ray98

Getting ahead of a storm expected to move north.

I would say absolutely not.

I always try to start at O'Sheehans even though it can be quite busy, but everything will be until the cabins open. No way around it. Nothing like some wings and other pub food with cold beer to start the cruise.

No. I always came out ahead in the end. Also, the freedom the package gives is worth a good bit to me so I can enjoy what I want with no thoughts of budget.

You give gifts to friends, a server is not your friend, they are a employee working solely for compensation.

I wonder how this works for the bartender. In other words say if the bottomless bubbles pkg cost $50 - and the gratuity is 15% - that would cost you $57.50. So $7.50 is for tips for the bartender. So if you had 50 sodas - the tip would amount to $ .15 for the bartender for each drink he served you. Am I doing the math correct? I'm just trying to figure out how this whole gratuity thing works with the package. Or does Carnival just take the gratutities from all the pkgs purchased and give each bartender a percentage based on the drinks served?

Either way it breaks down the tip always coincides with the amount of service rendered. You may not make much for pouring 1/2 a can of soda over ice but it evens out in the end due to volume. You may only make $.25 per drink but when you serve 40 an hour it has an impact. A food server makes a larger tip because they have way fewer customers at a time that they must dedicate large chunks of time to.

I also noticed absolutely no difference in the pizza on the Paradise last month as any other Carnival ship.

Flat Iron steak. I really dont consider it to be steak (as I know it), but more like a cut of pot roast. The ones that I have had were very tender and tasty, but did not in any way resemble steak, as I know it. Just my take on it. I liked it, but I dont know why they call it steak, Maybe flat iron beef would be better.

Well...because it is a steak just as any other flat piece of meat that comes from a cow. It may not be a ribeye or t-bone but by definition it is a steak just like skirt steak, sirloin tip steak or top round steak.

I never tip more than the 15%, it is sufficient for pouring a 1/2 can of soda over ice that I have to get myself.

LOL....why would they want some oddball trinket from a random customer the will serve for a few days?

I have always been pleased with the pizza on board. Ignore the trolling attempts that compare it to cardboard.

Of course NCL doesn't refund the fee, they are not the one who took them.

There is plenty of seating around all the eating areas. You are worrying about a problem that doesn't exist.

Absolutely not....I have always enjoyed myself.

As above....just tell them at check-in. No big deal. The port fees and taxes will be refunded to the card used for the payment.

I always started with a smoked salmon bagel which is always delicious. By the time you add the entree you leave stuffed.

A chair and small table....both are hopefully included.

I don't really understand the complaint. 1st you booked the cruise and then willingly bid on on upgrade. You got just that yet you think you were taken advantage of?

I would try it. If they want to destroy it or confiscate it, ask if they sell Coke on the ship. If they don't, I would argue that since you can't get it on the ship you should be able to return from port with it. I need that the security people wouldn't want to make a scene in front of other passengers over a bottle of pop that can't be purchased on the boat.

 

Worst case scenario look up the ingredients from both and perhaps you have an allergic reaction to something that is in Pepsi and not in Coke. I would then think you could make an argument for medical necessity.

 

Think outside of the box. The ridiculous rules and prices on some things make it worth your time to raise the issue.

LOL....maybe afterwards they could put their life savings on red in the casino.

I have never been on any ship on any of the big 3 that wasn't a mad house during embarkation. It really is unavoidable, thousands of passengers all looking for lunch and the cabins aren't ready. If that bothers you so bad you are best just boarding later.

I have never had a 'dried out hockey puck' from Guys and I have had dozens of burgers over the past few years.

We absolutely loved it. The steak & eggs were awesome.

General rule of pretty much every port I have been out of was 30 minutes after you enter open water.

Cuba....unique itinerary right now.

If I get a free meal coupon at the local steak house I am still expected to leave the tip. No different.

If you have to purchase the package you pay its cost along with that same gratuity.