Joseph2018Baltic

I always do a meet and greet in the bars on board. Never needed antother one

The muster drill has changed over the years and Covid did not have anything to do with the changes. The e-muster was already in the plans prior to 2020 as cruise lines have been reviewing how to best manage the safety laws. RCCL does not offer it, but rather require you to complete the muster drill by maritime law either on your app, or in your room. Once you complete the final step, which is to report to your actural muster station, will your process be considered complete. This is actually the second major change in the muster drill process this decade.

The auto tips are the customary amount to tip on an international cruise ship. I do not tip extra, just like I don't tip anything extra than the customary amount in a restaurant which might be 18% in the USA, or much less intenationally. I always know the customary amount, and try very hard never to go over it.

Wouldn't the simple solution be not to link a status unless legally married, or kids.

I see several things here. First, people complain the auto tips up, buy then brag how much more they give Second, People complain, but than remove the tips, and think that handing tips to employees themselves solve the issue Third, the people who believe the staff and their sad stories Fourth, people that think the cruise line steals from their employees. My thought is this, I tip the recommended and customary amount, and I don't give extra, or take any of it away. It is a customary amount, dictated by years of cruising, and I'm happy with it. Oh, and my service is the same as the braggers.

I find this is a very common issue, where, you have a person bragging, and a person that is clueless. My last cruies, I heard a person brag how much better the food was for a suite guest and a special restaurant on the ship. I know this is a RCCL page, but this did happen. The ship, Celestyal Olympia, formally the Song of America, a RCCL ship built in 1982 has a reserved area for the 10 balcony suites. Guess what, although a separate section of the main dining, the food was exactly the same. The exact same menu. Nothign different. Plus, you still had access to the buffet that was also in the dining room. Exactly the same. I loved it. Moral of the story, is that some people, might actually believe what they are saying without ever knowing they are wrong.

Never had an issue parking in any lot. Arrive before your boarding time.

I heard once 5 kids at home......but my point is they tell stories, and therefore, I don't chat with them. I also was told once about how they used the money for food for their family (like don't we all use our money to pay for food?) and once how the wife needed a car for work.

I tend not to chart with the hired help.

So many opinions, but my opinion is that you gave him $120.00 too much. The gratuities on a ship is based on a customary amount on an international vessal, and not expectations of a citizen of the USA. Anything over a customary amount is always accepted I personally don't recall the last time I tipped extra on a cruise, because I am happy and satisfid with my prepaid, recommended amount that I give. There is a thing that many of the staff will do now. It is called the guilt trips. The sad stories. How they are trying to feed 6 kids at home. You name it, they tell it. Looking at $120.00 like you were a cheapskate. It's a game with them, and you are falling for it, by feeling guilty of the amount. You tipped way too much, and no need to feel bad about it.

Rule of thumb is 12:00 noon. So any poster says before, was lucky, and anyone after, is normal. Asking a question like this only means that you are justifying a situation, that is not predictalbe. So I recommend that you do what you already want to do, and just hope for the best.

Being a parent and a grandparent, I really do not believe a 2 year old will know, or care or understand anything that is happening, and will have fun, with a water hose, if that was all it was. You will have a long time, and many years of explaining why you can't do something yet to a child. Go have fun, and your kid will have fun as well, where ever he is at this age.

Soda is a rip-off, but you already know, you paid for 7 days, and the cup, is free. So, you know that if you get soda past the days you paid, it is taking something you did not pay for. So why in the world, are you asking if it is ok?

The protest with the boats has nothing to do with the unrest in Haiti, different year, different situation. If you need to ask, than don't go. Labadee, is an isolated area in Haiti, and is leased by the cruise industry. Every country has protesting (including the USA) and various other items to be concerned about. That is the world. So, there is nothing to be conerned about, but make your own choice in the matter.

First a shuttle bus is a short trip, between say the ship, and a drop off place. A tour bus, is larger, and can have a luggage area. An excursion bus on small islands can just be a very large mini van. Point is, saying a shuttle bus, it will be a big Maybe. Without know any details, no one can answer you and even if they do, they still might be wrong. My wife has a travel scooter, and very seldom hafe issues, but if it is a shuttle bus, often times, since a "shuttle" is used for short trips, we just walk/drive scotter.