eggypann

3 hours ago, wowzz said:

Sorry, but you tip for extra service, not just for doing your basic job.

I just think there is a cultural divide here. No one in the UK/Europe would tip the server in Macdonald's. 

Cultural divide or whatever..I am lucky enough to have the wherewithal for a good life and be able to travel and eat out. Most of these folks can barely make it on multiple jobs. No, I don't make a big difference doing this, but I know by their reactions that it's appreciated.

On 3/12/2023 at 4:12 PM, wowzz said:

Seriously- you tip someone who hands you a burger ?

Seriously, I do! Most are young kids who don't make much. It makes me happy and I they appreciate it. I believe in trying to spread kindness when I can. Not sure why that's so funny!

On 2/12/2023 at 1:26 AM, caribill said:

 

And if they mention it a number of times, not just once?

Guess I haven't had that happen. I tip almost everyone, including fast food workers. Most are VERY appreciative. Life is tough for a lot of these people.

On 2/4/2023 at 8:47 AM, DallasGuy75219 said:

Or tour guides who feel the need to remind guests that tips are accepted (or even more ballsy, "encouraged").  I will probably still tip them, but the amount just got decreased when they said that.

Just because someone mentions that tips are accepted should not mean they get less of a tip. Some people don't even think about the fact that they should tip. If someone tells me how much, yes then I would ignore them. But just mentioning the fact that tips are accepted is just a reminder. I don't think of it in a negative way at all.

8 hours ago, steamboats said:

Not sure why this is "hyped" in the media... it was announced weeks ago that they will extend their usual annual work holiday to six weeks.

 

steamboats

Extending their regular annual work holiday is not quite the whole picture. They have not paid any of their workers the holiday pay they are entitled to. According to Ship Technology, they expect to pay them later this year. Wages currently owed are over 16 million dollars. So I'll bet the workers aren't yelling hurray over the extension.

3 hours ago, Florida Paesano said:

If face masks are suggested, required or I feel that wearing one would be needed for me to safely

sail, then I simply will not be cruising. 

Wearing a mask is not for you to feel safe, it's for others to be safe. We don't wear masks to protect ourselves, we wear them to protect others.

I made door signs for everyone in my group of 25 on our last cruise, and then snuck around putting them up as a surprise. quote]

 

That's a great idea, thanks! I'm packing little canvas "goodie bags" with odds and ends for the 14 of us in our group. I hadn't thought of door signs so now I have another thing to add. Guess I'd better feeling get busy!

You're not likely to get a sunRISE photo if you're facing WEST!:p

liketocruise2 - is this the one you're looking for?

 

Don't book this (these) rooms

I'm pretty much with the majority here. I think the sign is fine. The first mention - if it was really short and didn't seem like sniveling - might not bother me much either (again, short and sweet) but the last one seems rude and I'd be totally turned off!

Again, I'm a traveler and I've also worked for tips in the past so I am a tipper but I think the sign is a great reminder for folks who just don't realize that they should tip.

I'd like to add that I'm really sorry that, as a teacher, you need a second job to make ends meet! I think maybe if you mentioned that you're a teacher in your first (and only, and brief) mention of tips, perhaps folks would be more inclined to tip. Good luck!

Well, that answers that! My sister is traveling with me to the Mex Riviera next Feb. She's a bit older and has knee replacements and not very good balance. We've thought about taking a sailing excursion but she was worried about the transfer to the tender and then again to the sailboat. I think after reading all these posts that maybe it's not a great idea. The ship is in Cabo for only several hours so she may just want to stay on the ship.

I was on a Greek Isles cruise about 9 years ago and while having lunch at a cafe in Rhodes met a couple from England. They told us that they cruised every year and would pick one of the ports to stay for a week. They would get off the ship when it hit that port and then get back on the following week when it was back again. Said that they'd been doing it for several years as they never felt they had enough time in the ports. Not sure if all cruise lines would accomodate something like this but they said they'd had no trouble arranging it!

Ooh, one more thing! I've noticed a lot of CC folks mentioning taking along a pack of Post-It notes for leaving messages for friends, cabin steward, etc. That seemed like a really great idea to me!

Janet - WOW - what a great list! And thanks for the pdf file. I've already saved it in my cruise folder. I'll be traveling next Feb to the Mex Riv with 13 other ladies. I haven't been on a cruise in a long time and several of our group are first timers. I think you've thought of everything!

 

One question I have is about the size of that cooler you bring. We're cruising Carnival and their info says they allow a cooler 12 x 12 x 12 which doesn't seem that large. Do you know if they're pretty loose about the size? Wouldn't want to buy a cooler and then have to leave it behind.

 

Thanks so much for your post!!:D