midnightferret

On 7/12/2023 at 8:09 AM, mrgabriel said:

My advice? Pack for a week and rewear things. I took one dressy/sparkly dress and wore it twice. Use the ship's laundry. Don't let anyone tell you that you need to wear something different every day or you can't wear the same thing to dinner because honestly, NO ONE NOTICES and if they do, do you actually care? 🤭

I feel like if people are worried about what I'm wearing (as long as I'm decent and presentable and not too far outside of any communicated dress code) they are probably not having a very good vacation? I have a capsule wardrobe and most of my beach and trail/travel wear is quick dry. I am not trying to win any prizes hahaha

Thanks so much for all the advice! This is incredibly helpful!

12 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I don't get the love for the "little black dress" ... does anything more boring exist?  On formal night, probably 90% of the women will be dressed in black. 

LOL I don't think anyone loves it really but I'm travelling light and I have zero reason to try and impress anyone. Growing up I was taught it's a staple wardrobe piece but in fairness the women who taught me were older then than I am now. However, it's a testament to how uninterested I am in fashion that I'm operating on decades old advice! Ideally I would wear pants, as I don't prefer dresses these days, but I think it would be simpler for packing.

8 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

I had a post removed for saying that Carnival was not a dressy as Cunard so it wasn't necessary to pack a tux or gowns. But it's still true!

Oh, oops! No offense to anyone or inaccuracy intended, mods! I was literally told by my friend who has loads of Carnival cruises under her belt that for the "Elegant Nights" on Carnival I could get away with dressing up a little black dress or wearing a blouse with sparkles and some nice-looking pants or something like that and a jacket and tie is recommended but optional for men. We have a standard "travel dressy" thing we do that I figured would work fine from what I gathered.

Thanks, y'all for the replies - we're going on Carnival (my friend who invited us is a super shiny rewards member with that line) so I'm not anticipating the formal nights as being super dressy; I'd have to re-read the dress code rundown thing, but I don't remember being super alarmed by anything I read there lol

I put a deposit down recently and I'm so stoked for my first cruise that I can't stop daydreaming and planning, even though it's a ways away and I have plenty of time to figure this stuff out.

Husband and I are "carry-on or die" travelers. We travel pretty light and have done up to 10 days with just carry-on luggage. I don't think I'd have much of an issue increasing that to 14 days, but since cruising seems to come with its own set of rules, I'm wondering if I'm just being too optimistic? 

I noticed there are laundry facilities and/or services on ships, and I'm not above bringing primarily quick-dry underwear and other clothing to wash in the sink and dry in the shower if necessary, but I just wanted to see if anyone had done anything like this.

We plan to fly in the day before and either stay near the airport to get the cruise transfer/shuttle thing from there or stay near the cruise terminal and find our own way, if that matters. TIA for any tips or advice!

Total NOOB here! Can't wait!

I can pack for a week + toiletries + shoes in one "smallish" bag, but hubby and I will need a third garment bag for formal night. Not a disaster so, check.

Very perplexed re: lanyards. I don't wanna carry a purse. I sure as heck don't wanna put it in my bra, but I'd be worried it'd fall out of my pockets -- if I had pockets. I suppose I could plan things, and go back to cabin before/after, but... but, what about impromptu stuff? I guess I'll end up looking like a dork on sea days. YAY! Maybe I'll make my own dorky clip-on lanyard!

Mostly interested in skipping muster, but hey, I'll read the directions or something. If they say wear it, I'll wear it. If they say bring it, I'll bring it. If they say don't have to bring it, well you can betcher I won't be bringing it!

Welcome Aboard: I rapidly oscillate between budgeting for a Welcome Aboard Drink complete with souvenir glass (ZOMG, PLASTIC SOUVENIR GLASS!) and thinking I could have *2* other drinks for that price (like $12, n'est-ce pas?). It's a dilemma.

I am going to save up as much for that insane bar bill as I possibly can, and then stick to the budget.

I'll probably book other excursions (with a substantial window to get back on the ship). I'll also stay away from the dockside cruise company shopping UNLESS I specifically want something cheezy and tourist-tastic from there. I'm kind of perversely into that stuff. (ZOMG! BOTTLE OPENERZ WITH THE DESTINATION ON THEM!)

I'm still gonna be SUCH a NOOB! When I know which cruise I'll be on, I'll let all of you know so you can have a giggle!

Oh, and you'll like me: I wear nautical clothing NOW. :D