Heidi13

Can't speak for European mainland, but in UK, which has 20% VAT added to the price of non-exempt goods. Note - some basic foods, children's clothing/shoe, etc do not have vat added. VAT is charged on every transaction, but only the end user actually pays. Therefore, when an article moves through the supply chain, each purchaser pays VAT, but claims the tax back. The end user pays the tax and unless they are tax exempt, cannot claim it back. A tax exempt business/organisation will claim back any tax paid on goods and materials they purchase. At least that's how the system worked when I lived in UK.

Since the Coriolis Effect is to the right (N/H) and left (S/H), when air moves from high to low pressure, it must rotate in different directions at the source and destination. In meteorology, we were taught the rotation is based on the source, accepting at the storm centre (destination), the rotation is opposite. In the Northern Hemisphere, a TRS is only known as a Hurricane in the Atlantic & Hurricane/Typhoon in the North Pacific, as in the Indian Ocean they are known as Cyclones, similar to S/H. Regardless, your example was penguins swimming, so as they started moving they would be deflected to the right in the N/H or clockwise, as depicted in this picture from a NOAA Coriolis tutorial.

I acknowledge that your post is tongue in cheek, but you got the resultant of the Coriolis Effect, caused by the Earth's rotation, backwards. In the Northern Hemisphere it operates to the right, or clockwise. This is why you have the prevailing SW Winds in the mid N/Hemisphere latitudes. A high pressure develops around 30 N and low pressure at 60N, with the resultant surface winds deflected to the right, or clockwise. The NE Trades are also caused by the clockwise circulation in the N/Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere it operates to the left, or anticlockwise.

Beam sea come from the side of the ship, resulting in rolling and following seas are from astern and cause pitching.

I can assure you the English Channel is not always rough, as I recall 1 transit when it was like a millpond. Mind you, I have sailed those waters more times than I care to remember. Unfortunately weather is unpredictable, at any time of the year. When working on ships sailing the same itinerary week after week, you quickly realised the weather and seas are rarely the same 2 weeks in a row. When ships are in beam seas, the stabilisers assist in reducing the rolling, but in head or following seas they do nothing to prevent the vessel pitching. So the ship's course in relation to the seas also has an impact on movement. You also didn't mention which month you are cruising, as that can also make a difference.

Spent many months sailing these waters over the years, both working and as a pax. The Pacific Ocean can be rough at any time. Generally the worst area is the Gulf of Tehuantepec, which is south of Acapulco. We experienced strong winds and seas almost every crossing, both northbound and southbound.

Well, I fit both categories - senior and non smart phone user. In fact, I don't use any cell phone, never mind a smart phone, and haven't since I retired over 11 years ago. Went from working and living with a smart phone 24/7/365, using over 1,200 prime time minutes every month, to zero. Personally I don't miss the infernal thing, so I don't have one because I reject technology. I don't have one because I got tired of living with it for too many years. I am thoroughly enjoying my cell-free retirement and have no problem embracing technology that suits me. When it come to technology, I'm usually one of the first purchasing the latest gadgets - TV's, computers, cameras, etc. We all use technology and tools that meets our needs, I'm glad a smart-phone works for you. While you clearly find them useful, I find it extremely disappointing that you find it necessary to ridicule those of us that have a contrary opinion to yourself.

Correct, our commercial Motorola portable UHF/VHF radios were 1W and 5 W. Prior to having the repeater systems installed on the ships, they were not much more than line of sight communications. We could get through 1 steel bulkhead/deck and at times 2 bulkheads/decks. Any more than that it was garbled.

Yeh, submitted the W/O, but never got aboard the Neptune to ensure it was completed.

Sorry, but that is overly simplistic and not entirely factual. Yes, modern cruise ships with high lift rudders, azimuth propulsion pods and multiple thrusters are very manoeuvrable, but with high freeboard and shallow draught, the ability to manoeuvre safely is still limited by wind speeds. Limiting conditions will be clearly outlined in the ship's Safety Management System, and while the Master has the authority to hire tug(s) at any time, once conditions outlined in the SMS are reached, the Master will be required to hire tug(s). The ship can still be easily handled, but the risks increase significantly, so hiring tugs in some conditions is not unnecessary, it is mandatory. In some ports, such as San Antonio, the Harbourmaster may dictate that some/all ships must use tug(s), which can be to assist manoeuvring and stopping the ship in the event of propulsion failure. In San Antonio, the tugs may also be required to keep the ship off the lee-shore, in the event of power failure clearing the breakwater. Since the tugs should have been able to operate safely inside the harbour, the issue will be escorting the ships out of the harbour. Based on the harbour approaches/egress, as a professional mariner with many years in command, I'll suggest the Harbourmaster's requirement for a tug escort is prudent seamanship, based on the proximity of the shore, not an unnecessary requirement. Remember, cruise ships can also break down at very in-opportune times, some of which I have experienced and wished I had a tug available, or more of them available. I note, this is not just a San Antonio requirement, as many ports around the world require tug escorts.

Jim - I'm hoping they secured your Living Room seat from the Sun before it transferred to China and installed it on Neptune. 😁

The biggest factor is usually the number of ships in port. Remembering it was originally designed for a max of 5 ships with 700 - 750 pax, a single ship carries that many these days. On 4 ship days, it is operating a 3 times its original capacity. As you posted, on those busy days, be prepared to queue and wait.

Regardless of how it works in practice, in that State, by providing a tip, you are saving the business owner money. As the Chief noted, no different than the DSC, utilised by mass market cruise lines focussed on the US market. In BC, we are similar to CA, with the current minimum wage $15.65/hr. It cannot be reduced if the e/e receives tips.

First thing that came to mind when I read it.

Therefore, when providing the waiter/waitress a tip, you are really donating money to the business owner, as they deduct the tip from the employee's wage. Wow!

These are part of the liferaft boarding station, which is immediately below your cabin. They are shown on ship photos I have seen previously. Being immediately aft of the lifeboats that cabin is definitely a restricted view balcony.

Not even close to being a comparable situation, for many reasons. The Lusitania was providing a liner service for people that had to cross the Atlantic for mostly business or family reasons. Those taking World Cruises/Grand Voyage are going on holiday. As pax, you will not have the decision on whether the terrorists win, as that decision will be made by the vessel insurers or the cruise line's Safety Management System.

That isn't something I have seen on most drills, unless they shut down the main switchboard and went on the emergency generator, or even batteries. However, you would have lots of other things not working, in addition to hot water. I've never done that level of shut down with pax onboard. Usually pax services in the public spaces/dining areas are shut down completely, or operate with a minimum staff. It may have been a coincidence, where they experienced an issue in the engine room and had less engineers available, as they participate in the drills throughout the ship. Out of interest, assuming it was the regular fire & boat drills, can you recall where the announcements advised for the fire location and assembly points for the fire teams.

I won't use any 3rd party booking sites, as I prefer to book directly with a vendor. I have heard pax using SEG & Viator have experienced issues contacting the vendor, if issues are experienced on day of tour.

Found it, here is a link. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2978888-northbound-or-southbound/#comment-66579859

Haven't booked an excursion in Alaska for way too many years, we just wander ashore. Skagway - you can wander around the town or take one of the treks. Just inland from the docks, across the railway line is the trail to Upper and Lower Dewey Lake. The lower lake is an easy hike up and around the lake, whereas the upper lake is a challenging hike, which I have only done once back in the 1970's, when I was much younger. Note - not sure how the recent landslide has impacted these trails and whether they are still available. Check at the visitor centre. You can also cross the river on the footbridge on the other side of town. Juneau - lots of great walking routes around town, including across the bridge. You can take the gondola up the mountain, take a bus/cab out to the glacier visitor centre, where they have a trail network. Ketchikan - again lots of options for walking around town - Creek St, up to Totem Park, along the waterfront, etc. Victoria - departing Ogden Point head along Dallas Road heading into town. Stop at Fisherman's Wharf/Park. Just past the park, take the waterfront trail around the harbour. You can walk around town or cross Johnston St bridge and continue walking around the harbour. You can also catch one of the little harbour ferries, if they are still operating when you dock.

I answered this very question only a couple of weeks ago with a comprehensive post. May I suggest researching back through older threads. As Bruce mentioned, it is a very common discussion.

Don't forget that cruise lines often oversell cruises, so before they can start on the waitlist, they require sufficient cancellations to provide space for those who have already seen sold a cabin. Who knows how many cabins they oversold and how many of them still require cancellations.

They are a 3rd party retailer similar to Viator, who use other vendors to provide the service. With some research you can easily find the tour vendor and deal directly with them.

I used to visit the ships a couple of times a month in Vancouver, when our son worked for them and i knew the British Masters. Son no longer works for them and everyone I knew is now retired, so it has been a few years. The policy must still be in effect, as the ships still have guests coming aboard, so make sure you submit the request once onboard. The Master can only approve or deny your request. Good luck.