Leaderboard

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.

I book typically a year in advance.. on social security so gives me the benefit of making monthly payments :) used to book on-board for the extra OBC but as of late 2018 CCL no longer has a future cruise person to book through.. sigh……

Long cruises are my preference and I have cruised many.. typically 15-16 days.. a couple of b2bs and a b2b2b gave me 24 & 25 days on board. I enjoy the Transatlantic cruises.. cruised OZ - NZ several years ago 16 days... WONDERFUL!

EVERY TIME! WHOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

my daughter and I learned on our very 1st cruise that late seating was the way to go.. we had signed up for early seating and being total novices we thought we were OBLIGATED to be there.. One port we were having a crazy fun time and had to cut it short to return to the ship to shower and get ready for our seating.. that was when we said NEVER AGAIN! if my tummy is growling I grab a snack on Lido or a self serve ice cream.. does the trick every time :)

I'm an inside cabin gal.. living on social security it affords me the opportunity to cruise more often!! I turn my TV on the forward cam for my lil window to the world :)

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.

As seen on the Forum Index page, zebra has been selected as Member of the Month for January 2019. Jackie has been a member of CruiseCrazies since 2006 - Yes, you read that right - Over 12 years!!! Jackie has been a tremendous asset to the community, participating in practically all discussion areas including the forums dedicating to cruising, general conversation topics, Daily Dock and more. She has also been a huge help in welcoming our new members. Jackie, congrats and thanks for being with us for so many years. Your longstanding tenure has helped shape the close-knit community we have been known for over the years. Screenshot from Forum Index:

WHOO HOO - Congratulations, Jackie! Much deserved for your contributions and your welcoming spirit toward new and old alike. I truly value your friendship and hope that we are able to sail together one day!

CONGRATULATIONS, JACKIE - an honor well deserved!! You’ve been a loyal member from the start, always have much to contribute and are always a wealth of information when it comes to cruising.??

Sounds amazing! Good for Carnival, and it should be good for Port Canaveral. Wondering how they will avoid the long lines and wait time like they are planning. Interesting!

awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thank you! that is great information! on a separate note. i am so sad about princess cays. ?