alright ladies, i need help. i'm going on an 8-night cruise of the eastern caribbean from jan. 28 through feb. 5. i am a notorious over-packer. (i bring at least five pairs of shoes to spend the weekend at my father's house. in the winter. when there's snow everywhere.)
i really hope i can cram all my stuff for this cruise into one bag/suitcase, plus my carry-on. so, here's the question: if you were going on this cruise, what would you pack? everything - from undies to shampoo. and i want numbers - 10 pairs of socks, 8 pairs of heels, etc. i don't want to "miss" anything - but don't want unnecessary stuff either.
help!
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freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose - janis
i'm a shoe packer too. i pack sooo many, it's ridiculous, plus they take up so much room. i usually pick one color, black or brown, and stick to that, it's hard, but it really helps when packing. then i'll bring one brown walking, one brown dressy, etc... also, that way i only bring a brown handbag. that seems to work best for me.
personally, i would bring:
bottoms:
denim skirt (1)
jeans (1)
white/khaki/denim cropped pants (1)
a flowy skirt print or solid (1)
tops:
white/black (or brown tank) (2)
maybe two patterned chiffon tops (2)
denim jacket (1)
shawl (cardiwraps work perfect) (1)
light weight sweater (1)
dress:
a casual sundress in a solid color (1)
if they have a formal night (most cruises do) a formal dress (1)
shoes:
flip flops for pool (1)
walking shoes or sneakers (1)
dressy heels (gold always work great) (1)
bag:
large..maybe straw (1)
clutch (1)
accessories:
fun necklaces
hat for the sun
also, i love bringing these on trips:
(i just bought some and i they're the perfect size for a week)
(i even was dorky enough to get the labels, which helped me know how many bottles, what to bring, etc..)
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"i tell you one lesson I learned
If you want to be something in life, You ain't gonna get it unless, You give a little bit of sacrifice, Oohh, sometimes before you smile you got to cry.." -The Roots
Well, it may sound funny, but I wouldn't pack as many "normal clothes". Like everyday stuff. Your days will mostly consist of laying around the pool, then changing for a dressy dinner, then going to on ship dance clubs. I would pack maybe 1 or 2 pair of jeans or capris, but then bring lots of pool attire, dressy outfits for dinner (I remember for 2 of our dinners we actually had to wear formal dresses) and then club-ish outfits. When you go out of the ship sightseeing and stuff, that's what you'll need the jeans or shorts or capris for. Something comfy with comfy shoes. I hope that helps. Oh, and the cabins are really small and that includes the bathrooms, so I would bring only the essential toiletries, and as small as possible. Pick maybe 1 scent you want to wear for the trip.
Oh yea, it does get chilly at night, but is is fun to walk the decks at night so bring cardi's or sweaters.
I've been on two cruises, where our days went like this:
At Sea:
Breakfast buffet (usually wore tank and shorts/skirt and flipflops)
Pool (back to room to change into bathingsuit and coverup and flipflops)
Lunch Buffet (my pool coverup was a cotton shirtdress, so I wore that)
Nap and shower to remove serious sunscreen buildup & get ready for dinner
Dinner (on 'smart casual' nights I wore a cocktail/sun dress and heels, on 'formal' nights I wore a fancier cocktail dress and heels)
Evening show/club/casino (went straight from dinner, so dress/heels)
Hottub (required 2nd or sometimes 3rd bathing suit of the day)
Docked:
Breakfast Buffet (wore shorts, tank, hat, sneakers, sunglasses with bag/purse packed for the day ashore, wearing bathing suits underneath if we had a beach/water excursion scheduled)
Excursion/Go Ashore/Shopping (plan to go straight from breakfast to your excursion, depending on what time it starts)
Reboard ship, shower
Dinner (see dinner above - your 'smart casual' dinner days will be days you're docked, your 'formal' dinner days will be at sea days)
Evening show/club/casino (same as above)
Hottub (required 2nd or sometimes 3rd bathing suit of the day)
We actually ended up wearing the same things over and over again and having to use the washing facilities! Here's my 'pack multiples' list:
Bathing suit (at least 3 or 4)
Coverup (I had a sarong and also a s/s cotton knee length dress that was decent enough to walk the ship in, I used both sooooo much)
Good walking shoes (whether it means flips or sneakers, wear shoes you can walk many miles in for when you go ashore)
Flip flops (for around the ship wear, to and from pool, etc)
Lots of cute shorts/skirts/bermudas/capris (for going ashore, as a swimsuit cover up, etc)
Fancy dresses (1 or 2, we didn't see too many full length dresses, more fancy cocktail types for formal nights)
Nice Sundresses (2 or 3, for smart casual dinners and deck parties)
FWIW, jeans and shorts weren't allowed in the dining room on our ship. I didn't wear jeans at all either of the times we went actually. IMO you'd be more comfortable in linen pants or cotton capris, or some juicy pants or something for travelling.
HTH! Let me know if you have any other Q's .
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To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}
i got lazy and only went to bluefly, so all of the items (esp. shoes and handbags are not my favorites, but you can totally mix and match everything..)
hth. i also forgot swim suit.
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"i tell you one lesson I learned
If you want to be something in life, You ain't gonna get it unless, You give a little bit of sacrifice, Oohh, sometimes before you smile you got to cry.." -The Roots
Clothing: I agree with shopgirl82's sentiment...decide whether you'll be wearing black based outfits or if you'll be wearing all brown based items.
3 dresses [1 dressy black (or brown) one, 1 versatile colored one like a Rachel Pally tie tube dress that can be both dressy and casual, and 1 casual sundress]
1 denim jacket
1 cardigan/cardiwrap/shawl
1 denim skirt
1 pair of jeans (medium/dark wash)
1 pair of lightweight pants (long gauchos work or those Charlotte beach pants)
4 tops (2 sleeveless and 2 short sleeve)
9 pairs of underwear (bra + panties)
Spanx if you need it (I'd bring 3)
3-4 pairs of socks but only if you brought sneakers
2-3 swimsuits + coverups (I have a Juicy terry dress I'd use and I'd probably get a pareo)
1 pair basic dressy heels (I'd do gold or bronze...looks great with black and brown based outfits.)
1 everyday handbag and 1 dressy clutch
1 sun hat
Up to 9 pieces of any of these jewelry items (rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings)
Healthcare and beauty: Hoard samples of all your stuff if you can and bring those, but if you can't do that...
Your own Shampoo and Conditioner in mini bottles like shopgirl82 posted. probably about 2 oz of each. (If your hair can handle it, I would suggest toting along in mini bottle of a Philsophy 3-in-1 and using it for hair and body)
Travel size body lotion, 4 oz.
Body wash, 4 oz.
Face wash, 2 oz.
The ever important toothpaste and toothbrush. I like to get the Colgate 2 in 1 mouthwash and toothpaste and use it on trips like these to save space.
Face/eye treatments (glycolic acid, serums, whatever), 2 oz. per item or really try and get a bunch of samples.
Day and night moisturizer, 1 oz for each. Daytime should of course have SPF.
sandwich size baggie filled with maybe 20 cotton balls and 20 q-tips if you use them.
Day and night fragrance (samples work best here if you can get them)
Or you could make your life easy and buy yourself a gift set to use.
I love this from Bliss because it has everything you need for body. $45
Bring your usual makeup (foundation, blush, brozer, etc.) and also add.
Mini palettes (1 for day, 1 for night)...some ideas...
LORAC Island Escape $48
CARGO Vacation Makeup Box $35
Stila Landing Gear $30 (this would be perfect for day)
Too Faced Quickie Chronicle in Life of the Party $25
DO NOT BRING ANY ADDITIONAL makeup. You will not use it.