Truepeacenik

On my sailing last August/sept, the vegetarian menu was both lacto veg and vegan. And certain dishes were on the main menu. It had cheese course as a dessert, for example (an M class ship). An Indian veg menu would be delightful, as long as it wasn’t like my local resto that just makes pea, potato and cauliflower dishes, and they are definitely an afterthought. Sure, it’s the only way I like cauliflower….🥸 Going on a different M class this year, and while I’ll only be in MDR on chic nights, I’d like to enjoy the entire meal. Maybe it’s three pear soups again…

I’m in Colorado. And I don’t ski. But, I’d look into rental gear, honestly.

You are so very welcome. it’s good to have random knowledge!

Charges will be weight or oversized, and some tents get very small. Especially ultralight ones. I backpack and my base weight (pre food and water) is 27 ish pounds. I’m trying to drop that considerably. Tent poles usually go through no problem, pegs are often a problem. As are hiking pole tips. They can be checked, however and I grumble and grudgingly plan to check those. (Same with paint tubes, which ships don’t allow anyway, so I pack pan watercolors. My 2 ml acrylic is sooooo dangerous. But people can bring lighters.)

Pack a pair of sandals, wear hiking sandals with toe bumpers. so 2, total.

On door decorations. I’m a newbie, with one whole cruise under my belt, and noticed on our hall only two other doors that had any decor. Big splashy things. I have a Topo Chico bottle top (and in joke with friends) on a rare earth magnet. It is placed at my eye level. Kept me from wandering too far down the hallway. if every door has decor, mine will stand out. If it’s calm, like my first cruise, it is a dot in my sight line that I’m looking for specifically. I have magnet hooks and a magnet clip, because I hang sun hat, lanyard, paperwork. I see no need for over door organizers, or a fold flat basket. Or obvious door decor (unless a certain question gets asked on board- I’m advertising my yes, or his yes. I’m modern. Ha) I fly one bag, usually a backpack, and it’s usually under the seat. I can stash in in the airplane overhead bin. sure, I do some laundry, but so what?

Not weird. I’m a synesthete, and a few colors and tastes cross for me. Sounds like you lost the sweet sensors, and you get to taste all the various lab chems.

I also use bars for shampoo & conditioner, because they don’t have to be in the liquids bag…which has a lot of sunscreen.

You are saying the States, but United as a modifier. So it carries over to the US, the USA.

It’s the EdgeLord, duh.

I think of the space I need, and get the smallest bag that accommodates. Partially, this is because I like using one bag, and it’s a back pack, so I hope for lighter weight. I’m small. No 45 lb bags for me. Compression packing cubes get used, some. I roll clothes tightly. I manage a single dress for the fancy nights, as my partner enjoys the babe on arm aspect. I have two pair of shoes, a sandal for looking nice, a sport sandal for hiking/walking distances/need traction. I carefully plan what to bring and my mantra is: less is more, if the bases are covered, (addendum, I can wash) After clothing, I have a small selection of tech (phone, tablet, kindle) and chargers/plugs/cables/adapters. A small toiletries bag. Art supplies (which I’m downsizing with experience, thankfully. I took up watercolor because the dry pans are allowed). Water bottle and an additional insulated bottle for tea/coffee/what have you. My bag is a 28L COR Surf Island Hopper. They make a slightly larger one. 28L will fit under the seat, if I pack loosely. Otherwise, it’s in the overhead. This is only one way to think of it. And maybe pieces of it might be useful

Drink (I’m a zero proof/bubbles etc sort) Gamble. Partake in sales activities Tried the spa…felt like my old job! Nope. Not a meetings person (I’m shy, but I was in a fan cruise, so that segment had a meet n greet, and I’m personal friends with a few others there) Neglect to have at least pleasantries in the local language in ports (even if I cheat with a note on my phone) Eat just because food is available. (I wish I had this control with soda) Wear graphic T-shirts with lettering. Discuss politics, aside from quietly one on one…and not for long. I am interested in others people’s opinions. But I’m also interested in problem solving over just yammering. Bother with the TV!

What entitlement!

I have the dazzling experience of one cruise. (Ooohhh. So experienced, lol) This is how I handled breakfast solo: bowl of fruit, or oats and fruit balance atop/along any rim. (Alternate option: have a plate, empty, under the bowl, use the open space. Be smarter than I was, and use a large plate, not a bread plate) If it’ll balance, a croissant. And butter (my great indulgence). Cutlery in my fingers. That’s round one, and often it for me, but a couple mornings, I had a second round. The trick for me to not have my plates cleared was to dine on the deck just outside. The bar or the solarium. No one cared there, and I could leave items long enough to get coffee/tea/juice without concern. When both of us were there for any meal, I’d get my small plate and drink, and find a table. My partner would do his first round (he’s a bit more interested in food), join me and usually, I’d ordered his coffee. Only once did someone grab our table, and that’s when we left cutlery and drinks alone. This was Celebrity, fwiw.

Both can be true. The sweatshirt and the running layer. I’ve had both over the decades. I prefer the closer fit so that a proper coat can fit over. Think sweater or jumper rather than jacket.

Oh, bummer!

So this is common? I was a newbie. No way to tell what’s normal.

My issue was the interruption of late dining for… a parade?

@stockjock, I was on that same flight. It was odd to hear “call 911!” on a plane. A woman in our row, center area, was a doctor and went to help. She was back in less than 20 minutes, and crew dug out a sharps container from above us. The joy of the last row! We only went to MDR for chic nights, and there was some LOUD weird dance the entire staff did 3/4 of the way through service second chic night. they marched through the dining room and everyone was doing “rally towels” with napkins. Our group of several tables has half of us holding our ears as the speaker was just above my table. Most of us have lost hearing to music over the years. I have no idea what it was all about.

fyi SLS is also sodium laurel sulphate, the old school (1940s) detergent. SLE is s but gentler.

My Birkenstocks count, right? seriously, I’ve not worn a heel in 20 years. And I’m 54.

Lifting a bag with a finger is my guarantee that no one will look twice at the bag. I don’t look strong. Because I’m a massage therapist. Secretly strong. Lol

Alas, there are many really big for daily carry otherwise useless bags out there. Mine was Dakine. Good bags, but not for my needs.

So, a US adapter (only) with a ground (round) prong as well as the pair, is fine? The sort that works in “smile” outlets at home?

After washing my hands, I wet hands, wet face. Lather soap in hands, wash face with hands. If I’ve worn mascara some olive oil might be needed to budge it, so a drop of oil is before the soap lather. I wash my face in the shower the same way in the morning, then in the sink at night. I wipe up a lot of oversplash. Ha. after each wash, I moisturize about 80 percent of the time. I have a retinol for night and a tinted spf for day.