goldfish65

It's a bit awkward and uncomfortable for me when they do that spiel so part-way through the cruise I told my cabin attendant and waiters "listen, don't worry, I'm giving you a 10 on the survey so you don't have to ask me." I do tip them as I go. I imagine someone will disapprove of this practice but I don't care. 🙂

Thank you very much for your observations. Last year's Jewel T/A was perfect for me...sailing half-full won't happen again but you confirm my fears about crowds on a big ship. I am so envious though you got to have the authentic cultural experience with locals making paella.

Quick comment that's relevant, some people get enjoyment from giving tips. That's the main thing for me, doing a small good deed. Whether others tip extra or not, I don't care.

The Carnival phone rep was very good, he could not say anything definite but said that a refund would be a likely option if the ship could not traverse the locks. Our party agrees that doing an excursion from a nearby port to see the canal just isn't the same, so we will not be taking this cruise. For anyone thinking of a canal cruise in the near future, if you had not heard about the restrictions on the number of ships, I hope this is helpful.

No. That's a good idea. I will report back what they say.

Let their customers know if the ship will be among the 18 ships that will use the canal that day, or not. Or say they won't know until sometime nearer to the sailing date.

Currently booked on March 16, 2024 sailing. Due to the severe drought and with the dry season approaching, traffic is being restricted incrementally and by Feb.1, it will be 18 ships per day. Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas dropped the canal portion from their 2024 itinerary. Thankfully we'll only lose $100 deposit; for us, the canal is the whole point of this cruise. Thoughts?

I liked having the separate classics section because I loved that salmon dish and if nothing else appealed, I could default to that. With the fewer choices now (I hate Indian, so that's one less) I feel a bit trepidatious heading into the MDR.

Honest question, what do you mean by this?

For some people, spending as little as possible is a religion to them. And they observe it strictly!

Not a big deal to me, $2 a day adds up to the price if one drink over a few days…some people paid less than me for the same accommodations, am I angry about that? They should make the gratuity non-removable.

Yes.

Celebrate your milestone birthday at another time during the year.

Thank you, this is disappointing. We board Freedom in a few weeks. It will be my fourth and perhaps final Royal cruise. Food is worse new vs old menu.

Amazed that giving even ONE dollar is such a big deal to people!

It depends. On a transatlantic having so many days at sea, it was worth it that one time. Table mates were pleasant. If you are a food or wine snob, you won't be too impressed. The server was older, put forth some effort to be a showman, but he had no credibility as a sommelier, while the chef was an undistinguished young lady. Still, it was something I wanted to do, glad I did, but won't repeat.

$10 for one or two bags. If the porter makes a six figure income, more power to them. Why should I care?

Stress ball and two pens.

I suspect that various amenities are not offered or desired, an evacuation such that it is and Americans grateful for having a way to get out.

Plenty of people enjoy boasting about their extravagant travels....the biggest, the newest, the costliest...as much or more than the vacation itself.

The toboggan coaster is fun.

Playground of the Seas?

Most agree that some of the names Royal has chosen for their ships are odd... Just for fun, share your suggestions for absurd or funny names you may have thought of.

Star of the Seas, not very original but better in my opinion than forcing improbable words into the names like Spectrum, Quantum, Utopia, Ovation, Icon.

I started saying "no garnish" after my gin on the rocks came with a lime in it.