Spif Barwunkel

No doubt, the tipping culture worldwide, but especially in the U.S. has gotten out of hand. It seems more and more folks think that "what's in your wallet" should become a shared commodity. There are instances where I am actually offended or embarrassed by the solicitation. If I may digress. I am a native Floridian, born in Daytona Beach. For several years after discharge from the service in 1967 I lived in Sarasota, FL. To me, some of the most beautiful stretches of land and sea anywhere is the area from St. Armands Circle to the end of Longboat Key. One of several jobs I had included working as a bellman at the Field's Colony Beach Club on Longboat Key. A high-end hotel that attracted the rich and famous. Some of the guests who I checked in were, then Senator Lowell Weicker of Connecticut, Christine McGuire of the McGuire Sisters, Art Linkletter, James Garner and the occasional "Boss" from New York or Chicago. Naturally, tips were a big part of my daily pay and like anywhere else, no matter one's celebrity status, there are non-tippers everywhere. I will say, the best tippers were the "Bosses". It was nothing to get handed $20.00 for bringing a bucket of ice to the cottage. Of course, there would be no look of disappointment or hint disdain if there was no tip. When two very large non-smiling human beings take the ice bucket from your hands, you smile and say, will there be anything else. I know that the Sarasota/Bradenton area is nothing like it was 56 years ago. I am going to assume that despite the tremendous growth, Longboat Key is still as beautiful as ever.

Is it foolish to over-tip, selfish to under-tip, and just plain wrong not to tip at all? Whether it's your culture, your upbringing, your mindset, your financial status, or any combination thereof, the only right answer - yes or no - is the one that fits you. The thought of tipping or not tipping should not be a burden to your cruising enjoyment, and, indeed, should not be dependent on what others do. For us, tipping is a pleasant part of our overall cruising experience. Our additional gratuities are portioned out, depending on length of cruise. The usual suspects are recognized, above and beyond the auto-grats and based solely on normal, reliable service. We will add for exceptional care. We can afford to tip well, and we enjoy having the ability to do so. A personal envelope with name and a sincere thankyou written on the front brings a smile, to crew member and to us. A small gesture, but worth so much. What others do is right for them and is not any concern to us. On several occasions on cruises past, I have included tips for some forgotten crew, who toil in not the most desirable locations and are privy to not the most desirable passengers. A good restroom attendant earns his/her keep while maintaining a friendly, helpful demeanor. Those folks who I have encountered several times while cruising, I like to recognize. However one chooses to recognize the crew members, or not, is a personal choice. It is not enjoyable to the guest if done reluctantly, so why put oneself in that position. For us, mutual satisfaction is what it's all about.

Oh no, you can't do that on this trip? Easily remedied. While wearing that special mask and sitting on your balcony, sing the Oley Speaks song "On the Road to Mandalay" where the flying fishes play. If you sing it, they will come.

I have not stayed in one of the aft balconies, but I would be willing to bet that no matter how many folks express their thoughts about it, it will remain the same, as will your thoughts. As much as you would like it to morph into something else - caterpillar into butterfly - it will not. And you know what, that just ain't right. There are special masks that come with these cabins, but you have to request them. Put it on when sitting on the balcony and you are guaranteed not to see anything negative about your "non-balcony, balcony."

I watched the Q & A video on Tuesday and Tom Sunday is not my messiah. He is a customer/critic but aren't we all. His video is well put together and speaks to issues that have been the bane of Celebrity for many, many months now. From his perspective, it is not the most honest and trustworthy relationship between X and the customer. From my perspective, the two ladies were a bit too cutesy and upbeat, not really showing any credence or concern for customer complaints. Perhaps a bit more seriousness and businesslike demeanor could have given more validation to the reasons why the Q & A was presented. In the meantime, for those harshest of X critics who have cruises planned and hoping for the best, why, cancel them before final payment. For those of you on the fence about cruising with X, get off and go elsewhere. For those of you fortunate to have not been personally affected, remain a customer until you don't want to be. For what it's worth, that's the way I am going to play it. So, I guess the disgruntled folks can blame me for their misery. I will continue spending my Celebrity dollars which in turn will enable Celebrity to provide you with less than perfect service. I'll admit, I am one of those suckers born many, many minutes ago.

Huh!

I would ask, getting a little worried about what?

And well you should.

Plenty of choices available with 'M' and 'S class ships around Europe. If some folks feel that they don't have a choice, strictly on them.

"Infinite verandas are the biggest scam I mean greatest marketing coup in cruising history." The poster who made this statement, does he/she realize how true it is? I, for one, was swindled out of my cruisiing dollars. As a result, I became part of the very successful movement toward the Infinite Veranda culture. That's right, Celebrity told me everything there was to tell, laid it all there for me to see and still took my money. Now, I am trapped, forced to make IV decisions based on truth, justice and the American way. Celebrity has scammed their way through three Edge Class ships with a fourth due to begin sailing soon. Shameful. One can certainly remain vehemently against IV cabins since their inception years ago. With support from fellow caustics, we innocents were warned of Celebrity's malevolent intent, a portend of things to come. Obviously, Celebrity is not listening. Obviously, neither are we. Looks like I, for one, shall continue to fall shamelessly into the Infinite abyss of 'T,' 'J', and the 'A' way.

Kind of like when you go into any and all public or private spaces, it will be cold here warm there and varying temperatures everywhere. Knowing this enables one to be prepared for anything thus eliminating the need for query.

Strictly related to cruising, I find vloggers and bloggers and podcasters to be quite monotonous and boring. As far as I am concerned, there are no "cruising experts" who are able to provide me with vital cruising information necessary to enhance future experiences. Such is the case with the attached podcast. I listened to the entire presentation because of your "worth a listen" comment and it provided nothing for me that I did not already know. This in no way is intended to take away the value, importance and need for such information since there are many people new to cruising and veteran cruisers who still feel the need for guidance, or validation of their likes and dislikes. We are long-time cruisers and the best experts we can think of to go to for advice. It works for us. You have authored an interesting thread. Your research and information have elicited worthwhile and interesting discussion. Thank you for that. Just like "not being a numbers guy", (please don't get lost again) I am not dependent on nor anxious for other people's comments regarding subjects on which I am quite familiar. They can be an interesting read while not always being a significant part of my decision making.

Of course, I did. Simply put, Celebrity's numbers drop from 4.1 to 3.2 impresses me not. What does impress me is the service provided to us when cruising with X, not how other people attach numbers to their cruising experience.

I am not a numbers guy. I realize the necessity and the value of numbers and statistics within certain domains and conditions. In the cruising world when dealing with the human element there are many variables from which a skewed result can occur. Not to say that the reviews and their number ratings are not sincere, but might they be more unscientifically emotional rather than unscientifically thought out, thus more often than not resulting in negative codification and subsequent commentary? On all of my Celebrity cruises to date I have never been privy, singularly or collectively, to the personal affronts and circumstances that some folks apparently have experienced. As to the occasional disappointment, most certainly we have had a few. Therefore, reviews and downturns in the numbers are of no concern to me, at present. Not to say that can’t change, but it will be on my terms not someone else's.

I would choose Reflection. My choice and the reasoning for it is totally illogical when compared to the choice and reasoning of others. I will not cruise on any ship unless it is in a balcony cabin, free cruise included. Past accommodations have included inside and ocean view. One and done, as the experience took so much away from the "cruising" experience. I very much like the outside access and the extension of the cabin itself. We use our balcony a lot and much prefer the more intimate, private open-air exposure to the ocean and the ports. Nice options, enjoy.

Using your favorite vodka or gin for your typical non-specialty martini, what difference does it make who makes it? None, actually. If how the bar looks makes your martini taste better, you will certainly enjoy it at the Brass Magnolia.

Ypir, had you received the e-mail last week or last month or last year, would you have still asked, "why now"? The important thing here is that you have the opportunity to provide your thoughts on the current state of cruising affairs. If your thoughts matter, let X know. No matter when it is, there will always be a now. Choose your nows wisely.

Here is a thread topic from 2009, page 4550. "How cruising has improved over the years" First post from OP goes like this. There have been many posts about how cruising isn't what it use to be, but I think that even though some aspects of cruising have slipped over the years, in other ways they have improved. Cabins are more spacious It is easier to book a cabin with a private balcony There are more dining options. Itineraries are more interesting. They are more family oriented Passenger base is more diverse I wonder how these comments would be responded to, today. Still relevant?

Overall, we enjoyed the ship. Impressive central atrium area with a very popular bar on deck 5. Many large windows in some interior public spaces open the ship up to a bright, airy environment, more so than I have seen on other ships. The dining room is very nice and typical of most MDR's that I have experienced. Same with the buffet. Not a fan of the theater, it is small and did not seem to go with the rest of the ship. Of course, after experiencing theaters on Celebrity Edge class ships and Carnival Mardi Gras it would be hard to find more impressive theaters at sea. We are not lounge-around-the-pool people, so we are not drawn to those outside areas. The pool area did seem smaller than others I have seen. The Bridge of Sighs is not all that. Walking over plexiglass walkways, 16 decks up, did not take my breath away. By quirks, if you mean the bowling alley/arcade, half of a '57 chevy, an old gas pump etc. on deck 7 aft, yes, we did notice. When it comes to total presentation, I am a fan of the Celebrity Edge class ships, and we are very much looking forward to the Ascent. We would cruise with MSC again but would not travel any significant distance to do so. Seascape will replace Seaside at Port Canaveral. We might give her a try since she will reside close by.

One would certainly think so. We will eat the majority of our dinners in the MDR(s) as well as a couple of specialty restaurants. Breakfasts and lunches at the buffet. If the food is as good as on Beyond in May and Seaside in September, we will very happy.

If one has cruised for any length of time, no matter the number of cruise lines, more likely than not you will have encountered the occasional unsavory dining experience. Whether one or more of your senses is offended, the overall act of eating can be adversely affected. DW and I just experienced our first cruise aboard an MSC ship, 7 nights on Seaside. Obviously, with no previous MSC dining experience, determining an uphill or downhill food drift is not possible. The MDR is where we dined every night and the food was very good to excellent each time. The buffet for breakfast and/or lunch was good to very good each time, especially the pizza which was excellent. In February of this year, we cruised aboard Celebrity Infinity for 14 nights, Aqua class. Food wise, it was an off trip for her. Blu food, buffet food and specialty food were all fair fare, at best, palatable but disappointing. A downhill drift. In May of this year, we cruised aboard Celebrity Beyond for 12 nights, Aqua class. Food wise, it could not have been any better in all dining venues that we experienced. An uphill drift. Later this month, we will cruise aboard Carnival Mardi Gras. Following her introduction, we were on her 4th sailing and found the food to be very good. There are so many dining venues from which to choose, and none were disappointing. Interested to see what this sailing brings. In December of this year, we will be on the 7- night Maiden Voyage of Ascent. Will all the hoopla affect the food? For better or for worse, that is yet TBD

Here are a couple of oldies but goodies, from 2006 page 5500. I'll not risk further ridicule and embarrassment by attempting to calculate how many years ago that was. - "Celebrity captain arrested for intoxication". - "Trans canal question". You wonder, could one have affected the other. Kind of like allowing the passengers to walk among the locks.

Or behind in my taxes.

Even With my binoculars I did not see many.

Outdone by Maxwell Smart. Wow! But the current year is '23, right? Obviously, one of those problems is math.