I am a huge proponent of vacations. I truly feel that we work very hard and deserve our time away. Moreover, I believe that taking the time away helps us to do our jobs better. Giving ourselves time to “recharge our batteries” can only be beneficial to our job performance.

In the “old days,” we went on vacation and, generally, no one could get in touch with us. Only in the event of a true emergency was anyone able to get in contact with us and, sometimes, not even then. Back in the day, we were forced to relax when we choose to get away.

The internet has changed that. Now, even when on vacation we are, and are expected to be, reachable 24/7. It is a very common sight to see people “relaxing” on a beach typing away on their phones or tablets. For many years, I emphatically resisted the impulse to work on vacation. In recent years, however, I have given into the urge to read and respond to work emails while away. I have come to appreciate the renovation of most cruise ships and resorts that allow me to work on the internet from my room or anywhere on the grounds.

In planning our current trip to Alaska I was practically horrified to hear from friends that access to the internet on the cruise ship is spotty at best and only available at the computers in the boat’s internet café. In the weeks before I left, my level of apprehension was boundless due to my fear that I would be cut off from the internet. I worried about my ability to relax and appreciate the beauty of Alaska, without knowing what was going on at the office.

With the creation of the internet, do we truly go on vacation anymore?