LukeJ

@Cruising Caribbean your mother is a wise woman. And I agree with what you're saying. Vanity is in the eyes of the beholder, and I'm also a big believer that if you look good, you feel good, and is a big plus with mental health if you start thinking a little more positive about things. It doesn't have to be big changes, just small steps does wonders for self esteem.

@Cruising Caribbean I must admit, the pajamas flummoxed me then. I never knew you could get pajamas out of bamboo or pillow cases. I was thinking maybe the reason companies aren't using bamboo for the bottles must be something to do with the costs, but surely it can't be the prices that are the issue if bamboo seems to be so flexible.

@3Sisters I have to admit, I may have to side with your husband on this one. My wife is another that does that. Hasn't said a word all evening to me, and soon as I settle down, ready for sleep, I get asked "what should we talk about?" "Absolutely nothing." Had her chance for six hours, not starting at midnight.

@Kendall James-Vargas maybe thats something we should start doing ourselves. Every year we complain about the hideous weather, perhaps it's best if we stopped complaining and doing something about it.

What local rules are in place?

I've seen online a few things made from bamboo, and I think they are great. Not only does the product and the design look sleek and professional, it's also good for the environment. Surely that's a double win win

Is this why my wife ignores me most evenings. I knew there was a good reason behind it all. Can't all be my fault.

It's not old fashioned, it's just about taking some pride on yourself. That's what's wrong in the world these days, nobody cares, people's attitudes are just wrong. Why people think it's weak that you decide to dress tidy is beyond me. The scruffy homewear is fine for the home, but there is certainly nothing wrong with wanting to look and feel good about yourself, and has nothing to do with vanity.

@Cruising Caribbean that's a really good point that you've put across. Yes we do run around spinning plates and get easily distracted and you end up being a no-parent as you say. So perfectly put that, it's important to re-engage and it makes up better parents too, because of the relaxation side of it, with the children seeing another side to you.

It's good that the standard has changed in a sense because even though it was always the people that did well in life got to spend time on a cruise, while us working class looked on, envious, it does mean that standards have dropped. The only way that you could get that standard back is to up those price to ridiculous amounts that only had the upper classes again. And why should that ever be allowed to happen

I hate the plastic bottles, it really isn't good for the environment. Maybe it should be stored in recyclable bamboo that you can get. It's good, sturdy, perfect for the environment and looks good too.

@Cruising Caribbean thanks for clearing that up, thought I was missing something and a strict dress code was now put in place. I totally agree pajamas should purely remain in the home. The amount of people I witness wearing pajamas who go to shops or take their children to school really bugs me. I wish they would take some pride and dignity and dress accordingly.

In the UK, even though Christmas is a magical time, everyone is excited and look forward to spending time off. The weather is appalling. It constantly rains, the wind and the frost is beyond a joke. So to spend Christmas in a warm environment where everything doesn't hurt would be very welcome.

Maybe the answer is to treat the place like we did when covid was around. Everything was in place and hardly any germs was passed around, everyone was washing their hands at every opportunity. Covid was making the rounds I admit, however nobody was catching any colds or anything.

Totally agreed. My kids love going away and despite them loving gaming, they appreciate the time away from the screens and seeing bits of the world. They feel rejuvenated like the rest of us, and more importantly, they have great memories before getting back to their norm.

Or you could say that the companies won't allow you to rake the gaming consoles onboard, and there isn't a lot you can do about it. White lies are acceptable when it comes to a nice peaceful vacation. I'm sure your son would enjoy his time away from the screens

I was about to ask whether ports were getting fussy on what guests are wearing these days after reading that. Why would they even contemplate banning them, or is it because there is a dressing code to adhere to when it comes to the evenings.

Yeah, really bad practice about not informing guests. Any changes should automatically be communicated and make it less stressful for paying customers as possible. I fear cruise lines will begin getting a bad reputation if little things like this continues and the whole industry will change to a normal holiday resort rather than the elite it once was.

I think I will buy some to give it a go. I'm open to trying out new things so next BBQ I get, I will try that out.

In London, it's hard water and we don't tend to drink water from the tap due the vile taste and the discoloration we get. So bottled water is the only way forward. I'm not a huge fan of water myself, rather have flavoured water if possible.

@Kendall James-Vargas yes the Vancouver route is what I looked into. The view from that train ride blew me away. So wherever that goes, and the cost wouldn't really stop me from doing that. 20 hours is a long good old drive, as we can to the entire UK less than that.

That's interesting @Cruising Caribbean the idea of you even wanting to try things is great. I haven't heard of cricket tacos, despite it sounding quite self explanatory. Where were you when this happened and what point did you think this is not for me? I think I would give that a go personally.

How long would it take to drive around Canada do you think? As I stated, I've always wanted to visit the country and do the train ride through the Rockies. If that isn't possible, then yes cruise would be the ideal way to go around.

I don't know whether it's true or not as my take on science isn't all the best, but many have explained to me that the reason we catch so many bugs is because we in the UK are too clean an don't allow our bodies to have any germs so that we can't fight any bugs in our immune system. It sort of makes sense in what they are saying, but again not sure if it's correct.

Yes @Emrys as you say, that is the one of the toss up decisions that we thought about. It may cost you more, but the safety of that is that you don't have to worry or rush back, because the ship will not leave without you. If you miss it, the travel plus the commotion of getting to the next port of call outweighs that plan.