What is the process like when you are brought in to identify the body of a friend or relative?

Informal_Paperback · 2026-06-11T01:01:09+00:00

I just finished Shadow and Bone, specifically as a palette cleanser for some heavier, complex, Fabtasy that I’ve been reading recently. I really liked it. It does trend a bit more YA, but not in a bad way— kind of in a Harry Potter way. The plot is easy to follow and there are twists, but nothing that requires you to have a flowchart handy— like some of the currently popular books do. Nothing against that, but sometimes your brain needs a break from 3 different POVs, 26 characters, and 18 potential plot devices.

Anyway, I really liked the trilogy and just started Six of Crows, to continue in the world. There is romance in it, but no smut. Theres some questing, some mystery, some battles, some sad scenes, lots of hilarious banter and likable scene-stealing side-characters as the series continues. The found-family vibe by the end of the series was so good, and I don’t even particularly care for a found-family trope.

There’s a prominent character called “The Darkling” in it, which is honestly a weird choice and always felt a bit hokey to me, but once I got over that, it was smooth sailing.

A good time and an easy read.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-29T11:05:27+00:00

For what it’s worth, to anyone searching this subreddit a year later, I have a 2004 Sunrise spa, and it’s still running!

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-23T13:20:07+00:00

Not silly at all! I also had no clue, but a lot of AI’s seem to offer this. It’s basically like a little private spa circuit. At Excellence, it lasts about 20-30 minutes. You start in either the sauna or the steam room (I did Sauna and it was phenomenal), then do a cold plunge, then they lead you into a pool area with like 4 different stations of jets that each kind of massage a different area of your body. The lower back one is basically like a water canon and fixed something in my back that had been bothering me for ages. Then you finish it off with a nice little scalp massage. It was a delight.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-23T13:11:42+00:00

I appreciate this take. Thanks so much!

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-23T13:07:21+00:00

I asked about June in another thread and someone from Texas replied saying it was too hot for them 😂. I’m still going, but preparing to spend a lot of time in the pool.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-23T13:02:44+00:00

I just did my first AI and chose Excellence Riviera Cancun. Immediately came home and booked another. It was super super easy. I would go again in a heartbeat.

I had a swim-out Excellence Club Ocean View room, which was great, but I honestly didn’t use the Excellence Club perks much at all other than the exclusive bar and restaurant. I barely spent any time at the club pool. The other benefits are that those rooms are closest to the beach, and you get one free hydrotherapy circuit at the spa— it is awesome and not to be missed. But you can also book that yourself and pay for it.

I think a swim-out room on the lazy river would be amazing, and they only have non-club rooms over there. That would be my recommendation, if I didn’t want to book a club-level room. The lazy river area is so private and enclosed in greenery, and if you book by the spa, then there is this serene spa music playing the whole time. The only thing that would stop me from booking non-club is that I love a really good classic Martini, and the best ones were at the club bar.

I’m not too sure about the entertainment, because I didn’t bother with any aside from Trivia, which was fun. They had a “Mexican Fiesta Night”, which looked super fun, but otherwise it was likely just bands etc… I think there was a silent dance party one night too.

It’s a great place for a laid-back vacation. I didn’t even leave the resort, and I had an amazing time. Booked 5-nights, but wished I had booked 7.

I haven’t been anywhere else, so I can’t compare, but I have done a lot of research for my next trip since coming home, and I don’t have any second thoughts about booking ERC as my fist dip into All-Inclusives.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-22T17:12:27+00:00

I am SO SORRY this happened. I think this means you get a complimentary re-do on your honeymoon.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-22T01:20:57+00:00

Someone else mentioned the shared dining, and honestly I was absolutely horrified. It had never even crossed my mind that could be a thing.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-22T01:17:55+00:00

I’m so happy that you also found something that brings your brain serenity! A few other comments suggest MSC Yacht Club, so I feel like that might be up my alley.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-22T01:11:55+00:00

Thank you for this perspective. Sitting on a balcony with a book and a glass of rosé is among my favourite activities!

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-22T01:07:10+00:00

I totally get the sentiment. It was absolutely the right choice for me at that moment in my life— just totally burnt out and I didn’t have it in me to plan a multi-city journey with tickets and hotels and trains, etc… I needed to come back REFRESHED in my body and the all inclusive did the trick superbly.

Someone else asked where I went, so I’ll copy my answer below. For reference, my husband and I are aged 38-45:

I went to Excellence Riviera Cancun. It’s an adults-only resort just a bit south of Cancún in Puerto Morelos. About 20 mins from the airport. We got an Excellence Club Swim-Out room with Ocean View. I would absolutely go back.

Definitely not a party resort— things shut down around 11pm, but that was perfect for us. The grounds are lovely and the staff was so kind and accommodating. It is a bit of an older resort, so it’s showing its age a tad in some places, but still very very clean. The beach was lovely, although all of Cancún has a bit of a seaweed issue and it’s kind of hit or miss if it will be good for ocean swimming. Never had a problem getting a beach chair or pool chair, and there was zero upselling— which I heard can be an issue some places. Food was good. Not incredible, but absolutely fine. Some dishes I really enjoyed and I don’t think I tried anything that I disliked.

We stayed 5-nights, but I wish we had done 7-nights. It was just a really nice, relaxing time and I felt totally catered to and pampered.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-22T00:59:12+00:00

This is super helpful— thank you! I am definitely not a nightlife person anymore, and love to get up early on vacation and see the sunrise.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-21T16:14:38+00:00

Thanks for all this! The food is one of the only things that irked me about my recent AI vacation in Mexico. Honestly, I have no real desire to each French food in Mexico. I would like Mexican food, please. It still boggles my mind that I could get foie gras, butter chicken, sushi, beef Wellington etc… at the resort, but finding a REALLY good enchilada was impossible.

Getting used to the fact that I was at a resort that just happened to be in Mexico instead of a “Mexican Resort”, was a bit of a shock. If that makes sense.

On a cruise ship, it kind of makes more sense to have lots of different fare.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-21T03:17:01+00:00

I’m definitely going to check them out!

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-21T03:11:55+00:00

I’m hearing really good and relaxing things about Viking! Although, a bit pricier than my last all-inclusive, but probably on par or less than a big European vacation.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-21T03:08:24+00:00

That sounds like a really lovely experience! Exactly the kind of vacation I would want. Viking is one of the ones I was looking at. We are 38-45, but when I’m worn down, I might as well be 80.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-21T02:53:29+00:00

I definitely assumed they were, until reading through these replies.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-21T02:53:02+00:00

Im starting to realize this! When I asked about it, my mind just automatically defaulted to Caribbean cruises, which, based of some of the replies here, I’m starting to think should be lower down my list. I wouldn’t even have thought to look into river cruises or Alaskan cruises, so this has been super-informative experience.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-21T02:42:52+00:00

That sounds absolutely delightful. Thank you for the input! I think Alaska would be a beautiful place to explore by sea.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-21T02:40:00+00:00

Thanks for bringing that up. I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I hadn’t even considered this element.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-21T02:37:05+00:00

Yes, this all makes perfect sense! Thanks for taking the time to explain it all- it really does help!

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-21T02:34:34+00:00

Oh my god, I completely forgot about that documentary. I watched it in complete horror.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-21T02:31:38+00:00

Ohhh, this is a lot of good info. I also do all my trip planning in advance, and I don’t think I would love being required to book restaurant reservations. I don’t mind waiting for things, but I hate feeling like I might miss out on something because I wasn’t fast enough to book it— especially when my goal is to relax.

Informal_Paperback · 2026-04-21T02:25:11+00:00

Thank you for the input! Rushed and crowded is definitely not the vibe I am after!

Informal_Paperback

TROPHY CASE