Harters

It was only the other week when one actually did. We were chatting with the owner about the decline in tipping in the UK - a recent study has shown that only about 30% of customers tip and the practice has all but died out amongst the under 30s. He generally agreed that was his experience. We then got on a wider conversation where he mentioned that tips paid by card are distributed amongst all staff - kitchen as well as front of house. Whereas tips paid in cash are only distributed amongst front of house. I didn't ask why the difference, thinking it none of my business.

Good advice. Can't recall where but we had an ATM swallow our card once - fortunately we had others with us. MeHeartCruising - thanks for the confirmation. It'd be the same with most banks in the UK that it'd have to be ordered. Many large supermarkets have a currency exchange desk, offering the most common dozen or so currencies (others have to be ordered). so we can usually get our dollars/euros/rands alongside a grocery trip. Benefit of living in a small country, I suppose - we all travel.

Although, of course, plant based is no guarantee of it being healthy. As omnivores, we regularly eat plant based meals and they are definitely not low calories.

Yes, assuming they have a foreign exchange service at that branch. Many won't, so you may well be stuck with a crappy exchange rate somewhere. Just out of interest, where would you suggest I exchange surplus dollars, after a holiday in the States? Other than exchange places at airports, we've never found another solution. American banks never seem to be able to do it. So, we've always kept the American currency in case of a future visit, or a visit to the States by family or friends - but it's not ideal.

Yes, there's a charge. Different options with different prices, so check out their websites to see what suits for you. The most basic (just the bus) is €29.70. They run in a circular route, rather than in two directions. So, once you've hopped off, go back to the bus stop and wait for one to come along. They run at 15 - 20 minute intervals and, as I mentioned earlier, the circuit takes a couple of hours.

True. So true. But I still question how popular the idea might be. I can't think of a land based restaurant near me which markets itself on the basis of offering healthy food (although many of the neighbourhood places do in fact offer healthier choices). I did apply myself to this issue in preparation for our recent Oceania cruise, losing about 3kg. And I've surprised myself that I didnt put it back on during the cruise so, perhaps, my choices onboard were healthy.

You seem to have answered your own question posed in the thread title. FWIW, in the UK, food hygiene inspections of food establishments are carried out by local authority environmental health departments. All of them, upload their summary findings to this searchable website. https://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk/ As you'll see, places are rated 1 - 5. I would normally not choose to eat at a 1 or 2 rated place. That said, if I come across a new place that I really want to try, I will go without looking at the score. Only afterwards, if I think I might want to go back, will I check the score.

To answer your question, I would have thought it most unlikely. Understandably, cruise ships offer a wide range of foods and, as you mention, it's already possible to avoid unhealthy choices if you wish. No need for the cruise line to do more.

Certainly applicable if referring to the town itself which has very little going for it (apart from the Castle). I'd also suggest Canterbury - train will take about 30 minutes.

In the UK, it's the norm for tips and service charges in restaurants to be calculated on the tax inclusive amount. That's simply because tax, at 20%, is built in to all prices. It's not shown separately as it is in America.

I don't know what a chili dog is. A hot dog with chill on it? But I do like the look of the item in your photo. I think I'd enjoy that, whatever it actually is (depending on the sausage, of course)

The answer might depend on which of the two terminals you are flying from. We were recently at Terminal 2 (for about four hours). There is a cafe in the check-in area but very limited seating other than the cade. Once in the departure lounge, there's a another cafe, shop and plenty of seating. I've no idea of the Terminal 1 facilities.

A couple of hours or so for each of the two routes

I think it may have getting off Marina at the end of our first O cruise, in 2017, and thinking "Yeah, that was pretty good. Must do it again". Took till last month to get round to it.

On our two O cruises, I've worn long trousers (like chinos), polo shirt and shoes for dinner. Just as I do to go to a nice restaurant on land. The lack of a "formal" dress code is a major reason for us choosing Oceania.

I'd never heard of it either. And, after a quick Google, I see it wouldnt be easy to find . It's suggested that Amazon would be the best source, through which it gets delivered in insulated boxes from Germany. Although I reckon there would be food import issues since we left membership of the Union. FWIW, it's priced at £35 per kilo.

Agreed. Of course, they don't arrive by cruise ship. Britons wanting to party in Amsterdam will take the short 75 minute flight on one of the budget airlines, like Ryanair. I suppose instead of the 10 minute drive to my local airport, I could opt to arrive by sea. That'd involve a three hour drive to the port and an overnight sailing (dep - 17.00, arrive - 09.25). Similar times in reverse of course. Not an appealing prospect and my guess is that few do it as a means of getting to party.

Although as previously noted by me and other Britons, seemingly not available from UK cruise specialist travel agents

I hadnt appreciated that. In which case, I withdraw my earlier remarks at post #81.

Agreed. And, even though I have happily contributed to this conversation, it really is a non-story. Whether gratuities are included in the price or are treated as an addition, the customer is still going to be paying out the same amount and the crew are still going to be receiving their income as per their contract.

I'm not at all sure this is correct. Google quickly finds me reputable small producers who sell runny honey, with a claim that it's organic and unadulterated. And, for example, there's this link which suggests that the state of runniness is dependent on the ratio of fructose to glucose https://www.honeyassociation.com/about-honey/faqs#:~:text=The higher the fructose content,value of these two states.

Yes, it's odd that CC bans discussion of agents but is OK with publishing its own list with comments. Google actually found it for me and I used it to draw up a shortlist of possible companies. As you suggest, cross-referencing that list with the Tripadvisor forum is a good idea. It helped me whittle down the list and I was very happy with the one we picked for our recent Oceania cruise. Certainly an easier process than we'd previously had dealing direct with Oceania (but no financial benefit). Definitely it's a good way to book a CRUISE.

Yes, as you've already said. Pedantry rules, eh?

Makes sense, Quay1. I know that Australia, like the UK, is a low/no tip country, so incorporating gratuities into the price is simply reflecting society.

That predates my experience so has no relevance to me.