JennyJenny

I am about to head out for a two week business trip (annual one I have been going on for almost 23 years now) and I always stay at the same hotel and my arrival is similar to a cruise embarkation day in that with the time change, I always arrive about four hours before I can get my room so have to hang out until it's ready. I leave my bag with the Bellman to be delivered to my room when it's ready and then I proceed to the pool to wait. I am packing that bag right now as I leave soon. In it, I have two small packing cubes that hold a swim suit and a cover up and my flip flops so I can change and lay by the pool (it's BEASTLY HOT where I am going). My most useful items I would consider: 1. A portable phone charger so I can catch Pokemon (they have unique ones to the geography I am going and I catch them to give my father when I return home, he's in his 70s but loves to play Pokemon Go and I am his buddy!) 2. SUNSCREEN (Scottish Lass here, 'nuff said) 3. Something to DO (I get bored so easily so I start to select some magazines I want to read but never have the time to and those go with me in my carry on so I can peruse them on the plane and then by the pool) 4. My calendar/agenda/journal as I am always on duty 24/7 and may get a call and have to schedule a meeting. (I am old fashioned and bullet journal. I use a Jibun Techo planner and carry it with me everywhere. It has a pen loop so I also always have a pen. 5. Headphones so I can catch up on whatever audio book I am enjoying at the moment. The rest of the stuff is just things I don't want to loose should the airline struggle to get my suitcase to me ? I can dash to the shops to buy a change of clothes or shoes but there are a few things I cannot replace on short notice or easily like certain electronics, my Drunk Elephant skin care, or work papers/documents specific to what I'll be doing there. (Side note: my carry on is half personal and half business so I don't have to wrestle with two bags).

Personally, I wouldn't. For vacations, I always pick up a hard copy book that I can take with me to the pool or beach. Easy peasy and not too expensive to buy another one of those vs losing something like a Kindle to sticky fingers. But that's just my opinion since you asked. You have to decide how much risk you are will to accept and act accordingly. I tend to prefer a low risk profile myself. Do some research then go through this risk equation that is used by many in environments where risk has to be calculated often as part of business: Risk = Threat x Vulnerability x Cost Threat = the frequency of potentially adverse events. Since threat (by this definition) is always a frequency, it's always potentially measurable. And since the events are only potentially adverse, threat per se is not necessarily dangerous or detrimental. Doing a quick few minutes of research tells me that "In 2018, cruise lines reported 120 alleged crimes from the following categories: homicide, suspicious death, missing US national, sexual assault, kidnapping, assault with serious bodily injury, firing or tampering with vessel, and theft of over $10,000. Cruise lines reported 82 alleged sexual assaults from 2018 to the DOT, more than any other crime. Theft of over $10,000 was the second-most common crime, with 22 alleged incidents reported from 2018." Keep in mind that not all crimes are reported and there is an element of PR at work when dealing with things on their end. So, in my assessment, I'd put the threat of theft as fairly low based on statistics but not impossible. Vulnerability Vulnerability is the likelihood of success of a particular threat category against a particular organization. Notice that if this were the likelihood of success of a particular attack, the likelihood would be either 0 or 1 (0 percent or 100 percent). It's hard to predict the likelihood of success for theft so in an equation like this, I'd just go with a 50 for "50/50" chance. Cost Cost is the total cost of the impact of a particular threat experienced by a vulnerable target. So how much would it cost to replace your Kindle (not just the item itself but the "man hours" to replace it, annoyance, contents, personal information tied to it, etc) Risk It's not threat, vulnerability or cost alone that really matters, but risk. As you can see from the risk equation, for there to be any risk there must be at least some threat and vulnerability and cost. The concept we all learned in sixth grade-that anything multiplied by zero is zero-means that if any one of the three components of risk is zero, then the risk is also zero. * For any decision you are trying to make that involves some risk, I find breaking it down with this equation and then deciding if you can accept the cost of loss and accept the risk then act accordingly. But this is a decision YOU have to make We can't make it for you. Enjoy your cruise!

Yes, this is a group thing here as well. My thoughts were that if I do not decorate my door, they will decorate it FOR me and then who knows what they will do. Better I do it myself and head off anything I'd prefer not to have hanging on my door. (My room mate and I are both single and everyone else is a married couple so there are already comments getting thrown around about finding us some romance ? )

Sign for them? Wow. I'll have to send them to my office so the receptionist can sign if I am in a meeting!

Perhaps good also for little ones or older grandparent types that might prefer to look for decorations. Or, perhaps those who are autistic or learning disabled maybe? It occurs to me there could be a number of reasons why it might be helpful beyond general decor reasons. Just guessing at what seems logical.

Thanks! It occurred to me that it's kind of like decorating for the holidays. Some folks stick a low key wreath on the door, some do nothing, and some light up the yard so you can see if from space ? Because I'll be with my "sisters" and we already have cute matching shirts and we are even getting to attend a neat special event in Bermuda when we go (I am told, don't want to jinx it, will share if it actually works out to line up with when we are docked) then I'll join in the merriment. This particular trip is like a kind of reunion/special event so I figured I'll roll with it.

Personally? It's not something I would do. I tend to not do many things others do in general. I have realized that sometimes when I am in the company of others, it is good operating procedure to "play along" and "join in the fun" if it's harmless and "no skin off my back". The group I am sailing with happens to love doing things like that. I decided as I am going with "the group" then I would not be my typical lone wolf "do what I want" self and I'd actually do the things with them and participate. So go shopping and play games and stuff like that. From what I have gathered while perusing about decorating ideas, some say it helps them find their door/room in the long corridor. My thoughts are, "But...your door has a number on it so....?" but if you want a brightly coloured parrot or what have you to "help" then who am I to "poo poo" that idea? I am going to put forth my opinion that it's kind of like most people having a Facebook page or a My Space (am I dating myself). They want to put forth their personality and self to stand out for others and/or for attention. If I am cruising with my sorority sisters then I'll play along and slap some crap on my door so we can all go "yay us! Wheee" but that's part of being a Sister. Gotta do the Sister thing. If you have not already guessed, in our group, I am kind of the "Wednesday Addams" to everyone else's "Cher Horowitz". I do draw the line with the placing of names on the door. OMG that is the most terrible OPSEC in the world. But I am not "mom to the world" so not my place to say anything. I am out to relax on vacation, not to police the ship or crush souls. Perhaps others can enlighten us more. At the end of the day, I suppose it's just how some people decorate their lives. I've even seen some articles where people actually decorate inside their cabins. Again, nothing wrong with that. Just not something I'd do personally.

Pinterest has a lot of ideas. I am looking through those myself.

I know... I was being grandiose ? and was going to say also what Curt said (for those lurking). At the end of the day, do what brings you joy and your future soulmate will see your shine & find you. Side note: dogs always think we look good so their sweet doggo kisses are words enough ?

YOU should be your very own soulmate in this case. ?

Interesting article I just ran across. Quotes, "Travel experts say cruise ships - along with other day-trippers - exacerbate "overtourism" because passengers increase congestion while spending little locally. Several European destinations including Dubrovnik, Bruges and the Greek island of Santorini, have slapped restrictions on cruise ships. Barcelona's mayor has also promised action." Seems focused more on European / Mediterranean ports and I didn't see a lot of mention of Caribbean ones. Just thought I'd share for discussion. "...for decades tourism authorities and ministries have only measured success in terms of increased visitor numbers. "This model no longer works and that's probably the most important message to get out there," she said, warning that overcrowding and "Disneyfication" in some places could destroy the charms that draw tourists in the first place. If we look at numbers only, and we don't look in more detail at the impact – economic, social, environmental – we risk killing the goose that lays the golden egg." "Thailand closed a beach made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio movie "The Beach" indefinitely last year to give its ecosystem time to recover." Full article: Top tourism spots crack down as they become victim of own success... (Reuters)

Love it! I shall do the same!

Oi! Good to know people steal door decor. My wallet or bag, sure but don't think I had thought they'd steal door decor. I've seen so many stories about the white boards that those are definitely NOT on my list as an option ?

Thank you!

Scrolling through now! Thank you! So many good ideas!

I've heard stories about the dry erase boards..... ?

Oh! So the doors are also magnetic? Good to know! They sell sheets of magnetic "sticker" paper. You just cut it to size and use the sticky side to adhere to your item and voila! Magnet stuff. That's going to be SO easy!

I was chit chatting with the group I am cruising with and the others are getting VERY into all sorts of things to do and bring on the ship. One couple is bringing ducks to hide and they started to go into door decorations and how we should all do this for our group. Quite frankly, if I was alone, I wouldn't bother but they are so excited and so I promised myself I would join in all the fun and be a good team player and not a loaner like usual. Curious to know who decorates their doors and if so, with what? I am sure I (we) are going to have to custom make stuff specific to our group so I am trying to figure out what folks usually do to get ideas. I am going to check on Pinterest and around but was wondering what folks here did and what you use to attach to the door? Those little 3M removable things?

Right? It's formal but also fun and a little whimsical.

I'd let her pack nice if she wants. I am bringing two gowns and plan to dress up because I like to do that. I'm not going to be the fashion police about it but I tend to dress "fancy" all the time any way. I wore a fancy hat to a funeral yesterday and people were rather amazed. Apparently people only wear hats to a Derby party. I wear mine out to brunch or the grocery store. If no one else wants to look elegant I don't let that stop me from dressing up. I do what I want.

The gentlemen in the group I will be traveling with do the whole "proper Bermuda short" thing for formal night (as we are going to Bermuda). They wear full tie and jacket but Bermuda shorts dress socks/shoes with them. It actually looks kind of nice and sort of a tip your hat to Bermuda thing. They've been doing this on this particular cruise for some time (sounds like they go every year) and it's been well received in the MDR. But this was on a Bermuda only cruise so keep that in mind. (This is a pic I found on the internet as I don't have one of them but their wives showed me the pics when we were discussing formal nights).

Those definitely sound like marks in the + column!

Watching this thread because I have honestly been avoiding looking at any cruises that stop there because I don't get the appeal. Not bashing it. Just never been and wasn't sure what the big deal was about it. Since so many itineraries seem to stop there, it would open up a lot of options for me if I learn more about it from seeing why folks love it.

Thank you! I definitely mis-remembered or it changed from when I read it somewhere last. Looks like Chops and the WJ are the only places open for lunch on embarkation as of the June sailing however the Park Cafe and Latitudes are open for "snacks" during "lunch time" so I will probably slip off to the Park Cafe (that is in the adult only Solarium, correct?) for lunch. The Cafe Latitudes opens at the same time as WJ and Park opens about an hour after. That will work since I usually intermittent fast and don't typically eat until 1400 or later!

I thought I had read there was an option to eat in the MDR for anyone that day who didn't want to go to the Windjammer? Another option is Park Cafe in the Solarium? Curious as I don't thrive in large crowds and was hoping to partake of lunch on embarkation day in a more sedate set of surroundings....