MollyFlyer

Don't think I want to throw out my pillow . . . it's still holding up just fine. At least it squishes down well.

Bring small bills for the ports, and pay in exact change unless you're getting something expensive -- I had a cabbie yell at me for shortchanging him even though I'd actually given a generous tip just because I didn't pay in exact change.

Is it possible to request a memory foam pillow for my bed? The last trip I went on without one, I had trouble getting to sleep every night, but actually packing mine seems like it'd take up unneeded suitcase space.

Oh, that's interesting -- I brought a rock back from the beach my last cruise (not anything fancy; I just thought it was neat) and wasn't stopped. Didn't realize it was a risk.

I wasn't travelling blind; I was just travelling out of context.

Don't bring long-sleeved shirts. I made this mistake today, and now realize that nearly half my luggage is filled with stuff I probably won't wear. If you haven't traveled this far South before, it can be easy to assume that it'll be like a Canadian summer -- some warm days, some days a little cool where you'll want a thin long-sleeved shirt or a jacket if the wind gets cold. Don't think like that. Think like that week or two in July or August where it's considered a heat wave. If you want to prepare for what other cruisers refer to as 'cool' nights on the deck, think in terms of when you go to see the Canada Day fireworks and bring a windbreaker. And if you bring jeans? Bring your thinnest pair.

No, no -- Wall-E. The cruise ship docked safely and the fact that the passengers were happy to get off can give us all hope for not being completely devastated at the end of the cruise.

Don't think it's my thyroid, Anita -- I've always been a bit of a twig, this is just a little worse than usual. Also I suspect the store's been sizing down their clothes to appeal to the types who want to think they're a smaller size than they are. Really wish sizes were standardized somehow, and in a range that'd fit all body types.

Yeah -- on reflection, it's all completely legal and above board . . . but customs tends to be run by people who have no idea what's legal and what's not. I remember one agent who searched my checked bag and then made me stand there with my underwear tossed around while he called the cops because he was convinced my pocket knife was illegal (it wasn't).

I actually got the skirt at a junior clothes store -- no Forever 21 in the area; tbh it's the lack of selection that's probably causing most of my problems. But the store I was trying first, the one where nothing fit . . . they had the most gorgeous earth-y pants, lightweight and great for a cruise. Moss green, chocolate brown, khakis -- it was awful to realize none of them fit.

*sigh* It's actually worse since I decided to get in shape a little for the cruise. Nothing dramatic, just walking a little more (I tend to spend way too much time on the computer) but it caused my legs to slim down enough that only one pair of my old jeans still fit.

I know, it's the opposite of the problem most people have when trying to find pants that fit, but it's still frustrating.

And, wow, that's a lovely selection -- the top with the feather pattern is especially nice.

It's good to know you're back safe and sound!

and bleh, I feel like a failure. I tried to go shopping for new pants or a skirt for my trip next week, but I'm too tiny. Even the smallest sizes in the petite section were baggy on me. I ended up going with a taupe/black striped skirt simply because it fit, even though it wasn't very earth-y.

Heh, changed my search terms and found it myself -- https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82/~/travelers-bringing-food-into-the-u.s.-for-personal-use

Dried fruit and roasted nuts are fine.

Actually, it was the USDA site.

One website I checked said blueberries were fine, but there's always the risk they haven't seen the site . . .

I'm in Canada, and in anticipation of a long plane trip on the way to the ship (and not knowing what, if anything, they'll give us on the plane) I did up a baggie of homemade trail mix. But then I remembered that there tend to be restrictions on what you can take across the border in terms of food -- would roasted nuts and dried berries cause any problems?

Honor system seems like a good idea. From what I hear, they're more likely to get donations than a standard library and since if someone accidentally -- or "accidentally" brings a book home with them, tracking them down to another continent (potentially) seems like quite the hassle.

If your doctor says the only solution is cosmetic surgery, find a doctor who isn't getting kickbacks from a cosmetic surgeon.

Less than two weeks away from my first cruise, so I don't know how this plan will hold up, but current intentions:

I'm not really a drinker, so I'll just stay away from the alcoholic options . . . but get a premium nonalcoholic package so I can have all the fancy coffees I want (and hey, it costs less than two martinis a day).

If I acknowledge the art auctions, it'll just be to look, not interested in buying.

Not planning on going to the casino at all.

Not getting the laundry service -- hey, one advantage of being an overpacker!

Going internet-free for the duration; saves money and annoyance at the spotty service (though I'll binge on the hotel's free wifi on the way back).

Might hit the spa for a treatment or two; none in my area so it sounds like a nice treat.

I'll browse the gift shops, both on the ship and on shore, but mostly just to grab a few things for friends back home.

And from what I've seen on the site there's only one excursion that really caught my eye, which sounds like it'll be cheaper than getting a taxi.

Probably won't get any pictures.

Might go for specialty dining once; Qsine sounds amazing to at least try once.

From what I can tell, 'premium' just means they use good beans and brew it; 'specialty' means you get more than a black coffee handed to you.

Do they have waffles in Blu? I keep hearing how great the ones at the buffet are, and it makes me wonder which I should opt for.

Ease up on the kid -- it's an age where you have an overwhelming need to seem like you're more mature than you are and admitting you have parents, much less taking advice from them, around your peers is near-painful. It's part of the process of becoming an adult -- if he took all your advice and never felt too cool for it, he'd never want to move out.

Meh, wear stuff that fits and doesn't have holes and you're fine, as far as I'm concerned.

Oh, I let it do what it wants -- I just try to convince it it wants to be curly rather than a mass of frizz.

They'll be all right, but one way I ease my guilt in leaving my cats behind is to give them extra attention on my return -- and maybe pick up a new kind of treats while I'm away. Perhaps look for a new chew toy at one of the ports?

I'm starting to worry about my hair now . . . I'd been planning to stick with my normal routine on my upcoming cruise, plus extra showers to rinse out the chlorine from the pool, and a good hair lotion to tame the frizz. I guess embracing it is my only real option -- and hoping there's no real damage.