Q: Whenever we stay at a hotel, I take all the little plastic tubes and bottles of body lotions, shampoo and other toilet articles with me when we leave. My husband says that’s stealing? I say it’s there for guests to use and/or take home. Who’s right?
M.J., Buffalo NY

You are absolutely right. Guests are expected to take the little toilet things, whether you use them or not. Hotels print their logos on the containers, and the idea is that whenever you see them, you’ll think about coming back.

Of course, that’s where the taking should stop. There’s the old joke about the thieving guest who complained that the hotel towels were too fluffy and didn’t fit into her suitcase. Towels, sheets, pillow cases, silverware, glassware, electronic gear and other hotel property should not be swiped. In fact, some hotels will check your room after you depart, and if anything valuable is missing, you’ll get an embarrassing bill for its cost.

Royal Caribbean suggests passengers on their cruise ships should consider raising the tip rate for service workers on board. The tips start at $3.75 a day for waiters and $5 for cabin stewards. RC claims it’s the first time the tip amount suggestions have been raised in more than a dozen years.

While those tips are voluntary, RC and most other cruise lines add an automatic 15 percent as tips to bar tabs. The old adage that tips’ initials mean To Insure Prompt Service should still be the gauge on how much or how little a customer should give to service providers.

It's six a.m., and you’re waiting in your favorite airport. All the shops and restaurants are closed, except the gin joints. They're allowed to be open all night. Now, you can get silly in Philly. If you're waiting there, you can pop the cork in New York or get high in Chi.

The booze rules have been eased. Some airports now allow liquor to be sold 24-7. High in the air has two meanings now, because passengers in flight can enjoy the same privilege. This is great news for those fliers who’ve had loud, drunken seatmates bother them or get sick all over them.

Of course, this new easing of the drinking rules is just another way airlines and airports are seeking to bring in extra income. So now, in addition to paying to check your bags, you’ll be able to drink enough as you fly to add more of those sagging bags under your eyes.

Our only advice we have for travelers is to enjoy yourselves with the booze of your choice anywhere, at any time. Just do it only up to a point where you’re not annoying others.

Southwest, the airline with the fun flight crews and TV star baggage handlers was lauded as tops in several categories, according to a frequent flier survey by Zagat.com.

For the third consecutive year, SW was named best in value for passenger dollars. It also won for on-time estimates, which means you get there when you want to get there if you fly SW.

A SW spokesperson sums up: "Bottom line, we have fun. Southwest takes our business very seriously, but is known for having employees who care about our customers which, in this industry, separates us from our competitors."