SS
I had wondered if breathalisers, had they been around, would have shown " fighting drunk" after one beer - then.
The "elderly steward" ( now he would be called "young" by me !) would have had 15 shillings daily as his Overseas Allowance, plus his hotel accommodation paid for. Most UK citizens did not go abroad due to Exchange Control regulations, then.
( For me, in a very slightly earlier life, His Majesty paid £1 daily, with "all found" . Shops were bare, Meals out, could not cost more than 5 shillings for two courses. My 3 day's pay could buy me one hour's flying instruction from the Chief Test Pilot of the nearest manufacturer. A start..?)