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Not silly at all. Yes, you can also do this, but best to arrive when they first open. If you go into the Cruise Planner, do a "ghost" purchase of the restaurants shown for specialty restaurant lunches, you can see what's open on which day, then cancel out of the purchase. This is how I determine how many meals I will actually get when I buy a UDP. I have one cruise where Giovanni's is open every day for lunch, and Chops 6 days.

I was referring to those who choose to remove their tips, RCCL "supposedly" compensates for the missed tips up to a guaranteed amount, and RCCL ends up with a LOT of people removing tips because of the increase on 11/11/23. That's the "dry spell" I was referring to in my other post. I just feel that removing tips from one's account may end up negatively affecting the crew, and they are not the ones we want to include in this struggle with RCCL over the tip increase. The crew should not suffer financially in any way because of this business policy change by RCCL.

I wasn't very clear: the plus one is someone sharing the same cabin, or identified as a travel companion.

My thoughts exactly, but I won't take the chance that the crew have any "dry spells" while this gets worked out. So, I'll continue to pay them. Actually, I just got all the invoice updates for all my cruises with prepaid tips. I saved $196, but will pay that out in cash tips over the next 14 months.

Nothing shady about this page in their FAQ's. Very clear in the second paragraph: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/onboard-service-gratuity-expense

As I see it, passengers who remove their tips are ENCOURAGING RCCL to include the tips in the cruise fare. It was explained to me that tipped crew members are guaranteed a certain amount, and RCCL makes up the difference for the "tip-stiffers". But, if that amount gets prohibitive, they can very likely move to including tips in the fare.

Several D+ cruisers I know book dinner for one in the Cruise Planner, pay for it, show up with a plus-one, use the BOGO coupon, and the other person is free.

I ALWAYS give my cabin steward an extra cash tip. If I win anything with my measly free $8 in the casino on the first 2 days, the cash tip immediately goes to the cabin steward. Otherwise, I'll use my own extra cash I brought with me. HA! On my last cruise I did this on Day 1 after my visit to the casino. I was BURIED in the upgraded toiletries for the rest of the cruise!!! He was such a sweetie, from China, and said I reminded him of his Mom.......ummmm.....look at my avatar???????

This is great news! I don't have to also pay for specialty restaurant lunch on embarkation day, and then request a refund because I have the UDP. Also, I don't have to burden whomever is at that restaurant's podium to book all my reservations for the whole cruise.

Interesting. I did the exact opposite: I notified my travel agent to prepay all my (15) booked cruises' tips. I see tipping as part of the price of cruising, and have always, and will always, support the crew. If that's the RCCL business model in-place, then that's the way I roll, too. If they include it in the price, than I'll roll that way, too. It's ALWAYS been part of MY budget model to include tips as part of the price of a cruise.

I was able to book 2 Giovanni's lunches for 2 people on the Freedom: Day 1 and Day 6. $16.50 per person. Same price for Jamie's on the Navigator, too. If I go to my local grocery store's deli and get a large sandwich, a bag of chips, and a soda, it's over $20. Giovanni's and Jamie's for $16.50 including tips is a bargain!

This is an insurance issue, not an RCCL issue. Homeowner's, condo, credit card travel benefits: there's several ways to get reimbursed for the cost of having luggage returned to it's rightful owner.

Back in the day in SF and Berkeley circa 1960's it was all peace, love, and free canoodling. You didn't see any of them beating everyone up.....but, you could see live canoodling out on the streets. Especially in Berzerkly.

I got off the Adventure on 9/30/23. She's in great shape. Great crew, too.

Hopefully you will be on Mystery Island at high tide. Walk to the other side (it takes about 2 minutes....literally), and sit on the beach. The waves crashing over the coral reef edging the lagoon are hypnotizing.

Thank you, my friend!

Is this a refundable or non-refundable obc? Also, if I don't use the entire obc should I cash it out in the casino? Thanks.

The overnight tendered ports, and non-tendered, usually have operations going until at least midnight. I seem to remember it was not available during the wee hours, but started up again 6-7 am. It may be different now. P.S. Loved Vanuatu. P.S.S See if you can get over to Mystery Island; it's a tiny jewel.

I was checking in for cruises leaving in November and December, and was smacked in the eyeballs with CocoCay cabana pricing at $1,700. It was a spit second seeing it, and another split second thinking "gouging". A 5% discount is actually insulting, IMO.

If you used a credit card to pay for the cruise, have you contacted them about this? Many credit cards come with trip cancellation / interruption coverage. Here's hoping you can get some of your money back. And, don't do an online "bot" chat: speak to a human customer service staff member.

The 18% tip is included with the DRINK PACKAGES, not the C&A coupons. I tip cash with each drink when I order it. I've received many receipts, especially on the first nights of a cruise before they get accustomed to who is using coupons, and there has never been an 18% tip added on any of them. If you run out of coupons, then they will charge full price and add the gratuity. I put tips for 6 drinks in my mini-wallet, so I know when I run out of cash that day/night, I've used up all my coupons.

I sooooo appreciate CruiseCritic's ignore function. One of it's best features.

Right. This is not outside of policy. I remember getting some announcement that they were starting to provide extra water to passengers. Of course, they want to sell the water packages, etc., but if you ask they will usually give out 1-3 bottles. Yes, it's nice to tip the waiter/bartender.

Take one of these if you have USB connectors on your devices. This is what I use: https://www.amazon.com/Native-Union-smart-2-mart-fb-us-Charger-Marine/dp/B07KKMQ36K/ref=sr_1_6?crid=9J0NUCRMSA77&keywords=Native+Union+usb+adapter&qid=1697572140&sprefix=native+union+usb+adapter%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-6

Have all the adults in your party get Southwest credit cards for the bonus 50,0000. Then, book everyone the one way trip home from MIA with points. And, starting Spring 2024 they are going to start allowing bookings with points + cash.