Harters

As the comments from my two compatriots, a land based trip is the way to see the UK's castles, which may well not be conveniently located near cruise ports. And, even then, you may need two trips (or one long one), to cover Wales and Scotland . But, in terms of your question about whether to choose a British Isles or Mediterranean one, then I have an initial suggestion. Find one of each itinerary with the two cruise lines that suit you. Check out the ship's excursions - not necessarily to book them but simply to see what is doable in a day. Whilst there might not be castles everywhere, there is always history. It may help you in your decision.

Exactly what we've done and would continue to do. I can't see the need to do anything else.

Between 1999 and 2021, Walmart owned ASDA, the UK's third largest supermarket chain. It still retains equity in the company and a seat on the board (according to Wikipedia).

Cheap polo shirts. I have several from a 2016 trip to the States which are still going strong.

I'm going to steal this quote for use on a particular Tripadvisor forum I follow. 😀

In recent decades, we've only cruised with Norwegian and Oceania. Oceania's marketing tag is it offers "The finest cuisine at sea" which may or may not be true. Probably not. But it's pleasant enough. One of its speciality restaurants, Toscana, would meet my "holiday restaurant" test - if this was a land based place near home, would I become a regular. Yes, for Toscana. No, for anything else on the line.

I think I recall from a previous thread that it now seems to be only North Americans who are being sent tags. Didnt get the Blue Book either. Don't know about the postage costs for this - doesnt seem to deter them from sending sales brochures on an almost weekly basis to me in the UK.

Yep, that's them.

There were no printed tags for our cruise earlier in the year. I used one that someone on the forum had designed, similar idea to that by Strhnhgary. Tag holders also through Amazon - which has more choice than you could shake a stick at.

I'm assuming "least favourite" in the sense of something I have eaten but wouldnt choose to again. If so, then andouilette de Cambrai. There is a brief story. We were in the countryside near Cambrai - a town in northern France which was the scene of a major battle in 1917. I was there taking photographs of war graves of men from one of my local battalions who were killed there. So, in due course, we went into town in search of coffee and a toilet. Found both at a supermarket on the edge of town. We decided to have a look round and came across their "regional food" section. Andouilette de Cambrai? A distinct local product bought in the town of its name. For this foody, that's a no-brainer. Into the basket it went. As soon as I cut into it, I realised my mistake. It smelt like crap and it tasted like I imagine crap would taste. Never again .

If you're going to try and avoid countries where there are large demonstrations, your choice is becoming increasingly limited. Just keep an eye out for anything developing beyond the simple right to protest, that you may consider puts you at risk. FWIW, my city has seen many thousands of demonstrators today, as the previous three Saturdays. It doesnt feel the slightest bit unsafe to me. Although I'd probably have felt a bit peeved by the sit-in at the main railway station if I'd been travelling.

My guess is jonthomas' "issue" is with the people who do it and "proudly make that fact known". Unlike yourself who does it quietly. Bragging about displays of wealth are not an endearing trait.

True. But remember that, as in any situation, it is total income, wages and gratuities, that will determine the attractiveness of O as an employer.

Absolutely. And, by co-incidence, I saw similar in a restaurant only last night. It adds a discretionary 10% service charge, as is not at all uncommon here. But the guy on the next table also gave the server some cash which, I have to say, would be unusual here - a recent study has shown that only about 30% of people tip and it's virtually died out as a practice amongst the under-30s. When I read that, a few months back, I asked the owner of lone of our regular restaurants what he thought and he reckoned that was generally true.

I would be entirely happy if the amount of gratuities was simply incorporated into the main price of the cruise and O indicated that nothing further was required or expected from the customer.

On our first trip, the safari element was on a privately own game reserve. Which mean the vehicles didnt have to stick to the roads, as they do in the national parks, but could get off-road. Sometimes wildly. I recall the driver saying one evening that he'd never had the Land Rover over a such an angle before. Now that was a bit scary, as we'd just left a large group of female lions with cubs.

I think tips have always been regarded as part of wages by the member of staff. It is part of what they earn to pay for their own life. In the same way as any employee, it doesnt really matter what components make up your income so long that in total it is enough that it's met your expectations and allows you to live your life. If, as you indicate, there is "competition" or "upmanship" as to who tips more, then that is surely a sad reflection on a society.

Agreed. As I recently said on another thread, the many closures of bank branches is making it difficult for small businesses to pay in cash takings. So, ones in England may well be reluctant to take, say, Scottish notes as they struggle to offer them out again in change. FWIW, by the end of this year, there will not be a single bank in my parliamentary constituency and is now a problem. And that's in an urban area so goodness knows the problems being faced in rural communities. FWIW, my metro area is not a touristy one and I can't recall ever seeing a business advertising that it accepts other than sterling.

I agree. My nephew and his father originate from the island (although now live in the UK) and we've often holidayed there. In fact, we had ten days in Port de Pollensa in September. Lovely island, particularly in late spring before it gets too hot.

A key factor for many, IMO. On a food forum I used to play on, Americans would often say that tipping well in restaurants made them feel good.

Yes, as I wrote, it is a complex situation. Thanks for agreeing, albeit with different wording.

We've done two. Both in South Africa as part of longer holidays to the country. First time was a fully escorted group tour. Second time, we had a private driver/guide

True. It is a complex legal situation (which I make no claim to fully understanding) but Scottish notes, for example, are not "legal tender" elsewhere in the UK, so a resistance is perhaps understandable. Suggestion for the OP is to try and pay by card when on the island. And ask for English notes as change if you have to pay cash.

I cannot see anything on BA's website that suggests a test is required. Which doesnt surprise me, as the UK does not require a test for entry and hasnt required it for a long time. Does the reference you've found indicate if a test is being required for entry or simply a company decision that a test is needed before flying?

You crazy Americans with your cultural dress rules.