Chicago Transit Ventra Card Activation

If you are a Chicago Transit user, then you probably are aware of the Ventra migration currently underway at the CTA.

Here are the steps to convert from your Chicago Card to Ventra Card.  This post is ONLY applicable if your name is on the Ventra Card. If you bought the ventra card at a retailer, then you need to register your ventra card online.

Steps To Activate Your New Ventra Card

Steps until you receive the Ventra Card by post:

1. Look for an email from updatesATventrachicago.com usually with the subject "Convenience is coming".  Look in spam folders and alternative email accounts for this email.  
2. In the email, they provide you a temporary username and password.
3. Wait till your cards arrive by post.  It usually takes anywhere from 1 week to 2 weeks for the cards to arrive by post once you get the email.

Steps after you receive your Ventra Cards:

Now that you have received your Ventra Cards, follow the steps here.

1. Go to http://www.ventrachicago.com
2. Top right corner, there is a button "Account login".   Click that button.
3. Now check the email. Obtain your temporary username and password. Click "SignIn".
4. You will be asked to confirm/provide email address, date of bith, 4 digit access code, phone number etc.
5. Once you do step 4, you will be taken to your account.
6. Click "Manage Account".   Change your username to whatever you want and also change the temporary password to a password you can remember.

We have finished the online account work. We now have to use the phone to activate the cards. You can use any phone (does not have to be the registered phone on your account).

Steps to activate your Ventra Cards by phone:

You have to repeat the following procedure for each card you receive.  You cannot activate multiple cards with one phone call.

You will have to call the phone number on the front of the card.  It is 1-888-824-8802 for me.

1. Call the phone number on the front of your card. Try to make a wedge in the sticker so that you can read the full digits of your ventra card.
2. The automated system will say:  Press 1 for English.   Press 1.
3. Enter your full account number from the card. It should be 16 digits. Press # sign.
4. Enter your 4 digit access code (that you set up in the online account). Press # sign.
5. The automated system will say,  Press 1 if you want to convert your card into a prepaid debit card or 2 if you want to proceed with activation.   Press 2.
6. Automated system will say "Your card is active blah blah."

If you login to your online account and go to "Manage your account". The registered cards should all say "Active".   Currently the registered cards show $0 funds.  It takes at least an hour for the activation emails to be sent by Ventra.  At that time, you can go to your account and see that they have transferred funds to your card.

Kenmore washer lights flashing

Follow this: http://m.managemylife.com/mmh/questions/254758-kenmore-washer-lights-blinking-cancel-pause-button-machine-continue-washing-cancel-start

Sometime the control panel may be locked by mistake (such as when the machine gets tilted a bit during heavy loading). In that case, do either:
a) press "drain and spin" button for 5 seconds or
b) press "option and select" buttons together for 5 seconds and press start button.

Cruising Tips for Indian Passengers

This post is mainly to share some of the experiences on board a cruise to Bahamas that I undertook recently.  If you are an Indian looking for tips for cruising, this post may help you. :)  That is my sincere hope.

Choosing a Cruise Line

It depends on your budget.  I personally prefer freestyle cruising. I do not want to pack suits or formal dining wear.  Royal Caribbean  Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Lines should fit in your budget and style.  Celebrity cruises and similar may be a shade upscale for Indian taste.  I traveled on Norwegian Cruise Line for a 3 day get away to the Bahamas.

Citizenship, Green Card or Visa for a Bahamas Trip

If you are a US Citizen, then you can either use a Passport or Passport Card.
If you are a Green Card Holder, then you just need your GC with you.  Passport is recommended along but not required.
If you are on H1B, F1, EAD etc, then you will need visa to the Bahamas.

Getting to the Cruise

There is airport style security when you enter the cruise.  Opened water bottles and food that is open is not allowed.  You can drink the remaining water or you will need to throw away the open food.  If the food is store bought and sealed, then they usually let you go. Juice boxes, beverages etc should be ok to take on board.

When you checkin, you will be given a card that will have a bar code. They will take a picture.  Entry/exit from the cruise ship will require you to scan your card and the officers will be able to see your picture on screen.  Try not to lose your cards.

Sea Sickness

Since the cruise is in constant movement on the seas, if you suffer from motion sickness you will have some suffering.

Some of the options for you are:

• Buy Ginger Root Tablets from Walgreens or CVS or Walmart.  Take one in the morning and one in the evening. Keep the schedule starting from 24 hours before cruising.
• Cruise Lines have sea sickness tablets that work for 12 hours or 24 hours.
• Buy Motion Sickness Tablets ($2 - $5) from Walmart. They are cheap and give you 24 hour relief. (I prefer Ginger Tablets to drugs)

I used the ginger root tablets.  I have little bit of motion sickness problems when traveling.  I took the ginger tablets regularly and I was fine.  For kids, you should try to use ginger candy or crystallized ginger ($10 in the spices section of Walmart). (picture: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10308057&findingMethod=rr)

Rooms

Try to book rooms in the midship.  Lower occurrence of motion sickness.  Forward and Aft areas, the ship has more movement.

• Inside Rooms:  These are rooms that have no windows.  They usually sleep 2-4 people and have a bath room attached.  The size of the room is smaller than US hotel rooms but close to European hotel room size.
• Ocean View Rooms:  These have a window that are circular and you can see the ocean.
• Balcony Rooms:  These have balconies that you can walk out and see the ocean.  Very good for summer cruises. In winter, it may be chilly.

Each room has a TV, mini bar and a Safe.  Safe is very easy to operate.

I took an inside room with no view.  I felt uneasy for the first 5 minutes with a claustrophobic feeling. After that, it did not matter.

Food on the Cruise

If you are Indian Vegetarian  then you will have some dishes in the main buffet style cafe and also the free dining restaurants.  Just tell the waiter that you will need Indian Veg food.  The common Indian dishes such as Kadhai Paneer, Malai Kofta, Palak Paneer along with Indian Roti and Papad is usually available in the dining restaurants.

If you are Indian Non Vegetarian, then you have ample options.

Freestyle cruising usually has food at all times. You will have few opportunities to go hungry.

Usually juices and sodas etc are provided free at breakfast, lunch and dinner only.  If you need unlimited beverages, then you can get some type of soda card.  Tea, Milk and Water is always available.

Crew on the Cruise

Whenever you meet the crew - be it the waiters, room stewards or anybody else working for the cruise ship,  PLEASE PLEASE be courteous and friendly with them.  Most of them work nonstop on the ship for 9 months. They get 2 months off each year.  Many of them are home sick and missing their families in their respective countries (primarily India, Philippines, Indonesia, South America and other places).

When you are friendly with the crew, they feel happy and they make you feel welcome. Share your personal stories and ask them about their families and life in general.  They will feel the warmth and will help their work motivation.

I cannot comment on how the cruise lines treat their employees. I just do not know.

Always tip your room steward at the end of the cruise by leaving a letter of appreciation and tips/gifts.

Fun on the Cruise

There are swimming pools, hot tubs, entertainment shows, Theatres, video games (may need payment), kids area (including drop off care), library, basketball, mini golf etc.

You will have enough to keep you occupied.

Shore Excursions

When the cruise lines stop at shores such as Nassau in the Bahamas, you can purchase shore excursions from the cruise guest services.  You have many options and they range in price. In general, they are pricey for your appetite. But choose at least one excursion. It is not often that you go cruising.

What to bring?

• Extension Cord for charging multiple devices.
• Swim suit, bathing trunks, swim goggles etc.
• Sun glasses.
• Multiple carry bags that you get from Grocery stories, Walmart etc.  Very useful to pack.
• A couple of those grocery carry bags (not the plastic ones).
• Backpacks.
• Pepto Bismal/Antacid Tablets. (Food on cruise can be plenty to digest)

There is no need for you to get towels or beach towels. You are provided.  Just don't lose them.

Luggage

Usually there are no restrictions on the number of pieces of luggage that you can bring on board a cruise ship.

When you get to the cruise line, there are porters who can take your checked luggage (with the colored tags that you need to print).

If your luggage is easy to pull, there is no REQUIREMENT to check your luggage.  You can always lug your luggage on to the ship and off the ship.

The night before your trip ends, you have the opportunity to leave your checked bags outside the door (of course with the colored tags).  You will be given the luggage before DHS/Customs checks.

In my opinion, you should be able to deal with your bags unless you have very small children.

Day of sailing

If your sail time is 5pm, the check in process starts around noon. You can get on the ship and have lunch.  Usually your rooms get cleaned and are ready by 2pm. Until then you can handle your luggage. Once your luggage is safely stored in the room, you are free to move around the ship as you please. 

30 minutes to 1 hour before sailing, there is a MANDATORY safety presentation where they talk about safety and life vests etc. This is very similar to airline safety demonstrations. All services (food, recreation) stop few minutes before the mandatory safety drills.

Making Friends

Many of the crew members and passengers are Indians.  So do not forget to make friends on the ship Bollywood, Tollywood ishtyle.

General Comments

Relax, chill and enjoy the cruise.  It is the best thing to happen to you.