Rob-Bob

2 hours ago, HappyTexan44 said:

 

It continuously shuffles?   So every hand is basically a fresh deck?   
Well, that would mean no counting.  

 

I doubt he's 160 IQ.   But, he's pretty smart.  Many people do similar to card counting when playing card games.   They know what cards have been played and what cards are left.  In a card game there is more to remember since you have to pay attention to suits. That isn't me.   I can barely remember my own cards when playing poker.  

He said he's never lost money playing blackjack.   But he did say they made it very unpleasant when they accused him of counting, and took his winnings.  That was a while back.  
 

 

I do not believe he has never lost money in any session, if that is what he is saying.  Or is he referring to his lifetime play and he is ahead?

18 minutes ago, UNCFanatik said:

 

No one is stiffing anyone. Daily Gratuities are optional. AND there are items that have MANDATORY gratuity tacked on that promote better service.

 

Again, get upset at the cruise lines for their pay structure and not at the guests that paid the advertised fare. 

 

Let Royal add to fare price and let the market sort it all out. But we know that Royal will never do this

Interesting question: is it better to have a guest on board who removes the tips or have those guests not on board (do not cruise)?  Which is better for both/either the cruise line and crew members. I am not taking any side in the tipping debate, just wondering what the thoughts are?

20 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

You have until 48 hours prior.  24 is too late

Good catch.  Yes it seems so.

1 minute ago, mjkacmom said:

Servers at more expensive/upscale restaurants tend to have more experience, so the higher tip is better compensation. They will also be expected to be more attentive and have fewer tables. It’s the level of service.

What if my example is the same restaurant? 

I always tried to figure out why bringing me a $40 steak was worth an $8 tip while bringing me a $12 burger was worth a $2.40 tip.  Same steps, same smile.

Oh well. 

1 hour ago, not-enough-cruising said:

If you are so concerned about the financial stability of the crew, why are you rushing to pay the lower rate.

Surely the crew are worth the extra money

Good point.

Many different situations being described, and many are contradicting one another.  I do not cruise until November 2024 but booked several months ago.  It seems like maybe I have until 24 hours before my cruise to prepay gratuities at old rate.  I will go with that idea and deal with it 13 months from now. First world problems🙂

I can't wait to get back on the high seas. Happy cruising to all and thanks for all the replies and feedback.

Fellow Ohio cruiser🙂

All was making so much sense and consistent until I read post #17 from cruiselovingal.  This was inconstant with previous 4 posts.  It is consistently posted that you must tell them to add it to your cruise balance prior to 11/11/23 to get old rate so at least that is clear.  Most say payment is due at final payment but cruiselovingal was charged (had to pay?) a year in advance.

7 minutes ago, Coralc said:

We always add gratuities when we book the cruise. And they have always been added to and paid at final payment.  If you call and add them now, you will pay them at final payment. 

 

GTO-Girl's experience is not what others have experienced, for whatever reason. 

Thanks, this makes sense.  I will continue to beat this dead horse and ask though - can the prepaid gratuities be prepaid the week before sailing and entitle you to the lower (old) rate?

Thanks for your replies.

7 minutes ago, moposh said:

We're referring to prepaying/scheduling prepaying gratuities before gratuities go up to $18 a day pp.  If you call to arrange this, you don't pay now.  It gets added to your final payment.

Now I am confused.  Some say it is not added to final payment.  I still am not clear on when you actually get charged.

8 minutes ago, GTO-Girl said:

you can call and pre-pay the gratuities now.  They will not be automatically added to your final payment and yes  if you cancel yes they will be refunded.  
 

We alway pre-pay our gratuities….

So they are collected when authorized and not part of your final payment.  But you can prepay anytime prior to sailing and get the lower rate?  Why would you pay them earlier than just prior to sailing if there is no financial benefit?

$40 savings is worth it if you can prepay the week before sailing.

11 minutes ago, LEMJMcC said:

The worst meal I ate associated with a cruise was the dinner I cooked the night before we left the house.  

Funny!

Just weighing the options for a 10 day cruise next year.  $2 savings x10x2=$40.  Is it worth $40 to prepay?

Please explain prepaid gratuities (to get the old rate).  Do you actually pay them now or are they added to your final bill to be paid with the balance of your cruise?  If you pay now and your cruise isn't sailing until say 8 months out, do you get a refund if you cancel the cruise (I am assuming you would).  I have never prepaid gratuities.

Thanks.

20 hours ago, Rob-Bob said:

This happened to me at the airport once.  My bag was not there and all the bags were gone except for one that resembled my bag.  I concluded this bag was the person's that accidentally (but foolishly) took my bag.  I told the airline that I was going to keep their bag to make sure they would return mine.  The airline assured me that the bag would not be released without the owner paying for the return of my bag.

 

That is what happened as the other party paid to have my bag shipped to me before their bag was released to them.  Seems like a good way to do it.  Of course the airport was local to both parties which makes it easier.

The guy who took my bag was an older gentleman with an English accent.  He called me and told me he went to get his pajamas out of the bag and said to his wife "This isn't my bloody bag".  I had to laugh and couldn't even get mad.

This happened to me at the airport once.  My bag was not there and all the bags were gone except for one that resembled my bag.  I concluded this bag was the person's that accidentally (but foolishly) took my bag.  I told the airline that I was going to keep their bag to make sure they would return mine.  The airline assured me that the bag would not be released without the owner paying for the return of my bag.

That is what happened as the other party paid to have my bag shipped to me before their bag was released to them.  Seems like a good way to do it.  Of course the airport was local to both parties which makes it easier.

5 hours ago, time4u2go said:

Are those swings tied down with rope?  Doesn't seem very practical!

And the swings seem really low to the sand.

On 9/4/2023 at 12:51 AM, no1talks said:

If a ship is probably going to reach capacity, the company doesn't want a cabin to go to just one guest when there will likely be two guests in the cabin by the time the cruise sets sail.

Two passengers usually...
Gamble more.
Drink more.
Eat more specialty dining.
Go on more excursions.

On board spending is a very big deal to cruise companies. It's strictly business.

Interesting.  I wonder if the day will come when passenger history suggests they will not be spending money onboard and they will not be able to book a cruise.  If a couple does not spend anything with the cruise line on "extras" will they be flagged and prevented from booking?

Do they really charge if you don't return?  I see towels laying all over all the time.  It looks like someone was done and just left it on the pool deck.  Are there a bunch of people getting towel charges?

The system seems so lax.  I am not sure if they really are cross checking or just giving the appearance of keeping track to keep people above board.

On 8/19/2023 at 7:29 PM, RyderJ201 said:

On 8/19/2023 at 7:28 PM, aubreyc1988 said:

Sorry RyderJ201. Okay aubreyc1988 - how do you know how many people are removing auto tips?

I think I have it right this time? 

On 8/19/2023 at 7:29 PM, RyderJ201 said:

I can't believe how many people remove them.

How do you know this?

1 hour ago, 2wheelin said:

My experience has been that if you show up shortly after early seating starts you will get a table if they have empties. Never turned away or had to wait.

Thanks. I appreciate the insight.  15 months away but it doesn't hurt to plan ahead😀

Does anyone know the times for the shows in the main theater?  We will be sailing in the Caribbean in Nov 2024.  Thanks.

9 minutes ago, ecslady said:

My Time Dining usually starts at 6:45 pm.  They like to get early seating out first.

I see.  That is the earliest available reservation time that I see on the app. Maybe I do need to change to the early set dining time although it seems awful early.  Might need to in order to make the first show in the Palace Theater.