As Europeans we are not used to tipping, but I had been told when and how much by all my new friends. So when Kitten, our driver, picked us up at Miami Airport hubby Dave had 4 dollars handy to tip him when we arrived at the hotel. Next morning Kitten collected us and drove us to the pier. Our first glimpse of the ship was so exciting, it looked enormous!

When we arrived at the pier I was immediately accosted by a porter who was asking why we had no luggage labels - and which ship we were on. I glanced over just in time to see Kitten deposit the last of our bags on the ground and hold out his hand for his tip. My husband took his hand and shook it! The expression on Kitten's face was priceless!

Embarkation was quick and smooth. The guy behind us in the queue was a New Yorker and bombarded us with questions about England, everything from the exchange rate of the dollar to Mr Bean. He obviously had an itch in his shorts and was not afraid to scratch it in public. When he got to the check-in desk, right next to us, the lady told him he was on deck 2. He asked her if he could be upgraded to a balcony! He said he didn't want to be in the Engine Room. He was very loud and still kept chatting to us at the same time. Finally he moved away and the two check-in ladies asked if we were his friends! Read more