Mum2Mercury

First, check the temperature for B/B, where you'll be visiting. I'm boarding a ship Monday for the same destinations, and the temperatures are supposed to be high 70s/low 80s. It's not likely to be too different a month from now -- so likely the one lightweight cardigan will be plenty for the evenings, and you won't need anything warm in the day. I'd say pack short sleeves tops instead of sleeveless, and you'll be "just right". Some people say they're "always cold" inside the ship ... for example, at dinner or in the theater. I'm not, but you know your own leanings. Still, one basic-colored lightweight cardigan that matches multiple outfits will be enough for evenings. When I sailed in September, I brought a lightweight chambray shirt, which worked as a shirt or a light jacket ... I used it only while watching a "movie under the stars". When I cruise next week, I'm bringing the same shirt; I plan to wear it and a cami top home over bright-print leggings ... I think that'll work well for a day that begins in the tropics and ends back home in the 50s. Yes, you'll want a swimsuit coverup to wear between your room and the pool ... or off the ship for a beach day. If you're going for a week, I'd say you need more than one; coverups get hot and sweaty if you wear them for a beach day. I personally wouldn't go with anything long. Check Lands' End's swim cover-ups. I think I have 6-8, and they're similar to tee-shirt dresses. Modest and most have pockets. You don't feel half-dressed in the elevator or if you go into the Windjammer for a drink. Last thought: All black and white? Dull, dull, dull! With all the wonderful colors in the world, I've never understood why so many women default to black. It makes them look like everyone else in the room.

Of course we can, but it's fun to have something on your door. We sometimes "take the long way" just to see what people have put on their doors.

If ALL you need to do is print the occasional boarding pass and luggage tag, consider setting an online account at your local UPS Store or Kinkos. When you need to print something, send them an online file, and an hour later you can stop and pick it up. A printed color page costs sixty cents, and one of these places is probably near where you shop. You could even have your luggage tag laminated, if you wish. To answer the original question -- yes -- you can show your boarding pass on your phone, and you can get a luggage tag at the port; but I personally feel "safer" having them printed and in-hand. No having the battery die or having to search for the pass while people behind you stare.

I think 8:00 is kinda "prime time" for leaving. Do you think the long wait was because you left at such a popular time, or did everyone end up waiting that long? Since I eat low carb, I prefer a salad + piece of fish for lunch on a cruise, and -- yes -- I was a bit disappointed in the Windjammer's lunchtime salads (Explorer). I wish they'd bring back the Tutti Salad. I honestly don't understand how that salad was SO DELICIOUS. This new facial recognition is fantastic. And a little scary. My goal onboard is to eat as much seafood as possible -- and, with the exception of the almond-topped cod, I was pleased. How would you save time by parking offsite? You'd still have to take a taxi or Uber through the insane terminal traffic. Or am I missing something? Two logical things we all should be doing: - Don't plan something super-important (surgery, proposal) for the day after a cruise. Even if things had gone perfectly, disembarkation is never a fun thing, and a travel day is tiring. - Bring extra medicines and an extra outfit of clothing. I'm not clear on what you're saying about extra charges: - Are you saying that everyone on the ship was charged for an extra day of food? - Or are you saying people who had "upgraded" options like the Ultimate Dining Package or the Deluxe Drink package paid for an extra day? - What about people who live "on the edge" and genuinely couldn't pay for these things? I'm sure someone was in that situation. An early disembarkation sounds good for those who have a long drive, but it'd make the crew's turn-around day even more difficult than it already is.

You can be really concerned about the medical emergency AND ALSO upset about your own inconvenience. That's allowed. Yeah, my husband and I are retired, our kids are adults, and we drive to the port (so no plane flight to miss). An extra day would be great for us -- our only issue would be leaving the dog in the kennel an extra day. However, I think we're in the minority, and we definitely have sympathy for people who have plans to get back to their kids and jobs. I don't know that I'd "gladly" give up a day of my vacation, but I'd understand.

Understandable! Seriously, though, when your cabin door looks just like all the other cabin doors in a long row, looking for those goldfish makes finding the cabin just a little bit easier. On our last cruise I saw a mother and son walking down the hall, and the toddler said, "Fish, then one, two, three!" He touched each door as he counted -- I predict he will be a good student one day. It made me happy. Some people don't need a reason to do bad things.

We have two kissing goldfish and a handful of bubbles, which our artist daughter made for us. I laminated them (with free magnets from the pizza place on the back side). We love 'em, and we've had positive comments from other cruisers. I'd be sad if someone stole them, but they aren't really "worth anything"; that is, I could replace them for the cost of a piece of poster board. We keep them in a manila envelope, which keeps them flat and takes up no space in the suitcase. Your sign is great -- but how will you hang it?

Ours too -- mainly because it was required on our last cruise. Ours are tucked into plastic protectors.

A beach excursion is just a ride to the beach, right? No tour, no guide, no planned activities. So why not just get off the ship at your leisure and take a taxi to the beach ... then, when you're done at the beach, take a taxi back and do your shopping (which means you won't have to watch your purchases at the beach). This'll allow you to take things at your own pace.

Why don't you do a half-land and half-cruise vacation? If you find your next cruise "boring", it'll only be half of your trip. Other thoughts: - If you had a rotten time on Celebrity, choose another line. - Yes, prices are sky-high right now, but I feel sure they raised them for Black Friday. Wait a bit, and they'll come down. Wave Season is coming -- when? February or March? When they open all those new dates, prices'll drop. - Don't book the newest, largest ships -- they demand a premium price. - Book off-season. - Book an inside cabin.

That's her picture by your name? She was a lovely lady and looks much too young to have gone in such a sudden and tragic manner. I'm so sorry for your loss.

The ship rule is 16+. I'm sure because at one point we had two older girls who "qualified" and two younger girls who were upset. We did tell the older girls that -- if they chose to go to the Solarium -- they were to be quiet, polite and respectful to everyone. If they wanted to be loud, they could go to the family pool.

Teaching kids that they can gain acceptance /approval of others without "showing it all" is a form of self-respect. Teen girls especially need to learn that they are more than their looks. The teens I see at school who dress inappropriately (for example, wearing to school a bikini top under an open shirt) seem more desperate-for-attention than confident in themselves. I really do think most of society share pretty similar ideas on what's appropriately dress in public places. We haven't noted people dressing inappropriately on cruises -- oh, I saw people wearing things I wouldn't wear; for example, bathrobes in the Windjammer or hoodie sweatshirts and MAG hats at dinner -- but we didn't really see people "showing their bits" We only cruise in the fall when kids are back in school, so that may be why -- and we may "see more" on our upcoming 3-day cruise. Hmm, the Duggars talk about doing just this -- their word is Nike -- and people criticize them for it. Seems like a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't. At any given point on a cruise, I have my Ship ID and maybe two dollar bills. Depending upon what I'm doing, I might also have lip gloss, my husband's reading glasses, or whatever else. I carry them: - Mostly just in my pocket during the day. - In a small pool tote, if I'm at the pool or going ashore for a beach day -- it has a small zipped pocket on the side, so money /ID cards aren't visible or rattling around. - In a small wristlet purse for dinner. Tipping: I always bring a bunch of singles on a cruise, and I tip $1 per drink. I figure the bartender would rather have the cash money than credit floating around somewhere in the cruise line's electronic systems.

My daughter had jury duty earlier this year; and, yes, this is exactly what she was told to do. In the end, she didn't have to come in -- but I think she had to call two mornings in a row. This system wasn't in place when I was called last. I said it was two years ago, but -- now that I think about it -- I think it might've been more like five years ago. The other teacher who was called this week has been gone from our school for some time. Time isn't my strong point.

Have you just had a baby? While pregnant you don't lose the normal bit of hair daily /weekly ... so after having the baby, you have some loss coming to you. My daughter has this problem -- it started during puberty -- no Covid, no pregnancy. My father claimed he started losing his hair after being put to sleep (with Ether) for a small surgery at age 15. Anyway, I can say more about my daughter: Of all the doctors to which I took her, the dermatologist helped the most. Google Alopecia.

They told us 2:00, but the rooms really opened just after 1:00. A case of telling us the worst case possibility so we'd be happy when they delivered earlier?

My experience with asking for postponement -- admittedly, none of this is federal. I've never been called for federal jury duty. - About two years ago I was called to jury duty during exam week -- teachers just don't miss exam week. I asked for a postponement and was re-assigned for a week in July. - Another teacher at my school was assigned for the very same week. He also asked for a postponement, and he was denied. Why? Because he had previously been assigned and had already been given one postponement. - When I went in for my week, they told us that our fairly large county had NO cases going to court that week. None! They said few cases actually go to trial any more. They said most cases end up as plea deals, which don't require juries. They kept us less than 30 minutes and dismissed us, saying we can't be called again for two years. The moral: If you have a real reason for a postponement, ask for it. But don't ask just because you don't want to go this month -- you might have a real problem come up later, and they won't give you two postponements in a row.

Well, lasagna CAN have bechamel in it -- but not all recipes include it. I think most don't.

Sure, some colleges use trimesters, quarters, or other systems, but -- by and large -- a college semester is still 14 weeks, while a high school semester is 18 weeks.

You're reading more than I've said. No, I don't think it's a good look for an adult, but note that I've also suggested the plastic holder rather than counting on a punch being available.

Nope, no confirmation for me.

But not "literally everyone", as previously claimed. Don't remember who said it. I've only ever seen a handful of people wearing them. If you're going to wear a lanyard, this type makes sense. More sense than hoping for the ability to punch.

Good for you -- I hope you're happy with it. No, I've never had a problem with my Sea Pass falling out of my pocket. Sure, they can be punched -- assuming you have a punch available. Since you don't know for sure whether you'll be able to get your card punched onboard, a plastic sleeve is a safe choice.

My students like those for the back of their phones -- we often get plastic versions as give-aways from various companies -- but my kids just are not careful with them! I see unattended phones left here and there pretty often; for example, left in the bathroom or on the bleachers at a basketball game. Left with a credit card or cash sticking out. I warn 'em, but they don't think anything bad'll happen. Did anyone say their vacation was ruined by someone else's questionable fashion choice? My daughter says it's a Kardashian thing.

I just checked the price for my two-weeks-from-now cruise: It's $88/person. Add the mandatory tax, and you're in the $90s. Multiply it by two people, and that's $200 for a beach day. Honestly -- and I know my "worth it" meter is set lower than most people's -- I'd feel pretty extravagant if I paid $50/person for this. Without paying anything extra, we will have a great beach day, and I'm pretty excited about the no-cost meal options. I absolutely love Mexican food. I think I could use the not-quite $200 better.