no1talks

Debt, G.P., all that COVID debt.

Just be glad you're not listed for mau-mau.

Then, Norm Crosby was the greatest of all. The late Mr. Crosby on Roman history: “Brutus was stabbed in the ventricle with a rusty sieve and got rigor motion of his ducts.”

BA-DUM-TSSS

I completely understand why the two you may exhibit sensitivity to other's upgraded vehicles.

NIAGARA FALLS!!

Azamara may be a good fit for you. Have you given them a go? Smaller ships for more diverse port opportunities. Ships dedicated to expedition cruising. "Drawing room" libraries for the bibliophiles. An included AzAmazing Evenings℠ experience on all non-transatlantic cruises of seven days (or more) duration. More time in port on one-day visits and overnighting in port is more common, too. Of course, Azamara is on the pricier side. 😒

It is perfectly understandable if you prefer to keep this information to yourself. However, I am curious as to whether your "11th hour" booking was at a savings, compared to what you paid for the first part of the cruise. If so, how much did you save?

In fairness, and to keep expectations reasonable, there are differences between Explora's three tiers of accomodation: Suites, Penthouses, and Residences. Per the FAQs on the Explora website, those in a Residence stateroom receive the following extras: In-Suite Dining exclusive menu, including specialities from our onboard culinary venues. In-suite full bar setup with a selection of premium spirits, wines and soft drinks. In-suite welcome bottle of premium Champagne. (I guess lower rooms get mundane Champagne.😆) 24-hour butler services. Unlimited complimentary laundry, dry-cleaning and ironing services. Personal welcome by a butler and priority embarkation upon arrival. Roundtrip airport transfers included (available up to a distance of 50 miles / 80 km from / to port). Airport security fast-track included (where available). VIP lounge at embarkation (where available). Explora is definitely not "Yacht Club for everybody."

Since you asked . . . I'm in formalwear every evening, by 6 PM, while on a cruise. We don't linger in port and generally try to get back to the ship by 3-4 PM. I bring two black tuxes and an ivory dinner jacket, with accessories and such. Why? After all, as I've mentioned on CC before, if I'm bothering to go way out in the ocean, I'll be damned if I'm going to dress like I'm just having dinner at Olive Garden.

MSC's policy is: No one enters the YC area who is not a YC passenger. The doorways, when operating correctly, control access to the YC area as a whole, for this purpose. Since access to YC staterooms requires entrance to YC's controlled area, people who are not themselves YC passengers are not allowed to travel to the rooms of their YC friends. Now, if people really want visitors in their YC room, without violating the perimeter rules of YC, there are two strategies to pursue. 1) Simply ask the YC management ahead of time if the friends may chillax in your room (and nowhere else) and satisfy the management you won't be ordering YC freebies or running the butler back and forth for purposes of accommodating your visitors. Be prepared to accept, "We're sorry, but no," for their answer. 2) Book a cruise on Bellissima, Euribia, Grandiosa, Meraviglia, or Virtuosa. All five of these ships offer YC duplex rooms that are outside the secured YC perimeter. The rooms have an extra half-bath, which is nice if you have visitors. Also, the balconies have hot tubs for you and your visitors to enjoy. Since these rooms are well away from the YC perimeter, I doubt you would have the slightest problem with admittance of your friends.

Indeed. The hooligans did not notice the Champagne was NV. Quelle horreur!

Meanwhile, on Cunard, an interloper is caught in the Queens Grill restaurant.

Morph, if we ever know ahead of time that we are to be on the same cruise, me must exchange gifts. I have already selected yours. 😄

Hmmm . . . Galveston is several hours closer than Miami. 🤔 Introductory pricing from Texas would have to be really great, though, because I doubt the itineraries would be any more interesting than those from Florida.

Your best shot at getting this done on the up and up (without crossing any lines, as you put it) is to quietly have a word with the concierge or even the Yacht Club director and ask if your friend may have a discrete tour of the Yacht club facilities. There has been an increase in non-YC passengers gaining entry in some cases and it has gone over like a lead balloon.

And, that would be bad enough on its own. However, on MSC, you have to add the bird to the drink package. If the lucky couple is enjoying Premium Extra, that will be a significant additional cost.

To keep things interesting,, I would have gone with, "Who is buried in Grant's tomb?"

It's probably just me, but this sounds like the title of a previously unknown Tennessee Williams play.

That time we did drive. However, on other travels, we have had no luggage accidents when using inflatable bottle protectors.

For a bit of corny fun, you can turn an unwanted bottle into a souvenir. Last year, we found ourselves with a bottle of gin at our disposal, during a cruise. We aren't the sort to sit on the balcony and drink Gibsons. Instead, I had the notion to collect signatures, like a yearbook. The bottle now resides on the fireplace mantle and we won't be opening it.

Strictly speaking, saying the husband is lucky that nothing adverse occurred, implies adverse outcomes are more typical. I suggest it may be more accurate to say you were unlucky, and did not have problem-free use of the patch.

Do you possibly have some data to support this claim of "many," who were worse off than going without?

Transdermal patches should only be cut under the direction of one's healthcare provider. As far as I'm aware, the FDA has approved only only one transdermal medication, Lidoderm, for cutting. These patches are designed with division in mind. Others, including Transderm Scop, are not made for cutting and dosage errors may occur.