Leaving on the maiden voyage of the Crown in 3 days, critique my packing please!

[Matt&Heather]

This is our first cruise so I'm rather new at this. I've tried to take as much advice as possible from this board.

 

That said, I present.........Our Suitcases (well, the clothing part). :)

 

For a 9 day cruise... 6 nights non formal dinner, 2 nights formal.

 

Me:

 

Pants- I'll wear either the long or the short pants to dinner every non formal night except the night I wear the cute dress I found. I figured that they would go with everything and the different tops really change the look. Is this lame? I thought i'd save packing space that way.

 

 

1 pair black pants

1 pair black gauchos(not the cotton kind, the dressy kind)

1 dress for dinner (not formal)

2 bathing suits, 1 sarong, 1 coverup

black heels

silver heels

Red formal dress

Blue formal dress

8 pairs undies

1 strapless bra

1 regular bra

1 pair shorts

Tops:

1 black cotton shrug- goes with black cami, black and white lace halter and black halter for dinners

1 gauzy overshirt over black cami dinner

1 metallic knit short sleeved top over silver cami -dinner

1 short sleeved purple lace top

(total 6 dinners, covers all regular non formal dining)

2 pairs pjs

2 gym pants & shirt, sneakers, 2 pairs gym socks

1 really cute white hat

various accessories

 

Hubby:

three pairs shorts

three shirts

formal shoes

regular suit shoes

sneakers

2 gym pants & shirt, sneakers, 2 pairs gym socks

2 suits with ties and shirts

2 swim trunks

Three short sleeved polo shirts (non formal dinners)

2 pairs non formal dinner slacks

Three long sleeved button down shirts (non formal dinners)

 

___________

 

Your advice and commentary is eagerly anticipated and appreciated. I'm nervous that I'm not doing this right!

 

Thank you so much,

Heather

 

Edit:

 

PS. I should mention that I'm wearing comfortable sandals on the plane to the ship, which is why they aren't packed. Same with hubby.

[dzboss1]

Wow!! You are concise. I have an upcoming 9 day also but I am embarrassed to tell you how much I am bringing!! I will say you did a great job minimizing.

 

maybe you have these on your list but didn't transfer them here:

 

hubby's sox? (not gym sox)

his belts?

does he not wear underwear?

or pjs?

 

do you have any tops for yourself for the daytime?

need belts?

handbags part of your accessories?

8 pair of undies? Is it 8 or 9 nights? Is that enough?

[Matt&Heather]

haha!

 

Hubby wears undies, forgot those on the list.

 

belts and his socks-I forgot! Thank you :) and pjs!

 

(can you tell i'm doing all the packing?!)

 

I figured I'd be wearing my suit and coverup during the day on the boat. When we go on shore for our excursions and such, the same, with a pair of shorts under it...but I could probably throw one regular casual top in there just in case. Thanks for pointing that out!

 

It's 8 nights so 8 undies should cover it- and i have one handbag, black, that should take care of everything. :)

[dzboss1]

;) Glad to help!! Have an awesome time!!

[Sailaway Girl]

Unless you plan on washing the bring more underwear. I always bring 2 pair for each day. Especially if you are doing the Caribbean where it gets really hot and we have to take 2 showers a day (one in the morning the other before we dress for dinner). We also take underwear with us on beach shore excursions and change out of our wet bathing suits for the ride back to the ship. On the Golden in 2004 we were one day late getting back to NY due to weather conditions and I was prepared. I'd also add another bra or 2 for the same reasons. These items take up very little room in your suitcase so they will not put you in the "airline overweight" category.

We're on the Crown in September and I am trying to cut down the list but not on the underwear side.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mtaylor04]

Your only bringing one pair of shorts to the Caribbean? I would throw in a couple more but thats just me.

[dzboss1]

Sail ~~ That is why I questioned the amount of underwear. I bring a dozen pair, but I also send out laundry to be washed twice while we are aboard. I also bring 4 bras, and 2 strapless ones. I could never get by with one and don't hand wash except for bathing suits.

 

I also could not get by with just one top for 9 days. After sunning on deck or going off for an excursion, I always have a few hours in between dinner to go get coffee or go to the casino if at sea or do an on board activity. And some stops I don't do an excursion that requires water...maybe some shopping and sightseeing so I would need clothes for that.

 

Heather ~~ I stated I pack alot and I do, so I didn't want to comment, but since others have kinda, I think you may be a little "under packed". Even your hubby got 3 pair of shorts and tops.

 

The black pocketbook is for formal nights, casual nights, and daytime?

[bdcbbq]

Several years ago, someone posted that they always brought their worst "undies" and threw them away each day. They bought new ones for home. This leaves a little more room for "stuff". I do the same, and add socks to the trash.

[Matt&Heather]

Thank you, everyone, for replying, this is why i posted.

 

I really don't wear shorts very much. I figured I'd be in my suit and coverup for most of the days. I have another pair of shorts I can bring and I'll pack it, along with a few light tees. Thanks!

 

My black pocketbook can go with just about everything except formal. Was I wrong to think that I really wouldn't need it when hubby can carry my sail card and ID in his wallet?

 

And I will throw in one extra bra and a few pairs of undies just in case. Thanks for the advice. Not only is this my first cruise, it's my first trip south of Orlando :)

 

It's hard when you don't really know what sort of possibilities you are packing for!

[Host Star]

I wish I was that organized!!.. i just keep throwing things in..not having to fly to get to fla. ports I do tend to overpack!!.. I'm thinking of Europe next summer and I know I will have to do it different in terms of exactly what I would wear instead of mass overpacking..

[Matt&Heather]

I'm feeling pretty confident now with the clothing situation...worse come to worse I'll just have to buy myself some "souvenirs" in port!

 

Does anyone know how much Princess charges to press clothing by chance? I'm going to call tomorrow to try and find out.

 

Now, to try and organize my makeup bag. LOL! If I touched it everyday it would be easy but of course, it's a mess. :)

[Jane110]

Several years ago, someone posted that they always brought their worst "undies" and threw them away each day. They bought new ones for home. This leaves a little more room for "stuff". I do the same, and add socks to the trash.

 

When I go on vacation with my DH I take my best and prettiest underwear.

 

Different strokes........:D

[bayyore]

When I go on vacation with my DH I take my best and prettiest underwear.

 

Different strokes........:D

 

Me too!

[MrsMoose2001]

Since I don't really cruise, I'll just say that for the daytime, you seem a bit underpacked. I would bring a couple of extra things for casual. Tops and bottoms. I would say that for any vacation. For whatever reason you may want to wear something other than a swimsuit/coverup. I would bring something casual also that is not "shorts" . I agree with the underwear/bras, I change at least twice a day at home and on vacation.

 

Bon Voyage, safe healthy happy travels.

[Happy ks]

Are you bringing any T's or sundresses for daytime? I didn't see any of those mentioned. Since you think you'll be in your bathing suit a lot, I'd take at least 4. While you can wear one while one dries, I'd go crazy wearing the same suit every other day.

 

I think your underwear will be fine, just wash a few pair out in the sink every few days. I just would not wear old underwear on vacation :rolleyes: . I've read the same thing mentioned here before and I have to wonder just how big is the underwear is that it actually saves space for more packing?

 

The night time packing sounds fine.

[mrsfuzzmo]

I would take a lot more t-shirts/tanks and sundress types of clothes. Even if you stay onboard everyday and think you will be in your swim wear and cover-up, there are many hours of the day that you will want to shower and change and do other things onboard. That's not to mention all the port days.

Definitely reconsider the "casual clothes" and increase your quantities. On a 7 night cruise I take at least 12 T-shirts (usually tank tops) and 4 pair of shorts, 3 or 4 sundresses. I usually wear everything! I have cruised a number of times and haven't run out yet, but come darn close (and I am not into doing laundry onboard). You will need more than one pair of underwear a day (unless you go "commando"!). More bras will be needed as well, unless you don't wear them much. I like the tanks with the built in bras and that cuts down on what I need, but I still take at least 3 with me. Nothing grosser than putting on a sweaty bra!

 

Mrsfuzzmo

[MrsMoose2001]

I too wonder about the space for underwear unless it's about bringing the dirty ones home.

[RachelD]

Are you going on any shore excursions? You might need shorts / tanks / sundresses for those.

 

I agree with HappyKS that you might want to bring additional swimsuits. I brought 5 bikinis and I lived in them everyday... those and sundresses. It just made life so much easier.

 

If you don't wear shorts, then you might want to pack more pants / gauchos. You never know if you might spill something on them and need to change.

 

I found that I had actually packed too many dressy clothes on our last cruise and wished I had more comfy tank tops during the day.

 

I too pack my prettiest panties and lingerie when on vacation. ;)

 

Good luck!

[Happy ks]

I too wonder about the space for underwear unless it's about bringing the dirty ones home.

 

I just use a large ziploc bag for that and in case a bathing suit is still damp.

[Plant]

Hi Heather,

 

My black pocketbook can go with just about everything except formal. Was I wrong to think that I really wouldn't need it when hubby can carry my sail card and ID in his wallet?

 

I always carry my own sail card and ID. You may be with your DH most of the time, but there may be times you'll need your card when you're not together. (Shopping, buying a drink, going back and forth to the cabin, etc.)

 

Just my opinion :) !

 

Have a great cruise,

[KamloopsCruisers]

I do not wear shorts and t-shirts except at the gym, but rather sun dresses or casual skirts and tops. I really think you need a few more casual day time things in your suitcase. I cannot put on my swimsuit with a cover up and go for breakfast. I wear a sun dress until mid-morning, change into my swimsuit/cover-up and head to the pool for a few hours. Later in the afternoon, I shower and change into casual wear again until it is time to change for dinner. You will need at least two swimsuits - late night hot tubs are ever so nice and your daytime suit may not be dry.

 

I too take my prettiest undies and bras on vacation.:D

[tvaud]

Add another pair of shorts for yourself. You are, after all, going to the Caribbean. Have fun.