Cozumel, Bacon, Tequila, and a Little Shopping Adventure: Day 4 on Radiance of the Seas

Today was a port day in Cozumel, Mexico, and it turned into quite the adventure. There was bacon, a little walking, some bargaining, a tequila shopping mission, a secret purchase for Airica, and a return to the ship that involved surrendering a rather impressive amount of alcohol.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Breakfast: Did I Mention Bacon?

I was up early today. Couldn't sleep, so I was out of bed around 6:15 AM.

For breakfast, I asked for the usual.

Bacon. And more bacon.

For a moment, I thought the bacon would win. I may have underestimated just how much I love bacon. Sorry, piggies!

Along with my bacon mountain, I had pancakes, decaf coffee, cranberry juice, and a strawberry granola parfait.

Did I mention I got a lot of bacon?

With breakfast out of the way, it was time to get off the ship and explore Cozumel.

Getting Off the Ship: Not Exactly an Easy Exit

I headed down to Deck 2 to disembark.

The gangway presented a bit of a challenge. The angles were fairly steep, and there wasn't much to hold onto as I made my way up or down.

As an above-the-knee amputee, these little things matter. What might be a routine walk for another passenger can require a little more planning and concentration for me.

I also felt like I was holding up the people behind me who were eager to get off the ship and enjoy their port day.

Eventually, I made it down, presented my SeaPass card to register that I had left the ship, and started the very long walk through the customary maze of the tourist port shopping area.

You know the one.

T-shirts, shot glasses, souvenirs, jewelry, and enough tourist merchandise to outfit an entire island.

I had a mission, though.

Mission #1: Authentic Mexican Tequila

I wanted to bring back some tequila for the folks taking care of Mom.

I wasn't looking for a huge quantity, just something authentic. My requirements were pretty straightforward:

• 100% agave tequila.

• No sugar added.

• Approximately 375 ml bottles.

I walked into one of the shops and explained to the owner/manager how many bottles I wanted.

He started at $30 and eventually came down to $25.

I passed.

I'd done some research beforehand and had a pretty good idea where I wanted to go. I wasn't interested in paying tourist-port prices just because I happened to be standing in a tourist-port shopping area.

So, onward!

The Long Walk to Mercado Soriana

Before I could make it out of the shopping maze unscathed, I had to navigate the rest of the port.

There were pedicabs available, but I declined. I figured I could use the exercise to work off some of that breakfast bacon.

After approximately 45 minutes of walking, I decided enough was enough and asked for a taxi.

The first vehicle offered was a 10-passenger van. Not a particularly large one, but one of those smaller Central/South American-style vans.

I passed.

It was just me, and I didn't want to take up an entire vehicle when another passenger might need it.

The next taxi was a small sedan with a manual transmission. Perfect. We were off!

Destination: Mercado Soriana.

When I arrived, I had a little trouble finding the entrance. I used some of the Spanish I'd picked up while working in Gourmet Delis and eventually found my way inside.

I had to check my backpack before entering. Apparently, they take theft prevention seriously.

Once inside, I got down to business.

I found what I was looking for and purchased enough tequila to supply a pretty substantial party. The kind of party where everyone attending might be nursing a headache the following morning.

The funny part?

I don't even drink.

But that's not the point. This was a shopping mission for other people, and I was determined to finish it.

Mission #2: A Little Something for Airica

With the tequila mission accomplished, I had another stop to make.

I needed to visit the other Cozumel cruise port..

I negotiated the fare with the taxi driver, reached an agreement, and off we went.

This time, the destination was a Pandora store.

Since Radiance of the Seas wasn't docked there, I had to check in as a guest. I presented my SeaPass card, was allowed through, and started what felt like another 30-minute walk to the store.

Eventually, I made it.

I went inside, bought Airica, and headed back out.

She knows I stopped at Pandora, but she doesn't know exactly what I bought.

I'll leave a little mystery for now.

The Return Trip: As Close to the Ship as Possible

After finishing up at Pandora, I made my way back to the taxi stand.

There were a few speed bumps along the way, but nothing particularly unusual.

The driver asked where I wanted to be dropped off.

My response?

"As close to the ship as possible."

I was dropped off near the crew entrance/exit, which was super convenient because it was right by the pedicabs.

I asked one of the pedicab operators how much the ride would cost.

"Tips only."

Awesome!

I probably should have taken one of these on the way out instead of walking for 45 minutes while working off breakfast.

Lesson learned.

Customs, Security, and a Lot of Tequila

I made my way back to the passenger entrance, checked in with my SeaPass card, and placed my bags on the X-ray machine.

Because of my prosthetic, I went through a slightly different screening process.

Meanwhile, my backpack, which was now considerably heavier thanks to all that tequila, went through the machine.

The security crew asked whether I had alcohol.

I said yes.

They confiscated it.

Now, before anyone gets concerned, I'm familiar with this from previous cruises. Royal Caribbean doesn't allow passengers to bring purchased alcohol directly back to their staterooms. They hold it and arrange delivery toward the end of the cruise.

So, I checked it in for delivery tomorrow.

One of the crew members looked at the collection and commented:

"That's a lot of tequila."

My response?

"Yeah, I know, and I don't even drink."

They laughed.

I thought it was a pretty appropriate ending to the shopping adventure.

Back to the Stateroom

I finally made it to the elevator, headed upstairs, and returned to my stateroom.

First order of business: check in with Airica and let her know I wasn't sitting in a Mexican prison somewhere.

Then it was time for a shower.

After all that walking, negotiating, shopping, and navigating, I felt really good.

I'd accomplished both shopping missions, managed the challenges of getting around Cozumel with my prosthetic, and made it back to the ship with everything I intended to purchase.

Not a bad port day!

What's Next? Halloween at Sea!

Tonight is Halloween aboard the Radiance of the Seas.

I'm back on the ship, cleaned up, and ready to see what Royal Caribbean has planned for Spooky Day.

Plenty has been happening on this cruise, and apparently the adventures aren't slowing down.

Stay tuned!

Towel Animals, Halloween, and the People Who Make Cruising Special

It's Day 3 aboard Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas, and I just realized I completely forgot to write about one of my favorite parts of cruising: the towel animals!

How could I forget?

I've made a point of photographing the towel animals that have appeared in my stateroom over the past couple of days, so I figured it was time to give them their own little spotlight.

Day 2: A Dinosaur!

The towel animal on Day 2 was a dinosaur. I think it's a T-Rex, though I'm not exactly an expert at identifying towel-based prehistoric creatures.

Either way, it's pretty impressive what someone can create with a couple of towels, some folding, and a little imagination.

Day 3: A Halloween Bat!

Today's creation was a bat, which I assume was in honor of Halloween, or as I like to call it, Spooky Day!

It's another fun little surprise waiting in the stateroom. You come back from enjoying the ship, exploring, or having dinner, and there's a new creation waiting for you.

I Couldn't Make One If I Tried

Here's the thing: I can barely make a bed. I struggle to color within the lines, and arts and crafts have never exactly been my strong suit.

Royal Caribbean even offers a towel animal folding class. I didn't even attempt it.

Apparently, making these various towel animals is one of the requirements of being a cabin steward. I have a newfound appreciation for that skill. It's one thing to clean and maintain a stateroom; it's another to turn ordinary towels into little works of art.

I think I'll leave that particular talent to the professionals.

A Little Extra Appreciation

These towel animals also reminded me of something else: the people who make a cruise experience special.

I've decided to keep the automatic gratuities in place and also provide additional cash tips.

The staff members I interact with directly deserve that extra appreciation. But so do the people working behind the scenes.

Think about the folks at the buffet, the people constantly cleaning, replenishing food, clearing tables, and making sure everything is ready for the next guest. They may not always get the same face-to-face recognition as the cabin stewards or dining room staff, but their work is just as important.

A cruise ship is a massive operation, and the experience we enjoy depends on thousands of little things happening behind the scenes.

The towel animals are a perfect example. They're not necessary, but they're a thoughtful touch that makes coming back to your room a little more enjoyable.

So, while I may not be able to recreate a T-Rex or a Halloween bat with a couple of bath towels, I can certainly appreciate the people who can.

And I can show that appreciation with a little extra gratitude.

Now, I wonder what Day 4 will bring. Maybe an elephant? A monkey? Whatever it is, you can bet I'll be taking a picture!

Happy Halloween from aboard the Radiance of the Seas!

Day 137: NXDR Falls to $2.24. Is Nextdoor Losing the Trust It Needs to Grow?

Fifteen years in business. New advertising opportunities. Another earnings report approaching. So why is the stock still sliding?

Day 137 of my Nextdoor case study, and NXDR is now trading at $2.24.

Let's recap.

Nextdoor recently celebrated its fifteenth anniversary by ringing the Nasdaq closing bell. The company has announced an expansion of sponsored search advertising, with new categories expected to include health care, pet care, real estate, telecommunications and financial services beginning in January.

The next quarterly earnings report is approaching, and historically I've seen a pattern where NXDR rises shortly before the earnings presentation, holds some of those gains for a day or two, and then retreats.

That's my observation of historical price behavior, not a guarantee of what will happen next.

But this time, something looks different.

With all these announcements and potential new revenue opportunities, why is NXDR trending downward?

I don't know the specific reason. I don't have access to investor trading decisions, and I won't pretend that one LinkedIn post explains the stock price.

But perhaps we should look beyond the earnings calendar and the revenue announcements.

Perhaps we should look at the experience of the people who actually use Nextdoor.

The LinkedIn Post That Caught My Attention

I came across a LinkedIn post by Liz Arnold that deserves attention.

She says she emailed Nextdoor Support on October 21 and received no response or acknowledgment.

Her concern involves an account allegedly operating fraudulently as a Lead in her local neighborhood. She identifies herself as a local elected official and expresses concern that compromised or fake accounts could be used to solicit money from vulnerable residents and exploit community goodwill.

She also raises a particularly important concern: because the account carries a Lead badge, she believes reports about it are not being processed effectively through the standard in-app reporting queue.

She is asking for an immediate review by Nextdoor's corporate Trust and Safety team and the people responsible for Lead oversight.

Let me be clear: these are allegations and concerns expressed in her LinkedIn post. I have not independently verified the account, the alleged fraud, or how her support request was handled.

But the issues she raises are significant.

If an account with a community leadership badge is compromised or being used deceptively, that creates a potential trust and safety problem. If the reporting process isn't working as intended, that creates another.

And if someone reports a potentially fraudulent account and receives no acknowledgment, that creates a customer-service problem.

Those are three issues a platform built around neighborhood trust should want to address.

A Lead Badge Should Come With Responsibility

Nextdoor's Lead program is intended to support community participation and neighborhood governance.

But what happens when a Lead account is compromised, misused, or otherwise becomes part of a dispute?

• Is there a separate escalation process for concerns involving Leads?

• Does Nextdoor regularly review whether Lead accounts are being used appropriately?

• How quickly are reports involving potential fraud investigated?

• Can users reach a corporate Trust and Safety team when the standard reporting process isn't working?

• Does Nextdoor communicate when a report has been received and reviewed?
  

A badge creates an expectation.

It signals that the person has a recognized role in the community. If that role is misused, the company needs a reliable way to investigate and respond.

The trust associated with a badge should not make an account immune from scrutiny.

Another Comment Raises Questions About Moderation

The same screenshot includes a comment from Marshall Goldsmith, who describes his frustration with Nextdoor's moderation of discussions involving homelessness.

He alleges that the platform suppresses discussion supporting homeless people while allowing rhetoric directed against them.

That's his experience and interpretation, not something I can independently establish from the screenshot alone.

But it raises another recurring issue in my case study: consistency.

How does Nextdoor distinguish between a discussion that violates its Community Guidelines and one that expresses an unpopular or controversial opinion?

Are similar comments treated consistently?

Can users understand why content was removed?

And when someone believes moderation has been applied unfairly, is there a meaningful appeal process?

These are not new questions. I've been raising concerns about moderation, communication, and accountability for months.

The company needs more than a set of written rules. It needs consistent enforcement and a way to demonstrate that those rules apply fairly.

Nextdoor Wants More Advertising Revenue. What About the Existing Experience?

Let's return to the new sponsored-search opportunity.

Nextdoor wants to expand advertising into categories such as health care, pet care, real estate, telecommunications, and financial services.

That makes commercial sense. Someone searching for a veterinarian or financial service may have a specific need and be ready to consider a provider.

Advertisers want access to those high-intent moments.

But here's the problem I keep seeing:

Nextdoor is developing new ways to monetize the community while people still question the basic experience of using the platform.

More advertising opportunities don't automatically create more trust.

More revenue categories don't automatically produce better moderation.

And a larger advertising business doesn't automatically mean that users and small businesses are getting a fair value exchange.

The platform needs to get the fundamentals right.

The Gap Between Promise and Execution

Nextdoor's promise centers on connecting neighbors and building stronger communities.

That's a compelling idea.

But the experience has to support the promise.

Consider the issues that keep appearing in my case study:

For users:

• Unclear or inconsistent moderation decisions.

• Difficulty getting meaningful responses from Support.

• Concerns about account security and impersonation.

• Questions about how user-generated content is commercialized.

• Limited visibility into how complaints are investigated.

For community leaders and moderators:

• Questions about training and oversight.

• Potential conflicts of interest.

• Concerns about the misuse of moderation privileges.

• Questions about the protection of nonpublic information.

For small businesses:

• Questions about the return on advertising spending.

• The growing commercialization of neighborhood recommendations.

• Whether businesses of different sizes can access meaningful value.

For investors:

• The need for sustainable revenue growth.

• The path to consistent profitability.

• The ability to retain users and advertisers.

• Long-term shareholder value.

These are not all proven failures, and I recognize that Nextdoor has made progress in some areas. But they are recurring questions that deserve answers.

Why Is NXDR at $2.24?

That's the question investors may be asking as earnings approach.

Nextdoor has a new advertising opportunity. It has celebrated fifteen years in business. It has been promoting its neighborhood network and its commercial potential.

Yet the stock is at $2.24.

Multiple factors could explain the decline: broader market conditions, investor expectations, trading activity, company-specific concerns, or something else entirely.

I won't attribute the decline to the LinkedIn post, my case study, or any single issue without evidence.

But I do believe that a company's reputation, user experience, and ability to execute matter to its long-term prospects.

Investors aren't just buying a quarterly revenue number. They're evaluating the business they believe will exist several years from now.

And a business that depends on community trust should take reports of potential fraud, weak support, and inconsistent moderation seriously.

Day 137: Stop Adding New Features Until the Fundamentals Work

Nirav Tolia and the Nextdoor team have spent considerable time promoting new products, advertising opportunities and the company's fifteen-year history.

Those things have their place.

But I would like to see the same energy directed toward fixing the experience that users, community leaders, and small businesses encounter every day.

When someone reports a potentially fraudulent account, acknowledge the report.

When someone raises concerns about a Lead account, make sure the escalation process works.

When people question moderation decisions, provide a meaningful explanation.

When users raise concerns about privacy and nonpublic information, explain the safeguards.

And when people ask legitimate questions about the company, establish a process that brings those questions to resolution.

You cannot build a stronger commercial business on top of a community experience that people don't trust.

Perhaps the market is seeing something that isn't reflected in the anniversary photographs or the latest product announcements.

Perhaps investors want to see execution.

Perhaps users want to see accountability.

Perhaps small businesses want to see measurable value.

I don't know why NXDR is down to $2.24. But I do know that the questions about Nextdoor's underlying experience haven't disappeared.

Fifteen years is a significant milestone.

Now it's time to demonstrate that the company can deliver on the promise.

👉 Follow my continuing Nextdoor case study at NielFlamm.com/blog.

Bacon, Brain Nourishment, and a Little Leadership Reflection at 13.5 Knots

There's something special about enjoying a cup of coffee on a cruise ship balcony, watching the waves roll by, and listening to them crash against the ship. Add a little breakfast, some sunshine, and a good book, and I have a pretty wonderful way to start my day.

But I decided to combine two of my favorite things: enjoying the ocean and continuing to learn how I can become a better leader.

Not just a better leader with employees or teams, but also someone who understands customers, consumers, and the expectations they have of the brands they choose to do business with.

After all, a brand makes a promise. The customer experience is where that promise either becomes reality or falls short.

And that's where my morning reading comes in.

A Little More Than Just a Good Book

The book I'm talking about is When Did You Stop Caring? by bestselling author Natalie Beckerman.

When Did You Stop Caring?

The Call to Reignite Humanity in a World Obsessed with Efficiency.

A wake-up call for leaders to remember that businesses serve people, not spreadsheets.

Author: Natalie Beckerman

Explore the book and its message

For anyone who hasn't come across the book, Natalie challenges the way organizations have increasingly prioritized efficiency, automation, metrics, and cost reduction at the expense of the human experience.

She explores what happens when customers become transactions, employees become numbers, and policies take precedence over judgment and empathy.

One central theme is that caring isn't a soft skill or simply a nice thing to have. It's a business strategy. It's about rebuilding trust, empowering employees, making technology work for people, and creating experiences that demonstrate that a company actually values the people it serves.

That message resonates with me.

The Brand Promise Is Only the Beginning

I've spent much of my professional life in learning and development, customer experience, and operational environments. I've seen how much effort goes into building processes, developing employees, implementing technology, and measuring performance.

But I keep coming back to a fundamental question:

What happens when the experience a company delivers doesn't match the promise it makes?

I can have the slickest mobile app, the most sophisticated technology, the best-looking website, and a beautifully written mission statement. But if I can't deliver what I promised, what have I really accomplished?

I believe the customer experience starts long before someone speaks with an employee or contacts customer service. It starts with the expectations the brand sets.

And it continues through every interaction.

When I order something, make a reservation, purchase a product, or reach out for assistance, I'm forming an expectation. When that expectation isn't met, I notice.

I also believe the reverse is true. When I encounter an employee who takes ownership, a company that follows through, or an organization that makes an experience better than I anticipated, I notice that too.

Those moments influence whether I return, recommend the company, or take my business elsewhere.

A Floating Classroom

So here I am, somewhere out on the water, cruising at 13.5 knots on a heading of 206 degrees.

I've got coffee, bacon, the sound of the ocean, and a book that challenges me to think differently about leadership.

I can't think of a much better combination.

I haven't even finished the book yet, and I'm already finding myself reflecting on how I approach leadership, customer experience, and the expectations I set for others.

My copy is still unsigned, which gives me another reason to hope I'll have an opportunity to get Natalie to autograph it.

And hopefully, this isn't the last masterpiece she shares with us.

For now, I'll keep turning pages, enjoying the view, and reminding myself that learning doesn't have to happen in a classroom, a conference room, or behind a computer screen.

Sometimes, the best professional development happens with a cup of coffee, a plate of bacon, and a good book while floating through the ocean.

Because being a better leader isn't just about knowing more. It's about caring enough to keep learning, listening, and improving.

And if I can do a little of that while enjoying the waves, I'm going to call that a pretty successful morning.

Two Encounters, One Prosthetic, and Another Cruise Ship Conversation Streak

Yesterday, after dinner aboard the Radiance of the Seas, I had two very different interactions involving my prosthetic leg. Both were unexpected, and both reminded me that sometimes my prosthetic introduces me to people before I even get a chance to introduce myself.

Encounter #1: "I Make Those"

I was approaching the entrance to the Main Dining Room when I noticed a guy coming up behind me. He turned, looked intently at my prosthetic, kept walking, then looked down again.

I said hello, and he returned the greeting.

Then came the explanation: "I make those."

Suddenly, his curiosity made perfect sense. He wasn't just looking at a guy walking with a prosthetic. He was looking at a piece of equipment he works with professionally. He was checking out the knee, the socket, and all the components that make up my artificial leg.

We struck up a conversation. He mentioned that he was also on the trip to cast his father-in-law for an upper-extremity prosthetic, specifically an arm below the elbow. Apparently, he could write off the business-related portion of his travel expenses, but not the cruise itself.

It was an interesting little encounter. Most people see my prosthetic and wonder what happened. This guy saw it and wanted to know what equipment I was wearing.

Encounter #2: "Where Did You Lose It?"

I headed toward the elevator, which was maybe ten feet away, ready to make my way back to the stateroom.

Then another guy approached me.

He extended his hand, gave me a hug, and started talking.

Now, if you've followed my adventures, you know I have a problem with strangers touching me. So the unexpected handshake-and-hug combination wasn't exactly my preferred introduction.

Then he asked, "Where did you lose it? Thank you, buddy."

It took a moment for that to register. He had apparently assumed I was a military veteran and had lost my leg while serving.

I explained that I hadn't lost my leg with quite that level of valor.

That opened up another conversation. I take military service, valor, and people misrepresenting or stealing that recognition seriously. There's a difference between appreciating someone's service and claiming something you haven't earned.

As it turned out, this gentleman had served three tours in Iraq, along with service during Desert Storm.

That put things into perspective.

I thanked him for his service, and he told me I was a strong dude. We exchanged a few more words, and I told him we'd probably see each other around the ship.

Another Day, Another Conversation

What's becoming increasingly amusing is that this isn't the first time I've had unexpected conversations with complete strangers on a cruise.

My prosthetic seems to be an icebreaker.

Sometimes it's someone who is professionally interested in the technology. Sometimes it's someone who assumes something about my background. Sometimes it's simply someone who wants to connect.

I don't mind talking about my amputation. It's part of my life, and I've never kept it a secret. But there's a difference between being approachable and assuming that physical contact or personal questions are automatically welcome.

Still, I'll give both gentlemen credit for making an otherwise ordinary evening a little more interesting.

One makes prosthetics. The other served his country.

And I apparently keep attracting conversations wherever I go.

At this rate, I might need to start keeping a cruise ship encounter counter.

`

The streak continues!