Ret MP

My experience is quite the opposite, MOSTLY. On my first trip to the casino bar (my favorite bar), I give a rather large tip and my card and ordered my Screwdriver or Hot Bloody Mary. The bartender comes back and says, "Thank you very much, Jay) < that's me. He asks if the drink I ordered is my usual and I say I don't care which shows up as long as it is a Screwdriver or Hot Bloody Mary. After that and the bartender is on duty on subsequent visits, my drink came in just a minute or two without asking and ahead of some folks that were there before me, and with a very sincere (I believe) it is great to see you again, Jay. Obviously, other cruises and other bartenders are a little different. But, for the most part, I get friendly and superior service.

LOL, I'm so tight, I squeak when I move. But, I also like convenience. But, for those that are Vets and want a good deal, my wife found this site that offers very reasonable parking for Vets, they advertise $8.95 per day and a free shuttle to/from. I haven't used it myself so I can't vouch for it at all (Patriotportparking.com):

While I have and probably will in the future park at offsite parking sites, FOR ME, it's worth it to just pay a buck or two or three extra a day to just park next to the terminal. No shuttles or Sardine Cans, and no lugging around luggage unless you drop off the luggage prior to parking, which could take up some excess time. On our next cruise out of Galveston in Jan., we have parking reservations in the North Covered Parking lot and I couldn't be any happier.

As I said, I'm retired from the Port Everglades and FLL parking facilities as the General Manager. However, I have no experience with the pre-paid parking system. We charged the advertised hourly or daily parking rate. So, the good news, I guess, if you are going on a B2B, or B3B, or ........... you only pay for the initial cruise time frame. Unless they figured out a way to overcome that. If that is the case, it isn't a very smart business decision. I guess they figure that it is cheaper to charge upfront and maybe forfeit a few dollars than hire cashiers. I could argue so many ways to do the hourly/daily rate system rather than the pay upfront method. But, that's not for here.

Since there is lots of time between now and the cruise, I'd suggest just making everything current/correct and not having to worry about it. Just make the legal changes to all forms of identification. Yes, there is a minor cost to some, like the passport. But, why worry about it, just do it. JMHO/YMMV

Okay, now we have started mission creep. First coffee machines, now beer tap. What's next, a wine tap? LOL I hope so!

As stated earlier, I really hate taking any medications and OTC stuff. I asked if Bonine could be helpful if taken after the onset of motion sickness. I ask that for a specific reason. If it must be taken as a preventative and you do, how do you know if it works if you don't get sick? How do you prove a negative? So, I'm going to get Bonine and use it after the onset (if it happens), like I said, I don't have a history of motion sickness but don't deny the possibility. If it makes me feel better, almost immediately, then I know it's working.

Well, I think they are all good. They create discussion, which a social media site/forum is all about, and in some cases they provide education/information to some folks that didn't/don't know the "whole story" or are newbies. And yes, these topics and others do create dissension/debate/arguing, but that USUALLY happens because some folks can't resist making things personal and some carry the anger onto other threads. If you have a specific question, ask it. Take to heart the answers that you think are valid, ignore the obfuscation, and then do your best to verify the information you take away as good info. Remember, this is the Internet!

For lack of a better term, I've "studied" the Bionic Bar and its maintenance/service. I watched for an extended period of time and there was one crew member who came out from behind the scenes to clean up the place (the Bionic system spills a lot) and do general maintenance. It seemed like that person kept busy the whole time doing something to the Bionic headache. Not just performing general maintenance but assisting folks who couldn't seem to make the tablet work for them. She was as busy as a one-armed paperhanger. The bad part was I didn't see anyone hand the very happy and professional young lady a tip, not a penny. So, I hope she is getting all or the majority of that 18%.

Apparently, you didn't read: "But, I'm thinking of, in future non-Star Class bookings". And the fact that cruising in Star Class is a year or two-long effort for us, counting pennies and saving a few bucks a month from military retirement and social security. You are showing just how judgmental you can be when you have no idea what I go through to afford a Star Class cruise every other year or so. AND, like @LobsterStalker said, "It has to do with principals". And in post #81: "EDITED IN: As an afterthought, Keep in mind that every drink you purchase on an RCCL ship has an 18% gratuity tacked on, without choice. So, not only are you/me paying the prepaid or onboard gratuity system but we are paying that 18% on the inflated prices of beverages. That must be factored in as well". Edited 11 hours ago by Ret MP

I have one RCCL cruise booked and have the gratuity included in my Star Class fare. But, I'm thinking of, in future non-Star Class bookings, not pre-paying or paying per day on the ship. I used to hate that idea but I'm reaching the point that enough is enough of the increase upon increase (not just gratuities, either) in costs and decrease after decrease of services. So, I'll just tip my face-to-face service providers as they earn it. I feel sorry for the crew being caught in the middle but something has to be done. It's too bad that the newbies don't know the history of cruise fares and services. They book and don't realize what is happening.

The benefit of cash-only tips is that, hopefully, the underperformers aren't being rewarded. The current system does exactly that, rewards those that do or don't provide at least minimal performance. Don't get me wrong, I do pre-pay gratuities because it is the system AND I do extra cash tips (with $2.00 dollar bills, if I have them) for meeting and exceeding my expectations. But, if they do away with the pre-pay/mandatory, which isn't (except for bar tabs), tip system, it wouldn't break my heart, at all. I'd much rather tip cash of 15 - 20% or higher to folks who provide face-to-face services for/to me if deserved. Right now, those who don't meet my expectations get what they get but not from me directly. EDITED IN: As an afterthought, Keep in mind that every drink you purchase on an RCCL ship has an 18% gratuity tacked on, without choice. So, not only are you/me paying the prepaid or onboard gratuity system but we are paying that 18% on the inflated prices of beverages. That must be factored in as well.

Beautiful 1950s picture.

I have the final solution: All you top-tier folks stop cruising on RCCL. Oops, never mind, I'm one of 'em. Carry on!

Naaaaa, that wouldn't work. Someone would complain about that too.

Do you have a picture of "Ginger"? Would like to see what the fuss is all about! LOL

Good suggestion. Maybe they should open a small room somewhere with just the ever-so-popular coffee machine and call it the Diamond and above coffee kiosk.

Status!

I will avoid it or not go ashore.

Not that I expect that everybody has read every post that I've posted here, but I have stated that I don't like the government of the Bahamas for personal reasons. No, it hasn't anything to do with legal (criminal anyway) issues.

As much as you love CocoCay for its food, I really love Sabor for its food and other offerings. It's too bad that Sabor is/has fallen victim to being replaced with Playmakers as O-class ships have been/are being renovated.

Absolutely, you can do that. But, it is a bit of a walk (or shuttle) to get back to the ship. We did actually go back to the ship a little after lunchtime, 1:00 ish. But, we didn't go back to the island. One consideration about going back to the ship, many venues don't open while in port. I believe, even some restaurants, not till out at sea again. Check the Cruise Compass to make decisions, first.

Yep, my daughter and son-in-law really wanted to try the Mardi Gras because they have never cruised that cruise line and they are/were impressed with the Youtube vlogs of the ship. So, we decided to tag along, in Nov 2024. I'm violating my own promise to myself never to cruise them again. But, I am a forgiving soul LOL, and I will do anything for my family, close friends, and inner circle.

Fixed