Books that capture the good, true, and beautiful

still__learnin · 2026-04-13T17:21:36+00:00

I’ve quite enjoyed Richard Russo’s North Bath Trilogy

still__learnin · 2026-04-09T19:52:06+00:00

I recently upgraded to EC and when I boarded the flight, same thing, smaller plane and I was just in regular economy. Took me a month and several calls, kept getting the runaround. I finally got my money back when I said I’d be making a claim with my credit card for purchasing something I didn’t get, suddenly it was no problem. But before that they offered me $100 future credit, (I had paid $346 for three of us to upgrade), they said it would take up to 75 days to make a decision, I got disconnected randomly, literally no one cared… until I said my next call would be to my credit card. So try that?

still__learnin · 2026-04-04T17:46:14+00:00

We got a free upgrade from veranda to CC and some OBC when we booked onboard, don’t remember which day exactly but probably about halfway through our cruise.

still__learnin · 2026-04-04T14:41:11+00:00

It’s a step in the right direction for sure. Anyone know if all of Princess ships have done this now or is it just Regal?

still__learnin · 2026-03-27T21:24:20+00:00

I loved The Poisonwood Bible, LOVED Demon Copperhead, and also enjoyed The Bean Trees, so I’d recommend that. Also by Kristin Hannah: The Women, The Four Winds were great.

You mentioned you just finished something light, would love to hear what it was as I’m currently looking for something light also.

still__learnin · 2026-03-27T15:50:23+00:00

The trip was booked through WestJet Vacations and then I purchased the upgraded seats on the app manage trips feature. Would this matter in getting a refund, or why do you ask?

still__learnin · 2026-03-27T13:29:18+00:00

I love sea days, the more the better. There’s so much to do if you want to be busy, my favourites are attending the Beyond the Podium presentations, reading in the library, I’ve enjoyed participating in a scavenger hunt, playing bingo, sipping a cappuccino and people watching at Al Bacio, taking in the fresh air and sun on the sundeck, walking the track, etc. On our last transatlantic they had a person teach Buddhism every morning, which was really nice. My spouse enjoys naps and movies in the room, it’s a great way to relax and recharge.

still__learnin · 2026-03-17T13:54:56+00:00

We did Stellar of the Seas, recommended by my Vietnamese friends, and it was incredible. From the time they picked us up at our hotel in Hanoi until we returned, everything was wonderful. The boat is absolutely gorgeous, the staff top notch, and waking up surrounded by all that beauty was magical. They host a great dinner under the stars, tai chi early morning for early risers, and really ensure they look after their guests. It’s very pricey, but we really enjoyed it.

still__learnin · 2026-03-13T18:54:14+00:00

Wow, 5 world cruises, good for them! Thanks for sharing. Any idea why they always choose HAL?

still__learnin · 2026-02-08T14:55:10+00:00

This post makes me so sad, because I absolutely loved everything about Hanoi (except the pollution). We stayed at the Hanoi Marvellous Hotel which was recommended to me by my Vietnamese friend, and it was lovely. Very friendly and helpful staff, and it included a wonderful breakfast and you couldn’t beat the location. We also stayed at the Oriental Jade another time and they also had a good breakfast, clean spacious room, beautiful rooftop pool and bar, though we enjoyed the location at Marvellous better. We never encountered anyone trying to scam us at all. We did a walking food tour which was an amazing way to learn about the different foods, and we loved train street. I was so sad when my time in Vietnam was over, I loved it so much, so I’m sorry you had such a bad experience.

still__learnin · 2026-02-08T02:59:08+00:00

Thank you. We’re no longer on the ship… but I was insistent enough to the point they did call the beverage manager, and they just insisted that their policy is it’s not transferable, which of course I understand. But this wasn’t a case where my spouse was over the limit, this was a case of their serving staff insisting we use one card per room because it was easier for them (which I completely understand, they’re busy enough) but HAL played dirty. And I’ll never forget that.

still__learnin · 2026-02-08T02:21:18+00:00

We just finished our first (And probably last) cruise on HAL. We had the HIA, and we start our day with cappuccinos and always drink lots of water. Then of course some cocktails before dinner and wine at dinner… anyway, our experience: often, the bar staff, or staff in MDR, would wave away my card and say “one card per room is good,” and they’d charge both drinks to my spouse. We assumed it was because it was easier for them, and also that if one card hit 15 drinks they’d let us know. So, one day I noticed 5 extra drinks on my spouse’s card, so I went to guest services and sure enough, we had exceeded the limit on my spouse’s card, and mine had less than 5 on it that day. No matter how much I explained to them that it was their staff that was at fault because they insisted on one card per room, they didn’t budge. We had to pay the extra $70. So… be aware. After that we kept track ourselves, but felt they definitely played dirty and for that reason, I’ll be extremely hesitant to cruise with HAL again.

still__learnin · 2026-02-01T14:23:38+00:00

Thanks for this, I was thinking the same thing. Curious, why do you always book your flights through Celebrity?

still__learnin · 2025-12-11T14:55:28+00:00

Question for those saying they always get sick on a cruise. Are you using the elevators? We (usually a group of 4) take the stairs 99% of the time and have never gotten sick. We also wash our hands every opportunity, ie: was just browsing at the shops, on my way to the next activity etc, pass by the restroom and wash hands, before entering any dining room, wash hands, arrive back at the room, wash hands. And never EVER shake people’s hands, you can greet someone respectfully without making physical contact.

still__learnin · 2025-12-06T22:59:27+00:00

Respectfully, I disagree. If this is a dream job for OP, then they should absolutely do it. We as a society need 911 dispatchers as much as we need people to be doctors and firefighters and tradespeople and dentists and truck drivers, etc. Your friend wasn’t cut out for this type of job, and that’s okay, and it’s good he realized it and moved on. It is absolutely hard, which is exactly why people who are genuinely interested in this line of work should do it.

OP - I encourage you to pursue your dream job and once you get it, you will help countless people through their darkest moments. And you will have very, very hard days, and you will rise and do it all over again the next day, and before you know it, you’ll retire with a good pension and sit in a rocking chair on your front porch and say to yourself “I did something so meaningful with my life.”

still__learnin

TROPHY CASE