roadster08

54 minutes ago, tcdcruiser said:

 

So it is your opinion or assertion, that someone who make a reservation in a venue where shorts are expressly not allowed, and then wears shorts to that venue is simply expressing their individualism. 

 

IMHO is is not simply an expression of individualism, it is more like an expression of elitism.  

Elitism is not a concept top of mind for most average Americans. About only group I hear it applied to is to the very best athletes who are a world apart from everyone else.

It is important to respect cultural differences when visiting new places. It takes effort on both sides and sometimes that wall appears to be too steep to climb. 

1 hour ago, Thrak said:

 

I guess I'm just old. Wearing ball caps at dinner is simply wrong. When in a restaurant take your dang hat off. It's truly sad that this simple act of good manners seems to have vanished from US culture. (Hmmm... US Culture. Has that become an oxymoron?)

In the US people are permitted to express their individuality, within reason. As long as someone is not creating a scene and being a nuisance, they will likely not be criticized.

That may not be the culture you are accustomed to, but it's culture. 

2 hours ago, Thrak said:

 

 

If you think that is picky here is something from Princess from 1975:

Also fashionable in1975...

1 hour ago, memoak said:

Neither myself or any of my friends could get by on 5 drinks a day. In fact that wouldn’t even get us to pre dinner drinks. Love the Plus package

I was suggesting an additional package not a replacement. Some of us are built for distance, not for volume. Princess could make their margin just the same on light drinkers with a lower limit as heavy drinkers with the higher limit. 

12 minutes ago, Incognito1 said:

$1680 upgrade to Plus for next cruise.

Take away grats ($406), Internet ($225) and it's a little over $1000 for drinks (not interested in the specialty dessert or fitness classes).  We are close to teetotaling, but might enjoy the juice bar and definitely would make use of coffee.  But not a thousand dollars' worth.  Everyone has to do their own math - for those who drink a lot of alcohol, it probably makes sense.

 

I wonder if Princess ever considered offering a package with a max limit less than 15 with a lower price or even a previous price. Seems a mini package would be well received. 

I'm not a heavy drinker either on account of my thin arms. 

1 hour ago, Essiesmom said:

I would bet this was taken in Bermuda, where this is standard business wear.

What happens in Bermuda, stays in Bermuda.😉

Why do this? 😜

5 hours ago, david63 said:

That is a concept that I am having a problem with. Having Googled it apparently it is bits of paper and chunks of metal that people back in the day used to exchange for goods - I doubt that it will ever catch on🤣🤣

 

Seriously I think this shows another divide between the US and many other countries. For all its perceived progression the US is backward in many respects - especially where money is concerned. Last time I was in the US (2019) there were virtually no places that used contactless payments yet in the UK almost everywhere accepts them and in New Zealand they have been virtually cash free way before the UK.

The reason cash is still an option in the US is because unfortunately, there are still many who are unbanked. Bank accounts require a social security number that the  undocumented don't legally have, and banking fees are expensive unless you maintain a certain minimum balance at all times.

My posts often contain dry humor but this one is 100% serious. 

As technology does more and more for us, and people do less and less, when to tip becomes less of a dilemma.

The trend in the US lately has been to tip less frequently, but tip more when it is warranted. Many chain restaurants are putting kiosks on tables where you can order food and pay the bill without assistance from a server. Have to think that will happen soon on cruise ships too.

For example, Americans are eating at home more and less in restaurants, but tipping more than 15% when they do go to a full service restaurant. 

2 hours ago, Neil_c said:

I always find this topic interesting as it shows up a real cultural difference between US and UK. Here in the UK tipping is not the norm in bars and much less in Hospitality generally. P & O and other UK based lines have removed all the gratuities ,  they have just rolled into the cost of the cruise, which suits our mentality better. On Princess if we have the Plus package would not think to tip. If not on Plus would not add to the 18% already added.  Having said that we usually tip the room steward if they are up to usual standard.

What the crew want is their service marked as 5 stars on the questionnaire.

 

PS Not sure but I think it is illegal to tip in Australia 

In the US system, tipping is what keeps service people from being underpaid.

Base salaries are very low assuming they will get tipped to make up the difference over the long run. If they are exceptional, they may even make more than if they were just paid salary.

The people best suited for the job are both competent and personable. Those lacking either will quit or get fired. The US way is both effective and brutal. 

Although not a tip,  when ordering a drink in some local US ports you may also be charged a small local tax , even if you have a package. 

7 minutes ago, wcflats said:

I like to put all those items into the used towel or dirty towel bin.

Need to be careful, there could be blue dye hidden in them. 

With all the cutbacks, it may be necessary to pack for a cruise like for a camping trip. 

Curious about casino play that some of you experienced players might answer. On previous cruises on other lines I got feeling that casino was a little looser with wins at beginning of cruise than near the end, particularly more so on first night. Was I just imagining that? 

4 minutes ago, wowzz said:

So, we agree. No need to tip when someone hands you a burger, as in a McDonald's.  

Not yet, but that's coming. When it happens,  will post it here. 

51 minutes ago, Yowman said:

 

 

I agree.  I see the same in my app.  I also see that the app still shows me as being in Club Class rather than the new name of Reserve Collection.   It's out of date.

It's a little unsettling to me that no post February 20th Plus cruisers have confirmed that they have been allowed the new $15 cap on alcoholic drinks.

In addition, I have not seen seen anything in writing from Princess that clearly states original $50 Plus cruisers have had their drink limits grandfathered to the new $15. It's just an assumption we have made because the $15 drink limit did not have "New" written  in front of it like the other features that were added.  On the Princess app it's still says $12 drink limit. Wonder if anyone who has paid the new $65 price also has the old $12 limit showing in their app, or the new $15 limit they paid for. 

Personally, I think it would have been good business  to grandfather everyone with Plus to the new package, but they didn't. Princess just doesn't seem to put a high priority on maintaining relationships right now. Just look at how they stripped down the elite perks. 

I consider Plus to now be the poor man's Premier. Honestly, most Plus wines are consumed onshore straight out of the bottle hidden in a paper bag. 

The trick is to pay the per drink upcharge for Premier,  if you are a light drinker. For light drinkers, that is a better value than paying for the Premier package. 

7 hours ago, Mike45LC said:

It depends on Loyalty Statis as well.  There is a complex algebraic formula in the Medallian App.  Input both persons’ loyalty level, the cabin category, the seat location, the drinks being ordered and various other variables and the App MIGHT call Security to evict the trespassing low-life.

Why not challenge the sitters to Rock, Paper Scissors? Old school and less complicated. 

Choosing who to cut our food. Sure sign Covid is behind us👍

A link to the Princess Privacy Policy that explains everything about what personal data they collect and how they use it.

https://www.princess.com/legal/legal_privacy/

23 hours ago, Thrak said:

Bulleit Bourbon. Double. Straight up. Salad... BAH!!!

 

I'm guessing pretty much anything they offer will be more healthy than the new Premium Desserts.

Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger brother. 

I agree that giving corporations our personal data is helpful when they use it correctly. The problem is when we get mis-profiled based on  some one off situation.

For example, you search the internet for TVs because you are curious what new features became available recently, but are not really in the market for a new TV. After that, you are  bombarded with TV ads no matter where you go on the internet. 

1 minute ago, SCX22 said:

 

That's the exact reason why I don't give up my seat on Princess cruises anymore.  Too many passengers faking it or thinking that they are entitled because they are old.  I'm younger and am outnumbered by passengers who are older than than me (read, seniors).  Some will literally come up to me and lecture me on how impolite I am.  Now, I just let them flap their gums and don't stand up.

Sorry, I guess I should start adding a disclaimer for my dry humor for those who are not brits nor native New Yorkers born before 1985.

I don't know how old you are but just appearing to need a seat more than the people sitting sometimes works for me. 

Maybe even fake breathing a little heavier and lean with a hand against the wall until they get the message. 

3 hours ago, BamaVol said:

We call it “Chateau Outhouse” around here.  It took me a few tries to discover one I could tolerate on the ship.  Pinot Grigio was exceedingly sweet.  Pinto Noir had a weird flavor. The Wheelhouse bartender suggested I try a Red Blend.  I could tolerate it, if not enjoy it.  I prefer beer or bourbon anyway, just wanted a glass of wine with dinner.

Next time  you might try a glass of Premier wine with only a  modest upcharge for Plus cruisers.