A pair of satisfied sailors - Letters - Letter to the Editor

Cruise Travel, May-June, 2003 by Wade Duncan, Lanet Duncan

I just read the letters in the February 2003 Cruise Travel, and I had to let you know that not every cruiser is unhappy about the automatic gratuity and formal nights.

My husband and I took a cruise for our 25th wedding anniversary on the Carnival Destiny a year ago. It was our first cruise, but hopefully not our last. We liked the idea of not having to carry cash with us and use our valuable vacation time trying to figure out what kind of gratuities we should give our waiters, cabin steward, etc. We also had a choice, at the end of our cruise, if we wanted to keep the gratuities the way they were or if we wanted to increase or decrease the amounts. We felt the charges were more than fair and even tipped our waiters extra because of the excellent service they gave us.

We also loved the formal evenings and the opportunity to "dress up." Coming from a small town in South Dakota, we don't have that option very often. We hope that the cruise companies don't lower their standards and that they continue their dining room dress codes.

We enjoyed our cruise just the way it was and can't wait to do it again!

Wade & Lanet Duncan, Mobridge, SD