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Correct. MTD was a nightmare for the first 3-4 nights on the Jewel Transatlantic last month 4/5 - 4/20. HUNDREDS of people showing up 6:45 - 7:15 with no tables available. I went in the early afternoon on embarkation day to confirm our dining location. First night I saw the mob, and went up to the dining manager I had talked to that afternoon, and told him quietly that we would be eating elsewhere that night because of the crowded conditions. He made me wait a few minutes and had me seated, since we had an assigned table. Then, I went back and got my friends. On our way out I told him we wanted that table and waiters every night. The next night it was the same, and we walked through to crowd and to our table. Our waiter showed us the "back way" to get into the dining room. On the Jewel there are cabins next to Guest Services, 4580 - 4590, and an open entry to the dining room. It's great for getting to your assigned table without having run the gauntlet of people at the main entrance.

I had to still go through the error-riddled phone prompts to get to the D+/Pinnacle phone agent, but I made it through the phone prompt gauntlet! Same 1-800-526-9723 number without the 9 key pressed at the end. When asked "what can I help you with?", say "Speak to Loyalty Department". You will be asked, "You want to know your Crown and Anchor number, right?" Not right, but say yes. I had to go through giving my birthdate and telephone number that the system could not find associated with my account, but the agent DID confirm they were both in my record. When the error-riddled phone prompts can't find you, you are then transferred to the Loyalty Department. Yes! A real, live polite human being!!!

There will be a banner saying "Gratuities Included". For my next cruise I am seeing the Unlimited Dining Package without the banner, and individual specialty restaurant packages with the banner.

Yes, you use your vouchers in the SL during HH.

I have used the UDP for lunches. Go to the Cruise Planner and see if they have the specialty restaurant lunches available. Select each restaurant separately, as if you are going to buy the reservation, and all the days they are available for lunch will show up as reservation choices. Note these for each available restaurant, and those are the days you can use your UDP. I usually go in to one of them on embarkation day, ask to be seated, and give them a list with all my reservation requests for lunch and dinner for the cruise (with a cash tip), and ask they be made for me while I'm eating.

The gratuity of 18% is added when you purchase and check-out. It's about $44 per person, per meal with the gratuity.

YOU are my hero!

The upgraded, non-Grand Suite, toiletries are versions of the dispenser on the wall in the shower. I dislike the smell and send them back. I bought a 3-pack, 2 oz, foaming liquid soap dispensers for $7 on Amazon. They worked great with my Bath and Body Works White Citrus body wash, slightly diluted. Shampoo in another, face wash in the third. I keep the body wash on the sink counter for washing my hands, and take it into the shower. Love having my favorites with me. Refill when I get home for the next trip.

Could you give more details, please? Many of us cannot get to a live person for C&A questions, and only get the recorded "phone tree". Thanks.

You label the bag "Wash and Fold Special". Ask your cabin stewardfirst.

I was going to mention that, but didn't really know if was a "thing" yet.

You can ask your cabin attendant at any time for the wash and fold bag.

Agree. Well, except for the whole Italian/pasta thing: I really like some of the pasta dishes. If I reply to a specific question about the Coastal Kitchen, I do so. But, I leave it out of threads discussing the complimentary food. It's like apples and oranges: specialty dining and CK are not complimentary. Of course, I prefer the food in the CK and specialty dining, but I truly found the food on the Jewel Transatlantic in the MDR to be very good. I mix and match my appetizers and entrees, so I always have something good to eat. Sometimes it's all appetizers, sometimes it's a second entree as an appetizer-sized side dish. (See above about pasta dishes......😁.) Oh, and I'm not in the Loyal to Royal "food basket": I really like Princess' food, too!

I have felt your pain....literally. My husband of 52 years died of pancreatic cancer 3 years ago. It's an ugly, ugly disease, and unbearable (but you have to bear it) to watch your loved one go like this. I found when I contacted RCCL after his passing, explaining the circumstances, they were very considerate. I was offered a refund or Future Cruise Credit. Not in any condition to be planning anything except breathing at the time, I opted for a refund. My travel agent at the time told me it would be best to contact RCCL directly in this case. I agree with Ourusualbeach about your credit cards. They were my next contact after RCCL. Good luck, and try to focus on the life with her, not the death of her.

That's why instead of wearing a mask full time like I did just after covid, I keep it with me and put it on in crowded situations on a cruise ship. Elevators being my most "masked" venue....😁