Travelinmom06

We just returned from our first 11 day cruise of the Med. with a week before in Italy and I think it's doable! We met a young couple who had done what you are talking about but out of a small backpack, that was impressive! I was excited to be able to pack "like a grown up" in a bigger suitcase on this trip since we usually carry on but i won't do it again, just too cumbersome. I would stick to a color palette but keep in mind that it is HOT in the med in July and black gets hotter! Bring tops that are loose and you can wash out in the sink, 7 pairs of underwear and an extra bra. I wore mostly sundresses and Clarks or Aerosole sandals, 2 bathing suits if you intend to use the pool every day but if not 1 is enough. I brought small cross body bag that I put into a larger personal bag that also had my iPad, magazines which I got rid of as I finished, Dslr. I used this method of packing

Our cruise line made it abundantly clear that we would need both the passport and our cruise docs to re-board in Venice.

 

Sometimes a cruise line can warn and warn and people are in vacation mode and just not listening or reading.

We checked with ship personnel before disembarking as the stated requirement over the speakers were a picture I.D. and your sea card, so we were not just in vacation mode. My husband did not have a 2nd I.d, so we asked about it and whether he should get his passport. We were told that since he was with me and I had the required docs it would be fine. This was a problem for people with children too so I think I would just get my passport back from the ship next time. We kept our passports and never had another problem.

We just came back from the Mediterranean and in Venice they would not let my husband through the port and back on the ship because all that he had was his sea pass and credit cards. There were several other families that this happened to, some because of children without id's and we all had to demand our passports back. Copies were not acceptable to the authorities and the ship security officer was unable to do anything about it. I don't usually carry my passport with me, usually lock it up, but after that we decided we would keep it with us and leave the copy in the room, just in case.

We just came back from the Mediterranean on Grandeur (rccl), it was our 25th anniversary so I had a photo collage of the past 25 years printed at Costco and a big 25 sign for our door. Unfortunately our cabin was all the way at the front so not many people noticed it but our direct neighbors commented and our waiter noticed it when he picked up the room service order in the middle of the night. I did only see one other decorated door, but I would do it on our next cruise...maybe my 50th! I think it's a fun thing!