Bye.bye, Red Ensign on the Queens.

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Never touched her bum it's a filthy lie

[happy daze john in oz]

I get to talk with many of the crew when on a cruise, from so many different countries it makes for an interesting conversation.

The matter of compulsory/noncompulsory tipping varies from company to company. Princess Cruise who we use the most do not impose compulsory on any ship sailing from an Australian port, but from any other port a waiver may be signed to remove the compulsory tipping. It is then up to the individual what they choose to tip.

The odd thing here is that all the crews are mad to get on an Oz cruise ship as the Aussies they say are the easiest to deal with and the best tippers!!

As to wages can only go by what they tell us, the crew that is. Most will say the pay is good quoting how they have managed to now buy their own house, send the kids to uni, take out private health cover which they say they could not do working ashore!

One winger working in a bar told me he was only paid $50 per month but was paid $1 for every drink he sold.15% gratuity on all drinks makes it easy to pay him.

But I have also been told by crew who have changed companies that some companies, P&O is one pay very low rates compared to some others.

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when on Channel Island run I was told by a taxi driver that e picked up Tommy Cooper on an airport to hotel run , he paid the exact fare , then said , you must have a drink on me driver , offering a closed hand the taxi driver felt a thick paper fold in his hand , thanked Mr Cooper , opened his hand to reveal a tea bag