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If there is no consequence to walking past the handwashing area then it is not a rule but a request.

The impact however is generalized and not equally shared. Is handwashing before entering the buffet a rule, a recommendation or a request? Is a stop at the handwashing station mandatory for admission and has a cruiser ever been denied access for refusing or is this "rule" similar to not using the same cup or plate more than once?

If you know London well enough you can do the same but there are still pay toilets in the capital city. Change isn't always required. There is one on the south bank of the Thames not far from the London Eye that takes credit cards. Tap and go!

Prices have gone up. Always carry a couple of 50p coins and a pound or two should nature call in the UK.

There are some people who are sticklers for the RULES and are easily outraged when anyone breaks even the most insignificant of them. Others take a live and let live approach unless the rule breaking directly affects them in a substantial way. A kid in the solarium, a pair of shorts in the MDR, an underage teenager in a casino, someone else not washing their hands before going into the buffet is not worth other passengers or the cruise line making a federal case over.

I am a NEXUS holder so have no need for the government's attempt to reconfigure a grossly-mishandled program into a entry tool. I was forced to install and use the ArriveCan app during the pandemic, very much enjoyed deleting it and am not about to reinstall it.

That might be a good suggestion for the officers in charge of customer-facing services or the senior management of the line but the people steering the boat and getting it to the next port should not be burdened with an obligation to "experience the customer experience." No one expects the flight crew of an airliner to be walking the aisles or acting as greeters when passengers board.

Nit picking is where this thread began.🙂

Official abbreviation? I know governments and NGOs can be intrusive, pesky, tiresome and over-reaching but is there an official global body or council of elites approving abbreviations? 😉

Having done significant amounts of international business travel my approach is to not overthink it and absolutely never "force" myself to do anything. I let my body adjust naturally so no changing my sleep routines at home to "get ready" and no forcing myself to stay awake upon arrival. I set my watch to local time when the plane lands and if I'm tired I take a short nap after I check in. As I don't sleep well on planes I might take a sleeping aid on an overnight flight if I'm going directly into meetings but never on a personal trip or if I have time to adjust. On the flight and for the first day or two I will be very sparing with alcohol until my body clock recalibrates. Jet lag and liquor are not a good combination.

They may not get approached "that much" but they do get approached. Everyone gets a lunch break and being interrupted by complaints or even compliments may not be appreciated. While the sight of a little braid and a white uniform might set some hearts aflutter, senior officers have an important job to do and being dining room ornaments should not be expected of them.

Senior crew might be allowed to dine in the buffet or MDR but why they would want to? Sitting there in uniform makes them a target of opportunity for any aggrieved passenger who feel it is their right is to interrupt the crew's lunch and express their dissatisfaction in person. The crew really isn't in a position to tell the complainer to get lost and leave them alone. Are there cruise lines where senior crew members encouraged or even required to dine occasionally in the buffet or MDR to "flash the brass" as part of their duties?

Bath was granted a city charter by Queen Elizabeth I in 1590 http://royalcrescentbath.co.uk/History bath.htm The UK government has set 75,000 as the population for a Major Town or City. https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transparencyandgovernance/freedomofinformationfoi/townsandcitiesintheuk# >75,000 + City Charter = City of Bath. 🙂

The UK defines a "city" as having a population of over 75,000 so Bath qualifies but from visitor stand point it doesn't offer the same variety of attractions as London. The same could be said about Cambridge, Oxford and other similar-sized UK cities. Bath is a great place to go after you've visited London. 😉

It is a British trait to rubbish their capital city and their criticisms have merit if you live or work there. Seeing it as a visitor is a different perspective and if city amenities are what you desire no other city is better than London. I've been there many times and always enjoy my return trips. The only city that comes close in my estimation is Edinburgh.

A first time visitor to London on their first day should take one of the hop-on, hop-off tour buses. You'll see all the major sites and can pop in for a visit in most of them. On the second day it's whatever your preferences are whether they are fine dining, theatre, music, art galleries, museums, historical sights, shopping, street food. London is the greatest city in the world. Two days won't be nearly enough.

Great trip and better than looking at dead leaves in New England.

Hadn't thought of Sheffield, Norwich and Manchester as "tourist areas" but all are places within the last couple of years where I've noted service charges on restaurant meals.

Tips may not be needed in the UK but with the exception of pubs they are often expected. https://www.protaxaccountant.co.uk/post/vat-on-service-charge#:

In the UK and Europe a "service charge" of 12.5 to 15% is quite common on all restaurant bills regardless of the size of the party. You can tip more if the service was exemplary or dispute the charge if the service was substandard. I like the practice because it relieves me of having to calculate the amount of the gratuity in accordance to local norms. The only downside is the risk of wildly over-tipping because you didn't notice the service charge on the bill. Been there, done that.

The benefit of pre-paid gratuities is that you never have to wonder whether or how much to tip. You still have the option to tip over and above as you wish whether to reward good service you've received or to provide an incentive for better service going forward.

I arrived first and will stay as long as it suits me. General comments made by late arrivals will be ignored. Comments made to me directly may result in an less than cordial exchange.

That might explain why some people are never hungover on a cruise. 😉

Perhaps we should take the same approach to seasickness. Lessening its effects is a common topic in this forum when clearly the "common sense approach" would be to not cruise and those who keep getting sea sick "obviously deserve" it. After a "few experiences" they should know to stay on land. Anyone who cruises runs the risk of rough weather. Anyone who consumes alcohol runs the risk of having one too many. Knowing how to mitigate the effects of sea sickness and a hangover is good information to know if you cruise and no one should be judgmental about either topic.

Excellent suggestion. There are many sugar free electrolyte powders on the market for those lines that won't allow you to bring sports drinks on board.