Ret MP

If you are responding to my post, I never said it was easy or hard, it was basically just tongue in cheek as evidenced by the examples of "Hotdog" or "Mansion". BTW, I have opened a few accounts in Europe, many years ago for a fraternal organization I was the secretary of. No, it's not like opening an account at your local bank, that's for sure. But, it isn't like a huge event in one's life, either.

That's why, I believe, they bill everything (specifically, gratuities if you didn't pre-pay them) on a daily basis. If you are scheduled to cruise until let's say the 11th but the cruise ends early, say the 8th, they can only charge your Set Sail Account up to the 8th, the 9th, 10th, and the 11th can't happen on that/your account.

I did that once! I've learned my lesson. 😄

As I understand it, Australia/Australians don't tip. By law or culture, I don't know. I'm sure you will tell me, though! Australia is on my bucket list. Can't wait to get there one day.

Ya but they've been filtered with reverse osmosis filters, two or three times and sprinkled with angle dust.

It hasn't happened to me. But, I know people that have and they say that that is when the crew really really shine. The turn themselves into pretzels bending over backwards for everyone, trying to entertain and pacify.

Smart!

Not too worried. Brutus was a quitter. 😉

Sure it does. And I, if they do it, give them an extra $10,000.00 for a job well done. All in $2.00 dollar bills. No 💩, or not!

I think it really depends on the homeport availability and price, to Royal.

Yes!

I, almost always over tip, even if I don't get great service. I have a lot of compassion for MOST of the crew.

I've heard the same

Just a point of clarification: The paying of tips, pre-cruise is an option. If you opt to not pay for the tips pre-cruise, the ship will automatically add the daily amount to your Set Sail Account. But, once again, that is ultimately optional. If you don't think you received the service you expected, you can remove all or part of the tip/gratuity by going to the Guest Services desk. Now, I don't know if, for example, you can tell them that you don't want any or part of your tip to go to your Steward or whomever. I believe you can only adjust the daily amount, the amount is totally up to you.

She had valium, a controlled substance, it's illegal to possess unless you have a prescription. On the boat, she did not declare it, which is required by Maritime Law. Even OTC which can effect the health and safety of the vessel, crew, passengers, has to be declared. However, valium is not an OTC, and she had no prescription, which she admitted to. Again, if you don't have a prescription for a "Controlled Substance" it's illegal to possess and just another "dope". I saw the show! I follow Below Deck and there are plenty of publications about it. You can believe it, it's on the internet ☺️. But some are well established news sources. As a retired Law Enforcement Officer and one that dealt with a lot drug enforcement, I've seen a lot of what Hannah is/has done/says. Lots of non-denial denials. Turning it into a personal attack rather than the actual legitimate issue. Note in the video below, Hannah doesn't ever state that she has/had a prescription for the valium. Oh, it's hard for me to hear but I believe in the video below it shows there wasn't just valium, there was POT too. AND all the Maritime Law in the world doesn't mean much if the company has a policy about drugs on their property and how it should be handled, that's it, end of conversation (but, there is, in fact, laws that cover the situation). But, Sandy, whom I totally dislike, I don't respect as a leader, could have ended her career if she didn't do what she did. She wasn't the only one onboard that knew of the illegal dope Hannah had onboard. Same with Malia (SP?), she had a duty to report her findings. I liked Hannah, I think she is one of the cast members the made the show a success. But, I'm no fan of drug abuse, either. NO, I stand by my words!!!!

Chers to you!

I'm not sure what that has to do with the post of mine you quoted without the actual words in the quote. Also, "If you bought insurance through the cruise line, and the insurance company denies your claim, the cruise line will give you FCC". Are you sure about that?

I think the show has its place. They just haven't dug it yet. But, being even more serious, the show has, in my opinion, a niche. I just don't think it is a big enough niche to sustain the show for more than a season or two, again MY OPINION! I never thought that Baywatch was a good show. But, I knew that sex sells. So, all the Pamula Anderson/David Hasselhoff types that were actual and reoccurring stars on the show sustained it. They also had extremely popular guest stars as well. Some sexy and some not so sexy (Gerald Riviera). Yes, The Real Love Boat has some very sexy participants, that's for sure. But, they aren't THE stars of the show. The stars are not at all sexy, at least not so far, and they wear uniforms. In fact, I don't believe the bartender has any sex appeal, at all. Sex sells, period. No, I'm not talking about Porn., either. Inuendo is king.

I don't need no stink'in bumper cars, I drive to the ports in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando (near, have got to go through), and Houston (near, have got to go through). That's bumper Car enough for me.

Well, there is hope for the show. Hanna Ferrier, the Below Deck Chef Stew, fired for bring illegal dope on the Yacht, is casted on the Real Love Boat. So, we have that to look forward to. NOT!

They granted that authority to themselves 🤫. Actually, congress has. I believe the thinking is that ALL Americans will pay taxes on ALL income, no matter where it is earned, with a few exceptions. However, if you never introduce the income into the U.S., it's not taxed, as I understand it, no, I've never researched that. So, open a bank account in the Bahamas, put your winnings in there, and the next time you go to there, treat yourself to a hotdog or a mansion.

The best entertainment on the high seas. You can only go to the show if you are Ceasars+.

I'm working on Caesar status. I really want that Tunic/Toga and especially the Galea.

https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/countries-that-require-six-months-validity-in-a-passport.html https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/18411190/passport-expiry-six-months-countries/

This may have been mentioned, I'm in a hurry this morning and only skimming posts. But, it doesn't matter if a casino pays you with monetary instruments, in rubber duckies, or in Ramblers, it has to, eventually, be claimed on your yearly taxes some how. Professional gambler or not.