Western Mediterranean in early May

[m41475]

Ladies, what is the weather like at this time of year. I have looked at various weather sites and it looks lile 70's during the day. Also, when you send your laundry out to be done, does it come back washed and pressed or just laundered ? Finally, we have never cruised internationally, and I am finding packing for a 12 night cruise with 3 pre nights and 2 post nights is incredibly overwhelming, any tips wardrobe wise or packing would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Sherri

[CruisingGatorGirl]

Which cruise are you going on? I am Celebrity Solstice May 23 and having packing issues too! The weather has been all over the place. We are also spending a week in Paris after. I am having the hardest time packing and I am finding it impossible to pack light for a 3 week trip that includes formal nights!

 

I went to Europe end of May/early June in 2004 and I swear we were hot. When I look back at my pictures we look hot too... but the weather forcast does not look hot :confused:

[LBB]

I'm in the same dilemma and it's freaking me out. I'll be in Barcelona for 5 days, and then a week in the Mediterranean in the beginning of May.

[crazyred]

Layers.................that is the best way to go...........a great jacket or jean jacket can be thrown over t-shirts during the day and dressed up in the evening for dinner...............we are going to eastern Canada end of May and it won't be warm..........

 

For day/sightseeing I will have jeans, capris. tshirts and a great jean jacket.........evening on ship I wear black pants (dressy top for formal night) and skirts.......color coordinated tops.............for shoes I take two pair comfy walking shoes (one to be worn on the plane)....one pair flats and one pair mid heel comfy sandals (can be dressy or casual)....I also take a pair of walking flip flops that can be used on the ship and in the cabin.

 

Try not to take your closet with you.........if you have a few classic pieces on the bottom you can get creative with the tops and accessories........just be sure whatever you take is comfortable...........Med cruises are not as relaxing as the Caribbean....there is much to see and do............

 

Most of all enjoy the journey............

 

Crazyred

[Happy ks]

70's sounds like great weather for touring.

 

If your laundry is sent out marked to be laundered and pressed or dry cleaned, it is delivered back on hangers. I don't know about the ship you are sailing on, but laundry "specials" are typically wash and fold. Not what you want for nice clothing if you care about wrinkles and creases. Good for socks and underwear if you have that much to send out.

 

We were highly disappointed in the wash and fold service, we didn't realize that's what we were getting, our cabin steward changed the bag after we left for the day. Just about ruined my husbands shirts and everything except socks and underwear had to go back for pressing. Just an FYI, some people are happy with it.

[karen sharpe]

Well...barring the rotten rain that seems to descend it April it will be warm(in the mid 70's) through the day and windbreaker/ sweater weather in the evening. Always put a warm sweater set and waterproof windbreaker in your bag...along with dressy jeans!

[cookingchick]

We're preparing to go on our 2nd Med cruise at the end of May and I am, for the most part, packing the same way I did for our 1st Med cruise...which we did in August. Here's what I'm taking for a 12 night cruise with hotel stays before and after:

 

1 skirt (reversible)

2 day dresses

1 pair cargo capris

1 pair shorts

4 tops

2 lightweight sweaters

2 pashminas

5 sundresses for dinner (I wear each one twice)

1 long formal dress

1 short cocktail dress

2 tankinis

2 bikinis

1 coverup

2 pair walking sandals

1 pair dress shoes for formal nights

2 pair flat sandals for other nights

 

I pack more stuff for my husband then I do for myself. :D

 

2 pair casual pants

3 pair shorts

3 pair nice slacks

5 lightweight button down SS shirts

5 nicer t-shirts (i.e. Liz Claiborne knit)

1 lightweight fleece pullover

2 pool t-shirts

3 pair swim shorts

1 tuxedo with 2 dress shirts

1 pair walking sandals

1 pair Converse sneakers

1 pair fisherman sandals

1 pair flip flops

(Renting dress shoes this time)

 

It looks like a lot of stuff but it really folds up pretty compactly...I can even fold my evening gown and cocktail dress. The only thing that will be on a hanger and put in the top of our bag is the tuxedo. And, of course, we will be wearing some of this on the plane so it won't get packed.

 

Previously, I did a load of laundry onboard about halfway through the cruise which I plan to do again...I prefer to do my own...I'm kind of particular. :)

 

Layering is definitely the way to go...on our itinerary it will be cooler in Venice than it will be in Athens. And then you also have to think about covering your knees and shoulders when you visit all of the various churches/mosques...lots to consider! But it's a good problem to have, I think! :D

[Lois R]

I sail on May 11th:D.......and I fly to Rome on May 9th. It has been

raining in Rome for the past couple of weeks. I hope it clears up:eek:

 

Cooking Chick, I sail solo and so no worries about anyone else;)

but I am taking way more than 1 pair of cargo capris:eek:.....tours

in Athens, Ephesus, Messina, Naples and Santorini....and a tour

the afternoon I arrive in Rome as well. Your list does not look like

alot to me at all.........actually it looks very minimal (in my opinion;))

I have the lightweight cargo capris....they are Coral Bay from Bealls...

a lightweight cotton......I am bringing 4 pairs of them. Black, Light

Blue, Kahki color and a dark blue. I don't care if these wrinkle.

I am bringing 3 pair of shorts as well. Oh, you bring dresses for

the daytime...I don't...So your 2 daytime dresses are my extra

capris/shorts LOL I am going through my clothing again this

weekend:D

[Lois R]

Well...barring the rotten rain that seems to descend it April it will be warm(in the mid 70's) through the day and windbreaker/ sweater weather in the evening. Always put a warm sweater set and waterproof windbreaker in your bag...along with dressy jeans!

 

Hi Karen, hope you are doing well:) I am going on my first cruise

to the Med 2 weeks from TOMORROW:D...I fly to Rome on May 9th.

I heard it has been raining in Rome.....hoping it will clear up for me.

The sweater/warm up jacket is a staple for me...must have come

my background...no matter where we went my Mom always made me

bring a sweater;)

[m41475]

Hi everyone, thanks for the ideas. Cookingchick I like your list. I too like to wear sundresses and plan about 5 also. Will I have enough pool time for 4 swimsuits because if so, I better get shopping .

[karen sharpe]

Hi Karen, hope you are doing well:) I am going on my first cruise

to the Med 2 weeks from TOMORROW:D...I fly to Rome on May 9th.

I heard it has been raining in Rome.....hoping it will clear up for me.

The sweater/warm up jacket is a staple for me...must have come

my background...no matter where we went my Mom always made me

bring a sweater;)

Your Mom raised a lovely daughter!

I am doing well thank you ...trying to travel as much as I can before age creeps up.

Your breath will be taken away on your wonderful Med cruise.

Rome will probably be pretty warm...have a gelatto for me!

[cookingchick]

Hi everyone, thanks for the ideas. Cookingchick I like your list. I too like to wear sundresses and plan about 5 also. Will I have enough pool time for 4 swimsuits because if so, I better get shopping .

 

LOL...I usually bring more swimwear than I need but I like to have choices in case I overdo it in the dining room! :o We only have 2 sea days on my upcoming cruise but we're doing the Greek Isles so we'll be hitting a LOT of beaches too. Hope you have an awesome trip!

[cookingchick]

Cooking Chick, I sail solo and so no worries about anyone else;)

but I am taking way more than 1 pair of cargo capris:eek:.....tours

in Athens, Ephesus, Messina, Naples and Santorini....and a tour

the afternoon I arrive in Rome as well. Your list does not look like

alot to me at all.........actually it looks very minimal (in my opinion;))

I have the lightweight cargo capris....they are Coral Bay from Bealls...

a lightweight cotton......I am bringing 4 pairs of them. Black, Light

Blue, Kahki color and a dark blue. I don't care if these wrinkle.

I am bringing 3 pair of shorts as well. Oh, you bring dresses for

the daytime...I don't...So your 2 daytime dresses are my extra

capris/shorts LOL I am going through my clothing again this

weekend:D

 

Yes...the cargo capris will work out well...comfy AND your knees are covered! :D I look like a boy in pants and shorts :o so I tend to go for skirts and dresses more unless I'm doing something truly outdoorsy...like Ephesus.

 

You are so close now...I truly hope your first Med cruise won't be your last!

[Lois R]

Your Mom raised a lovely daughter!

I am doing well thank you ...trying to travel as much as I can before age creeps up.

Your breath will be taken away on your wonderful Med cruise.

Rome will probably be pretty warm...have a gelatto for me!

 

Hi Karen, thank you for the compliment:)

[Lois R]

Yes...the cargo capris will work out well...comfy AND your knees are covered! :D I look like a boy in pants and shorts :o so I tend to go for skirts and dresses more unless I'm doing something truly outdoorsy...like Ephesus.

 

You are so close now...I truly hope your first Med cruise won't be your last!

 

Hi:) I like skirts and dresses for evenings on the ship but for daytime

I do shorts and capris;)

 

I am going to start sorting through the clothing that is now out on the

bed in the spare bedroom today. Yes, I know I don't leave till May 9th

but you know how that goes LOL

 

I have the following dresses/skirts/slacks for nighttime:

2 pair of black slacks......1 silk, 1 a lightweight knit.

1 blue animal print skirt

1 watercolor skirt

1 black skirt

1 black and white dress

1 purple print dress

1 aztec print dress

1 fushia color dress

 

ALL the dresses and skirts are in the wonderful world of no wrinkle

matte jersery materials.....they fold up small too. Of course I have

to sort out the tops for the skirts/pants as well. And I have no

problem wearing one of the black bottoms more than once;)

 

Now those clothes are for night time.....I have the daytime stuff

.....4 pair of capris, 2 pair of shorts (they are not "SHORT") but

I guess they are considered Bermuda?....comes down to my knees.

 

I also pack some nicer ankle pants...and that is for "just in case"

events on the ship. They are a light tan, (beige) and I always bring

them LOL.....with a cute watercolor style top.

 

And then my tops......I counted way too many...think I need to cut

back........