay a lot or a little to the tip norm. I truly believe in my signature.

Now, break it down by social economic regions. The vast majority, (my guess, not necessarily a researched fact) of servers in the U.S. work in the burbs and rural areas of the country. That will bring down averages greatly. Those that are getting the national average are probably working in low-cost areas of the country anyway and working the low-cost establishments. Your use of statistics reminds me of J. Edgar Hoover who was one of the best manipulators of statistics this country has ever experienced. He once went to Congress demanding a huge increase in the FBI's budget. One of many stats that he cited was that a city, I believe it was in Texas had a 100% increase in murders. After the presentation, someone fact-checked the stat. Hoover was 100% right on, the city had one murder one year and 2 the next. As I said, those that work in the upscale establishments and the more expensive cities, and regions make A LOT more than minimum wage. Anyway, I'm sorry I got involved in this thread. It's ridiculous. Tip what you won't or don't. Run for King of the world and change things.

Trust me, I have no problem using Google. I have about 20 years of Googling, the dark web, et al, while I was a criminal investigator. I just find it suspect when people ask questions like you did. And I don't really like doing other people's work for them just so they can try to prove a point, related or not. I, for one, would rather have a little say-so over how much I'm being charged or pay for a service. If my voluntary payment system helps keep the cost of service down, I'm happy to pay the gratuity, if I so desire, and based upon the quality of service received. Where is the motivation for a guaranteed salary for service/hospitality? A crew member gets the same salary if they work hard or not. I'd prefer that they get up close, personal, and willing to please. Not go by the numbers.

Why don't you do that? And what would it prove? What are you getting at?

Never said it was!

I've stated this a few times on this board and others. In the U.S. and other countries that use the same gratuity system as we have in the U.S., the server makes as much as they are worth, for the most part. And, the minimum wage is for entry-level folks. If you are a server in a Waffle House or the local China Buffet, chances are you are going to be in the minimum wage category. If you work in a Ruth's Chris or above, you're way above the minimum wage. If you work hard, keep your nose clean, and respect your employer, you can move up and earn more and more within an organization or by upward mobility.

I don't know how accurate this is but it was posted on another cruise social media board. As fare as their pay, ?????

I wasn't going to get involved in this thread but when I saw this, it tripped my trigger. First, it's insulting, and second, it has nothing to do with personal hygiene. It's a customary service or at least was, that we all paid for that RCCL, et al, have done away with without a balance. Do I need or require my bathroom to be cleaned twice a day? No! I don't need a pat on the butt and a cookie/candy on my pillow either or a towel rabbit. But, I would like a fresh clean towel every time I get out of the shower which could be 2 or 3 times a day, just like at home. The difference is that at home, I don't pay thousands of $$$ a week for that luxury. I haven't cruised with this new policy yet. But, you can bet your butt that I will be asking/demanding at least 3 sets of towels for my wife and me and if the Steward does a good job, has a great attitude, has a sense of humor, and so on, he/she will get a great tip.

Before COVID, I don't think "sanitizing" things was much of an issue. For some? Yes! I never thought about sanitizing the remote, light switches, pull strings of the curtains, elevator buttons, stairwell handrails, bar tops, chair hand rests, or anything else that others may have touched before me. I still don't! There is no way we can 100% protect ourselves from other's germs. AND, I don't think immunizing ourselves from a lot of germs is healthy, I don't even use germ-killing/anti-bacterial hand soap in the house. But, as stated, I'm not risk averse. I do watch with great amusement folks, still, driving alone in a car with their masks on. In public places with the mask below their nose, especially in Walmart and fast food places, and so on. The above is not meant to change your minds or habits, they're yours and it is none of my business how you approach your sanitization.

As I suspected, no answer, yet. Very rude! At least some type of response even if they tell me to go to ............

Good advice. I do it as I'm leaving the terminal to get on the ship. Once I get on the ship, I probably will be so awestruck with the ship and forget.

My oldest daughter got married in Gatlinburg, TN many years ago. We all stayed in the Sheridan Hotel (not sure if it is still a Sheridan) the round one on the side of the mountain. My parents checked in, went to their room, and my mom (who is a clean freak and inspects all rooms like a "Drill Sergeant") pulled down the bed and there it was, a large pool of wet blood. How the hotel handled it is a whole other story for another time and venue, but it wasn't acceptable at all. Before that incident, I was very carefree and gullible enough to think people do what they are supposed to do, in the hotel/service industry. Needless to say, after that, I inspect my rooms/cabins/suites like a "drill Sergeant. Yes, I've had problems on cruise ships. But, the stewards, et al, are always apologetic and see to the matter, ASAP. I do not hesitate to call someone, stewards/servers/whatever, to correct whatever is wrong (lipstick on a glass is a BIG issue for me). I don't let it go as that's like giving permission to do it, whatever "it" is. If corrected right away and a little humility is involved, it doesn't affect my tip, usually.