JohnG

Small ship fan here.  The 690 pax R9's of Oceania, Azamara, Princess, and the Viking Ocean 963 pax ships.

John you are so right with regard to tipping.  Aussies DO NOT tip. We asked our server in Sydney if he didnt mind telling us how much a server typically earns per hour and he told us AUS$27 per hour and that was a couple of years ago. They get a decent wage and don't need to rely on tips.  South Africa pays a little less per hour but tipping is at your discretion and never above 10%, also when you are seated for dinner it is expected that you will be at your table for at least 2 hours id not more to enjoy the dining experience..... it's seems like it's only North America that has the "quick in and out" mentality at restaurants, with low hourly rates for servers, therefore servers expect high tips and turn over tables as fast as possible to make a livable income.  With all our world travel we always make sure that we are tipping according to the culture that we are visiting.

Since the article was written by a Brit about people on ships sailing from Britain or a U.K owned line, (like P&O), they do things differently there.  Typically no required gratuity and some people tip in a specialty restaurant. It is notable that tipping is not customary in many cultures other than North Americans.  In Indonesia, if you try to tip a taxi driver, they may even insist you take it back.
 

First time cruisers need the advise.

Hmmm - July in Greece. Yeah the deck is going to be steamy. OK, am I the only one who thinks that these lawsuits have gotten out of hand? I'll throw him a bone, though. Maybe it was his first cruise and didn't know how hot pool decks can actually get. Either way, I would think that someone who can't feel anything on the bottom of his feet would keep his feet protected no matter what the case. He says he didn't want to go to the hospital so he wouldn't ruin the vacation for his family. If that were my husband with roasted skin dangling off his feet, I would have insisted they get him off the ship ASAP!

We love MSC because of the dancing venues and shows and food/wine. Can't wait for this new one.

Yes, with these promotions, the cruise line fronts the money for the gratuities. Celebrity offers it regularly with their 1,2,3 promotion where you can choose between free gratuities, or a classic beverage package, or shipboard credit. Occasionally others do. Our company periodically will run one of these, offering prepaid gratuities.

Yes, with these promotions, the cruise line fronts the money for the gratuities. Celebrity offers it regularly with their 1,2,3 promotion where you can choose between free gratuities, or a classic beverage package, or shipboard credit. Occasionally others do. Our company periodically will run one of these, offering prepaid gratuities.

I didn't need one the last time I was there.....May 1969-May 1970!

Our Navy people typically work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week while deployed on ships. The pay is better but having worked those long hours myself, I appreciate the cruse ship staff efforts. It was a treat when, after three straight months at sea, we had a BBQ on deck and offered a single can of beer. At least the cruise ship staff has crew bars and the get ashore occasionally.

While some inflammatory consumer media reports place the blame for such illnesses squarely on the cruise lines, industry experts and CDC statistics indicate norovirus often is carried onboard by passengers and affects a tiny percentage of cruise travelers.
The CDC says norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the U.S., afflicting 19 million to 21 million cases each year.
In 2013, the CDC confirmed seven such norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships, affecting 1,321 passengers.
As reported in Travel Pulse, June 30, 2014
Only .0066% of all the cases last year occurred on Cruise ships.

While some inflammatory consumer media reports place the blame for such illnesses squarely on the cruise lines, industry experts and CDC statistics indicate norovirus often is carried onboard by passengers and affects a tiny percentage of cruise travelers.
The CDC says norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the U.S., afflicting 19 million to 21 million cases each year.
In 2013, the CDC confirmed seven such norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships, affecting 1,321 passengers.
As reported in Travel Pulse, June 30, 2014
Only .0066% of all the cases last year occurred on Cruise ships.

The Disney ships all have an adult only pool, adult only restaurant and lounges in the evening, People have asked me why would adults go on Disney. To enjoy the Disney entertainment and customer service, as well as having those adult-only areas if that's what adults are looking for. I enjoy the Disney ships and have been on the older ones and one new one, the Disney Dream. Excellent time on each. Glad you had a chance to check out Disney, too, Jan, and share your experience with us.

"A great trip and we'd want to go back!"
Click here to view the cruise review

Cruise line insurance is not always the best. Many still use Berkeley. You want an insurance company that has 24 hour international access, emergency assistance and followup, including arranging medical evacuation. A number of river cruise companies use Travel Guard, which has just such services.

http://jgawne.cruisesinc.com/travel/cruises/Contest.html?PG=1&SWEEPSTAKE_NAME=3Q05

I agree, having sailed on Allure and Oasis, and an S class Celebrity ship. Celebrity wins hands down. More port variety, and not feeling one of a crowd. And personally I think the RCL food is just run of the mill, and I like to be wowed. I have been wowed by Celebrity food.

I agree, having sailed on Allure and Oasis, and an S class Celebrity ship. Celebrity wins hands down. More port variety, and not feeling one of a crowd. And personally I think the RCL food is just run of the mill, and I like to be wowed. I have been wowed by Celebrity food.

For a limited-time only, we're offering $100 Free Shore Excursion credit to our email subscribers! (You can subscribe when you book!) Just purchase a 7-night cruise or longer and you will receive $100 credit on the Shore Excursion of your choice. Shore Excursion credit is only good for shore excursions purchased through the Shore Excursion link on our website and will not be valid for shore excursions booked onboard or through any other vendors. The link is with Shore Excursions Group.
Hurry, offer ends 7/10/2013! This offer is ONLY Good for NEW Bookings CruiseCrazies Authorized Cruise Travel Agent (888) 470-6787 Toll Free John Gawne - Cruises Inc jgawne.cruisesinc.com

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We are pleased to offer you Cruise Perks, a new way to receive great rates and value added amenities on cruise vacations. Members, family and friends can save from 10% to 60% on leading cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Cunard, NCL, Princess, Carnival and Holland America. And because we're part of the world's largest seller of cruises, you'll receive outstanding savings - often well below what cruise lines charge clients on a direct basis. By maintaining a large inventory of "blocked space" we lock in special rates and amenities. This means you will often be able to secure "group rates" for individual bookings. We are so confident that you'll love your vacation, we offer the cruise industry's only Satisfaction Guarantee. Details are available from your Cruise Specialist. Best of all, you'll also receive our attentive personal service and the Satisfaction Guarantee without paying a dime more for your vacation. Make your dream vacation a reality by contacting us today ! John has been a CruiseCrazies member since 2002.
You can book online at that site 24/7, too!

I was on a webinar yesterday with Vicki Freed and she said that they will be announcing the itineraries today. The likely aren't starting booking for Crown and Anchor on Monday because it is a holiday and they have lots of staff off for the holiday. The advance Crown and Anchor booking starts May 28 according to Vicki.

Swath,
As an OLD journalism major, let me point out that script type fonts are more difficult for the average person to read, and red is more difficult for people with color-blindness to read. Just a suggestion, because the content of your posts is first class.

That about sums up my own experience with Royal, and I have sailed on quite a number of their ships. I've been on 7 night cruises and not seen lobster either. I hope to be "wowed" by food on a cruise, since I do the cooking at home, and I have never been "wowed" by Royal. The food is very mediocre compared to other lines. Not bad, just disappointing. IMHO

neAbsolutely! My current favorite line is Celebrity and I like the food. I particularly like Concierge Class and having a full breakfast menu for room service with linen covered balcony table. My wife asked for grilled veggies one day for breakfast from room service and they did it. I have Celebrity booked for Dec and next March, on the "Solsticized" Summit, and on Celebrity Reflection, both with the complimentary beverage package, so I'll be checking them out again .