mugtech

NCL changes itineraries after final payment having nothing to do with weather or war. They just do it because they can. All kinds of lame excuses like protecting the environment.

Like those itinerary changes on NCL?

In addition to the DSC?

I prefer water when on cruises, here in the Philippines I get great mango shakes for $1.30. No trouble going on a cruise without a $14 shake. How other people waste their money is their business.

Went to one let's make a deal on Sky, it was not entertaining, had to pay to play. My wife said the tv show is much better.

Confirms I will never be sailing Viva or any of her sisters.

Saw him on the Gem often 8, 9 years ago. My wife loved him, especially since he is a Filipino.

In Hawaii back in October we went to a takeout shrimp restaurant. There was a sign hanging there which said "Using a credit card invokes a 3 % service charge" So I paid cash, but they fooled around for a while, then came back to me and said "This time of day you must use a card." It was 3pm and there were two other customers. Told them we will eat where cash is accepted. I think they were suspicious of my 50 dollar bill. People in Pennsylvania told me more and more businesses are charging a credit card user fee, usually 2 or 3 % When I made a large purchase at a department store in the Philippines I offered my credit card, and they offered to give me a 2% discount if I paid cash, I paid cash.

We got an apartment in Baguio City in the mountains of central Luzon for $346/month. Temperature in the 70's during the day and down to 60F at night. Can get three large spring rolls for $1.40, same price for two tuna pies at Jollibee. Our rent includes all utilities, smart tv and wifi. We cancelled a cruise are enjoying the Philippines at a much cheaper rate. We are frugal.

When we sailed the Mediterranean in 2014 the Euro exchange rate was terrible, plus there was a service charge. Did better on the streets of Barcelona.

Of course, to help pay for their cruise.

What about nonalcoholic shakes?

Can you get a nonalcoholic milkshake using a Diamond drink voucher? Do not drink alcohol, only way I would even consider a $14 shake.

Perhaps you could have donated a copy to each ship on which you sailed, forgoing the royalties for those books.

Exactly, one less way to get ripped off.

Depends on the crew member's country of origin concerning income taxes. U S is one of the few nations which requires citizens to report all of their world wide income for tax purposes. Other than POA not too many US citizens working at sea, it is all taxable. There are certain exclusions allowed on w-2 income while operating out of a foreign address.

Future department: The Norwegian Sun just decided to bypass Manta, Ecuador, will be arriving in Peru a day early.

According to the IRS tips are earned and reportable income, bribes are not, nor are they a deductible tax expense to the payer.

The coast is where most of the problems are. If on the Sun I would not get off the ship if it stops in Ecuador.

The Philippines, Laguna Larry's home country. Always carry pesos, so many great Filipinos working the ships. Plus I snow bird there October to March.

Good luck, would not stray from the tour. Have some expat contacts in Ecuador, they are suffering through curfews currently, things are not quite as bad in the Andes, but Quito still has a curfew.

The coast of Ecuador is where the drug wars are raging. Manta not worth getting off the ship

200 pesos @55 pesos to the US dollar. We had two meals there, told us we each got 4 food choices per meal, so we used my meal and each ate two choices, so we each got 20 pieces of Sushi, and then 2 days later we used her meal for 20 more pieces each of Sushi, plus moderate amounts of wasabi. We like to skip dessert, appreciated the heads up.

I noticed a better sense of humor on the Sky in September. Laguna Larry told me, without provocation, the pile of green stuff with my sushi was avocado. Told him it was not my first Japanese rodeo, told him to be careful, in many US states he could be charged with assault and battery for telling diners that wasabi was avocado. He laughed and said thanks for the free legal advice. Told us there were no deserts available at the Sushi restaurant, suggested we go down to The Buffet and help ourselves. Actually gave him a tip (cash).

My wife, following the tradition of the Philippines, has two middle names, her birth name and her maiden name, causes trouble sometimes. The question remains, how can any name be called a middle name if you have 4 names?