What you bring on a cruise depends a great deal of
kind of ship it is.........casual or elegant.........and your plans for "fine dining".
If you are sailing a ship with all elegant evenings, this takes special forethought on your part. Even though they say that its two formal evenings, three informal and two casual........you are sitting in such elegant surroundings and eating a wonderful 5 course meal...........you may want to look your best ! Consider that this will be like a fabulous dinner party every evening ! When I pack for cruises my husband asks me if I had left anything in my closet.............well.............I wear absolutely everything I pack.
Here are some of my thoughts...........some ships provide robes, beach towels (both on deck and if you are going ashore to beach) and hair dryers...all depending on your level of accomodation. Check on this for your particular accomodations............and if they are provided then leave these items at home.....that's half a suitcase right there !
Ladies----If you are planning on "fine dining"-----Think thru 7 wonderful evenings of dinners and cocktails beforehand. Think Black !! Black or cream flowy pants or skirts topped with several different jackets, dressy dinner jackets, big satiny tops..........if you pack separates you will have so much more milage. Bring several evenings handbags......a nice selection of jewelry........several different pair of dressy shoes..........several bright colored Pashmina-type shawls are PERFECT.....lots of color over your basics.......different little accessories to mix and match. These little things that do not take up much room but will make all difference. Remember...........half beauty of cruising is that you have these elegant evenings. Basically..........if you think you want it.........bring it. O a recent cruise, I brought 4 jackets with me of different colors and fabrics..........and really did not feel it was enough. In addition to dinner, we had lunch in nice dining room three times, breakfast there twice and High Tea one afternoon. All worked over basic bottoms. For casual clothes, you will want fun things............some wrap skirts..........bathing suit and coverup, flip-flops...........fitness workout clothes...............
Kids------Remember no shorts or jeans in nice dining rooms ! I have found that kids really love these nice evenings. Where else can they have 5 courses of anything they want ?? Shrimp cocktails and lobster always a hit. Teenage boy still hungry ?? What else would he like ? Another lobster tail ? (Take lots of pictures-this can be great family time !)
Men---Quite Easy ! (Of course !) Tuxedo -optional...........but very nice for formal evenings. (Certain ships it is not optional) You may consider bringing two tuxedo shirts. Navy or basic blazer and dress pants...dress shirts...neckties....dress shoes.....khaki pants....knit shirts.....basic shorts....workout clothes...casual shoes..sneakers...bathing suit. Hawaiian type shirt for fun ! Discuss with your agent. So much depends on kind of cruise ship you are sailing ..and your personal dining plans. Overall-plan on dressing for "Country club elegance".
You can check two bags with airlines and carryon one more..........my carryon was a garment bag and a very full large purse. Bring some sort of granola bars with you on plane.....airport and runway delays are all too common and food is no longer served onboard as it once was.
Other Good Basic tips.....
**Pack a pad of Post-It notes to leave messages for your cabin steward (you get to know him !), family, and shipboard friends. **Have plenty of one-dollar bills handy for tipping airport skycaps and porters at pier. **Don't pack photo film in checked luggage as new airport screening equipment could ruin it. Put it in your carry-on instead. Even if you don't think you'll need them, bring along extra camera batteries and change them before you think old ones are "dead." Don't forget film !
