Pinboy

Agree--- And, another important issue-- Does the AI include a $ or $$ for the person that delivers our 3 shrimp cocktails, 6 chocolate cookies , 2 club sandwiches and 4 diet cokes to our stateroom after we just spent $$$ on a 6 hr tour to a banana plantation ? ( Talk about a waste of time and $$$ ).

Since we were never invited to dine with the Captain , I always thought it would be discourteous to refuse an invitation to dine with him/her. " Awkward conversation involving a lot of small talk "-- LOL-- OH YEA -- Been there, done that for " years "!!! " not dine with anyone else unless they interest me . "-- LOL--- Agree 100 % We learned that on our first cruise -- a table for 2 suits us fine. " Next time, please don't take my comments out of context ". It seems as if I did--- my bad--- didn't mean to offend you. " Individuals should have the courtesy "--- Reminds me of the Slugfest on 14 ( OVC ) !!! ( You sound like the kind of person I'd like to meet )

As an " executive " it would seem that following rules would be important to you.

LOL---- Perhaps it's time to add something more " Challenging ", like " What ya gonna do IF the Captain invites ya to have dinner at his/her table on a CHIC night ??

Ok--- So we are at an impasse -- some people just will not follow the rules. LOL-- Sounds like some golfers I know .

They DO allow it -- They DO. But, request that on a few nights ( CHIC ) that pants and a clean shirt are worn. It's not that hard to understand ---- just respect the rules, guidelines, suggestions, or whatever you want to call it. You know what--- it " really " comes down to "Entitlement " , " I have MY rights ", --- total BS on the part of those who won't. C'est la vie mon ami ( That's life my friend ).

Your reply is very fair, to the point , non-negotiable , so, no argument from me. My thoughts in all this " baloney " over a friggin pair of pants and clean shirt : Because the Cruise Line requests a pair of pants and a clean shirt on what they call " Chic Night " --- No big deal--- no thought to " buck the system "---- I just put 'em on --- end of story. I also wore a suit " years " ago--- now, I don't bring a suit, sport jacket , and my tuxedo --- forget it !! About the portraits--- We have a junk drawer filled with " beautiful " photos of --- I assume it's me , no, can't be--- yup, it is--- with Captains, Waiters, and even the guy in the shop that sold me a beautiful Rolex watch for $ 75 ( originally $125 )----- but still shows the time at 1.14. The same guy had a " deal " for us on a " genuine " emerald , Lacoste golf shirts, etc, etc.

" background actor "---- What's that ? Any comment on post #22 and/or 29 re '' Chic " night dress guideline ? You do seem like a " reasonable " person, so, why make it difficult for Staff ? Forget the " It's my right " BS--- Be a " sport " --- follow the guidelines --- It doesn't show " weakness " on your part.

Frankly, I don't care what other people wear , however , how about we just follow the guidelines as requested by the Cruise Line on the few Chic evenings ? Is that too hard , or, is it only " wimps " that follow them ?

"Capital City John "--- You are correct ----- but, but, ---- two questions . 1--Don't you think we should all follow the rules, guidelines , etc that the Cruise Line requests ? 2--Is it so hard to put on a clean shirt and pair of pants on a Chic Night ? We all know that the Staff are too intimidated to enforce the rules in case ( ?? ) they offend a long time Celebrity customer--- I asked a Staff member about it when I noticed a slob heading into the MDR on a Chic Night. Her answer was "It's easier for me to look the other way. Let a higher ranked Officer do it ".

Were they at a convention , or, maybe a political rally for ( can't make political statements on CC). In all our cruises with Celebrity we never saw behavior like that. I imagine they would be the same types described as " Slobs at the buffet " , the " I'll wear what I want and could care less what the dress code requests ", "heckle" a comedian during his/her performance at will----- and wear their baseball hat with the peak facing backwards.

LOL--- That's what that old " f--t " thought when he took his ( ?? ) beautiful 32 yr old " secretary " ( ?? ) on a cruise ----He bought her a pre-loved Rolex --- was seen hugging and kissing everywhere --- she laughed at everything he said--- walked hand in hand --- sat in the front row of the theater ( early show ) --- The guy looked exhausted, oops, worn out by the 3rd day ----

( I haven't read the other posts, as everyone has their own opinions, wants and needs ) Ok, so for us---- After sailing on many cruise lines over the " years " we prefer Celebrity. The food ( MDR and Specialty restaurants ) all excellent, service , overall ambiance , cleanliness of the ships, usually only one announcement daily ( the Captain tells us the weather, the position of the ship ( I don't know what the hell it means anyway ), and to " Enjoy your day in xx " ), entertainment ( pretty good ), they don't " promote " activities every 1/2 hr , and the balcony rooms on the " hump " are a nice size. All in all, never had a complaint. LOL--- I've joked about the time our Waiter forgot to bring my 3 shrimp cocktails at the same time , and besides, I have to defend my golf putting championship from 2012( ? ). Talk about " stress "-- WOW. Now, about MDR---- We " learned " long ago to request a table for 2 --- just in case ( you know what I mean )--- the tables are set quite close enabling conversation if desired---- usually the same small talk-- ( Where are you from ( must be cold up there ), how many cruises have you taken, are you enjoying this cruise , etc ). To sum up -- Try Celebrity--- I'm sure you will have a great time.

LOL— Too bad that the Dealers don’t have the same gentleman's’ etiquette when we lose.

Enough already !!! You know darn well AI doesn't include : ( Don't respond with -- " Who are you to tell me what I know " ) The room service delivery person. The Maitre'd " finds " you a table at a time when they were supposedly all booked. The person that treats you in the Spa / barber shop/ or even a restroom attendant. ( Tip the Spa person extra " if " they let you get away without purchasing $ 372 in creams that will make you look 32 yrs younger ----- until you get back home ). The Restaurant Manager " if " he/she assists you in any way extra--- ( change table because you got stuck with etc, etc -- change dinner seating time-- arranges a " surprise " for a table mate --- has a " special " dish prepared for you). Here's where I'm on your side----- You don't have to tip the Dealer in the casino if you win--- He/ she won't tip you if you lose---And, when you have a " feeling " about splitting Kings --- Don't do it .

1-- What's the difference if you are being served on land or at sea ? Oh yea, I remember -- You are on the AI so you don't have to tip . From what you say you tip to Porters for bags, and what you tip ( see above ) you " appear " to be very generous--- So, why the BS about the AI ?? 2-- " Server calls me by name "--- Really ? That makes a difference whether to tip or not ? So, what d'ya do if the Server on board calls you by name ? Ya tell him/her " I would give you a tip-- but, it's already included --- because I'm on the AI ?

WOW-- There are some pretty big tippers in the CC " community " ! Some are even on the AI and don't tip nobody on board -- because they ---- oh, forget it. What we do is---- tip " whatever " to the Porter and wait until our bags are placed , oops, tossed onto a baggage cart---- then, head to the check in---- bypass the long line because WE graduated to Elite -- and then find ourselves in a longer line ( LOL ). ( Off topic )--- A good " tip ". An old " f--t " sitting beside us told me --- " As soon as they start boarding , never mind what group you are in, just go--- they never check "---- It worked .

Come on-- We , yea , you too , all know that the ALL INCLUDED doesn't " REALLY " mean All Included . There are circumstances where an additional tip , or a tip to someone that is not in a " tip pool " is deserved . ( FYI--- I never met Rich Yak -- perhaps one day we will meet--- and , you too ) LOL----- Can you at least give me that ??

Suggestion : We bring only $$US in small bills for tips--- tip whomever we know deserves it, and a few $$ extra to those Staff members who are part of a tip " pool " ( Stateroom Attendant -- Server -- Asst Server-- Maitre'd -- Specialty Restaurant Server -- Room Service delivery person-- as examples ). If a Gratuity , and the amount is specifically noted on our bill-- then the tip is covered. The Staff work extremely hard for us and they rely on an extra Thank You ( $$ ). Then there are those ( wish I could mention names ) on Cruise Critics who say " Because I'm on the AI package I don't tip anyone extra " . The same people are seen in the " Remove Your Gratuities Here " line towards the end of the cruise.

No , No , please don’t report me .( LOL) If I hurt your “ feelings “ ( LOL) —how do you think you Server feels when you walk out “ stiffing “ him/her ??? Suggestion— give your Server a few $$ and you will feel better . Question: Let’s say you want a reservation for a Specialty restaurant and there is none. Later the Manager calls to tell you “ We are now able to accommodate you “. Ya gonna tell him/her “ Very nice — I would give you a tip , But , Celebrity says” It’s Included “ . Think about it .

So, let me think --- You go into a Specialty restaurant , order as much as you want ( probably 2 of this, 3 of that, and, don't forget my ,and get me another , etc etc) and don't leave a few $$ for the Server -- you know , the person that bust their butt hoping ( expecting !! ) you would recognize their exceptional service and hand him/her a few $$ -- then just walk out ? " Someone remind me. How much do we tip the Captain?" Now , you're all " mixed up " --- Ya don't have to leave the Captain no tip-- They are very well paid --- , unlike the Server you " stiff ".

That's exactly what we did---- And, the Server kept the tip for themselves and didn't have to share it with anyone--- it was not " pooled "---- That's what we were told many times by Servers , Maitre'ds , and a Hotel Manager that we asked about it. Since we haven't cruised since Covid, it appears that the policy has changed as18% gratuity is now added onto the bill . In that case, my " guess " is that tips are now " pooled " in that restaurant. ( I much prefer tipping our Server directly and he/she keeps the tip for themselves--- it's an incentive to provide better service ).

" Dani’s situation was a dismal failure!! " Agree, Big Time--- really too bad -- just awful !! I hope Top Management will do the " right thing " and provide some form of compensation. ( Off Topic ) ''spend your time posting and contemplating who the captain, CD, chief engineer " BE Careful------( LOL ) I know a guy who questioned , etc, etc--- And, about complaining that "the buffet was horrible, no selection, food not prepared properly "-- somehow, we always found something to enjoy from the large selection of food. ( except the behavior of some Slobs ). Some people are only happy when, if, they find " something " to complain about. ( No reference to Dani's experience ). Who knows, maybe they really like chocolate covered strawberries, cheap wine , a Celebrity beach bag, or even reading a form " Sorry for the inconvenience " letter ?? We have cruised enough to " go with the flow " and have never received less than excellent service on any cruise ---- perhaps, it's the way we treat Staff who " bust their butt " for us.

This is an extremely informative thread , and, thanks for everyone's input. From this , Pinboy and " You know who " will : Continue to cruise on Celebrity's S Class ships -- even if Captain X -- oops ( better skip that part ). Continue to select a cabin on the hump rather than a suite ( non-drinkers-- prefer to arrange reservations, tours, etc , on my own -- would really not use the services of a Butler ). Continue to tip room service delivery personnel--- EVEN if it " might " be included already ( Pinboy is a " good sport ). Continue to sit near the back of the theater--- just in case ( we all know what that means ). Continue to enjoy the excellent food and service throughout ( excluding the one time our Waiter forgot to bring my 3 shrimp cocktails at the same time )--- LOL-- I was going to complain at Guest Services but the line was too long with people removing their Gratuities, and besides , we didn't need a plate of chocolate strawberries !! Continue to meet nice people from all over the world on cruises ----- until , until , out comes 600 pictures of etc, etc.

Tips Included, tips Not Included---- Give the person who delivers your order a few $$ -- It won't " kill you ", it's not a bribe , you are not getting " sucked in " for something you aren't sure whether it's included or not. So, let's say you gave a tip and later found out that it was included , there's an excuse to head straight to GR and remove All your Gratuities--- Now, Ya feel better ??? Unbelievable that there are 6 pages on this . ( Ya, I know --- So don't read it )