• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Cruises

AliHajiSheik said:
Agreed, that is why paying gratuities in advance is a mistake. If you have issues, you can go to the service desk and have them adjusted and they should reduce them.
Click to expand...

I did. Twice while on board, and then went all the way to corporate to complain 3 different times.

They offered me 10% off my next cruise with them. 10%. That didn't even cover the prepaid gratuities and the soda rider.
 
AliHajiSheik said:
Agreed, that is why paying gratuities in advance is a mistake. If you have issues, you can go to the service desk and have them adjusted and they should reduce them.
Click to expand...

Which apparently, they didn't. Tips and gratuities should be for work above and beyond the call of duty. If it doesn't even approach what you're paying for, then they should get nothing at all. But that's not how a lot of companies look at it these days. They want you to pay part of their employee's pay so they don't have to.

Screw that.
 
AliHajiSheik said:
You don't find many women into hookers and smack.
Click to expand...
Was a joke. I am not into hookers and smack.

Soda and drinks in general can be a big deal for people. Quite frankly, I don't even think about soda on cruises and I see these addicts walking around with their unlimited soda package cups trying to get their money's worth and shake my head. I don't want to walk around with a cup and for the 1 meal/trip I want a soda, I just order one.
Click to expand...

So the fact that you don't want soda doesn't mean that others don't. I drink soda. It's the only vice I have, and I'm not going to apologize for it.

I'm not big on iced tea but if the stewards are walking around with it and I'm thirsty, what the heck.
Click to expand...

I have A-fib. I can't drink iced tea.

I generally prefer lemonade for the free drink or just plain water. The sell jobs on cruises is definitely a negative and some lines are more blatant than others. Real curious for my Viking which includes wine for lunch and dinner.
Click to expand...

Well good for you. Viking cruises are extremely expensive, and if I am not mistaken, European based. I priced a cruise once and it was several, several thousand dollars for two people. On my last cruise, I had 4. Not in my budget.
 
Superfly said:
First of all, don't try to guilt trip me with "their cabin isn't as nice as yours."

Secondly, that $13 per day is per person. I had 4 people on my cruise. I also already said I didn't pay $400 and that it was closer to $300.

As far as the gratuities being split between the staff, I had one person - ONE - out of the entire cruise that I felt worthy of a tip, and I said as much to Carnival. He was our dinnertime server, and we had him each night. He was friendly and very attentive. The rest were more or less non-existent. And before you think I am tight, I am not. I overtip because I understand the value of hard work, and relying on tips to get by.

I had no one open my wine. I had no one bring my pillows. My sheets were never changed even once, even though they smelled sweaty because we spent 2 days without air conditioning. I had dishes sit outside my room for hours because there was no one there to pick them up. The people that brought room service generally screwed things up and brought cold food that was ordered an hour before. I called porters for help and none came.

And I am supposed to feel guilty because they have to split tips? **** no I'm not going to feel guilty. I tip for good service. I didn't get good service on the cruise. I will never prepay again.
Click to expand...

Yes, none of those things matter if you get crappy service. Some times passengers don't know they can complain but if they aren't cooperative, you shouldn't use them again.
 
Superfly said:
Was a joke. I am not into hookers and smack.



So the fact that you don't want soda doesn't mean that others don't. I drink soda. It's the only vice I have, and I'm not going to apologize for it.



I have A-fib. I can't drink iced tea.



Well good for you. Viking cruises are extremely expensive, and if I am not mistaken, European based. I priced a cruise once and it was several, several thousand dollars for two people. On my last cruise, I had 4. Not in my budget.
Click to expand...

So much for a friendly conversation. I was relating my personal experience as you were relating yours. As I said, soda is a big deal for some people as it clearly is for you.

A cruise is just like any other vacation. It is a personal experience. If it is good, great. If it isn't, it's awful. Enjoy your next vacation whatever it may be.
 
Cephus said:
Which apparently, they didn't. Tips and gratuities should be for work above and beyond the call of duty. If it doesn't even approach what you're paying for, then they should get nothing at all. But that's not how a lot of companies look at it these days. They want you to pay part of their employee's pay so they don't have to.

Screw that.
Click to expand...

As with any financial transaction, one should read the fine print. If you disagree with it, don't buy.
 
Superfly said:
Anybody ever cruise with a line called MSC Cruises? I just heard about them for the first time yesterday and was wondering if they were any good.

After my nightmare on Carnival, it has made me question whether I ever wanted to go on another cruise, but I have since been told to never, ever cruise with Carnival. :lol: So I'm going to try again.

I want to try Royal Caribbean or Princess, or Celebrity, but I am open to other lesser known lines if they are good.
Click to expand...

I honestly don't really see the appeal.

Seems really expensive, i'd rather not get sea sick, crowd of people unloading to go to the same places you want to visit when you do stop at a place to tour, limited food choices, etc.

There are just other ways of travel that i tend to prefer.
 
AliHajiSheik said:
As with any financial transaction, one should read the fine print. If you disagree with it, don't buy.
Click to expand...

You don't see me going on any cruises, do you?
 
beefheart said:
I spent a few days in Cozumel diving. Every day, the cruise ships would vomit out the tourists, so many would just hang out at terrible places like Hard Rock Cafe or Planet Hollywood or whatever chain places that they can find anywhere. We had one day with no cruise ships, it was great, all the locals came down to the town plaza, great music, food and fun. Someone explained that this happens whenever the cruise ships aren't there, the locals can enjoy their city.
Click to expand...

That makes total sense.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom