Ryancoke

I was in the waiting room of a colonoscopy clinic where a few dozen people were waiting to go in or waiting for a patient to be finished and come out. A member of the staff walked through and into the clinic with a selfie stick. There was silence, a bit of snickering then wholesale laughter among the assembled. Those waiting to take people home enjoying a guffaw a bit more than those waiting to go in.

Is it rye whisky by the Canadian definition or the US definition you believe will not be available? The Canadian may be 0 to 100% rye but are generally equally drinkable. The US definition is, I believe, made from at least half rye. What brands are you concerned about missing?

I found starboard better viewing when going in the direction I presume you mean (from Pacific to Caribbean, which is actually nw and north). Including Panama City, Noriega's new mansion that he shares with several hundred of his new friends, the new Caribbean side locks, the rail line and up the river. Port is better for the new Pacific locks and the dam at the Caribbean end. The big crane was on the starboard side when we went but might move around. But if you have the tv on, the guide will mention things that you can go onto the deck to see. Being on the balcony when there is something you're interested in and going into the cabin to escape the heat is a frequent choice. Going to a lower deck when in one of the locks is a good view as well. The shade would be better in the morning on the port side.

The original poster inquires about Cartegena based on an article about cruise ports by country. The article claims Colombia as third most dangerous. So it's not really like comparing apples to oranges, more like apples to fruit though. We found Cartegena our best port on our Panama cruise in Feb '12.

People college age and younger are one of the few minorities it is safe to disparage. Be nice to them. They'll be running the selection process when euthanasia is legal.

It wouldn't bother me if they sold reserved spots in one hour increments for the high demand chairs.

So how about that dress code?

............ but then he decided to go all religious on us. Sang a gospel Jesus song. So inappropriate on a cruise. No one even asked for the song to be played, he just decided he wanted to preach to us all.............

So out of 3 or 4 dozen songs he has a gospel song and you think that's going all religious and preaching? Maybe some people like to hear those once in a while. Maybe I wouldn't want your first choice but I understand I'm not the only passenger to keep happy.

Glad you had a nice time.

And this is what I have been waiting for....I ordered the Cowboy Ribeye

 

And the baked potato with all the trimmings

 

This little guy was waiting for us....I am thinking that it is a Rhino....haha

When I saw the picture of the steak I thought that must be the potato just below it. And I figured they definitely got their priorities in order. But the spud was in the next picture. So what was that on the plate by the steak?

And the rhino. A WHITE rhino. If it's a Northern White Rhino I hope you kept it because they are apparently rare. Definitely collectible. Southern White Rhinos, not so much. Did it say anything? You might be able to tell northern from southern by the accent.

Is it true they don't have them anymore? If they don't I might pack my own. And a few dozen to sell or lease. $5/ day.

Power's out.....

How did you send that message if the power's out?

Are you talking about estate tax paid to the US government? If you expect to owe Federal estate tax, I congratulate you on having so much stock!!! The Feds don't charge estate tax until your estate is worth more than $5,000,000. State thresholds vary. I live in New Jersey, where the threshold is lower, at $675,000. Other states vary, and I don't know their estate tax laws.

I don't want to be accused of hijacking the OP's topic but some aspects of US estate tax for non residents needs to be clarified. And it may be useful to those of even modest means contemplating a US investment. The good news is my CCL stock is safe. Only for a short period was my estate in peril from the IRS. I have since divested most US investments.

True, for US residents the exemption is over $5 million. (It's been inflation adjusted for a couple of years and I think it's around $5.35 million now, but for simplicity pretend it's $5 million). It becomes irrelevant because the magic figures for non residents (like me and several others here) are $1.2 million of total world wide estate value and $60 thousand of US investment. For example suppose a person in Canada has an modest estate (for someone who is contemplating a US investment, that is). Say a house worth $500 thousand, a registered retirement fund of $250 thousand, a life insurance policy of $250 thousand. A few other investments they cash in because they hear about cheap Arizona real estate and buy a $250 thousand house there as a vacation home. I know people who are in that range who still invest in US real estate. So they're over both the $1.2 million of world wide assets as well as $60 thousand of US assets. When the person dies his estate in the US ($250 thousand) will be subject to US tax. So many foreigners hear about the $5 million exemption and think it applies to them and also has to be a US investment of $5 million. And many people, even of modest means, get caught up.

About the solo tea time. It seems you were at a table for two? Some strangers may not want to go to be alone with someone. Or maybe they're just shy. Or maybe they're just plain not nice. In the last case you may have reason to celebrate a close escape.

I went solo to tea and got sat with a group of 7 ladies. One about my age the rest her mother and friends in their 80s, maybe more. I had to smile when the waiter leaned over after seating me and whispered 'you owe me one!' They were nice but quite shy. They weren't taking any chances. When I left alone, the waiter said something like better luck next time. I would recommend if solo to ask to go to a larger table.

What is the best Carnival offering for Mayan ruins? I mean combination of ship, itinerary and anything else I should consider. Thanks.

In most cases it should be easier to get in but that's the decision they have made. I've long found it interesting that one could have a US estate for tax purposes (I do) or be treated as a US resident for annual taxes (I am not) by virtue of owning shares in a US company, visiting a certain number of days per year, owning US real estate and/or formerly being considered a resident of the US, whether a citizen or not, yet still be denied entry or have it delayed. They appear to want the money but not the person. For example I own some Carnival shares for the OBC. If I get sick I would sell them but if I die suddenly, outside of trading hours or incapacitated, I'd owe estate tax on their whole value less a prorated exemption. I'd like to invest in more US companies but it's too risky. A heartbeat away from losing close to half of your value in estate taxes. If one was a citizen there and used the services most of one's life I could handle it. Don't they understand they're chasing away investment as well as tourists?

I did a US citizenship test once to see how I'd fare. I did well but on the question about whether the US economy was capitalist or socialist I knew what they wanted me to answer but it was difficult to betray my principles. Hopefully Burger King will be followed by many other tax avoiding US corporations so we (and worldwide investors) can buy their shares in safety. No estate taxes in Canada (but your own country might rob you anyway), however unrealized capital gains would be taxable upon death.

Why are some people surprised that someone might ask who James Taylor is? Do you actually think no one has different tastes than you? I admit some of the songs mentioned I did recall when I searched them on you tube. But the name didn't ring a bell. And likely won't next week. I was about 20 when he was apparently famous. To some people. Carly Simon? That's a more unique name and I remember it but I wouldn't remember any thing she did. If I search I might.

What would be the correct answer if it was one's desire to be placed back on the ship?

I did it at home. Wouldn't consider any other option. We know a couple who were in Rome and he proposed at the Trevi Fountain. I thought what a romantic guy. My wife said a romantic setting could unduly influence proceedings and was irrelevant to the subject at hand. Turns out she was right once again.

I was wondering about that too when I first used it. Since almost every fare seems to be some kind of discount. But they always accepted it. I'd say consider getting the application in as soon as you can since they required a few weeks last time I checked.

Thanks all. I'm going suit shopping this week. Big sale+loyalty discount=75% off likely inflated price.

If formal requires at least a 'dark suit', how dark is dark? I'm not asking what can I get away with? But what is appropriate? Navy blue OK? Dark grey? Pin stripes with a dark base? No flames requested. Any polite responses welcome.

This is sad. Servers have to understand that youngsters are the paying cruisers of tomorrow and that nothing makes a young person feel more special than to be treated as an actual human being. No more, no less.

I can't wait to see the pictures of the girls. Errr, to read the rest of this educationally inspiring piece of travel journalism.

I'm pretty well past the stage in life where I would be a subject of a photo I would pay to look at.

But having just come from a menu thread, I might pay to see food pictures.