my bf and i are going on a Royal Caribbean cruise in late august to the Mexican Rivieria. We have MyTimeDining where we can just show up or make a reservation instead of having a schedule (we want it) and i was wondering about the dinners.
this may seem silly but when i went on an alaska cruise many years ago with my family and on the rare occassion we go to a very nice restaurant, we were supposed to order something from every section of the menu (ex: appetizers, soups, salads, main course, etc.) so that everyone in the party was eating at the same time and not having to wait.
Do we do that same thing on the cruise? i know we can “do whatever we want” and if we’re alone, we’ll probably order the same amount, but if we’re with another party, do we need to order something from each section? whats the correct etiquete?
we’re both 21 and have never gotten to go on a vacation with each other so i just wanted some information and advice. thanks!!
i spelled dining wrong. sorry
I understand your question. The logistics of dining with others is orchestrated by the waiter and by diner sensitivity. You may certainly order whatever you wish. A good waiter will sequence the meal’s presentation as best possible so that at the least all at the table receive their entree simultaneously.
For courses preceding the main event, it is polite for diners to consider others at the table and perhaps instruct the waiter that they wish to wait for a serving and so bring themselves back in sync with the table. For example, if you skip the soup, don’t insist that you receive your salad while others are slurping away, nor should you accept the advance salad brought by a clueless waiter. If you MUST have an edible in front of you at all times, it’s perhaps best to order all courses and abstain or pick as the mood strikes.
I commend your forethought! Table etiquette is dying and cruising (structured main dining) is one of the last bastions of civility at the table. RJ
If you thought all-inclusive vacations were just for couples, think again. Today there are more than 500 resorts worldwide offering pay-one-price-for-all packages custom-made for couples, families, and solo travelers who want the most for their vacation money. Travel experts Jay Paris and Carmi Zona-Paris have traveled from New York to Katmandu to bring you the 100 Best All-Inclusive Resorts of th…
You don’t need to be wealthy to buy your Nicaragua vacation house. More and more exciting financing opportunities are coming on the market.
The Central American real estate market for vacation homes has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past decade. The landscape is exceptionally beautiful and the land values are almost too good to be true. Nicaragua boasts great hiking and bird watching. The sport fishing and surfing are unparalleled. It is the land of lakes, rivers, rain forests, volcanoes, artisan markets and coffee farms. Nicaraguan vacation homes have really become popular amongst those seeking a perfect getaway or for those retiring Americans looking for an inexpensive place to live and relax. Historically, the only drawback with Nicaragua real estate was that most deals were completed on a cash only basis.
It is now possible to secure financing from some of the more prominent and reputable Nicaraguan banks such as BDF, Bancentro and BAC. Qualified buyers with the right documentation can access loans of up to 80-95 % of the total purchase price. Although interest rates are becoming more competitive they still float in the range of 9-12% per annum amortized over 10 years. Most mortgages contain an option to extend the amortization by another five 5 years.
Multiple resort developments are offering developer financing. This type of financing can provide the savvy purchaser with a great deal. For example, a brand new beach condominium project within walking distance of the shops and bars and restaurants of San Juan del Sur is offering 15 year financing at 9% interest. This development is upscale and located right on the beach. Other nearby developments are offering 7 year financing on condos, ocean view lots and completed houses at 8% with a 30% down payment. Even if it is not advertised you should ask about developer financing.
Some of the bigger developments even offer another very familiar option. These developers have relationships with American style mortgage brokers. This type of American- style financing offers a longer term. The terms of interest related to these loans tend to be similar to those in the States which are very low right now.
The least common but still available means by which to finance your Nicaragua vacation home is akin to private vendor take back mortgages. These days there are an increasing number of opportunities using this method of financing. Vendors know that the credit market has dried up and this might be the only way they can sell their home.
People who never thought it would be possible are buying Nicaraguan vacation homes. Financial assistance in achieving your dream is now available. New financing options have opened the door to real estate in Nicaragua.
An undeniable benefit of investing in Nicaragua real estate or retiring to Nicaragua is the opportunity to be exposed to natural wonders that don’t exist in North America. Nicaragua plays host to several beaches that are among the few sites in the world where sea turtles lay their eggs. The sea turtles arrive in huge numbers of up to one thousand certain times of the year to lay eggs. This fascinating event is called arribadas and occurs several times per year.
There are only seven species of sea turtles left in existence throughout the entire world. Five of those seven species are present in Nicaragua including the Green Turtle, the Hawksbill Turtle, the Leatherback Turtle, the Loggerhead Turtle, and the Olive Ridley Turtle. Each of these species of turtles has been placed on the critically endangered species list or the endangered species list. The most commonly seen turtle on Nicaragua’s Pacific beaches is the Olive Ridley Turtle. The Leatherback Turtle and the Hawksbill Turtle can also be found here in much smaller numbers.
The commercial consumption of turtle eggs is a major problem facing the sea turtle. The coastal dwellers use the eggs as a food source and more recently they found there was a lucrative commercial demand for the eggs. The turtle eggs are easily sold to seafood restaurants in Leon or Managua or any other major city.
With increased knowledge of the problems being faced by the sea turtle populations there have been conservation steps taken. The protection of the sea turtles and the very important sea turtle eggs is regulated and managed by organizations like the Cocibolca Foundation. Beaches such as Chacocente and La Flor have become national turtle reserves. The local residents are allowed to take a limited number of eggs for their families in exchange for their help in protecting the sea turtle nests
Extremely interesting and turtle sensitive tours to La Flor to watch the sea turtles can be easily arranged through a number of places in San Juan del Sur. San Juan del Sur real estate is rapidly becoming a popular Nicaragua real estate investment destination amongst North Americans.
The Nicaragua real estate market has been percolating and it is ready to explode on to the world market. Second homes and retirement homes in Nicaragua are set to be a popular investment in the next few years. People are started to worry that retirement in the United States is unaffordable and cold.
Nicaragua is located in Central America where it is hugged by both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Historically associated with unrest, it is now associated with colorful villages, great surfing and beautiful beaches. Direct flights into Managua are available from a number of U.S. cities such as Miami and Houston. In the past five years, the tourism industry in Nicaragua has experienced wonderful growth and the country’s infrastructure such as roads has seen noticeable improvement.
Nicaragua has a stunning natural beauty and wonderful tourism related activities. Such attractions and activities include exploring historic colonial cities, relaxing on one of the gorgeous beaches, golf, hiking or kayaking along fresh water lakes and rivers, world class surfing and sport fishing, volcano watching, canopy tours, bird and turtle watching, exploring the wonderful open air local markets or visiting a coffee plantation in the cooler mountainous regions.
Nicaragua has a wonderfully interesting history and culture and has excellent world class health care. Therefore it is no surprise that Nicaraguan property has become a popular purchase amongst baby boomers seeking to diversify a balanced real estate investment portfolio or looking for retirement homes or vacation homes. In addition to the other perks of owning Nicaragua real estate, you may also be eligible to receive some compelling tax incentives as an investor or developer under Nicaragua Law 306. Law 306 allows a purchaser certain attractive tax incentives for a period of10 years.
Foreigner investors are entitled to hold fee simple title to Nicaragua property in their own names. Title insurance is also available from some of the most reputable American title insurers to further ensure your peace of mind. Nicaraguan real estate is a very safe investment.
The Nicaragua real estate market still remains untapped, compared to some other retirement places such as Costa Rica, Belize, Florida and Mexico, and therefore many great deals can still be found. It’s only a matter of time before Nicaragua real estate becomes more expensive. Beachfront homes can still be a reasonable purchase here for the average person. Food and health care and cleaning services costs are a fraction of that in North America. The reasons to buy Nicaragua Real Estate are endless.
Where can I buy China Glaze nail polish in Caribbean Blue?
I saw this color nail polish in a magazine and absolutely love it. I think it’s part of a new collection, though, because I can’t seem to find it anywhere, not even at my local Sally Beauty Supply. What other stores carry China Glaze nail polish, particularly the Bahama Blues collection?
I live in the US, if that helps at all.
hi!
it looks like they may have just updated their website
It’s the ultimate escape fantasy: Trade in the rat race for life on a tropical island and all the languid luxury that it evokes. For India Hicks and David Flint Wood, the dream became reality when, after high-profile careers-she as a fashion model, he as an advertising executive-the couple left the city behind for the Bahamas. Five years and three children later, the husband-and-wife team have imp…
Kevin and Julie travel to London. Kevin loathes sightseeing. Julie is the quintessential tourist. Kevin ends up enjoying the trip but doesn’t tell Julie. He secretly writes a book about his fond memories to surprise her and express his love….
Coastal Living magazine – Special Islands Issue with features on: Dream Getaways, The Caribbean’s Best Recipes, Hawaii’s Ultimate Road Trip, Style Secrets from Amazing Island Homes, and much more….