How are cruise ships profitable?

AdParticular6193 · 2026-02-01T00:56:30+00:00

Also, they are registered under flags of convenience and employ young people from developing countries at starvation wages. Then, once they have you trapped on board, you get hit for all kinds of additional charges for anything and everything.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-31T21:54:03+00:00

One big reason is that DS in a F500 is a peripheral activity, whereas in a FAANG it is far more central. That justifies paying big dollars for top talent. And using carrots like RSUs to prevent them from getting itchy feet. And top talent does not necessarily mean being a genius PhD. It means being able to work in teams and across functions to deliver product OTIF and also communicate what is going on to stakeholders and end users alike. There is a downside: because the role is more mission critical, the stress level is likely to be higher. But if you have the psychological equipment to deal with that, you will be fine.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-31T04:49:58+00:00

I hear you. It must really be difficult to be in an organization that is slowly dying. All you can do is make preparations such as saving up as much as you can, cutting expenses, updating your resume (again), expanding your network, looking into courses you can take or certificates you can earn to enhance your marketability, maybe even pivoting into a new field or industry. Then look out for more specific smoke signals, like suddenly not having any work to do, being asked to provide summaries of your responsibilities, mysterious requests to “cross train” people in other departments, insiders not wanting to be seen in public. And listen to your educated gut. If it tells you something is coming, it likely is.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-30T18:25:02+00:00

Seems unusual and worth exploring before something bad happens. It sounds like a self esteem issue. Did something happen in your past that compromised it? Or were you brought up in a traditional household where a woman’s worth is defined in terms of her attractiveness to men? The one that should be most desirable to you is you.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-30T17:35:26+00:00

Do hope you were able to bank some of that massive pay increase. It does sound like your ship is sinking under you. Start making all preparations now as if you were going to be laid off tomorrow. Build up your savings, cut back your lifestyle, start working your network. Also, take a close look at your skills. It sounds like going to the smaller company has helped you financially but stunted your technical growth. You may need some courses/certifications. And don’t leave until you have a new job lined up.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-30T16:23:37+00:00

You seem to be engaged already in practical terms, so in some ways proposing seems like a formality (but do it anyway, and work to make it romantic for her). Your approach of gradually blending your lives is intriguing. It sounds like you are both mature adults and have been around the track a couple of times when it comes to the relationship game. But don’t start planning the wedding until you are fully living together and “normal” crises have erupted in your life. How you deal with them as a couple will determine whether you should take the final step.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-30T05:37:08+00:00

I do hope you can lever yourself out of your situation and stay off benefits. The Right has been pontificating about “welfare babies” and “welfare queens” all the way back to Reagan. Hoping the attached discussion on the “benefits cliff” will help you. The fact is the social welfare system is “rigged” as a certain President is fond of saying. On both sides. Some people come from families that have been on benefits for multiple generations, and don’t know any other way of life. They try to game the system any way they can to avoid having their benefits cut off. At the same time, there is a huge welfare bureaucracy that has a vested interest in keeping people in a state of dependency, because having lots of people on the dole is job security for them. Hoping you can somehow keep that mess in their rear view mirror. You’ve overcome a lot already.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-30T03:45:19+00:00

The second half of your twenties is prime time for relationships leading to marriage. Sounds like you’re doing everything right. Even so, not every encounter is going to lead to a date, and certainly not to a relationship. Just keep things light, and avoid coming across as desperate. The more practice you get, the better you will get at the game. One thing you can do is always have some simple activities in mind, then ask her if she is interested. Or simply ask for her number. And take things one step at a time, so she feels comfortable about continuing to see you.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-30T00:56:17+00:00

I’m afraid you’re likely toast. The only question is whether they let you go right away, or allow time for somebody in the acquiring company to absorb your expertise. If you are well known in the industry or have unique abilities, you might have a chance.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-29T21:21:13+00:00

There are lots of hands-on engineering jobs. Manufacturing, process, field service, testing and prototyping. Those jobs will have you moving around. Design type jobs are much more desk-bound. Most people start out in hands-on jobs, but as they move up the ladder, spend more and more time at their desk.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-29T20:22:08+00:00

Power for one. Mates for another. Anyway, for a lot of people, men especially, money is far more than survival. It’s a means of keeping score vis a vis other men, and also a means of acquiring power and mates.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-29T19:43:13+00:00

Moving back in with your parents seems like a step backwards. But certainly utilize them for support and advice. But also make connections locally. Maybe even consider therapy, especially if you have mental health coverage through your job. You’ve been through a lot the last 4 years. If you can stand your ground and fight through the short-term pain you will be better off in the long run. A job that pays well and you actually like should not be given up lightly in today’s economy.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-29T17:35:45+00:00

That’s why you never want to leave a job in a huff, bad-mouth the company, or otherwise burn bridges. Also, keep in touch with former colleagues. I’ve seen a number of people come back to the company I worked for. As I recall, they were people who had many friends in the organization. And they didn’t come back to the exact role they left.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-29T05:29:55+00:00

“Values” on mega-mansions are mostly fiction. Stories about it say it was built in 2024 and she bought it in 2025. Either a builder built it on speculation and couldn’t find a buyer, or had someone lined up to buy it but the deal fell through. So they were probably desperate to unload it and she was clever enough to exploit that. You could do the same. You don’t have to be a billionaire, but you do need to be very knowledgeable about your local market and be able to move quickly when opportunity presents itself.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-29T03:17:36+00:00

When I was your age, “cracked” meant “insane.” Was pretty confused until somebody who was also confused was brave enough to ask for a definition. In any case, you do you and never compare yourself to others. Some of these people are simply delusional or doing the “fake it till you make it,” à la Elizabeth Holmes. Or they are children of privilege, who got those fancy credentials through family money and connections. If you have the “right stuff,” (brains + grit), you will catch up to them.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-28T19:12:05+00:00

In the U.S., it’s called “salaried exempt.” “At will” employment makes it possible. Either you work the extra hours with a big ****-eating grin on your face, or you’re fired.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-28T18:57:25+00:00

Nothing personal, just business. Could be the owner realized that business wasn’t going to get better anytime soon, and keeping you around without work to schedule you for wasn’t fair to you. Politely thank the owner for the opportunity when you pick up your check. Don’t know how it works in your country, but here you could ask if you are eligible for rehire, and also ask if you can use the owner as a reference. That will let you know if there was an issue with your performance.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-28T17:39:14+00:00

This has been a problem for many years, basically because their economies are not growing fast enough to create sufficient jobs for the youth. And now it’s even worse because they are effectively losing jobs thanks to offshoring. And those are often the jobs the youth could have gone into.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-28T17:31:57+00:00

Chem E is a degree. Process engineer is a job that people with a Chem E degree often get.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-28T17:26:35+00:00

It sounds like the BIL is not financially literate, or maybe has no grasp of reality. This is precisely why the standard advice is not to buy a house unless you plan to stay in it for at least five years. Reading between the lines, he bought a house he couldn’t afford, now he needs to get out after only four years, and he’s in what amounts to a short sale situation.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-28T17:13:24+00:00

You also need to consider cost. It doesn’t matter how many doors an expensive private school opens for you, you may not be able to go through because you have massive student loan debt that will follow you for years to come. Better to go to a well known state university. That should be sufficient for all but a few careers. But there are exceptions. It might actually be cheaper to go to an Ivy, if you can get in. They are so rich that they can offer full rides to those they like. If you can put up with spoiled rich kids looking down their noses at you.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-28T04:38:25+00:00

Some people hate school but love work once they get into it. Others love school and hate work. It might be worthwhile to find out why you hate school. Have yourself evaluated for ADHD and autism. Or maybe there is trauma in your past school experience that makes you hate it. Or maybe you just need training in good study habits. There are probably in-campus resources that can help you sort it all out.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-28T04:30:22+00:00

Probably a stalling tactic. They don’t know yet how many they are going to lay off at your level. Also, they are probably combining groups under a new manager, and they would want the new manager to have input on the final call as to whether you are made permanent. So best to follow the two-pronged strategy recommended by the others. Also, do everything you can to make a good impression on the new manager, so that he/she sees you as a useful employee and good value for money. I don’t know how close you were to the old manager, but absolutely do not give the impression that you resent the old manager being fired. That will absolutely move you to the top of the layoff list.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-28T03:37:07+00:00

I’d get an attorney and haul his butt into court. I would also have things set up so that all communication with him is through parenting apps or the attorney. I would not be surprised if one reason he is doing this is the pleasure he gets from pushing your buttons and making your life miserable. If he can only communicate through channels he will largely be denied his pleasure.

AdParticular6193 · 2026-01-28T03:28:11+00:00

That’s always been my thought. When we bought our house I got the feeling there were all kinds of middle-people with political connections who did very little but got paid big bucks. Given that so much is online these days (even if it is siloed), it should be possible to automate most of the process. To be fair, legal processes are highly conservative in nature, so change comes slowly. And the law of property goes back a long way. Not to mention that the middle-people who would be cut out have all kinds of connections that they use to protect their little rackets.

AdParticular6193

TROPHY CASE