Sabalon
-
Posts
403 -
Joined
Content Type
Forums
Store
Blogs
Downloads
Events
Gallery
Posts posted by Sabalon
-
-
Our first cruise we were on the YTD. The first night we sat at one of the large tables with a bunch of strangers. There was some small talk, but my wife and I are not the most social people with strangers, so it was awkward. After that night, we typically ended up at a table for four with our girls (except one night room service grilled cheese was their choice).
The second cruise we ended up with Late dining. Given that you can graze all day, there was no issue with us starving or anything. It was just my wife and I on that one, so we had a nice table for two. It was interesting watching a few other tables and the consistency of people - including the once I could see where I think every night she found something to complain about.
Right now we're slated for late dining and wait-listed on YTD. I keep wavering on this. The late dining tends to get in the way of evening activities. The early dining looks like it will conflict with some of the port times - ie. we get on board and barely have time to cleanup...I may be either exaggerating the leaving port times or my wife's get-ready times, but I don't want to be rushed.
The one thing that I LOVED about the fixed time dining was you had the same wait staff every night. Service is their game, but they do a great job of making you feel like you're the only person they have to deal with. I have read you can ask at the YTD, but you may be waiting longer - no different than going to a restaurant and asking to sit in a certain wait persons table.
-
Glad to hear it. Two weeks from today I'll be on the Glory and this makes me even more anxious for it to get here :)
-
I just got a SJCAM SJ4000 Wifi (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VFVUAMQ)
It was $70 when I bought it and came with two extra batteries and a whole boatload of mounts for putting it on bikes, helmets, etc.
Works well, at least in the pool. No real instructions so you have to google for everything, but does the job.
-
We still get a free drink coupon - good only in the MDR.
And if I remember right, it was only good during lunch in the MDR. That pissed me off. But I guess it's a way of offering something that so few will take them up on there is no major loss of profit.
-
In 2014 we sailed during the World Cup. There were usually TV's here and there with it on (and some crew watching or cleaning those tables by the TV on Lido religiously.)
-
Yes. Try eating at a Michelin 3-Star restaurant instead of Waffle House and you might begin to understand.
Nah...don't like the fancy places. I'll take a hole in the wall greasy spoon anyday...or even waffle house!
-
There is NO need to put money on your account in advance, especially, if you're using a credit card. "Holds' are not place on credit card like they are on DEBIT cards...totally different thing.
They can put an authorization hold on credit card transactions as well. They authorize a transaction, which puts the funds in limbo until the transaction is finalized or the hold expires.
-
After refreshing by reading that
If you choose to use cash to back your card, you have to have some on at the start of the cruise.
If you choose to use credit to back your card, it will put a hold on funds ($100) at the start of the cruise, and if you use all that, it'll do another $100 hold until the bank says enough!
If you don't prepay gratuities, it will charge them to your sign and sail card. No idea what happens if you're using cash and your balance is not enough - am guessing you get a note that says to see the guest services desk before disembarking. (and flagged so you can't).
After the cruise it can take up to a week for either a) them to release the hold on the credit card funds or b) send you a check for any remaining cash above $10 - anything below $10 is a donation to St Judes.
-
I prefer to prepay them, because I doubt there would be anything that would happen that would make me want to take them off. That way it is one less expense to worry about...it's already paid and done.
I believe it works like this
Cash - you deposit an amount on your card and you treat it like a debit/gift card, you buy a drink and that is deducted from the amount until you have no more.
Credit - you are basically linking your sign and sail card to a debit/credit card. You buy drinks, it is charged to your card.
Am guessing that if in either situation you end up owing them you settle that the morning before you get off the boat.
This should sum it up https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1138/~/sail-%26-sign-onboard-account
-
The discussion has been about whether or not the value of the item should determine the tip left. Where did I say I cared how much they tipped, or if there were people waiting for that table or not? I gave an example on how just maybe the amount of an item shouldn't be the determining factor in the amount of tip that was left.
That I can agree with. I've watched a waitress spend a minute or two putting together a $3 salad or $5 dessert. I've also seen them take 20 seconds to put the $20 steak order in the computer for the kitchen and a third person brings the food out.
Mostly it comes down to how nice they are...and usually I don't tip less than $2 regardless.
Best waitress I had knew my name, knew what I had to drink, talked to me. Got to know her and went to her wedding. So in the grand scheme of things, with the gift and all, she probably got the biggest tip :)
-
I have a different take on this. These people work extremely hard. They send most of their money home to support their family. They each get a portion of the automatic tips. I try to leave $2-5 each morning for my room steward. Do you know the amount of "stuff" they have to deal with? If I have had very good service in the dining room, I tip the waiters/assistants anywhere from $10-$40 at the end of the cruise. If I have seen someone in the buffet area that works really hard, I give them $5 at the end of the trip. You cant imagine how much these people appreciate it. Obviously, this applies only if you can afford it. But, if you can afford it, it will make you feel really good.
Our first cruise, we had no idea what we were getting into. We had some cash for the room steward and for anyone who brought us a drink (only a few of those). We did anytime dining, which I think we sat different every night. My girls got room service one night and I think that guy got a $10 tip from them as they were even more awkward tippers!
Second one, we did late dining, had the same staff everynight and left them a good tip at the end.
Which makes me wonder if the your time dining staff feel like they get stiffed working that room, or if there is a pecking order to get in the MDR?
-
One of the threads related that I was going off of.
-
Fantasy was our first ship as well. Smaller, but we loved it. Key West is such a cool place - want to take a cruise that stops there but my wife is of the opinion why pay for a stop in the US, we can go to Key West anytime - but oddly we never do.
As for parking at Miami. As others have said, look at the Miami port forums and the threads there - to be honest, sounds scary! We're leaving out of Miami on the 2nd, and have (mostly) decided to park at the port. It'll be $140, vs $70 at a nearby lot, but the car is right there when we get off and no shuttles to deal with either. Make sure you factor in any shuttle prices. Some are free for two passengers, some for 4, etc.
-
If I could afford a $1000 cupcake I'd have no problem tipping $200 for it.
A few months ago we ate at a restaurant with one of the best wine lists in the world. The tab for the wine alone came to about $1000 for the five of us. We tipped 20%. If you can afford to eat out, you can afford a 20% tip. If it doesn't fit the budget, stay home. Pretty simple concept.
What do they do different if you ordered the $3 cupcake? Does the server do $199.40 more work for the 1k cupcake?
-
I think on my last one, I had 4 drinks total. Guess I'm not the profit center Carnival wants. Though I hear from friends of the $2k alcohol bills.
Yikes.
Something in between would be nice. Lower the limit of drinks and charge less and maybe (if I didn't have to buy it for my non-drinking wife).
Would love to have a coffee shop card though.
-
It is the ability for me to pay $60 to be at the front of the line where I have always known I was meant to be. Right behind platinum of course and any wedding party that I cannot sabotage before they get to the port. I heard Alejandro talking to his buddies last night and he said he thought you looked really fat in your gown.
"Oh...so you're the bride...I thought it was that other girl he was out with last night - looked pretty serious to me."
Oh the fun one could have :)
-
Am going to have to go back and read this whole thread...great stuff - gets me excited for two weeks from now.
The pic of the lido from behind the waterslide made me laugh - good place to hang out and setup a wedgie cam!
-
You will be given opinions on how it is great, and how it is a scam to make more money.
Only you can decide if it's worth it for you.
You may get on the ship ahead of others by a good bit, or you may get on board 5 minutes before general boarding. However, your room is ready for you, which means you can drop your carryons off and not have to keep up with them while eating, etc. Also, your luggage should get to your room faster. Still would recommend keeping your swimsuit as a carry-on so you can get right on, go to your room and change before everyone gets to the pool.
We purchased it on this cruise for the first time. I don't want to be a pack-mule for everyone. Yes, $60. A drop in the bucket with the rest of the cost. To me I find value in it. Others may not.
-
Great time to hit the WaterWorks if it's on your ship, or to chill by the pool.
-
Is this something they are doing ONLY in Miami? Or is this going to be fleet wide?
It's more of a port thing - https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3180
-
well...the folder they are in I just noticed is name 3-5-2012, so yeah....
There is some pics from last year on this thread
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2233509&page=5
Hmm...prices look roughly the same at a quick glance.
-
If full disclosure, the menus didn't indicate they were from any ship in particular so don't buy it based solely on that. Wish they still had the coffee card
Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app
-
Google "NKOTB cruise door decorations" and you'll see why they had to start making rules.
Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app
Wow! I wonder if there are any "step by step" instructions for some of those. The 3D ones look intricate and it could make the door "hanging tough" to do.
I need coffee
Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app
-
It let me download the app to my eyepad on the ship with only the ship wifi.
Without buying any kinda carnival data/internet package? Interesting if so may have to try that - curious IT guy.
Explain this whole MDR "seating time" thing
in Carnival Cruise Lines
Posted
Thanks. I'm gonna try this (assuming we get one we like!) and hopefully not have to wait a long time for a preferred wait staff. Assuming we get switched from Late to YTD.