sparks1093

There are a few perks that come with suites on Carnival, but not too many compared with other lines but more than none. We got priority boarding and tendering, complimentary water (woo), bath robes, complimentary wash and fold laundry, priority dining reservations if needed. The cabin was much larger as was the balcony, there was a dressing room, and a jacuzzi tub. $2800 for the week, though and even just for the added real estate it was worth it.

Summit in February 2025.

Thanks for this. Believe it or not it was the fact that Celebrity is less expensive, over all, that enticed us to book this cruise. By the time we factor in everything on Carnival that we would be paying for Celebrity saves us a few hundred since their drink package, wifi and gratuities are included in the fare. I am concerned with the snootiness level of other passengers, that is for sure.

Since we've booked a Celebrity cruise for 2025 I like following threads like this. Except we're doing a southern Caribbean itinerary out of San Juan. Looking forward to trying our 4th cruise line.

It starts with each of us saying something when we see something that shouldn't be happening. I can only control what I do and I am more inclined to say something if I see an actual rule being violated.

Of course it is, similar to how citizens don't file complaints with the police when they should because they don't think anything will happen. It sort of becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy, we don't complain because we don't expect anything to happen and nothing happens because we don't complain.

It all starts with a complaint. Let's face it, the passengers out number the staff, especially the security staff. It would be nice if they could have someone always available in every venue who was on watch to stop things before they start but that isn't realistic at all. The bar staff are being paid to serve drinks, not be on the look out for bad behavior and the same goes for the rest of the crew. To put the onus on them is expecting too much in many cases because they are busy enough. If what is happening isn't concerning enough for someone to pick up the phone and call guest services/security is it really that bothersome? (Of course if the behavior is egregious in nature, such as a fight, one would hope that the crew would make the call, although without specific training it's understandable that they don't directly intervene.)

I've done it both ways and while the sample size is small there was no discernable difference in the service received whether I tipped before or after. Folks working for tips can always expect all they want but if the gratuities are included in anything that is all that is really required. Yes, tip jars have appeared in a variety of places but again, it's up to each customer to leave something or not leave something as they choose. In this cashless society it's often leave nothing for me because DW doesn't let me leave the house with cash. One of our sons used to work as a sandwich artist and the tip jar was divvied up once a month. He got about $60 to $80 extra a month from it. Nothing to write home about, for someone who is earning minimum wage a welcome addition to the income.

I don't know that it's that clear cut. After reading many threads on here it's clear that some tipping is expected in many countries, even if it isn't the same level as here in the US.

We were just on Glory out of New Orleans and everything was fine.

I can see myself spending some time on one while I'm waiting for DW to wake up on a sea day. 🙂

To be fair the previous poster did say a decline in the American family and the seeing it everywhere part of that goes hand in hand- we see it frequently "everywhere" in America. We just finished our annual Dairy Festival and I saw my share of kids acting out a little, although not to the same degree as the OP described. The unfortunate reality is that when families go on vacation they are all too often willing to let the ship's staff be responsible for their kids' behavior and that doesn't help matters at all.

I have to admit the heat loungers is what influenced us to buy the passes well in advance of our Mardi Gras sailing next April.

That's usually an under running subtopic in most tipping threads.

Or online before the cruise. I ordered several of the 50th anniversary towels before our last sailing.

I've never experienced a difference in service level but it's always been clear to me that the 18% gratuity on the package is just that, the gratuity on the package. It all goes into the same pool. I suppose if the staff objected enough they could just charge for the package and then charge the what gratuity for each drink would be. My impression is that the status quo is working and no changes need to be made.

And there is nothing wrong with that per se, but your posts imply that because the bartenders are somehow being shortchanged by people buying the Cheers package it is somehow the responsibility of the passenger to make up the shortfall and that isn't the case at all.

Again, that's not the passenger's concern. They bought a package and they paid the agreed amount for the gratuity. For a good number of people that ends the matter and there is no reason that it shouldn't.

I got off the cruise April 26th.

That's between the company and the employee. The company has told me that's all I need to pay, so why should I worry about it? (I don't tip extra because I feel the employee is getting shorted.)

I'm sure if the bar staff were getting the short shaft that Carnival would very quickly have a large shortage of bartenders. Besides, if they can't be trusted to distribute the pooled tips correctly can they be trusted to distribute the extra tips correctly as well? Not trying to dissuade you from extra tipping, I usually add extra to the slip myself, just trying to ease your mind a bit.

Great question! They took credit cards. You have the option of downloading the photos to your phone while you are there, as well, but I waited to get home to download them to my computer from the link that they provided. I think each person in our group ended up with about 30 pictures, so under $2 apiece with the group pricing.

I can see an FCC being offered to someone who was legitimately injured. I was sick on my last Glory cruise with a stomach bug and received $185 in FCC for being isolated to my cabin and I wouldn't have even thought to ask for it. But an FCC for just being tossed around should not be in play.

If your green card is acceptable for boarding then it is acceptable for going ashore as well. As I understand it the green card is accepted for re-entry to the US, so as far as the US government is concerned it is acceptable for a closed loop cruise. The kicker, and the question that we probably can't answer, is does Mexico require passports of British citizens on a cruise ship. If that answer is no then you are likely good to go. If that answer is yes then you likely wouldn't be allowed to board. I'm hoping that your passport turn up, it didn't just get up and walk away (as my mother used to say).

At the end of the day the only thing that matters.