wowzz

Flicking through the posts on here, as I am too nervous to watch the cricket !

Another reason to use a good TA. They will be able to book a specific cabin for you.

In the case of lines such as P&O, Saga etc, where the fare is inclusive of tips, the gratuity element is not split out, in the same way as port fees are not split out either. So, you pay an all inclusive fare, and if the cruise is cancelled, you get your total payment refunded.

Thanks for the reply.

It doesn't. Our beds were fantastic.

Been on Sky and Regal in the last twelve months. The beds/mattresses were fantastic. We slept really well.

We were on Regal in May, and slept really well - although 4 hours in Vines helped !

Yes, but it was a celebration of thirty years of "Later" on the BBC.

Thanks - we had Gerald as well. He will only remember us if we tell you a joke that we told him, that would get me banned from here for life ! The moment we walked into the dining room, he would send for my extra large glass of Merlot. One of the joys of CC dining.

I have to say, that long gowns are very rare these days.

Just wanted to add my thanks as well for a great trip report. I know you might not want to say too much, but what plans does your daughter have for the future ? I really enjoyed how she took you under her wing ! Given her qualifications and experience, the world is hers !

Apropos of nothing - just watched Jools Holland celebrating 30 years of his show. I now feel very, very old !

Have to say, the pictures look great,

If your husband can get from Chieveley to Southampton in 30 minutes, he'll be "flashed " by every speed camera he passes !

Can I ask who your servers are in the CC dining room, assuming you have the same ones each night ?

No, I'm thinking of the stretch going North from Newbury to Oxford. The hill around Chieveley is notorious!

I'm sure you'll be fine, especially after your update. I just still have nightmares about traffic jams on the A34 from my days working in Newbury !

Braver than me ! Guess now that I'm old I like to give myself plenty of time !

How about looking at Princess from Southampton ?

Whoops - sorry. Never looked at the year. As you said, plenty of notice. To be fair, sometimes in a construction project of this kind, you can foresee problems/schedule issues a long way out, and plan accordingly. It's when you are only a few weeks away from completion that your wriggle room disappears.

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to research what I wrote three years ago. I suggest you get out more !

It's too late to do the maths, but the notice period is only a couple of weeks longer ?

Personally, I don't think you are causing any offence at all.

Thanks for that - I have managed to travel to most of Europe over the last fifty years or so, although Lichtenstein is on my hit list !

It's a good question. Basically, if you are just ordering a drink, I don't tip. Indeed, many pubs now have an app. You sit at your table, order a drink using the app, and your drink is delivered. Similarly you can order food in the same way. In a more traditional pub, it is more nuanced. Sometimes you go to the bar to order, and the food is delivered to your table, other times a server will come and take your order. If the former, probably no tip. If the latter, when there is a bit of a chat etc perhaps a few £, but the tip will be the same, irrespective of the amount of the bill. To be honest, the same would apply in a gastro pub. Just because the meal is more expensive, does not mean that I should tip extra. I think that what needs to be recognised is that staff in the UK and Europe, get paid a decent wage, plus paid holidays etc. They are therefore not dependent on tips to survive, which is not the case in the US. In the US, I understand that staff are grossly underpaid, and require tips to survive. So, I tip accordingly. Elsewhere, staff are paid realistically, and therefore a concomitant tip is appropriate.