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I like the pre-paid gratuities on cruises and when service charges are added to restaurant bills in the UK and Europe. It relieves me from having to think about gratuities (and do the math) if I wish but leaves open the option for me to tip additionally should I so choose. You do have to watch for those service charges on restaurant bills. More than once I've tipped over and above not realizing they were there. Ooops. 😀

No preference. I suppose it could be argued that at some ports like Tampa a weekend departure might be preferred due to less traffic congestion in the immediate area but the day of the week we embark isn't a factor when booking a cruise.

Kind words are great. Cash works better. Kind words and cash works best of all.

Tipping early is not technically a "bribe" unless you are requesting a service outside of their normal duties. The more accurate term is "facilitation payment" as the cabin steward is going to provide the service in any event and the gratuity is an incentive to provide you preferential treatment. Tipping at the end of the cruise meanwhile confers no benefit to you. People who are bitter and resentful that someone else may be paying a little extra and getting better service might regard it as a "low life" practice but if tipping early didn't bring results they wouldn't care.

The ship might leave it with the port agent or they might not. You might be able to reach the port agent or you might not. You can depend on the kindness of strangers or be self-reliant and take care of yourself.

It falls into the same category as travel insurance, fire extinguishers, bicycle helmets, umbrellas, life jackets and other precautions we take in preparation for an unlikely but not impossible outcome. I've never regretted spending the money on something I didn't actually use but have been immensely grateful for being adequately prepared when circumstances changed for the worse. You were not stupid but prudent.

+1. When a trip requires that I do check bags I also have a carry-on with a couple changes of clothes, medications and other essential items so that if my bags go astray I don't have to go shopping immediately. There are two kinds of flyers. People who have never had luggage lost or delayed and people who will if they fly often enough.

People who travel to foreign countries without passports fall into the same category as people who travel without sufficient means to get home in the event of disruptions or flight cancellations. Dunderheads for whom I have little sympathy when they whine about being stranded.

Premium class passengers can usually board whenever they want. If there's not enough space for them they are dawdling. I'm about 50-50 between business/premium economy and economy. Never had a problem getting overhead space in premium or business.

When flying another plus of carry-on only is while other people are standing in terminal waiting (hoping?) for their bag to appear on the carousel I'm already on my way to my next destination. Also, you mentioned flying first in a previous post which doesn't incur a fee for checked bags. Why would people be standing around waiting to find space when there is plenty of over head space in premium classes?

Millions of US citizens also wear seat belts when driving, have fire extinguishers in their homes and own handguns for self-defense purposes. Millions have no issues necessitating their use but few that actually do really, really need them.

In addition to the security, how acceptable is presenting your smart phone when a passport is being demanded? It is the same with photocopies. While there might be some appeal to carrying a photocopy and leaving your passport in cabin safe will it be accepted if the need arises?

You don't "have to" but if you know how to pack sensibly it's hardly an insurmountable challenge to do a week-long cruise without resorting to doing laundry in your sink or wearing soiled clothes.

With the exception of the USA, my passport is with me and on my person when in a foreign country. The article doesn't contained anything new for an experienced traveller but is good advice for new people. The passport is a very helpful item if you have it with you but it is generally useless if you do not.

For a week-long cruise the only people who can't manage carry-on only are those who do not know how to pack properly and/or bring too much needless stuff. Since cruise lines have moved away from the pretentious silliness of formal nights and other dress-up nonsense a week-long cruise with just carry-on is quite achievable and should not require you to do laundry.

The article was meant for people who have never cruised and might be considering it. It is very useful to them. The article also has redeeming value for cruisers. Who wants to be stuck on a boat with a socially-awkward, dieting, unmarried teetotaler who is welded to her smartphone, constantly sea sick, obsessively punctual and complains about short port visits? The cruising experience will be much enhanced if such people read this article and avoid cruising entirely.

So based on this article the ideal cruiser is an overweight germaphobe with a drinking problem who is xenophobic, perpetually late, doesn’t care about the environment, imposes themselves on complete strangers and is willing to stand in line and over pay for the privilege.

Most major ports have local officers in place at all times. I will have already expressed my intention to the cruise line and should ship's security have "something to say" they can say it while I'm leaving the boat. I'm quite confident they will not prevent me from departing.

I have twice disembarked early. I did not ask for "permission" but gave notice to customer services of my intentions and they made it happen. If I want off the boat I'm getting off.

When I travel I prefer to be self-reliant and not depend on others which is why I securely carry my passport when in foreign countries (USA excepted.) I am not going to rely on the ship's crew or the port agent to get me my passport should I need it. I have never had a serious emergency where my passport was required. I have however needed it to rent a vehicle, stay at a hotel, enter a casino, visit a game preserve, exchange currency and get through more than one police roadside check. It is quite possible a photocopy would have be sufficient but when the authorities in a developing country want to see your passport I'd prefer to give them the real item. I am less concerned about keeping my passport "safe" than I am about keeping me that way. My mode of carry varies with my wardrobe but a pickpocket is very unlikely to get it and a mugger is going to have to work to get it. He'll likely not make the effort and look for easier prey.

I've done both and there is no one answer that applies to all situations. Whether to take a ship's excursion depends on the port, one's appetite for adventure and whether the ship excursion gives you something you can't easily obtain from a private tour. Two points in favor of the ship's excursion is the boat will wait if you are delayed and if you are looking to meet other people on the cruise you know that everyone around you is on the same boat too. Points against the ship's excursion are cost, being herded like children in a daycare and often being directed toward shops or restaurant/bars who've paid an incentive for the stop.

I securely carry my passport while in any foreign country with the exception of the U.S.A. The photocopy stays in my cabin/room. When I travel my plan is to be self-reliant and having it with me should a situation arise is preferable than having to depend on others to get it to me or having to rush back to the boat or hotel.

It depends on the port. Places like Venice don't need cruise ships. There is plenty of tourism without the bloated boats who drop in for half a day. Tourists who stay locally spend more locally. Meanwhile, other places don't have similar levels of non-cruise visitors and are more dependent on their communities being swarmed by hordes of cruisers for a few hours each day. Some cruisers seem to believe that "locals" should be grateful for cruisers. The fact is unless you are reaping the benefits personally there is a tendency is to deeply resent them.

The first time I encountered this mentality was in the Marquesas. We'd spent the morning exploring with another couple and found a delightful little spot that looked like it came out of a 1950's movie. When I suggested we eat lunch there our companions looked shocked and declared, "We NEVER eat food other than on the ship" and off they went. What followed was a fresh seafood meal that remains among the best meals I've ever had. Their loss.

Cruisers by their nature tend not to be the most adventuresome of travellers. For those who are anxious about sanitation, food quality, etc. there is some measure of predictability on the boat. The do certainly miss out however on one of the joys of travelling.