Posted by iCarryalls on 10/7/2014
to
Fashion
Now that you have acquired your leather luggage, handbags
& totes from iCarryalls you are ready for your cruise. We have a little story to tell you when you
consider packing for your trip. There once was a not-so-savvy seafarer, a
self-professed "fashion plate" who didn't feel right unless she took
two steamer trunks crammed with enough outfits to clothe a small nation on
every cruise. This, she finally learned, was not a good idea.
Besides incurring the wrath of her male traveling companion,
who pointed out in gentlemanly fashion that he would have to wrestle with
excess baggage from car or cab through airport terminals and beyond, she
quickly tired of trying to cram her belongings into tiny closets and bureaus.
To win the battle of the bulging bags, the now savvy seafarer follows her own
"Gospel of Prudent Packing" which states: Thou shalt put into one's
suitcase only that which will fit neatly in the allocated storage space without
hogging every available nook and cranny for thyself.
Following that advice is getting easier these days because,
for the most part, cruising has become much more of a casual vacation -- even
on more formal lines. Plus, with airlines now charging to check bags (with
extra fees for overweight luggage), it's just plain economical to pack light.
But to do so, you need to have a good sense of what kind of clothing and
accessories you're going to need on your vacation, so you don't pack your
entire closet . . . just in case. If you're wondering what to bring on your
next cruise, here are our guidelines for what you'll need to pack.
The Female Wardrobe
First Things First: Short shorts are only appropriate on the
pool deck or while working out in the fitness center. You can stretch it by
wearing them to lunch in the lido buffet ... but that's it. Bathing suits are
even more limited and should be worn only at the pool (though attractive
cover-ups are fine for lido lunching).
The Daytime Guide: Good bets for indoor activities include
walking shorts, slacks, jeans, casual skirts and sundresses. Outdoors, of
course, swimsuits and oh-so-casual shorts or jeans and T-shirt ensembles are de
rigueur.
On Shore: Rules of taste vary; if you are heading off to a
kayaking expedition or a snorkeling sail, the most casual of clothing is
appropriate. If you're heading into town, opt for those items specified above
in "Daytime Guide."
Evenings: Cruise ships assign daily dress codes -- casual,
informal, resort casual, formal -- that take effect in public rooms and
restaurants from 6 p.m. onward (daytime is always casual). Normally, on a
seven-night trip, you can count on two formal nights, a couple of casual
evenings and between one and four semiformal occasions. To find out the dress
code on your next cruise, read our story, Cruise Line Dress Codes. For all but
the most formal of evenings (and even on the more casual, upscale ships),
resort casual is the common dress code. That means elegant attire, though not
in the silk gown milieu. Think flowing cotton dresses or silky mix and match
pants outfits that would be appropriate at a nice restaurant or a symphony
concert on land.
The Male Wardrobe
First Things First: Consider khakis and a navy sport coat --
a can't-miss uniform when accompanied by everything from a polo shirt to (nice)
T-shirt to an Oxford. You can wear this type of outfit just about anywhere but
dinner on formal night. Also, unless you're hanging by the pool, some kind of
shirt is, well, required.
The Daytime Guide: Shorts are pretty versatile (athletic
versions for working out and the pool deck, not-quite-knee-length for indoor
activities). Jeans and casual khakis work, too. T-shirts and sports shirts go
everywhere.
On Shore: Again, going too casual (tank tops, scruffy jeans,
any kind of athletic garb) is considered disrespectful in many ports of call.
And let's face it: You'll generally be more warmly welcomed in restaurants and
shops if you're dressed nicely. The only caveat for men is the same as for
women: On active shore excursions or beach days, ultra-casual is just fine.
Evenings: You can pack a tuxedo -- hey, if the mood strikes
you've got a much more elegant photo op -- but tuxes are increasingly being
outnumbered by business suits on formal nights. On some ships you can rent a
tuxedo. But for most folks, we'd recommend that you do pack at least a suit and
tie because some onboard alternative restaurants are so elegant (such as those
on Celebrity's ships) that you really will feel out of place without it. And
don't forget the shoes to match! Otherwise, on non-formal nights the khaki
uniform works well.
Unisex Wardrobe
Sweaters and Jackets: Embrace the layered look. You will
want a rain jacket and sweatshirt on a Caribbean or Hawaii cruise for those
less-than-perfect island days. And Alaska cruisers have been known to need
everything from bathing suits and short-sleeve tops to warm fleece jackets,
hats and gloves; same goes for cruising round the Horn of South America. Rather
than pack clothes for multiple temperatures, bring cardigans or jackets to wear
over lighter layers if it gets cold.
Hats: Throw in a hat to protect against the sun or keep your
ears warm during scenic glacier cruising, and remember your sunglasses as well.
Consider headbands, bandanas and scarves for practical and style concerns.
Shoes: Ladies especially should try not to pack a suitcase
full of shoes. Try to bring styles that can serve multiple purposes (such as
sneakers that go from gym to sightseeing or comfy sandals that work as well by
the pool as they do at a casual dinner). Color coordinate your formalwear so
you only have to pack one pair of dress shoes.
Non-Clothing Accessories
Day Packs: Small backpacks or totes can be quite useful for
carrying cameras, books, sunscreen, water bottles and other items around the
ship or in port.
Electronics: Travelers and electronics seem to go hand in
hand these days. You may want to bring a portable music player, camera, video
camera, portable game player or book reader, alarm clock and/or white noise
machine. If you bring your cell phone, check about foreign country and onboard
roaming charges before you turn it on mid-cruise; if you bring a laptop,
inquire about hefty Internet usage rates onboard before logging on. And since
many cabins have limited electrical outlets, some folks bring extension cords
and power strips.
Entertainment: On the lower-tech side of things, you'll want
to bring books, magazines and puzzle books for sea or beach days -- you can't
always count on the ship's library to have a comprehensive selection.
Binoculars are a must for Alaska and other wildlife-heavy itineraries. If traveling
with kids, consider inflatable water toys for the beach that can be deflated
and packed easily. If you plan on going snorkeling in every port, you might
consider bringing your own gear.
Beverages: Most cruise lines will let you bring soda and water
onboard, saving you the expense of paying inflated onboard rates for
nonalcoholic beverages. One warning about packing "liquor" -- cruise
lines have increasingly cracked down on the practice (they'd rather you buy
drinks at their bars) so consider yourself warned. Your bottle(s) may be
confiscated on arrival depending on their individual policies. Bring along a
Champagne corker if you have a penchant for bubbly in your stateroom but don't
want to drink the whole bottle in one fell swoop
Toiletries and Necessities: The cruise ship should provide
soap and shampoo at the very least (and often body lotion, conditioner and body
wash), but if you're picky, pack your own. Same for hair dryers -- if you can't
deal with the low wattage of in-cabin dryers, bring your favorite with you.
Additional personal items to consider include any medications you will need and
lots and lots of sunscreen if sailing in sunny climates.
Storage: Many experienced cruisers swear by over-the-door
shoe bags for storing toiletries or keeping small items from getting lost in
cramped cabin quarters. Many bring extra hangers on longer cruises to make sure
every item that needs to be hung up, can be. If you plan on doing a lot of
shopping in port, consider taking a foldable duffel that can be packed into
your luggage at first and then filled up with souvenirs (or dirty laundry) and
checked on the way home.
