DingoMom

I respect your opinion, and totally agree that tipping is a personal decision. However, there are times that I do tip $1 per drink. At Cafe Al Bacio, I have had some excellent baristas who are engaging and who make special designs in my drink. I don’t know if they will be there the next time I come, or if they will be the one taking care of me, so ‘I tip as I go there.’ Also, to the casino drink servers. Sometimes, on some ships, they are hard to find. I tip by the drink there, and find that I am usually in their ‘rotation’ when they are going to get drinks.

You will not notice it, as it folds up into the ceiling.

The lady with all the food is smiling because she got room service for free!

Oh, Dang. Never thought I’d post in a ‘tipping thread,’ but here goes: Last month we were on the Edge and had dinner in several specialty restaurants. Prior to the ‘new’ added service charge (I think it is 18%), we would always tip in the specialties (usually $10 - $15). For those of you that did that as well, will you continue to tip extra or will the added service fee be sufficient?

Wonderful! Thank you, and the pictures are great! How long was the tour?

If your wife can manage NOT use her WiFi during the football games, then you can log into her account and watch the games. When you buy the package, you can log in at any time for one device. You may log out of one device and log on another device on the same account…just not at the same time. DH do it all the time. Here’s hoping she doesn’t have to work on NCAA Saturdays!! Also, the new StarLink is exceptionally fast for streaming, so you’re enjoyment should be great!

From SouthernBreezes: “They are getting exactly what they paid for. Room service as advertised is included, free of charge in the morning than with a fee the rest of the day. I would tip $5.00 each time so it is costing $5.00 this is not worth getting upset about.” Wow. Judgmental much? Everyone who has been on a Celebrity Cruise before January 1, 2023 has had Room Service for free. While I am happy for you (really!) those that booked with the idea that RS was included (and nobody has complained about tipping for RS) have a right to feel slighted. And those that had previously booked on Celebrity when they could order more than one lobster tail (included), also have a right to feel slighted. When Celebrity chooses to change their product AFTER final payment for prior passengers, I would expect a little grace for disappointment. Apparently you have none.

With your attitude, and condescending behavior, this should come as no surprise. But I understand that to you, it was ‘them’ not you.

Ms Susie, I love your posts, but with all due respect, I believe you were in a suite. And, if not, it appears EVERYTHING changed with ships that sailed AFTER Jan. 1, 2023, meaning that Holiday cruises did NOT have the current cutbacks.

Mr. Grand, that would make you a very wise investor (and, I really do love your posts!). I cannot (and will not!) argue with your logic. But I have ‘dropped’ x amount of $ into 100 shares (only) and am fine reaping my OBC dividends! Certainly NOT a reason to invest ‘big’ in RCCI, but it works for me for this (admittedly small) stock purchase! 😀

For the OP: At least in the US and Europe, Celebrity is a ‘Coke product’ company. My DH drinks Pepsi (not coke) products. On our last 11-night cruise in January, we took a 12-pack of 16 oz Pepsi in our carry-ons (screw top bottles.) He reinforced his stash with whatever Pepsi he could find n ports. Good luck!!!

You are correct that if you don’t cruise, you will get no OBC. But, like Jim, I am going to cruise anyway, so it is fine with me if my ‘dividends’ are paid in OBC. If I cruise 6 times a year, I am getting $600 a year. I don’t cruise to get the OBC, but it is still good to get since I cruise anyway!

In January on the Edge, Al Bacio had them several times in different flavors. They were also served for dessert one evening in Eden when I declined dessert but the server brought a little plate of assorted treats out anyway.

Perhaps people commenting on here are NOT wanting ‘something for nothing.’ Perhaps they are merely wanting what they paid for when they made their final payment. 🧐

Jim and Iain, you are my FAVORITE posters, and I am looking forward to cruising with you someday soon! I have followed you for years, and have learned sooo much! I also ❤️ your attitude! I know you are always in Suites, so please explain why you would move to Aqua? Thank you!

Thank you for your report. What a cluster! We are very leery of FBC. Consumer Beware!

Thank you for the posts and pictures! We board directly after you disembark. Following with a glass of wine (or two!) and loving the information you are providing!

I don’t think this is the case. In most places with tenders, the ‘service’ personnel (simply because I can’t find a better word!) don’t get a chance to go in. They have to wait until all the guests that are trying to get on tenders have been able to do so, and they have to return an hour earlier than the passengers. The folks I have spoken to have said it just isn’t worth it to them to take time off at tender ports.

Loving your review! You are a great writer!

Allianz.com. You can insure one trip or a whole year for medical evacuations, etc.

Jim, I have learned SO MUCH from you and Iain; thank you! I am a casino player; sapphire +, so I dearly treasure my casino tier points. If I pre-purchase a ‘package’ with an additional 10% as a perk, I get NO casino tier points for the entire cost of the package or for ANY of my slot machine activity on that package. Additionally, once I put a voucher from that package into a machine, i cannot change machines until i play out the whole thing…bummer…although every time you win, you can cash out the win…still a PIA.

Yay! That will be a wonderful perk!! Since I have never heard of that, let me throw this out: I recall a time when my (WAY) more affluent sibling told me they had been ‘comped’ something so I didn’t feel the need to chip in. Found out later that the sibling fibbed, but I was still very grateful!

Dear Rimmit, Wow. Just Wow. I am so sorry for all you and (especially) your wife have been through. I can only imagine your frustration, helplessness, and more frustration. And once you said you simply needed to rant, I don’t understand the judgmental comments. You know it isn’t Royal’s fault, and yet it is clearly frustrating. I feel for you. I have learned some things from this thread (MediJet Assist and CC insurance), so I am glad you posted. However, I don’t think the judgmental comments are at all helpful. Feel free to rant! Sending you my very best wishes!

Thank you so much for your Blog (and for answering DH’s question about the Craps table)! We are packing in earnest now for next week. Do we need any short-sleeve shirts or sandals? If so, I need another suitcase!! Thank you!

Oops…I forgot to add that once you are in ‘Reservation Details,’ you have to scroll down until you see the option to pre-pay the gratuities. I did NOT have the unfortunate experience that Dancing Shoes just had. Also, I was adding this to a cruise that was already ‘paid in full’ and sailing in early January. Dawn