pilot

How was the internet on the crossing? Did they get Starlink installed?

Yes, looks like they changed it.

I agree. We were in line for over 2 hours. I know this was unusual, but I wished I had spent the $10. My wife was not happy. We're on the Sky in January and I have paid the $10.

We always use to go to Alfredo’s once a cruise. Food was good, but not worth paying extra.

That’s helpful.

We always stay at the Marriott Harbor Beach. It’s a great property. I have also stayed at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach and the Courtyard on the beach but I would not recommend them.

Last time I checked service on a cruise ship was always better than a hotel.

I don’t agree that hotel services are the same at a hotel and a cruise. Housekeeping is built in the cost of a hotel room. On a cruise you are charged a daily gratuity fee (unless you remove the charge) that goes to your Stateroom Attendant. You are paying for this service and now receiving half of the previous service for an increased cost. I totally agree with you that I don’t need my bed made each day and I can reuse my towels, but cruises have always been a little special. Royal Caribbean has now joined Carnival and Norwegian in reducing service. So far only Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America have maintained twice a day service. Not sure for how long.

Last time I checked a hotel was not a cruise ship. Maybe you should tell the Chef you don’t need to eat everyday. 😂

I find it interesting that so many have commented that they are ok with a reduction of service, but are going ballistic on another thread about the increase in gratuities.

No

I’m on Regal Princess now. No complaints

Stacking your dirty dishes. Having 2 wet towels until next service. I agree you don’t need twice a day service, but it was something that was previously provided. After reading the Increase Gratuity thread, it seems some of us are not happy about paying more for less.

Sounds to me that you are now doing what the steward use to do and soon paying more.

Which VPN did you use? I am currently on Regal Princess and using Express VPN and haven’t noticed a slowdown. Will be on Nieuw Amsterdam in February and Nieuw Statendam in April. Thanks for your info.

Thanks

Does the Nieuw Amsterdam have USB ports bedside and desk?

Sounds like an easy solution is remove auto gratuity and then determine what you want to tip and go back to the old way. Tip for room steward (less than before since he is only cleaning your room once a day), tip for waiter and assistant waiter, tip for head waiter. If they decide they want to share their tips with behind the scene staff, then they can contribute.

You can not get a Military or Shareholder Credit when on certain fares I.e Interline, TA.

I was surprised when RCCL went to once a day cabin service all of the responses saying it was ok. People said they didn’t use clean towels every day or they didn’t need nightly turndown service. This change was nothing more than a reduction in service for the gratuities that we paid. Now the other shoe has dropped and they have increased the amount of gratuities by over 10%. Is everyone still ok with the reduction in service and the price increase?

At least you are going to get twice a day cabin service! Opps my bad. No you’re not.

Please explain?

Your TA should be able to help you.

On Regal…no Coke Zero.

The issue isn’t if you need once a day or twice a day service. It’s the level of service the cruise line you choose offers. Of the main stream lines Carnival, Norwegian, and RCCL provides once a day. Celebrity, Holland America, and Princess still provides twice a day (at least for now). I believe the daily tips are close to the same on all 6 lines.