LukeJ

Not really for me that, I'm happy to indulge and eat and drink my extra weight. That's what holidays are about. If I don't put on at least a stone then it's not a decent holiday. 

Yes I agree, an incentive to bring things back is a must. As well as the bottles, a lot of restaurants I used to visit charged you to take their plates away when ordering takeaways, and then gave you that money back once you returned the plates. I know it's likely to be common sense on part for the company responsible but it does make sure you return things to get your monies back.

If customer service was on point, and you received great care and consideration, then I honestly believe majority of people would tip. It wouldn't be a compulsory amount, whatever people wish to give. A lot would over tip because they would appreciate the service they received. Some would tip basic amount and some wouldn't tip at all. However, the average would be on par to what they should be tipping. Guests would be happy that crew members have raised their game and deserve the gratuity, and crew members would personally feel like they deserved it.

That is one idea I guess, and sounds a pretty smart one to me too. I am sure if all guests were made aware of the costs and the reasons behind it, I'm fairly sure majority would be on board. 

I have no issues at all about changing menus. It keeps things fresh for not only the passengers and crew onboard, but also the chefs. It can get pretty boring to continue cooking the same dishes over and over. It's nice to refresh things up slightly. 

I believe carnival are running a new menu for all ships in the fleet. I think I heard that correctly. They are trying it out on one ship and spreading it further afield for the other ships. It would be nice to see a new menu onboard.

Maybe this is something that cruise guests can get together and push for. Enough voices and they may listen after all? I realise it is a business, and their sole purpose is to make money, however there is enough costs and surely this is a small token gesture by cruise lines can do.

I'm guessing if it wasn't compulsory to give gratuities, only by choice if customer service was good enough, then I'm sure the attitudes of the crew members would definitely change for the better.

@Cruising Caribbean you're absolutely right there about the bottles being bad. It seems to be the way the world operates. Blight on about the dangers for the environment, however if it stops them from making money, then they are happy to continue 

It's somewhere I haven't been too before, but the images that I've seen it looks beautiful. The wooden houses look dainty too and the country is supposed to be the most magnificent and kindest countries to visit. Hope you have a fantastic holiday. 

When away, it's certainly better to drink bottles water. At least you know that it's safe. There should always be protocols in place to guarantee that the water onboard is safe, but you still never know. So be safe, and drink bottled until you get back home.

And I agree with you, but there a lots of different meals that could be done with similar ingredients rather than stocking thousands of ingredients and fear wasting so much. I understand it's money that the companies have, just a bug bear of mine to see so much food waste going in the world.

Yes chefs don't have much say in anything at all anymore. And you've hit the nail on the head when it comes to the variety of food. You can easily make different dishes with the same ingredients of food, just let your ambitions go wild. To stock up thousands of unwanted ingredients is a total waste. 

@PaulB I do tend to agree with what you're saying. I can forgive silly little teething problems that happen, it's only natural. But if the companies don't learn and continue and don't even care, then that is something that we shouldn't allow to happen.

Yes I do agree with you. A very valid point you've just made. The food options definitely is not as grand as it once was. It was certainly something extraordinary once upon a time with food and service, something you would be talking about to people for a long time. Now I find it's no different to any other hospitality venues. If the fuel makes it cheaper from holidaymakers then it's a win win situation, however I hold my breath.

I'm all for cleaner energy, of course, it's sustainable and it provides a better future for generations to come. My worry is purely financial. I do not trust companies at all. If they have to make a profit, then there are only a couple of options that they will take. Increase costs which in turn affects us all as guests financially or cut costs onboard which will affect us as guests and we won't get the overall vacation experience.

@Kendall James-Vargas Amen to that 

@Kendall James-Vargas I'm glad I'm not alone in this mindset. People challenge rules, we all see it day to day. Their attitude of 'you don't tell me what to do' is truly pathetic. It causes friction for no reason whatsoever. Rules are nothing personal, its set purely for everyone benefit and a level playing field. What makes people think they are better than the other people that follow the rules.

In the older generation where parents were happier to let the kids go off and seek adventure are long gone unfortunately. And at the time, I personally may not have understood my parents caution, I certainly can now. 

@kefthecruiser thank you for clearing that up. Your post was an interesting read. In the UK, there isn't that much call for LNG, and is quite difficult to find, so don't know much about it, either than it's cheaper. As for the blimps, the costs are expensive and would need replacing or topped up every few days.

Loved the show. I also like lighthouses and believe they are an important part of our history. I love the concept and I also love the designs of them. There is something magical about a lighthouse when you see them up close. Even after all this time.

So what would happen if you were booked on a cruise, and the hurricane season was forecast for the week they you were on it? Would you spend the week at port on the ship docked waiting?

It baffles me that people break the rules. I understand it's a challenge to push it to the limit, but rules are rules. They are there for a reason, to stop chaos. I am a stickler for keeping to the rules, and sometimes I'm ridiculed for it, but a world without rules is a frightening place. And when they break them, these people cannot understand why they no longer can continue. 

Isn't the reason why airships aren't used anymore is the cost to run them is extortionate with the cost of helium. How much costs would it take for LNG to run the ships? Is it better than it is now? I am all for cleaner energy used in ships, more the merrier, but I'm just wondering if it costs more, then companies will no doubt start making cuts to save money because they are a business after all, and seek to make a profit somehow, whether that is cut saving costs or passengers paying through their nose for a vacation.

@Cruising Caribbean I guess being a parent does have a certain caution towards everything. May be slightly worrying about nothing, but these things are easily done. The cliche of it will never happen to you, well it does happen, and it can be to you.