fla33023

38 minutes ago, Bruin Steve said:

First, I've always thought the waiters and cabin stewards--who are, basically, paid by there gratuities are underpaid anyway.  I've NEVER deleted the automatic charges...and never will.  I truly believe a lot of the people who do that, even if they CLAIM to tip directly in cash DON'T...or, at a minimum, they undertip.  What I have always done (atleast since they started automatically charging it) is to leave those in tact...and then ADD assitional cash tips to those who I thought went above and beyond.  I will still do that--though I will likely, subconciously at least, deduct the extra $2 pp per day from my extra tip pool.

 

My only real question now is how to treat that increase in regard to my upcoming cruises.  I have TWO RCCL cruises currently "in the queue"--B2B cruises for a total of 24 nughts during the World Cruise next July/August.  So, under the old standard, $16 x 2 x 24= $768 TODAY versus $18 x 2 x 24= $864 paid almost 9 months from now.  Worth prepaying to save a mere $96 that I'll likely blend into my extra tip pool on the actual cruise anyway?  Or just pay it all out at once in 9 months and give out a few $ less in ectra tips?  Probably the latter.

 

Oh, BTW, extra bar tips?

Do you folks who throw around dollar bills at the bar realize that they ALREADY ADD an extra 18% gratuity to every drink.  It is also added to your drink package cost if you've gone that way. The tip is even already thrown into the pot BY RCCL on freebie voucher drinks?  I do not carry my wallet or wads of cash around on a cruise ship.  I do tip the Diamond Club waiters an extra bit AT THE END OF THE CRUISE for great service the entire cruise...BUT I find zero reason to throw around extra tips to add to the 18% I'm already being charged.  You don't hand out singles to the MDR waiters at every meal, do you?

I do not, but I have seen people leave a monetary tip in the MDR just like at a restaurant.

10 hours ago, jam19872016 said:

My mom got some shopping in. Her haul was pretty heavy so I came back to drop it off. She's going to be on her own with whatever else she finds.

 

She's not thinking ahead to having to carry this luggage later 😒.

 

Almost lunch time so I'm going to wait till noon and grab a bite then make my way back out.

I'd love to be there with your mom when she starts unpacking. How fun rediscovering all the little trinkets and knick-knacks she's picked up!

The Resolutions Dept would be able to reinstate the price. But like someone said, a better price may be available for the Black Friday sale.

8 hours ago, Victoria2 said:

OMGoodness, a pick 'n mix.

 

Love those flavours and is that sushi on the same plate as onion rings? Looks fabulous as a real treat!

I have never heard that phrase before, "pick 'n mix". I love it and will be using it from here on out!

On 10/5/2023 at 1:53 PM, sharktums said:

Interesting seeing a lot of success on Indy, I wonder why it's so empty?  We actually just got our RoyalUp accepted for Indy over Thanksgiving which I never expected and especially didn't expect this far before the cruise!

 

Went from a very cheap interior guarantee to $55 a person promenade (which we like a lot) so I'll consider it a win!

Congrats! I'm on that sailing too in an aft spacious balcony.  Bid on a GS and a OS! Don't think we'll get either but it's fun to play along!

3 hours ago, jam19872016 said:

Sampler plate zero for presentation but let's see how it tastes.

 

I see haricot verts! 😂

Loving every minute! I'm such a basic eater though and the menu's look way over my head. Does beetroot ketchup taste anything like Heinz? 😅

1 hour ago, jam19872016 said:

 

Your right made no sense but I looked all over or so I thought 😆. Happy I'm just dumb because I was always careful. 

Glad it was just an oversight. I'm not a world traveler so I appreciate these types of reminders to watch your belongings and keep things close to your body.  I just bookmarked the Travelon bag that @pe4all mentioned. Is your mom excited for tomorrow? I know I am! lol

2 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

 

Thanks! So it was both artsy and barbed wire, and it was meant to blend in with the clouds. Interesting. 

Yeah, that's really cool because you totally got the whole "cloud" aspect.  I love seeing all of the pictures you post of every day life. I like just sitting and watching the locals.

What's the building in the 3rd picture you posted? It looks like barbed wire is all over the top? 

40 minutes ago, highSeas22 said:

Gamble more

How about, "ok, I see I was mistaken." You spent this whole thread disagreeing with someone who clearly knew how to read their offer. Geez.

2 minutes ago, mtu_huskies said:

Red Cross has their donor card that can be on your iPhone in your apple wallet.  Easy to scan when you donate or if needed like this event I guess!

Makes sense! That's what @crzndeb was thinking too. People who donate regularly may have some type of documentation. I'm wondering if a primary doctor maybe has cards they could give out. 

37 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

I didn’t know either—feel like DH and I should  have one since we travel often and could help someone out

That was my thought.  I would hate to hear that announcement and not be able to help if I could. I'll certainly look into it.

10 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

Just got woken up by a 4am in-room announcement.

 

Medical emergency. They need someone with a donor card and an O Negative blood type. I unfortunately have neither.

 

We are at a dead stop; I’m suspecting a medical evacuation.

 

I hope the person is OK.

 

Now I’m wide awake. I went from completely asleep to completely awake.

Do people have and/or travel with a donor card? I know my blood type but I've never had a donor card. I didn't even know it was a thing!

1 hour ago, Knights on the Beach said:

I've really enjoyed following along! You will continue this throughout your Cunard cruise, I hope? 

I know in an earlier post it was said it will depend on the wi-fi quality.  I surely hope so because I've thoroughly enjoyed this review and hope it continues!

20 hours ago, LaRue1975 said:

I’m on that cruise, it will be our first NYE cruise. My hubby’s 70th birthday is NYE and 4 other couples are joining us in Havana cabanas and aft balconies, we have the aft wrap. I was able to use a casino discount and did get the free drinks for me but it definitely wasn’t free. It will be totally worth it for the special occasion, I can’t wait! See you on board, it’s going to be a good one! 

Wow! How nice to travel with friends in such high style! I hope it's his best birthday ever!

22 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

I’m on the pool deck.

 

still raining.

 

WHERE IS THE PARTY?

 

If sail away party is rained out, where is a good spot to watch sail-away?

I don't think any line does a sail-a-way party like Carnival. Royal's is more like a nice gathering! lol

28 minutes ago, balcony bound said:

Seems way too early for dinner!  I'm really struggling with your time change🙃

I was going to ask what his mom was doing with her Sea Day but the day is almost over! 

14 hours ago, UK Fan 78 said:

What date in November are you sailing? We will be on Indy November 26-30.

19 - 26 for Thanksgiving. 

6 hours ago, Threedrones said:

Not exactly “just off”, but sailed 9/18-9/22. Just thought I would jot down some points that it seems people ask about frequently. Departure was a breeze at Port of Miami. Our check in time was supposed to be 11:30, but we arrived at 10:40. Checked in with birth certificates ( long story there) with no problem. No sooner than being seated in the waiting area, our group was boarding. Went directly to muster station for info and proceeded to Windjammer. Windjammer opens at 11:15 and it was only 11:00. They opened early (11:05) so we enjoyed a nice lunch. In short, we checked in, did our muster drill and ate lunch prior to our assigned arrival time. The process was extremely easy and organized.

A small hiccup occurred after we ate. Thinking our soda cups would be in our cabin, we went to the bar to order a soda. The bartender scanned our set sail passes and gave us glasses of soda. When we later found that the cups were no longer placed in the cabin, we went to claim ours. However, when our set sail passes were scanned, it indicated that we received our cups. It took a while to explain, but we finally got our cups though I still think they didn’t believe us.

Cabin 9340 was nice and convenient. A hump cabin near the elevators, it was still quiet inside. Our steward, Serjav, was great. There is no longer a turn down service in the evening, but that is fine in our opinion. The stewards are really overworked as it is.

Food in the Windjammer was not really hot, but not cold either. Carving stations aren’t prevalent as they were in the past. We had omelets made to order at breakfast (these were hot) and remarkably the fellow taking our order knew it on the second day before we would order.

Main dining room was satisfactory. The service was terrific, but portions are definitely smaller  and far less variety is available. Taste, of course, is too subjective to comment on, but we were happy with our selections. And, if you want more to eat, you can always get more, no problem.

Since this was a cruise to just relax, we didn’t attend any shows. We would have gone to the ice show, but it began at 10:30 pm, too late for us. We really lucked out on the weather with the storms coming at night and daylight hours being warm and sunny.

Finally, with embarkation so organized, we found the opposite for disembarking. Everyone is assigned a number if you are not walking off with your bags. Cabins need to be vacated before 8:00 am and your number is assigned a place to wait. Everything fine so far, but there were no announcements to announce the numbers being called. We were in the Royal Theater, with many other numbers, and there was a small screen displaying the process and who had already been called, but the average person would need binoculars to make out the numbers. We did not care, because we were in no hurry to leave, but I can see how it would be a burden to some.

Overall, a great cruise and am looking forward to our next.

We've been in Playmakers the last 2 debarkations and could hear the announcements well. Maybe it's just the theater. Glad you had a good cruise!

5 hours ago, UK Fan 78 said:

Thank you for sharing. Glad you had a great trip. We were in 9338 last month and had the same cabin attendant. He was absolutely wonderful. We are booked on Independence for November. I am hoping it is as wonderful as Freedom!

It is! I'll be on Indy in Nov too. Love Freedom class!

What a sea day! There is so much to do and the food options look great!

Looks really fun! Is it anchored or does one of your friends have to jump in and push you back to shore?! Lol

6 minutes ago, jam19872016 said:

While I love naps, I never wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

 

Anyway, I'm up now and heading to the sauna.

 

Diamond gathering is at 5:15 in the Swingtime Lounge.

I agree.  I'm kind of moody for the first 15 minutes. Lol

14 hours ago, pirate4me2 said:

We headed to our usual pre-cruise dinner and drinks spot, Fishlips, at 3:45. I wanted to watch the ships sail out. I had the mango habanero margarita on the rocks, which

was awesome…slightly spicy, not too sweet. We had some calamari, which were good, and i had the seafood roll as my main…delish! We watched Mariner OTS sail out, and I gotta know…what’s that big yellow ball on her upper decks?

Big yellow ball is the Sky Pad. You jump on a trampoline while wearing VR goggles. They were out of service for quite some time.  I don't know if they're up and running again.