Do you remember the old fairy tale about the old shoemaker who would find his work done and his house tidied up by good fairies? But when he stayed up to see them, they never came back again.

Well, they have those on cruise ships. They call them "room stewards" and if you take a nap, eat a snack, or generally make a mess, they slip in and straighten everything up. The wastebasket gets emptied several times a day. In the evening, you come back to your room and find the bed turned back and chocolate on the pillow. The sheer curtains are drawn and the easy listening channel is on.

If you have sailed with the same line a few times you may find fresh flowers, champaign, or fresh fruit.

We got clean sheets and towels every day and the bathroom sparkled.

They have good fairies in the dining room too. If you don't like one of the five courses, they will take it back and bring you something else.

Heaven help me if I ever get used to such stuff!
Howard