rbwest1

So, who at your table is going to say anything? 

It always seems that people accept a man sitting at (a bar, a restaurant) by himself, but women get judged a bit harsher (especially at bars  - at restaurants we're just lonely).  At least this has been my observation over the years.  I'm still gonna do it, though, lol.

I just did my first solo cruise last month. I was asked quite a bit if I was alone and when I said yes the feedback was amazing. I had an older woman I met on an excursion that she didn't know but she was proud of me.. adorable. In general all of the women I spoke to had the same response, which I appreciated. Men seemed more surprised a woman would travel alone. No one but the staff said anything while I was eating about being solo - except for Chef's Table but that's a whole different experience.
I loved dining alone. I had my Kindle. I enjoyed my food. I'm a people watcher so I tried to watch a little while being discreet.

I am going on TA cruise to Miami, and am not flying home but going to family in Miami after the cruise for a couple of weeks, family members have requested food items bought over to them from the Uk, things like, tea bags, chocolate, crackers, popadums, crisps, all new in their original packets, so am I able to take these in a case and store them in my cabin until I get to Miami or will they be confiscated either on the ship or at port, they will be in a suitcase. 

Im from scotland we call 40 degrees with wind swirling round you outside " SUMMER" 
Also I dont smoke inside my house, be it sun, rain or snow i go outside, it comes down to having respect for non smokers which includes my wife. 
 
However respect should work both ways, if im in a designated smoking area outside no one has the right to complain or make comments to me about the smoke or smell

As a smoker myself i think smoking should be banned from all in door areas, you cant smoke in bars or resteraunts nowadays ( even in asia ) so why allow it on ships? 
Even though its allowed i myself will go outside to designated smoking areas.

Or, counterpoint,  nonsmokers could simply pick a cruise line that doesn't allow smoking. (I'm a nonsmoker btw, but I know what I'm getting myself into, and don't expect others to change for me.)

seems like there isn't much news about this coming from anywhere or anyone....then again...we all know the fake news stations wouldn't break away from their precious political  24hr bashing to report real news happening.....
 
Hoping everyone and everything is ok down there..

It really doesn't matter what one types in a "chat" environment, "someone" will take issue with it.   I prefer to look at Mont's comment about wishing the best for the people down there.  But, I always seem to find a "silver lining".   And, the term "fake news" is a water fountain comment now days.  Doesn't matter if we like it or not, it's here to stay.  Just like the word "Deplorables".  And, I'm a "left" or "right" kind of person. Now, Let's all have fun!  After all, we're talking about our upcoming cruise.
 

So True. Life's short just have fun. Don't worry be happy.

Yeah, don't you hate it when someone writes those? ? 
Just because someone makes a comment that could be construed as partisan and nobody yells at the person about it does not make a site "political leaning" or "only for right wing folks".  I do believe it is typically called "tolerance", "not reading any ill-intent", or at the very least "letting it go". 
I do, unfortunately, very much believe you are being serious.

I do sincerely hope you enjoy your cruise.  I hope when something irritates you on the ship you can let it go and not allow it to ruin your trip.

Maybe I 'got' his sense of humor being Canadian but I don't think he was trying to be left, right or anywhere else.
It's hard not to scan the TV line-up and not hear extreme rhetoric from many news outlets, Canadian or American (yes, Canadian news endures the same political diarrhea with its politics except it ends in 'eh')  so I think his point was, while those stations continued their verbal diarrhea few even mentioned this earthquake or the impact to the people of Haiti while these supposed 'news' channels chose to remain babbling on.   

@DocLC Sorrento's doesn't have pizza!!!  That's not pizza!!! I don't know what that can be classified as but it sure isn't PIZZA!

Have fun with it.  
"I'm a really mean person and no one likes me"
"They went overboard at the first opportunity"
"It was a last minute deal and the cruise only cost me $60.  How much did you pay?"
"I'm doing research for a blog" - then turn the table and ask them all sorts of questions.
Seriously though, I just explain I have a flexible travel schedule and my friends and family do not, which is the truth.