JeepLovers

I am not part of the LGBQT community, however, I have taken two cruises with the group "Gayribbean Cruises" and have always thoroughly enjoyed myself. Have you looked into cruising with this group? I don't know a whole lot about them but I will say that they have people who arrange the cruises and make sure that their participants are always treated kindly and with respect. They have a few gatherings that are open only to members of their cruising party. I've only heard great things about the program in general from participants that I've met on the ship. I hope that helps...

According to Webster Dictionary, a gratuity is: 1. A gift of money, over and above payment due for service, as to a waiter or bellhop; tip. 2. Something given without claim or demand.

As someone who worked many years in the restaurant industry as a server, I was paid a wage (which I agreed to) and I *hoped* for a tip from the people I served. The wage was very low and the tips are definitely what I depended on to pay my bills. However, I understood that the gratuity (or tip) was SOMETHING GIVEN WITHOUT CLAIM OR DEMAND. No one "owes" a gratuity to a server. Everyone who works on the ship does so AFTER negotiating their salary. They are under contract. No matter what kind of service they provide, they will receive the amount of money THEY negotiated. The gratuity that every passenger does (or doesn't) give serves to supplement their wage.

In my opinion, a gratuity should be given when the service is above what is considered "acceptable". For this reason, I prefer to take my gratuities off and I tip based on the service I receive. It does not take a lot of time to remove the gratuity - generally 5 minutes or so - because I don't go when there's a long line. I wait until there's no line, then I approach the desk and handle my business. **NOTE: I handle MY BUSINESS. Not YOUR business, mine - all mine. It's none of YOUR business when, how or if I pay gratuities.**

My second point is, how did so many of you get appointed to be the "Tip Police" and where do you get your information??? "Everyone who removes the auto-tip is trying to be cheap" ~ Really??? You don't know that, that's your opinion(s) and I can only assume you espouse that opinion because you are cheap and unless someone "threatens" you or spells out exactly what you should do, you will do nothing. You haven't the ability to think for yourself. Right?

My last point is, to the original poster, please remember that in the auto-tip function, there is nothing set aside for the kids activities servers. If your kiddos go to these activities and have fun, please remember to tip accordingly.

To all, have a great cruise. I know we will!!!

Immigration and Customs are the same thing. The acronym is ICE. ICE = Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.

I would play it safe and get a certified copy of your birth certificate. It can be ordered on line and we got my daughters in three days with expedited service (costs a little extra).

Life is too short to worry about silly things. Those who will cut in line don’t care if you get upset and those who care don’t cut. The only people you are affecting by getting upset are you and your group. I say have fun and don’t worry about the small stuff.