JennyJenny

So then it's CBP which stands to reason they would have it/use it.

"They"...who? The gov already has my stuff. I know that.

Ah. Good to know. It sounded like it was RC that was doing this.

Oh! Those prices aren't bad at all for a one off clean or press or even steam! Thank you!

I prefer not to have my biometrics held by every corporation that wants it. I opted out of using my finger prints at Disney. At the end of the day, how are they securing that data? I certainly don't mind if others want to do it. Just not my cup of tea.

I know having your laundry done is rather expensive, is it the same cost just to press something or any idea how much it runs on average just to have something pressed?

Assuming this is optional and I can elect NOT to have my face scanned?

I have not written one up but I plan to as I unpack from the trip I just returned from. I'll be happy to share it once I have it documented.

I am on a trip now and about to get dressed for my day and so so so glad I still pack the way I do which is: I lay out each entire outfit (to include jewelry and hair scruchies or barrettes) and then I pack each entire outfit in a packing cube. I lay a sticky note on the top with what day/event that outfit is for so it shows through the mesh. I do keep a separate small bag/zip container for the hair accessories/jewelry and I pack shoes in their own individual shoes bags but the main outfit all goes in one cube together with the sticky note. Once it's all laid out and I am ready to load the suitcase, as I bag each outfit, I collect the jewelry and hair stuff in their own bags to the side. I got back to my room at 0100 after being up since 0600 (I was bartending an after party so out extremely late) and it was SO NICE to stumble to my suitcase, look through and pull the bag labeled "Saturday #2 Training/Lead" and set it out so now, all I have to do is pop that baby open and put it on and I am off to tackle this day. When I get back tonight, what I am wearing goes right back in that bag and I put it back in the suitcase facing down so I know what I have already worn and what's left for tomorrow and Monday are facing up. When I have a trip, I tend to start laying everything out a few weeks in advance so I can take my time and not feel rushed. I use the guest room bed and I have sticky notes with the day and any events on that day so I can know what is going on. Depending on the trip, I'll also research the temperature or weather for it a week or so out and make any tweaks or adjustments. If I want to take a clothing item I wear often (like my "On Wednesdays We Wear Pink" wife beater gym shirt, I'll write a sticky note for that particular item so once I do the last laundry load prior to the trip, I can remember to grab it and place it in the line up.

Where do you buy this????!!!!

My Sisters are going to do this and put a little sticker for our group on it. They are so excited. I'm like, "Okay." I'll hide a duck if they ask me. But.... ? Better are my Sneaky Cards. You know I'll be bringing some of those along! When you buy a deck, you can create an account and track any cards you give out as they each have a unique number on the bottom. There is one that if found the person has to take it and hide it somewhere else (so it's kind of like the ducks, I suppose). I take these to conferences and when I travel. They are also fun to do with kids as some of them are acts of kindness and others are just silly fun (like leaving one at a monument you visit, etc)

LOL oooops. ? I tend to go 100 mph at all times. I have not taken an actual all by myself (not taking care of my parents or daughter) vacation in over 10 years and this is kind of a self imposed time out. Working is only an "if there is an emergency" situation. I was away for "vacation" with my family during the 4th of July week and only had to address two emails. That's pretty good! I just don't went something to need my attention and be unable to address it. That's not responsible and I have responsibilities. As to the training, I train for triathlons and I could take a week off and do nothing but I find that if I do that then I just don't feel good physically. I can certainly be chill and just do yoga and walk and some swimming & ballroom dancing (which was my plan) but if I simply engage lazy mode + eat too much of the rich sugary food + add alcohol (which I most likely won't aside from a glass of Champagne or wine with dinner) -> I will feel absolutely dreadful and sick after a few days. I've learned this lesson and no longer make those mistakes of over indulging or straying too far from training. Fitness has simply become a way of life for me and I don't really see it as "work" just part of me trying to be healthy like drinking water and sleeping etc. If I do some activity each day, drink my water, stick to one, maybe two drinks (afternoon by the pool or with dinner or a show) and don't go nuts with the sugar I should be good. I plan to have one really indulgent dessert each night but am going to do my best to not eat a ton of junk food or down tons of sugary drinks. Just because I want to enjoy my vacation, not feel like I am going to barf!

Grandeur will be my ship so glad to hear ship specific details. Thank you. I'll brief my team that it could be spotty depending. I anticipate weather will play a role in that as well. And I am still of the mind that a giant floating Faraday cage is not going to be an optimal environment unless you have a lot of repeaters stationed strategically.

Hmmm. Good to know. I'll add to pack my travel adapters to my "to do" list so I can be flexible! Thank you!

Good to know. I'll keep it charged and make sure I have a spare battery back up charged.

Thank you! This makes me feel better. I already use a travel router so am pretty set there.

I can get the swim drills in with the small pools at most hotels but it's sounding like the Solarium is going to be packed? ? Sounds like the lovely photos around the web of a blissfully empty quiet pool are LIES ?? And people wonder why I have trust issues * grumble grumble* How late is the pool open at night? I am not opposed to getting my lap time in late (I often do so here at home). I am on Grandeur but I don't have/do Facebook. The pics I have seen show a pretty much empty pool. And these are the ones allegedly from passengers. I wonder if they were taken on embarkation day when the ship was still fairly empty and the pool hadn't filled yet ? Hmmmmm may have to adjust my training plan for while I am gone. Is the gym super crowded? I could swap out and lift instead and run on the track. I can go a week without swimming if it's not really going to be a realistic option.

I'll be on the Grandeur. So it works fine IN the cabin? (That's what I am trying to confirm)

? Good to know. I suppose it would behoove me to make friends with my fellow loungers so they know I am swimming laps in the event they are asked ?

What is the rule? I assume I can get a chair then swim some laps but how long do I have to swim the laps? Can I leave a note on the chair with my stuff like, "Swimming laps, red swimsuit in the pool, let me know if you have a question"? I often swim for 40-70 minutes depending on the training session. Should I just plan to break the 40 minutes into two 20 minutes and make sure I dash back to my chair and sit in it for a bit? I am planning on the Solarium for my pool time so not sure if there are different rules depending on the pool.

When I sail in April of 2020, I am allegedly supposed to be on vacation. However, we all know vacation is kind of a loose term depending on what kind of work one does. A better way to say it is "don't bother me unless there is an emergency". My dear friend Murphy always sees to it that if I do attempt "vacation" then something happens. (Last time, the roof of one of our buildings caught on fire). Net net: I do not intend to work on the ship. HOWEVER, I need to be able to JUST IN CASE: 1. They need me to draft a section for a proposal. 2. They need me to approve something. 3. They need me to manage a situation. 4. They need me to make a decision or review something. 5. They need me to be aware of a situation in case I need to do one of the above. That being said, I will be bringing a travel laptop with me (but only pulling it out IF I have to do something related to work). I will have internet access. I will have my cell phone on plan to avoid ridiculous charges should I suddenly have to jump on a conference call or advise someone of something. Questions: 1. How is wifi access in the rooms? The more I read and see the cabins described as a metal box (yay magnets but boo....Faraday cage?) accounting for the already knowable potential slow connection speeds, IF all is right with the world, is wifi access in the cabins generally okay or is it better in a public area like the Library or Solarium? 2. If it's better in a public area, is there the ability to plug into an outlet there (like if I go to Starbucks and there are outlets everywhere to charge)? I've seen photos that show folks with business laptops and I have heard of folks working on board so was wondering about the logistics of wifi reception in a metal room & availability of power in public areas should I have to do some work. 3. Is there a notary if I have to sign something and need it notarized? Anyone work remote on ships that can throw me some tips or hacks?

As a former LEO, I can only imagine what they have to deal with. Glad to hear they have security now to board. I don't recall security to board (aside from in port) the one time I cruised but that was prior to 9/11 when you could still go to the gate of a flight without having a ticket to see a friend off. Times they are a changin'

You are most welcome. My job, essentially, is to manage risk not just to my business but to help my clients manage theirs. I am doing this constantly so it's second nature to me. I realize, though, that others don't do this as a matter of course so figured if I shared then they could! One of my other responsibilities is to educate others on security and awareness so I am afraid I just tend to do that out of habit

Side note: I have recently found (in the last several years) that I am allergic to the cheap hand soap used in many public restrooms. I carry individually packaged sanitary hand wipes with me in my bag at all times and when I use a public restroom, I will then use a wipe to clean my hands (once I have stepped out of the stall) then use that same wipe to open the door to leave and I will toss it in the nearest waste bin after exiting. Not arguing that this is the case for everyone. Just mentioning it because there is a cringe I feel when I don't properly step to the sink and wash like others but the allergic reaction from repeated exposure to cheap hand soap would end up with my hands red, itchy, and in some cases, bleeding. These days with perfumes and chemicals in everything it's a bit frustrating. Plus with many places trying to cut costs by using the most inexpensive things for places like the restroom. Oh well. It is what it is. The nice thing about carrying the little hand wipes is that I can use them constantly in airports (I hold the escalator hand rail with them!) and just anywhere. It was nice to hear there were so many Purell stations on ships. I also bought a small travel size Lysol spray to "bless" my cabin with when I arrive as I do this with my hotel rooms also.

I like to hear they are doing their job. I also have metal parts so I just assume I'll get dinged every single time and allot extra time for it. So far, every TSA agent I have had has been absolutely wonderful. Never dealt with cruise security to board the ship though (I honestly don't recall there being security the MANY years ago when I sailed one time). Is it TSA that handles it now or a private firm? I take the train quite often and there is still no security for that (Amtrak).