clickchick

On 2/24/2019 at 8:49 AM, FlaMariner said:

But this has me thinking......Maybe there is a business opportunity to sell a personalized suitcase of clothes waiting for you in your stateroom......tuxes are rented, why not rent dress shirts, kakis, Bermuda shorts, blue blazer, polos.....and include new no return underwear!?

 

1

Someone actually pitched a very similar idea on an episode of "Shark Tank". They didn't get a deal (I can't recall why). I did find a short article about the company. I think it's an interesting idea but I think the cost of renting the clothing would exceed the cost of checking a bag so you'd be paying for convenience. 

We did a guarantee in 2017 and got our assignment about two weeks out. However, for our upcoming cruise, the assignment came more than a month in advance. We are sailing with my parents and were hoping for an adjoining room situation, so that could be the reason we got our assignment so early.

We were dedicated Princess cruisers until we tried a HAL cruise a few years ago (Amsterdam to Alaska). You were spot on about the food. We also got bored with the Princess ships. The five we sailed on all started looking alike in spite of size and theme differences. But, the key difference for us was the staff! The HAL crew is SO incredibly friendly and attentive.

We are about to go on our 10th cruise and I just can't bear to not to wear a cocktail dress and heels. Maybe it's because I work from home and never get to play dress up? 🙂However, I am past the days of needing or wanting to buy a new dress (or dresses) for each cruise and now just recycle what I have. DH, on the other hand, hates formal night. I've told him that on our next cruise I'll "allow" just a dress shirt and khakis. 

I used to travel for work frequently and started using just a carry-on. Even travel sizes are too large for a 5 day trip so I went in search of tiny bottles. Most of my tiny bottles and jars came from a $1.50 store called Daiso (orginated in Japan but are now found in the US in places). If you are near a Sephora, the cream and lotion samples they decant for you come in amazing tiny flip-top jars so I save those and re-use them. Another tip - make sure you label your containers if possible. I recently packed and couldn't tell which product was which. I attached a picture of my jam packed TSA approved bag below! I think I counted roughly 17 different liquids in here.

I was looking as well. I found a FB page where people were searching for family members, loved ones, and asking about damage to specific properties. A couple of people were posting current photos and while the island wasn't completely decimated like Barbuda or St Martin, there seemed to be a good amount of damage.

Las Caletas was worth every penny! It was stunningly gorgeous and Vallarta Adventures does an amazing job entertaining both to and from. We did Yelapas and Majahuitas on our next trip and it wasn't nearly as much fun.

In Cabo, it wasn't an excursion but we had the BEST meal at Solomon's Landing just off of the pier. A massive bowl of delicious, fresh ceviche and a cold beer. Heaven!

I am 45 and dressy casual. I work in a creative industry where I can wear jeans daily if I want. I actually find quite a bit at JCPenney! I went in there on a whim several years ago when I was on a the hunt for off-season clothing for a cruise to Mexico and haven't looked back. I like their a.n.a., Stylus, and Worthington lines primarily. Additionally, I shop Macy's (love INC), Nordstrom Rack, and TJMaxx. I am also a big second-hand shopper. I love finding quality pieces of clothing I would never purchase retail ($$$) for a fraction of the cost.

And, I completely agree with shopping and wearing exactly what you want! Wear what makes you feel beautiful.

It coordinates with my husbands kilt nicely. But is a floor length gown overkill on an Alaskan cruise?

I just got back from Alaska on Princess and you will be just fine! Plenty of floor length gowns - beaded, satin, tulle, and lace. Have a wonderful trip!

Tights under jeans! :) I lived very briefly in Fairbanks, AK during the dead of winter. It was pretty routinely -30 degrees and tights under my jeans kept my legs warm when I knew I would be outside for long periods of time. Plus they are low bulk. If they worked for me in bone-chilling cold, they should keep you warm on an Alaska cruise.

That said, this is a shot of the deck during our Alaska cruise two weeks ago on the day we were cruising through Prince William Sound just before hitting College Fjord. Notice the tank tops! :)

What kind of shorts would you recommend? Like ones that are tight so that don't show in your dress or something else?

Depending on the dress/skirt, I usually wear Spanx-like shorts that are a size too big. No control, but good coverage and comfy because they aren't tight. :)

I am so glad I found this thread. We are just back from an Alaskan cruise and the swelling was crazy. I have a dry brush I've used primarily for circulation to help the appearance of cellulite, but it never occurred to me to take it with and use it for the foot/ankle swelling. I read the article posted suggesting that the salty sea air could contribute and that makes sense. I suspect that the food has the most to do with it, however. In retrospect, I can think of very little I ate that wouldn't have had salt added. About the only things would have been fresh fruit and veggies.

One thing about the ship's water vs. bottled water - I've heard before that you have to be really careful about bottled water as well as they can also contain sodium: http://weightloss.answers.com/nutrition/salt-water-why-bottled-water-companies-add-sodium Also, when you shower or wash your hands, you are absorbing whatever is in the water on the ship as well.

OK, after reading this thread I decided it might be time to give a liquid liner another shot and did find one I like. The one thing I've hated about liquid liner in the past was control - one eye would have a thick line, one would be wobbly looking. BUT, the Sephora brand 24 hour wear liquid liner has the tiniest little brush and, so far, has allowed me to control the liner much better. I bought it in a really unusual shimmery khaki green color and it's gorgeous! I use just a really thin line since it's pretty flashy. It was about $12 and it stays all day.

Just got home last weekend from my third Alaska cruise (Princess) and there were definitely quite a few women (and men) wearing jeans in the MDR. The nights I wore jeans I made sure my top was a bit more formal/fancy and wore fancy flats or nice sandals. I generally prefer to wear pants or something nicer than jeans in the MDR, but we had traditional dining and on most days we were in port late or there was some sort of scheduled activity going on right up until dinner time.

I hate pencil liners. I've tried hard and soft, expensive & cheap and ugh, hate them all.

 

Love liquid eyeliners - my favorite is Almay and 2nd favorite is Palladio. I have some Ulta and I like the application (tiny brush - normally I don't like those and prefer a pen) but it can flake during the day and irritate my eye.

Funny, I pretty much hate all liquid liners I've ever tried. Good thing we all have options.

I'm always on the look-out for a decent gel liner, especially in green. Has anybody tried the e.l.f. gel liner?

 

I've been using the Sonia Kashuk Twist Up Longwear Liner, $8 at Target, but it doesn't really last all day. I actually have to carry Q-tips with me to smooth it out during the day. Plus it doesn't come in the dark green, which looks best on me.

 

Thanks!

Look for Jordana Cosmetics 12 Hour Made To Last Liquid Eyeliner Pencil! I get mine at Walgreen's for about $3 each and they last all day and last much longer than all of the more expensive brands I have tried. They go on super smoothly (no tugging, not dry). They have a really pretty green called Jade Jewel. Also, if you don't use an eye makeup primer, that can help with longevity. I have used Urban Decay before but find that Wet n' Wild's primer works just as well and is far cheaper. I put a tiny dab on my little finger and apply it just under my lower lashes to keep my lower lid eyeliner from moving.

Just back from our Alaska cruise on the Grand Princess! I paid particular attention to attire this trip and found it was all over the map. There were as many women wearing fancy, quite formal dresses as there were women wearing slacks and a nice top. It was literally the full range. And yes, many visible tattoos.

I am not a hosiery wearer and have leg imperfections. My favorite thing to use is Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs. It's cheap, widely available in the US at drug stores, and won't come off until you use soap and water on it. No one can tell that you are wearing makeup on your legs! They just look smooth and flawless (even on larger varicose veins). The only problem I have had with it is that the shades run a little dark. I am normally very medium to medium-tan in skin tone and find that the light shade works the best on my legs. They sell the lotion version in travel sizes so that's a great way to try out shades.

No/40s. It's about the only time I get to dress up!

Have done the Inside passage twice and haven't seen a single mosquito. However, I grew up in Anchorage and anytime you are in a wooded area or near a lake, you definitely want repellent during late spring/summer.

I am also a crossbody carrier. I have been carrying this one because i can actually shove my large DSLR into it if need be.

Great find on Amazon! Lovely dress!

I was out this weekend dress shopping. I went to 8 different stores (discount and retail) and I found it's pretty slim pickings right now. Lots of sundresses and very junior prom formals. I found a few more sophisticated cocktail/formal dresses, but they were on clearance and sizing/selection was very limited. The associate at Nordstrom Rack said that this time of year is tough because the clearance from holiday is all that is left.

Oh! And I should probably post photos of the dresses I am wearing on our upcoming cruise! :)

This one is from about 5 years ago, but I've only worn it once and it's super comfy! It's a size or so too big, but it fits well enough. :) And, there weren't any photos of me from that trip in it so figured it was time to recycle it! It was from Newport News which I just learned is now going to be exclusively available on cruise lines!

Dress #2! I find any Calvin Klein dress fits like a dream and I can order online with no fit issues no matter the style. I bought this one a few years ago on eBay for $15! It has never been worn (still has the tags) so it's coming along this time! And this is clearly not me wearing it. :) Sorry about the massive photo!

disneynan: For some reason, I can't figure out how to do a PM. It's either too early or I already have vacation brain. :) My link is in my sig file, though!

Yes! I had a pair of Nine West basic black heels with a 3" heel that I wore until they about fell apart. So comfy! Oddly, the pair I left onboard last cruise were Nine West as well, but not nearly as comfortable.

And thank you for your compliments and looking at my blog! I started it in February after we were on our last cruise as a way to help me get over my post-cruise funk. :) I love making lists and writing so it seemed like a natural thing.

Sorry you didn't find a dress:(but at least you didn't go completely empty handed:) I actually could'nt go shoe shopping yesterday but hope to go today!

I bought a pair of Audrey Brooke black satin dress heels for my daughter's wedding in 2008 and absolutely love them! Even with a 3in heel, they are comfortable enough for walking and even dancing! That brand seems to suit my wideish foot!

I looked at your blog and it's very well done! I bookmarked it so I can read more of it later:)

Michelle

Welcome to the thread..it's much fun and very helpful...Good luck with your dress quest:) As for me, I'll be doing some shoe shopping which can often be a challenge:D

Michelle

Thanks Michelle! Well, after seven hours (!) of shopping, I didn't find a dress I loved so this trip will be repeats. I did buy a ton of other clothing though. And discovered the store Daiso which charges $1.50 for everything and has a great selection of travel bottles and other goodies good for cruising.

Regarding shoes, the shoes I took with me last cruise for formal night were so uncomfortable I left them onboard. There is such a difference in walking around for 10 seconds in the store vs. wobbling around for a few hours on a moving ship! Also, I never go anywhere in new or even infrequently worn shoes without strips of moleskin in my bag. It is a lifesaver when those new shoes start rubbing in spots you didn't expect.