Clothes

[jburke1566]

I'm thinking of the clothes necessary for this trip and it's starting to add up to quite a few bags. An outfit for daytime, an outfit for dinner....then do people change after dinner before going to shows or casino or whatever? Then there's the swimwear....I know I'm going to end up taking too much.

[Lionesss]

After two recent cruises and thinking I took as little as I could, I still brought home clothes I did not wear.

Now I take.

Usually take 2 formal dresses, one pair dress shoes.

3 pairs of capris, 6 tops to mix and match, one pair spike sandels.

4 short sets, one pair sneakers, one pair sandels.

3 bathing suites and cover up.

Usually extra undies and such.

Hair stuff, makeup,

And the most important MONEY to buy what you forgot.

Safe travels.

[uppitycats]

I'm thinking of the clothes necessary for this trip and it's starting to add up to quite a few bags. An outfit for daytime, an outfit for dinner....then do people change after dinner before going to shows or casino or whatever? Then there's the swimwear....I know I'm going to end up taking too much.

 

Despite what the fashionistas will tell you, you really DON'T need to be changing clothes all the time! Which cruise line are you going on?

 

You need to pack clothes that you can mix-and-match: choose a couple of colors that coordinate, then (yes, I know, some people are starting to groan), wear the same clothes a couple of times, switching off tops and bottoms. Dress up an outfit with a scarf or shawl or jewelry (assuming you're a woman) to change the appearance.

 

I get up in the morning, dress....and other than a shawl in the dining room at night, or occasionally a clean top or blouse, I'm pretty much dressed for the entire day. I don't change after dinner unless I've gotten particularly dressed up for dinner (not usually!) -- or spilled my dinner down the front of me :eek:.

 

People really won't notice that you've worn the same outfit twice (or more!) on your cruise. Or that you wore that top with a different bottom, yesterday. Or that what you're wearing now is what you wore to dinner. Or...

 

Unless you dress particularly outlandishly or stand-out-ish (made up words there), people really won't notice. And they won't notice that your shoes might not exactly match your outfit.

 

Do take a couple of swimsuits. They're hard to dry, and nothing is more uncomfortable than trying to slither into a damp suit.

 

Do take a comfortable pair of walking shoes, a pair or two of sandals (if you're a sandal-wearer!) A pair of dress shoes in a neutral color (or a color to match your predominate "dressy" outfit), a pair of beach shoes..and leave the rest at home.

 

A good packing tip: lay out all the clothes you want to take. Put half of them back in the closet. You're likely to STILL come home with some of them unworn! (And remember, even if the ship doesn't have a self-service laundry, there are other means to wash your clothes -- for pay -- or if you really DO "run out", it's an excuse to go shopping on land, somewhere! :p )

[jburke1566]

Hey! I like that shopping idea! I think I won't take much at all!!!! lol

[JanineM]

If you're sailing on one of the mainstream lines and going to the Caribbean or somewhere else where it is hot and humid, you'll go through more clothes. I always have great plans to wear a top a couple of times, but then after one wearing in high humidity it's in the laundry bag.

 

I normally change once ... one outfit for the day, one for the evening. If it's formal night and we want to be more casual later then I'll throw on a skirt or pair of capris ... and those will definitely be worn again. You'll need at least 2 swimsuits because they need to dry if you've been swimming. One coverup will usually do (although those are good to buy on the ship).

 

One way I have started to save packing space is by planning to have things cleaned. Rather that pack a couple of extra tops "just in case", I'll send them out to be cleaned on the ship. I do carry a lot of shoes, but most of them are easy to pack - not big old heels.

 

But where I've really been working to cut back is the "non clothes" items --- things like books that I plan to read, makeup I won't wear, all kinds of lotions and potions that will never be used. You can carry a lot of clothes in a small bag, but it's the other stuff that really adds up.

 

Good luck packing!

[cb at sea]

We frequently wear our shorts/daytime things more than once. I find that I put on a pair of shorts for breakfast, and then it's into a swimsuit until time to dress for dinner. We wear our dinnerclothes the rest of the evening....why not? We look great all dressed up, whether it's formal, or casual!

You really won't need as much daytime stuff as you think, especially if you're at the pool alot!

You don't HAVE to have more than 2 swimsuits....(even tho they take up little space!)

Try to keep shoes to a minimum--at least men's shoes...they weigh so much! Pack stuff inside them to take up ALL the space!

And it's true--no one will notice what you're wearing....folks on vacation take little notice of others!

[kitty9]

There's no way I'd take two sets of clothing for the evening. Wear what you put on for dinner for the entire evening. Changing after dinner adds so much more in your luggage.

[yogi2929]

A few of ideas to start you packing.

 

Start from the bottom up, with your shoes:) - day sandal, walking shoe or sneaker, pool flip flop or slide (these are also your slippers), dress shoe, water shoe. What clothes will go with these?

 

Mix and Match - Have every top go with every bottom (I'm still working on this one) 3 tops and 3 bottoms is nine outfits. Plan around a color scheme-Red/White/Blu, Black/White/Red or... For casual nights I will sometimes wear the same top the next day. Febreeze is your friend. Only one 'sweater' that will go with it all.

 

One 'formal' or 'cruise elegant' dress wearing different accessories. Or black dress pants and two fancy tops. I will wear the same thing all evening. For 'formal' nights I might change back to a casual evening outfit.

 

After you have laid it all out put half away and take twice the money.

 

Buy toiletries in the city you will be leaving from. We do this the night before when we fly in.

[Roadtripster]

I only pack dresses for evening. That way only 1 piece to pack.

 

On sea days I pack nothing for day wear. I figure I am in my swimsuit all day at the pool. If not, then I will wear a sundress that I packed. Once again, a one piece item.

 

On days I have shore excursions, I pack clothes appropriate to the excursion. When we get back on board, we usually just have time to shower and change into evening clothes.

 

As for after dinner, we stay dressed up in our dinner clothes. We aren't night owls, so why bring more clothes just for a couple of hours after dinner.

 

My one pair of dress shoes matches all my dresses.

 

Usually just use a carryon bag and I am good to go.