jbond

Surprise, surprise. One of the benefits of working for a foreign flag is that you don't have to pay income tax. Although everyone seems to think that cruise line employees are poorly paid, the no tax is a big break and makes them fairly well compensated. Being a US flag, sailing in US waters and living in the US makes them liable for US taxes. Unless the base wage is considerably higher than other cruise lines, I wouldn't want the job.

That's the great thing about cruising and it's what keeps us coming back. Reading other boards, I find the two things that people anguish about the most are tips and dress code. Neither are big deals and are both well explained in the brochures. As you say, don't sweat the small stuff.

That's the great thing about cruising and it's what keeps us coming back. Reading other boards, I find the two things that people anguish about the most are tips and dress code. Neither are big deals and are both well explained in the brochures. As you say, don't sweat the small stuff.

Yorba Linda ..... Alcatraz

Yorba Linda ..... Alcatraz

Merry Christmas from Moneypenny and jbond

Merry Christmas from Moneypenny and jbond

Nairobi ....... Ilfracombe

Nairobi ....... Ilfracombe

We've never cruised over the Holidays, but if we did, with todays restrictions on luggage, I doubt we would take gifts with us. We just like to stay home for the Holidays.

We've never cruised over the Holidays, but if we did, with todays restrictions on luggage, I doubt we would take gifts with us. We just like to stay home for the Holidays.

Key West ..... Trinidad

Key West ..... Trinidad

Guess you haven't cruised Royal Caribbean and had a burger and fries from the Solarium Pool Bar. their fries are the best. I'm from the North of England and believe me, I know good chips when I eat them.

Guess you haven't cruised Royal Caribbean and had a burger and fries from the Solarium Pool Bar. their fries are the best. I'm from the North of England and believe me, I know good chips when I eat them.

Yancheng .... Grambling home of the Tigers

Yancheng .... Grambling home of the Tigers

Denmark ....... Kusadasi in Turkey, will be visiting it on Brilliance next year.

Denmark ....... Kusadasi in Turkey, will be visiting it on Brilliance next year.

We've cruised the Mexican Riviera a couple of times on Princess. The last one was a ten day on Sun Princess. The seven day cruises have basically the same itineraries, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. We love all three, especially Cabo. The Mexican Riviera is nothing like the Caribbean, IMO. The towns are really interesting to walk around with lots to see. It's also pretty inexpensive. The problem with the seven nighters is that they have a very short season, like October through May. The three and four nighters sail all year round. If you want to stay away from the "booze cruise" crowd, you can sail RCI's Monarch, which appears to have a better reputation than the Carnival Ecstacy.

We've cruised the Mexican Riviera a couple of times on Princess. The last one was a ten day on Sun Princess. The seven day cruises have basically the same itineraries, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. We love all three, especially Cabo. The Mexican Riviera is nothing like the Caribbean, IMO. The towns are really interesting to walk around with lots to see. It's also pretty inexpensive. The problem with the seven nighters is that they have a very short season, like October through May. The three and four nighters sail all year round. If you want to stay away from the "booze cruise" crowd, you can sail RCI's Monarch, which appears to have a better reputation than the Carnival Ecstacy.

Tough luck on the gambling, but it sounded as if you enjoyed yourself.

Tough luck on the gambling, but it sounded as if you enjoyed yourself.

My dream cruise would be down the Nile, spending a couple of weeks seeing all the sights. It would also be on a fancy ship, where everyone dressed formal for dinner.

My dream cruise would be down the Nile, spending a couple of weeks seeing all the sights. It would also be on a fancy ship, where everyone dressed formal for dinner.