livingonthebeach

I had Evian with the water package on Rhapsody a few weeks ago. The ship had been in Barbados since pre covid (2019) and was the first time she went to the US post Covid so maybe that explains it.

I wonder how long it will be until RCI changes the word gratuities to something like Princess which changed from gratuities to “Crew Appreciation” and Cunard to “hotel and dining service charge”. Or simply just put out a tip jar like this one:

Will they refund us the extra $$ we paid for for the 10 year? LOL - I'm not holding my breath!

I believe you can get MTD and not pre-pay grats. I don't think it's fair for the UDP people to have to pay MDR servers. YMMV

Yes and the price is hefty. It costs just a little more to get a 10 year multiple entry visa so that's what I did even though I don't think I will be going back there anytime soon.

If your cruise stops anywhere in China, you will need to get a Visa on your own - the ship does not provide visas for China - this is from personal experience.

Cabin 6524

I'm a bit behind reading all the posts on this thread but wanted to chime in to say that I booked a gtd balcony on my Odyssey cruise this past December and was pleasantly surprised to have been given a deck six balcony with no obstruction -- it was way forward past all the tenders.

The wine pairing is extra as some have said and they are not generous pours but depending on the ship and the wine sommelier, you can certainly ask for more and will be accommodated. The same goes with the food substitutions -- I've witnessed many requests for variations of the menu which have all been granted.

Maybe this has been mentioned before but I admit I haven't read through all 13 pages. If someone purchases the UDP and the DBP which already tacks on 18% gratuity plus one leaves a cash tip directly to the room steward, why in the world in that situation would it be fair to ask one to pay the auto grats on top of all the other "gratuities", i.e. tips? Just mildly confused...

Surprisingly, no one has mentioned the room and board aspect the crew get as part of their contract. While they are certainly in cramped quarters and the food is different and probably of lower quality than what the passengers get, there is some value to the complimentary room and board. Fast food workers on land do not receive free room and board. Maybe this is an added incentive for workers from lesser developed countries, as they would receive more in wages that they could send home to their families than what they get earn in their home countries? Just a thought.

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports

I've been to Labadee many times in person and not from a keyboard. I've also been to many developing countries where the harassment is much, much worse. As far as I'm concerned, the vendors there are tolerable. YMMV

How about a B2B? Has that question been answered?

I totally agree -- anything but the BB in that spot would be much better. That's a ginormous waste of space and $$$ as they have it now.

True, it's an extremely overpriced robot that is programmed to fail. AI is used to perform a task that typically only humans can do. Been there, done that and got the T-shirt and will never go back.

The vendors in Labadee are tame compared to most third world countries. Yes they harass you but you have options -- either don't go or harass.back.

It's a crapshoot when you book GTY. I was extremely lucky on Odyssey -- when I saw I got deck six I nearly freaked out -- that's where all the obstructed balconies are due to the tenders being there. I got a cabin way up toward the bow and had a perfectly unobstructed view --- YMMV

I don't think I will ever cruise on Grandeur again. She is the oldest ship in the entire fleet and showing her age. The Jr. Suite bathtub was the grossest thing I've ever seen. The ship doesn't have a lot to offer and should be scrapped IMO. She's not as bad as Empress but getting there -- YMMV

From my experience, the BB is very often out of service. I wonder who at RCI had the idea to spend millions on such a money loser. The few drinks I've gotten there were awful -- I will never go back. Oh and don't forget to order ice with the drink. There's no going back with the Robot -- even after the 18%.

Although it is not my favorite cuisine, the taste of Indian food is actually not all that bad in my book. However, the only times I've gotten really sick (food poisoning I suppose) was twice in my life and both times were after eating at an Indian restaurant (different ones, different cities). I got what they call the Delhi belly and boy did I suffer! I don't think I would pay $40-$50 for a repeat toilet hugging experience. Maybe my digestive system just can't handle it.....YMMV

https://www.local10.com/news/local/2023/02/27/woman-arrested-for-credit-card-fraud-in-miami-dade/

I didn't see it until you pointed it out. The news article I posted a link to was not on the previous thread. It appears now that it is not just rumor.

According to the article below, RCI plans to convert Jazz on 4 on all Oasis class ships into non-smoking casinos. Why not just put barriers between the smoking and non-smoking sections in the casino and keep Jazz on 4? 🤷‍♀️ https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/arena/royal-caribbean-closure-hints-at-major-smoking-change/article_25d3b4c8-dbbe-5853-9113-46692a1e532b.html

Scallop Carpaccio Smoked Tomato Soup Maine Lobster Salad Roasted Branzino or Grilled Filet Mignon Truffle Potato Purée The World - dessert from Wonderland (big chocolate ball with hot chocolate poured over it) delicious!!!!