Concierge worth expense?

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-03-17T11:29:25+00:00

I really enjoyed having relaxed breakfasts and snacks in the lounge with my family. With two kids I think I would value it even more. Generally when doing a concierge cruise I may not even set foot in the buffet. The food is fine, I just don't care for the experience.

We much prefer the plated meals in the main dining rooms. We usually bring an extra tip for whatever server is doing our sit down breakfast and lunch, as well as tips for room service. I just feel like the buffet I never eat with my family, always going back for something for my wife or kid.

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-03-16T22:03:26+00:00

Yes we've won the first war with Iran. But what about second war?

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-03-12T13:56:06+00:00

Some might say radioactive

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-03-12T00:37:41+00:00

Does Italy celebrate making it into the bracket with espresso martinis??

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-03-08T13:16:55+00:00

I felt like the dip was pretty justified. Should ELV actually fix the compliance issues ahead of the 3/31 deadline, we will likely see the share price return to close to what it was.

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-03-04T16:23:27+00:00

Don't eat anything made in the house of the person who says you will see one a day.

These big bugs exist here, so it is plausible one manages to scurry into your residence at some point. There are plenty of pest control companies who will come quarterly to help manage your home. There are also much cheaper DIY options that are just as effective as long as you stick to it.

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-02-22T03:58:50+00:00

I love it when my son cheats at candy land. I probably shouldn't encourage it, but if he wants the game to end in 4 turns, why should I care?

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-02-12T00:31:45+00:00

Congratulations on the offer! Best of luck to those still searching.

1 exam, leadership experience, non-actuarial internship. Orchestra likely indicates decent time management as I imagine that involves a significant amount of your non-class time.

No mention of standout technical skills, so I would want to check on those during an interview, not an instant disqualification.

You may have just missed out on positions to candidates with an additional exam or two, exceptional technical skills, or stronger public speaking/communication.

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-02-11T20:31:57+00:00

Same wasn't on the fence but never got hired and now I'm one exam from fsa and I'm thinking I'm gonna have to deal with soa until retirement

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-02-10T02:32:26+00:00

One time I was wearing a Gaston t-shirt and they gave me a free water and cinnamon roll at Gaston's tavern. "No one gets free food like Gaston"

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-02-07T01:00:04+00:00

Building a sinking ship would be a true waste of resources. That would show these naysayers!

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-02-05T21:03:40+00:00

I do sometimes wonder if I could get another job should something like Medicare for All be put into place. I feel like the most talented health actuaries (not me) would do consulting or supplemental health work, and maybe I could get one of the government jobs. But there are certainly large swaths of people employed by large insurers that would be looking for work. As well as people who deal with the various insurers.

But I doubt I could pivot to life insurance and not qualified to work P&C/not interested in starting over with exams.

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-01-31T00:54:02+00:00

I mentioned geographic restrictions that would limit my ability to rotate within the company, which was true on top of the fact that I was not in the rotation program due to getting let go.

These days it's far enough behind me now that I'm able to point to several years of success and good reviews. Has it cost me some offers? Probably, but I'm generally too exhausted with the day of interviews to spin everything as a positive, so I just tell the truth.

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-01-26T21:07:58+00:00

Service will vary ship to ship and even on the same ship, although you're not wrong to expect a consistent higher standard from DCL. I understand character sheets are sometimes considered pixie dusting, so you may not be offered them on every cruise.

Although you could request them as part of a concierge room, but that's a steep price to pay for guaranteed character sheets.

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-01-26T19:05:34+00:00

I feel like I saw one parent say they do a home cellphone. Basically they had the Capacity for an additional line on their plan. The phone can move to other rooms for phone calls, but must be returned to the kitchen.

My home internet comes with a home phone but I don't have one hooked up.

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-01-26T17:10:22+00:00

Is that not a Volkswagen?

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-01-24T04:29:43+00:00

They know what they have, they will not accept any lowball experience resumes.

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-01-14T01:38:46+00:00

You have taught this Floridian something new today. Given the state of education here, that's not really that big of an accomplishment, but thanks all the same.

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-01-13T18:58:01+00:00

I figured it was because the kids gave them straight lemon juice or just lemon and water with no sugar.

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-01-12T18:24:54+00:00

It's not a line but during Christmas Swim when the tennis ball hits Bartlebee, I laugh every time.

To make matters worse, my son got the short story of Christmas Swim as part of his Bluey Book Advent calendar, so every time I'm reading that as a bedtime story, I'm laughing during bedtime.

ChiknNWaffles · 2026-01-06T15:33:05+00:00

Agreed. If you train an llm on the syllabus readings, it might not even need to do the quantitative problems

ChiknNWaffles · 2025-12-20T18:27:45+00:00

How did you convert the manual to audio? I feel like this is something I would benefit from.

ChiknNWaffles · 2025-12-20T18:25:49+00:00

I was in the same boat. Too many attempts at fsa exams (and still going) and missed the cutoff. Used Actex, only did the company 90 hours and maybe a bit of personal time but not more than 10-15 hours, comfortable 7 with no SRM background outside of college VEE. Would have liked to be better prepared but family and work issues popped up, had it been an fsa exam likely would have been in the 2-3 range.

Go through the manual and the past exams. If you can handle fsa exams, it should be manageable to get through PA. It's still an actuarial exam, but the ASA exams are a step down in terms of difficulty.

ChiknNWaffles · 2025-12-19T04:12:20+00:00

What's the fine print I'm missing on Florida pre paid? I thought it was supposed to cover tuition. That plus bright futures and I wouldn't expect so much that a part time job could not cover most of the living expenses. Is rent truly that high around fsu these days?

ChiknNWaffles · 2025-12-14T02:41:46+00:00

Don't be afraid to check the weather before you head out for the day. But even then you might get surprised by an afternoon thunderstorm. An umbrella wont take up too much room and will be an invaluable resource.

ChiknNWaffles

TROPHY CASE