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Not only airlines with reclining seats coaches have a similar problem. Noticed a 'gentleman' dive into the front seat and recline it to almost horizontal for the drive from Cadiz to Seville. Naturally no-one sat behind him because they couldn't get into the seats. the problem came when the last passengers got on board and had no seat because the headrest of his seat was resting on the seat behind- what a stupid coach design. He refused to put the seat back up so the passengers got off the coach. I am not sure if seats were found on another coach or they just missed the tour altogether.

54 weeks or so till I go on Azura....and find out for myself..

In the 1977 Fire mans strike, Although The Green Goddesses where available all Fire calls in London were first checked out by The London Police Force, who checked whether or not a green goddess was required. This made them usually first on scene of a fire. Also I believe the Green Goddesses had at least one Police Officer as their crew or a Police car to direct them to the location required. A similar thing occurred in the 1989 with the Ambulance Strikes with Police Vans being used as Ambulances, together with Medics from the Armed forces ,their vehicles and the Red Cross.

As I said in an earlier post, Carnival Corp. in the USA give discounts not only to Military but also police and fire personnel etc. Such a shame it is not extended to the UK. No doubt the person who is responsible for judging the criteria has never served in the military or any of the emergency services. "Now I will be the first to recognise the good jobs, essential springs to mind, that police, firemen (and women) and nurses do. But they don't exactly enter areas of conflict where the name of the game is for the other side to deliberately try to take their lives. Lets not also forget that

Hi...I am wanting to book my first world cruise this year, departing January 2018. I have started my research. I am thinking Cunard, but wanted to know if anyone can suggest or recommend any others. My criteria is a full circumnavigation on a good ship. My worries are that I may see the world from cargo docks...I know corners are being cut with some cruise lines, but to be docked next to the Sydney Harbour Bridge would be one of my highlights. Any views or tips are much appreciated and any positive or negatives experiences of a full world cruise also welcome. Thanks

So do I - including getting stuck in a lift!

I'm not sure that the position is altered very much just because you have a choice to take bags on yourself. I suspect the difficulty will be in establishing negligence. I agree, but with two children I'm just happy to get rid of the bags!

There are always going to be inconsiderate (or unintelligent dependant on how you see it) people around, that unfortunately leads to more rules for everyone. Another airline irritant are the people who put carrier bags and the like in overhead lockers, when there is insufficient room in the lockers to carry standard cabin cases if everyone took one. I note that Ryanair now insist on all bags including handbags going inside the cabin case, so a "sledgehammer to crack a walnut" rule is introduced because of the "cucumber".

"There's no such thing as a free lunch" (Milton Friedman).

Exactly - and the same can be said of so many things. A little bit of consideration would make life so much easier for everybody.

Thats a great comprehensive answer Shetlander and I must admit to having never given thought to this, it is interesting to see the American one as SR has pointed out and is something to bear in mind for the future. I do think 'Land of the free' is a myth if so why are they so money driven?????

My understanding is that with respect to European cruises there are two scenarios in which VAT / IVA is charged. The first is on food and drink purchases when in the waters of a country - the 10% Spanish IVA to which Richard refers. The second relates to intra-Europe cruises i.e. cruises that do not call at a non-EU port. I understand that on these cruises duty free purchases are not possible and VAT can be charged on products bought in the shops according to the rate of the country of departure (e.g. 21% from Spain and 22% from Italy). The second half of our summer cruise was an i

Hi Paul, lucky old you. There is a forum member on Queen Elizabeth, MaggieMou. I have been following her adventures on the Cunard Fanzine. I well recall visiting Capetown on QE2 many years ago... We overnighted twice on what was then called a 'Line Voyage' - Southampton to Mauritious and return. One day we chartered a helicopter to fly over Table Mountain. I was thrilled when the pilot offered to fly over the ship... On the home leg we stopped at Walvis Bay, Namibia and went 'Dune' riding as only it should be done. That's one very excited Solent Barbara ridi

I don't like the reclining seat but if it is there people will use it and they are not doing anything wrong. Preventing someone from using the recline function is wrong. People should complain to the airline about the provision of reclining seats in an already cramped space.

Obviously you can get insurance to cover any situation, but the standard policies are insuring your baggage for when it is in your control.

I always end up with the person in front of me reclining the seat! More or less every time! I think its quite inconsiderate - yes the seats recline and thats what the button is there for - but a bit of common sense wouldnt go amiss knowing that the person behind is going to be restricted! I bang the seat when im putting the tray down!

Can anyone tell me why 17, on Azura, was supposed to be so good? I dined there and found it to be one of the worst dining experiences I ever had. Even the staff were so far up themselves they could not be polite to their customers. I must agree with Suespud and Terminator in saying that plates shoukd not have pools of blood on them for any reason.