ocbeachbums

The Silhouette is a gorgeous ship....you will love it!!!

We cruise Celebrity, and they are doing away with formal nights December 1st. Going to a dressy chic.....which is how I've been dressing for awhile. Nice cocktail dresses with glitzy jewelry, heels and always a fabulous clutch. With airline fees the way they are, I am not willing to give up the other clothes for a very few formal nights. But, I do try to be very dressy.

Layer....layer....and layer!!! Be prepared to put on clothes and take off clothes. We have done a few TA's in May...and the weather has been very mixed. Crossings can be warm or cool. We were in Scotland in May and in one day had sun, rain, sleet and snow. And the next day warm with no need for a jacket. We always check the weather online....but....really...smart packing is the way to handle it. Take long and short sleeve shirts and layer with a jacket that works for rain, and a scarf if it's needed. Make sure your shoes are waterproof and comfy...and take socks.....you may or may not need them but, have at least one pair with you. And don't stress.....the worst thing that could happen is you have to buy something you may need. Every ship and port has sweatshirts and scarfs.

I have never had any issue with cruise ship pillows......until I took a cruise on the Celebrity Summit two years ago. We had been delayed getting on to the ship because of noro and a deep cleaning. When we finally embarked and went to our cabin, we thought our steward was unlike any we had ever had. His English was not good and the room seemed a little unkempt, but we just figured it had to do with cleaning. We went to dinner at the late seating. And as happens many times, the 1st night in the MDR was a little disorganized and we were there longer than we had hoped. When we finally got back to the cabin and got ready to go to bed, I noticed a mark on one of the pillow cases. And after looking at all of them, I was absolutely disgusted. Every pillow inside the case was stained and one even had something that I was completely grossed out with. We called the steward and we got an upper management steward, who after coming to our cabin, complained that he was overwhelmed...

At this point I was in tears...it was probably 11:30 on a VERY long day. The steward got us new pillows after we waiting a while.

The next day, the original cabin steward was angry at us for reporting it. Give me a break.....no one else complained??

Obviously, since then, I bring my own pillow!!!!!

Mini Beer

Cuarento tres topped with heavy cream

43 liquor ( most popular liquor in Spain) topped with heavy cream.

He'll be on vacation when we are on board the Eclipse in January. But, either love him or hate him and ...we are not upset he will be missing.....

Least important.....

Captain and upper staff

Whether I will will be invited to Captains table

Drink package

Kid's club

Concierge class...been there...done that

Location of my MDR table...most are fine

My DH surprised me with a cruise as our 10th anniversary present....in 1979...one year after our tenth. We sailed on the Costa

Carla C. All we could afford was a cabin with bunk beds, a port hole, metal "lockers" and the constant smell of diesel fuel because we were in the absolute lowest deck that they had cabins on. With having children, buying a house, working with not much vacation time and then putting same kids through college, we didn't get back to cruising until 2002. But.....it's been cruising since then on Celebrity. We try to do 2 a year...but I personally would spend ALL my children's inheritance and go more than that!!! Carpe Diem for me.....!!!!!

Oops...you're....

You sassy in the second pix...your attitude completely changed...and with just very natural looking makeup!! No over the top.... a beautiful look!!!

Indiana71.... Is your shoe bag just a regular size one or smaller??? Shoe storage on board is a big thing for me... After lots of cruising I still can't come up with a solution for keeping them organized...they seem to always get separated from their mate....and scattered all other the closet floor....HELP!!!

Try www.sammoon.com for jewelry as well. The prices are great, so you won't feel the least bit guilty.

 

I don't have a cruise room, or really just cruise clothes. However, I do plan things out pretty extensively. We sail in about 2 weeks, and I have every outfit, pair of shoes and jewelry completely picked out. Since I don't want them packed into a suitcase yet, they are in a special area of the closet, waiting patiently.

 

Hopefully, I won't be the only person wearing a full length dress on formal night on Majesty, seeing it's just a 3 day cruise. I love dressing up.

Have you had any experience with this company?? Their prices and jewelry are fantastic. But how do the pieces look? Maybe for the cost it's worth a try....

Our very first cruise in1979 was on the Costa Carla C. Everyone went to a cocktail party where you met the Captain and had a pix taken with him.

And the first thing we did on board was go and pick our lounge chair...yes...the lounges around the pool was yours for the entire week...and they were wood.

The other thing I remember was that the majority of the crew were Italian, and walking by them was kind of intimidating. Just visualize groups of crew members standing around and making comments, and using hand motions, to express their approval of the female body........never happen today.....thank God!!!

I know that on other forums, Charming Charlie has been mentioned . There is one of those stores not far from me which is pretty neat..everything is grouped by color!

I have gotten some statement pieces at Chico stores that were on sale, but I'm not sure how good a sale you can get online.

Unless you can get really close to the gold color, I'm not sure how it would work...If your go shopping, take the sweater with you...you'll know! I have a gold, metallic sweater and I pair it with black. How about a black, sequin skirt??? Or ivory???

Love the gold top.....it can be casual or not...it looks like the blue top has some sparkle?? Any flip flop that is comfortable ( and I assume a Sperry is very comfortable) is great for a cruise. I once bought a new pair of flip flops and they "killed me" between the toes. Now, I only take ones that have been proven and comfy. And I am not afraid to wear then on casual nights!!

So funny to realize the difference between what us women take and what our men take as far as cosmetics. I am always adding and taking away, while my DH never looks at what he's taking until he (or rather I) pick them!!!

And, we have been cruising since 2004, but, no, I never put together a totally dedicated cruise closet. Yes, there are clothing that I tend to wear only on cruises, but I have never really separated them out into their own dedicated closet......what was I thinking???? I have always keep lists of what I take so I am able to fairly easily pull clothes when cruise time comes. But, having a closet to put clothes in that are ONLY for cruising sure will make it easier.

My daughter has joined Weight Watchers and has been only drinking smoothies for breakfast and lunch. She is going to give me a lesson this weekend. I have never had an issue losing weight, but, with age, it is soooo much harder!!!

I look at eBay as a second hand store and have got some great deals there. Especially for Chico clothes. I know my size there and I have never had to send anything back.

I donate to a hospital's thrift shop and always tell myself I should also "shop" there. I haven't done that yet, but, a friend told me yesterday that she had bought a Talbot cashmere coat there for $16 this week, so I may check it out.....

Hey there indiana71..... I've been "lurking for a long time and can't wait for you to start your "process ". I am driving my husband nuts because I have started a "cruise closet" and our next cruise isn't until 1/11/14. But...... I told him with all the holidays, the time will fly by much too fast, and I want to be prepared and not feel rushed after the New Year! My biggest problem is those 5 extra pounds I gained after cruising for a month in May and then followed by a summer spent eating and cocktail partying at the beach! Let the cruise season in the Caribbean begin!!!!!!

Soooo sorry for your fall!! I can relate...I fell on a Celebrity cruise excursion at the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland and ended up with a terrible black eye! My thought is to wear really bright, and flashy colors so people will only look at that and wonder "What the Hell was she thinking"..... And NEVER even notice the eye!!!

I will tell you that makeup does wonders when you go out.....oh and BIG sunglasses!!!!!!! Think Jackie O large!!!!

And keep smiling!!!!!!!

I think either necklace would work, (although personally I like the rounded one better), but I agree with the last poster. I think the chandelier earrings really are too much and will take the eye away from your beautiful face and that gorgeous dress!

Definitely silver....the other shoes just have a more casual look, and the silver would look fantastic with your dress!!!