Toofarfromthesea

Thanks for promptly making my point, as expressed in my first post in this exchange, to wit: "Yes, we already know that the way you do things is the only way anyone should do things." There is a vast gulf between saying "this is what I do" and saying "what I do is the only way anyone should do it".

Yes, I know the definition exactly. It is ironic that you call out the "few who think that what they want is always preferable to what others need." without recognizing you just described your self when you said "My way does seem to make more sense" after he described why YOUR way didn't fit his intention.

Also you: "My way does seem to make more sense - as long as you are giving extra for better than average service. If the point is just to give more money, why not save the envelope and stop at the desk to increase the auto tip? At least that way you would not be relying on the person to whom you give the envelope to share your largesse." The irony is delicious.

Yes, we already know that the way you do things is the only way anyone should do things.

FWIW, after my trip to the ER in Poland, my US Drs. said that while the technology they used was older than that used in the US, what they did was perfectly correct and got to the right result.

This is very true. A few years back I slipped on an icy hotel balcony in Krakow and completely tore the quad tendons in my left knee. This led to a trip to the emergency room in Poland. I saw a Dr. (who spoke English) who examined me. Then I had an X-ray. Then I had an ultrasound. Then the Dr. came back and explained the result. Then he put me in a large plaster splint to immobilize the knee for the trip home. When we were done we were directed to the cashier window. We asked how much we owed and they said 260. Dollars we asked? Nope, zloties, the Polish currency. Which at that time was about $70 US. We didn't even bother to file anything with Geoblue. After I got home I delighted in telling the PA and surgeon who did the repair that story.

in my experience the Customer Service desk people are happy to give you appropriate envelopes

I used to play 3-cushion billiards with a guy who had 40+ years in the jewelry business. When I told him I was going on a cruise he told me not to buy any jewelry on the ship. He has been asked to appraise ship-bought jewelry numerous times and they never appraised out to anywhere near the purchase price. It was moot, in my case, because neither my wife nor I are jewelry people.

You do realize that people from small towns, or limited education (that supported sufficient prosperity to allow them to cruise) have access to all of the modern conveniences like TV and the internet, and are just as likely to know something about art as you might. And it has been my experience that these kinds of people tend to have strong values and strong common sense when to comes to avoiding scam-like operations. Like art sales on cruise ships.

For me the whole generation thing is foolish. Whenever someone is born, the defining characteristic is the person, not the generation. I have 2 "millennial" daughters, and they both have the outlook, values, and goals of someone in the "greatest" generation or the boomers. And I now live in a somewhat upscale 55+ community and I meet people in the 60-80+ range who would fit right in with the "millennial" stereotypes.

https://vivaexpeditions.com/blog/why-visit-ushuaia-the-end-of-the-world-is-the-beginning-of-an-unforgettable-adventure

I think it is bad planning to use the cruise line air option in a situation where you can't catch up to the ship, if it isn't going to be bringing you in a day or two early. Although even that is precarious in these days of increased flight delays and cancellations. But they do make it imperative to plan to get in a day (or more) prior to scheduled embarkation. The best solution to the problem you describe is avoiding the problem so you don't have to try to solve it, IMO.

Sounds both cool and fun. I bet after a few days one or another of the ships officers will wander by to kibbitz, and maybe give you some tips.

A bad attitude.

Pictures of your family to give to staff in lieu of tips.

They're only essential to Amazon's bottom line.

Here is something that is actually true: once something becomes politicized the truth about it becomes undiscoverable. The history of science is replete with politically enforced consensuses* that turned out to be false from before Galileo to today. * I was surprised to learn that the plural of consensus was consensuses, not consensi. It's not a word whose plural is seen much.

Are there any stats available about the current number of cruising passengers compared to pre-pandemic 2019?

When you see them they are likely off-duty. So what is it you think they should be doing?

Did you mention it to the Maitre D'?

We are already far beyond requiring or even suggesting formal wear. Unless you think a pair of khaki trousers and a collared shirt constitutes formal wear.

Yet you just said the exact opposite, and I quote: "Just be clean and smell clean. If thats a dress code then I accept its a dress code". You see the trap, but can't avoid it.

If you want to edit the post shortly after you post it click on the three dots in the upper right of the post and a drop down menu will have an Edit option. If you wait too long you lose the ability to edit.

Hey, it's my vacation, and if I want to come to dinner straight from a workout while I am sweaty and stinky in dirty clothes who are YOU to say I can't.

I'm reminded of a Winston Churchhill story. Churchill: Madam, would you sleep with me for five million pounds? Socialite: My goodness, Mr. Churchill… Well, I suppose… we would have to discuss terms, of course… Churchill: Would you sleep with me for five pounds? Socialite: Mr. Churchill, what kind of woman do you think I am?! Churchill: Madam, we’ve already established that. Now we are haggling about the price. Now you're just haggling about where the dress code line goes.