NotThePest_Too

Reading this thread is so much fun. :'):')

 

People revealing there preferences regarding what they wear or not as the case may be. :o

Not only is this a preference thread, but it is a "gett'n up a posse" endeavor. Reminds me of old time western's... Someone rides in on their horse and shouts out words that gets folks stirred up then adds..."What ya gonna do 'bout it? How many riding with me?" Then they ride off and folks get killed ..all but the instigator or he gets/got shot first. :D:D

Ramona

All this worry and angst over the remote possibility of getting germs from a drawer is quite amusing and more fun than tipping threads. If there are one or two germs waiting to get me in a drawer then how many millions are waiting for me in the bed? From now on I will be taking a rope and sleep hanging over that :')

OK, ok, I know I'm five days late (Just found this thread) but this thread is hilarious. It's 5:00 AM (Eastern Day Light - GMT-4 or UTC 8:56 AM) and I can't get back to sleep buy I'm laughing my head off. And here I am thinking some boring topic would send me back to sleep; but I'm possibly waking the neighbors up.

Since I'm up let me throw a monkey wrench into this conversation. I don't wipe anything, draws, surface tops, light switches, etc. with wipes... Here goes, I use essential oils I carry with me 'cause... .drum roll please... I'm more concerned about picking up creepy crawlies. Based on the type of essential oil used....they are natural disinfectants, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, opens up your sinuses and smells good. <3(y)(y):ship:

Now, continue on.

Ramona

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. An update on what I've ended up doing for anyone interested.

90% of my FF miles are with Delta but I have some with American. I actually found an Economy-Extra, one-way ticket from New York to Barcelona, on my preferred travel date for 22,000 miles. So I booked that with AA miles.

I've looked at the Delta FF mileage requirements between home and NY, then between Miami (where I get off the transatlantic) home, and will book both of those one-way flights separately and still retain about 75% of my Delta miles at the end.

The only negative I can think of is having to collect my suitcase from my Delta flight in New York, exit the terminal, and go back through security again for my American flight out. Yuck! At least I have about six hours between my arrival and departure flights...that is, if everything goes as it's supposed to.

Don't know if this suggestion will be helpful but will you have to pay a check luggage fee to each airline? If you do, then you may want to use one of the following: Luggage Forward; Luggage Free; Luggage Concierge to get your checked bag directly to your ship.

The only way to really help the crews is to make the cruise lines stop the systems that they have in place of underpaying workers and trying to get Guest to pay more out of

pocket, the cruise lines are using crew and guest to increase the bottom line profits.

This(y) As long as they staff handles their pay to conserve the amount they need to spend and/or send home the above will work. It Ain't the Amount You Make but the Amount You Keep!

Ramona

I am newly single and will be sailing Princess out of San Francisco to Hawaii solo. I am looking forward to all aspects of the cruise with one exception. I am concerned that I will feel lonely being solo with all the couples and groups around. I know I can find a lot to do. And what about dining?

 

I am mid 50s

 

Dina

Hi Diana,

I pray that you learn to not be lonely by yourself. People can be in a crowded room with friends, family and coworkers yet still be lonely. Learn to love yourself, feel comfortable with yourself and enjoy who you are.

Ramona

I find this discussion very informative. I'm traveling solo on a 49 night cruise in Feb (South America) This will be on Princess and will only be my second cruise. My TA suggested a 10 person table, which I accepted and late dinning. My first cruise I did with a group but also had a solo state room, I wasn't happy with half my table who all were group members (most were in the same fitness classes remainder were the leaders coworkers; 2 tables of 10) so of the total 10 nights, I ate in the MDR three times.

I now know that I can request a table change or possibly arrange to dine with the 200 plus (most are couples) members of my Roll Call. Most of the posts give me hope for pleasant dinning experiences. By the way, I also don't mind dinning myself as I'm very independent and enjoy my own company; although others may not enjoy being around me

Ramona

What happened in 1865, or even 1965, has little if any bearing on current practices,

It's not just me that thinks past history has a lot to do with the present and future.

I've suggested, twice, that people look up for themselves the History of Tipping. Maybe some did but more than likely not. This history I'm linking is specific to the USA only. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/02/18/i-dare-you-to-read-this-and-still-feel-ok-about-tipping-in-the-united-states/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.ddc55b54402d

One may also want to look up the history of how the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters came into being.

Tipping, historical in the USA, was done, or not, when a service was offered or provided without the owner of the establishment paying the "worker." You have to trace this back to 1865 and forward.

Ramona

If you want to! Don't let the fear of being considered odd or doing something unusual keep you from doing what you want to do. On the other hand, don't let someone else's expectations of what you should do push you into doing something you don't want to do. Take advantage of the freedom to concern yourself with what you want to do, not what others think of you.

(y) (y) (y) For those of us who use to and for those of us who still do, allowing others no matter the relationship, to make choices for us to serve kills our soul and spirit. There is a difference between holding others accountable for wrong actions and not living ones life because of fear of condemnation.

Ramona

So you're not old enough to know that everyone that you listed there gets paid at least minimum wage or much higher and don't have to depend on tips as supplements to their below minimum income?

 

[/center]

Even if one is not old enough to understand the payment system that encouraged and incubated the tip system, one can in this day and age, read the historical context that gave rise to tipping proliferation.

Ramona

Instead of trying to figure out should one Tip or Not, instead of trying to figure out if prepaid gratuities are due or delivered equitably across the workforce, read up on the History of Tipping. When did it begin, the reasons why, etc. Google can be your friend and read several points of view.

Ramona

I have my drink package included as a free perk so I will make the most of it :) I bought the photo package on my last cruise but don't think I would spend the money again to do that.

And wow good on you!!!! You are amazing!! I'm 42 :) and you are inspiring me to just go out and dance when i want to :)

Look forward to hearing about your cruise and any other tips you can give me :)

I don't drink not because of any restrictive prohibitions but because I'm nutty enough without adding alcohol and I grew up around folks who didn't know how to stop and/or handle their liquor. I'm linking info on one of my three role models, Ernestine Shepherd: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernestine_Shepherd Look her up her deeds, accomplishments are all over the Internet.

Ramona

You can't insure prompt service as you would ensure it.

TIPS Does not mean To Insure Proper Service. Someone told me that and I eventually looked up the history of TIPS, and that ain't it.

Cruised Princess (Caribbean) 10 day partial Panama Canal Transit. My gratuities were prepaid and I loved my Steward... cause we never crossed but he and others I saw servicing the cabins near my stateroom always spoke BECAUSE I always greeted them and sincerely asked how they were doing and that I appreciated their hard work. I left what was for me, a very large tip for my Steward and I left it on my pillow in an envelope with a thank you card. I didn't share a cabin, FYI

Because of the group sailed with, :mad:, I only showed up at the MDR three times. I did tip on the last day but I had forgotten my envelope but asked the group leader if I could place my tip in her envelope (Others in the group had had a 2hr discussion about how much to tip :rolleyes::eek:. When I walked out of MDR I was given two dirty looks because I didn't hand them an envelope.

Dunns Falls in Jamaica --- I can't, I just can't it was so bad I only left the tour guide $2, gave the driver $5 but he two guys who facilitated the Zip Line, I gave each $15 'cause they were great, personable and made the trip great, great fun.

Ramona

So that will be a challenge for me. Do I go and have a drink and dance by myself?

Yep, you dance like no one is looking:D On my first cruise, the sail away party had a "few" dancing and a lot of folks looking. I was one of those dancing. On my first cruise, I went with a group but I had a cabin to myself by design. Soooo glad I did. I'm independent ever since I heard the President of my college make a statement, a lot of times, "If you were stuck on a desert island by yourself, could you entertain yourself." Her words changed my life and the way I see things.

By the time of my cruise, I will be 67. I'm retired from my grown up job, but now I do another job, unpaid as it is... I took classes to become a Group Fitness Instructor (did it at 66) and I'm going to party like it's 1995, Oops! 2095 Yippie! Yesterday I took a Soca Step Class (Soca is a forum of Caribbean Music @ a beat of 150-170bpm.)

Work it girl and party hardy!! I don't drink nor gamble (ship aint' gonna make a lot of money off of me) but I dance like nobody is looking.

Ramona

I'm doing my first solo cruise on Celebrity in January. I have paid double minus the port fees/taxes. I do receive double Captain's Club points so that one good thing.

I think I will be asking my cabin steward to make me towel animals as I'm a big kid and love them :)

I don't know if I would want a cabin upgrade if I was offered one, unless it was still a mid-ship cabin. I'm prone to feeling the motion of the water.

Looking forward to it but also a little bit nervous :)

I'm kind of excited and both a little scared doing my solo cruise. It is only my second cruise, the first was 2017 Nov 30th. I'm going to South America, Royal Princess, inside cabin. I'm single and not going to look for anyone... this is a bucket list trip for me. I just jumped in not knowing anyone. However, I've joined the Roll Call and will help with our three Meet and Greets (49 nights)

By the way, where are you heading?

Ramona

Get the phone app, Hopper (you can research what it does on hopper.com), put your flight date in, your destination from and to. It uses algorithms using past demands and future projections to inform you whether a flight is likely to go up or down.

I had heel issues and was limping badly when the Spa therapist said I should go and see the trainer in the Gym about 'Good Feet'. I am a sceptical sort, so pushed the the Good Feet consultant on Britannia to agreed with me that if my heel was still hurting at the end of the cruise he would refund me. My Husband was having an issue with syatica and his knees are not always painless, or strong, he has to wear supports when playing walking football. On the back of the confidence of the gym trainer we brought two pairs, each. We were on Britannia in March and neither of us have worn shoes without them since and its almost July. They are, for us, amazing. I no longer limp first thing in the morning or have any pain in my feet at all now. I can shop all day and not have foot ache. Hubby has not had a flair up of the syatica and says his knees are stronger, he certainly gets up with more ease from chairs now. For us they are worth every penny, life changing difference for me.

I think the back and forth discussion on if they work or not depends on the genesis of the pain or issues being experienced. Many people don't know what is causing their issues. The good feet worked for me and I've had custom made orthotics that cost me $600 twice (USA so not covered by insurance). I have genetic flat feet or low arches plus a small spinal curve (scoliosis.) which makes my left hip higher than my right... strain on my back and the curve is high enough on my spine to impact my right and left lung.

Ramona

and then again, in the post below. See especially:

 

"I think its ridiculous that the staff didn't try and ask where we were or treat my child as they would a lost/abandoned child. "

 

and also this part, which indicates blame should not be on your husband, but rather shifted to RCI:

"Also, my son has medical issues and was not authorized to sign himself out. But, I guess that's somehow my husband's fault too."

 

 

 

 

Finally, I will point out that you did not ask for advice. You asked, in the title, how others would feel---and many of us would feel that we or our husband was at fault, be glad our child handled it so well, and move on. Many of us would never think to fault the staff in the situation described.

 

 

and in the OP you asked if it is ok or not:

 

 

"So, my question is whether everything thinks this is okay or not? It could have been hours before we knew that our son was not in the kids club. "

Many of us feel the staff response was OK and the appropriate response in the described circumstance.

You ask for opinions and then get angry, defensive and insulting (questioning reading comprehension ability, etc) towards those whos opinions you disagree with --- why?

(y) BINGO!! Although t I didn't say this in any of my posts, I felt like the OP was trying to get up a posse to ride off and get those bad guys.

In the words of Judge Milian (People's Court), Say it forget it; write it regret it.

Ramona

When exactly was I demanding anything? :confused: I was asking people's opinions and don't have a problem with their responses unless they involve attacks or ridiculous assumptions. I find it hilarious that someone actually took the time to look up the POLICY QUESTION I asked in another thread about the kids club then accused me of being an awful parent for asking about leaving my child on the ship or accusing me of complaining. There was no complaint in either of these threads. Just asking if people thought this was normal. Which most think it is, so no problem. Many of you are the ones making incorrect assumptions and statements. Not me.

Oh yeah, one more thing. Don't most people use the kids club as entertainment/babysitting while they do other things on or off the ship like go to dinner, go to shows, etc.???

I'm speaking about due diligence. There was an expectation for others, the ships crew, to do what your husband didn't do, couldn't do our wouldn't do. You pick the right one. My statement wasn't about the folks who made the comment.

Kinda like when folks ask others to remind them to do something that they are afraid they themselves won't remember. This passes on the responsibility on to others as if they are working for you for free.

Ramona

For me this all boils down to:

Don't demand from others what you are unwilling or unable to do for yourself.

Ramona

We were just off the Allure on Sunday and had a few issues with the kids cub that we have not had on any of our 14 other cruises on multiple lines so I am wondering what other people's thoughts are on the issue we experience and give a warning to other parents so it doesn't happen to them. So, here's what happened:On the first night my husband went to take our son to the Adventure Ocean club. Because it was the first night, they had sign up tables in the lobby area. My husband gave the crew member assisting him the information requested and thought that he had signed our son into the kids club. He didn't realize that this was just a registration table and the room our son needed to go to was further inside this hallway area. He walked away to go to the casino to meet me. About 30 minutes later our 9 year old called us from his iPad and said the kids club wouldn't let him in.

So, I went to the kids club to find out what happened and the crew member said my husband walked away so she tried calling our cabin and no one answered. So, she asked our son if he knew how to find his way to our cabin and he said yes. (This was our first night on the Allure and we were on deck 17, which you can only access from the rear elevators and stairwells- opposite of the kids club). So, he was told to go back to the cabin and wait for us. If we did not have the wifi package, there was no way for our son to contact us and we would have never known he was back in the cabin by himself. In addition, he got lost several times trying to find his way back to the cabin.

When I asked the crew member why they would let a 9 year old go back to the room by themselves, they said that they followed their policies. I guess I just don't understand why our son wasn't treated like a lost child and taken to guest services while they attempted to locate us. We told our son where we would be at but no one ever asked him this.

So, my question is whether everything thinks this is okay or not? It could have been hours before we knew that our son was not in the kids club.

Pretty much. Vacationers don't think straight because they're overwhelmed by the experience.

 

I worked at a resort park, we had to take guests to their lockers and open them, if not they'd go to the wrong locker and complain that it wouldn't open.

 

Another large employer has a training module on learning how to answer the question the guest has rather than the quest that they ask. The answer to "When is the parade?" isn't 3'o'clock, it's "You can view it from the sidewalk outside of this store, it will pass by at 3:30. But if you want a close view make sure to grab a spot by 2:30."

Off Topic, way off topic:

Hmmm, My son worked for Disney, EPOCT, after he discharged out of the Marines. Went to UCF (engineering school) after the mouse began taking on a foul odor and realized it wasn't a career for him. Family, two houses later, and six companies, five states from West to South East... back at Disney but as a dad with two kids and four annual passes.

Ramona

We were just off the Allure on Sunday and had a few issues with the kids cub that we have not had on any of our 14 other cruises on multiple lines so I am wondering what other people's thoughts are on the issue we experience and give a warning to other parents so it doesn't happen to them...

Some how I missed this first sentence. I've looked at the OPs issues and others also as if this was all new to them. 14 cruises... I think not. Something isn't right with this thread. You, OP should have been able to instruct other parents who were cruising for the first time on how to sign their children up for kids club.

Ramona

If it's your first time and nobody tells you that there is a separate drop-off location after registration it's reasonable to believe once the child's registered they'll be allowed in.

 

Just because you know the system doesn't mean a first timer will.

Using that same premise, how are the staff suppose to know it was their first time registering?

When I first registered TO vote, I knew I wasn't going to go into a voting booth to cast a ballet. It is my responsibility as an adult and first time voter, no matter my age, to find out when I DO vote.

Ramona

I think the correct statement is: "Hopefully that was the last time you trusted your husband with your son. Your husband needs some training...."

 

In any case, your son answered yes to the question on if he could find his way back to his cabin and they let him do so.

 

If you find it unacceptable that he was left on his own, then the onus is on you and his father to make sure he is not left alone.

 

Your husband made the mistake, not the crew.

This (y)

How does one just drop off their child at a registration desk and just leave. The Word/Sign is registration. How are they, the staff, to know you or your husband doesn't understand that word. There seems to be some "projection" of feelings and "embarrassment" being pushed on to staff. I have seen parents just drop off their children at a birthday party when invitations state children must be accompanied by an adult. I've seen parents at a community pool sit around and gossip while their children are left along basically unattended and then yell at another parent for rescuing their (the unattended child) drowning child.

Ramona

I would think the passenger ages of a 50 day cruise will perfectly align with your expertise. It would surprise me if you couldn’t make it happen. I’m planning a rather long cruise myself in a few years and will be looking to form a group dedicated to staying fit. Good luck to you and let us know how it goes :).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you!

Will you be going with a fitness minded group you put together yourself, or trying to wrangle up people once onboard? I know the Soul Line Dance community usually has at least two cruises a year. One I know has choreographers teaching new dances; instructors giving classes, etc. which are opened to the entire ship.

My exercise instructor and mentor and I just talked about putting a group together to have a fitness minded group and give classes onboard. I'm setting up a meeting with my travel agent to see how we can go about doing that.

I'll definitely seek out this thread again to share what I find out and to share the success, the failures and tips, tricks and other things once I set sail and return at the end of March 2019.

Ramona