I LOVE dogster. I check the cruise forum on Fodors often... but haven't found this thread. (Found it thru Google.). Nonetheless will be waiting for more.

Aha... just figured it out. Search on Fodors isn't very good.

Yep. This place would not be the same without the dogster. I mean that in a good way of course.

Thanks for your vote Dogster. If I am ever eleected to any public political office, I will promise to give everyone a new car and a new 70" flat screen TV just to stimulate the economy. How do I intend to pay for all that? Just print more moeny. Wait! Has it been done already? Hmm ... copy cats!

I have enjoyed anytime dining ever since it was introduced. In my mind, it is the only way to go.

Funny thing is, I still get the same wait staff every day, if I so desire (my choice!) If you enjoyed the service that was provided on the first day, just ask to be seated at that server's section the next day, and the next.

If you don't like the server, get a different one the next day, and if you like the new one, ask for them the next day! You will never be stuck with a bad server like the fixed seatings. And you won't get stuck with "bad" table mates either.

So far, with all the cruises, we have managed to get the server we wanted, the section we wanted every time except only once, and that was a communication error. The matri'd thought a table by the window is what we had wanted but it ended up being in the wrong section ... We got our guy back the next day.

Any friend of Dogster is a friend of mine. Here's a present for Gwendolynn:

http://dogster5.wordpress.com/azamara-army-home/

True stories of Dog on the waves - now <i>persona non grata</i> on Azamara - if I <i>ever</i> get home {I'm in Cambodia right now] new, even more evil chapters will appear.

Heavens dogster, what did you get up to this time? I though Az was smothering you with "love".

They read the story above. It went viral onboard. lol lol lol.

The love-smothering vanished abruptly once they realised that Mr. Dogster cannot be shmoozed. I was excommunicated.

Oddly, only Showbiz Alex [my favorite character] took it in his stride, secretly delighted he had his own chapter...

Thanks, dogster.... but I've read all those already. Waiting for the next installment!

I refuse to take a cruise that requires tipping. The workers should be paid enough so tipping is not necessary. The cruise lines are making billions of dollars in profits and can afford to pay their workers more. The cruise lines can either eliminate tipping or they can afford to lose the $1200 cost they charge for an average cruise.

When this thread came up and I saw dogster's name I thought for a split second that dogster might still be here. Then I realized dogster's post is 6 months old.

RIP dear dogster.

Johnny_P, do you also refuse to go to a restauarnt that requires tipping as the workers should be paid enough so tipping is not necesary?

Johnny: where are you from? There are countries that don't tip and people from them are aghast about it, like Australia for example.

I am in Australia and I tip on cruises. I am sure JohnnyP is wrong. Cruise staff are not paid much.

MissGreen: Tipping in Oz is uncommon is my understanding. Is that so?

What will this forum be without Dogster? Truly missed!

Dogster is no longer with us

The original poster has closed his/her account. Celebrity does require pre-paid tips for MTD (my time dining) - or maybe the TA (travel agent) added the tips to increase the volume of her sales for more commissions?

Also, it's amazing how many people think if the tip a waiter in cash it will go in her/his pocket. They pull the minimum tips, so it doesn't matter if you give her cash, or let the cruise line charge your credit card. Only what you give above the required amount stays in the waiters' or room stewards' pocket.