Came up with, I think, a good idea for future packing

[Cathy Maneri]

I've done over 20 plus cruises and I don't know why whenever I go to my closet to pack, I'm at a loss. Takes me hours to decided and I get exhausted. You would think I would know by now what to pack.

 

Started packing today for my 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise (I've done many of them and I also live in Miami, so I'm used to hot weather).

 

I like to pack for my Caribbean cruises with colorful tops and mostly white capris or slacks.

 

So once I figured out the blouses, white slacks, etc, I decided to lay them on my bed and take pictures of them with my tablet. Even added in the shoes I would wear.

 

Now when I go on my next cruise, I can refer back to the pictures and not be so stressed out.

 

Hopefully, they will still fit by the next cruise!

 

PS: I pack for hubby, he's easier to pack for, and will do the same picture taking as well.

 

Happy cruising to all!

[Hoyaheel]

I have photos of much of my wardrobe (since I shop online most of the time, I just save a copy of the catalog/website photo, though I'll also take photos of my actual clothing if necessary - if I can't find a simulacrum online.

 

For my trips, I create a powerpoint with the photos of my clothing items - one page all together, then each day so I know I can mix & match what I need. This works for warm or cool weather, business and/or leisure trips. And I have the same for my husband.

 

(got the idea from Janice at TheVivienneFiles.com - she does all her wonderful wardrobe compilations just using powerpoint, no fancy software;))

[NorthernLite]

I think I'll be trying this for our next cruise. Between flights and 2 nights in Anchorage and we head to Chicago early so we are in destress mode as we start our vacation, we are looking at 36 days. And while it is mid August to Mid September most of it will be very chilly. I do not want to overpack on this one! I also want to stick to one pair of waterproof short boots, my Sperry's, and I think 3 pairs of evening shoes of which two can work into the day also. I am tired of the last minute packing that began when we got married. I either forget the one piece that ties everything together or bring things I never wear. And everything will get a test drive in time for any changes or visits to the tailor (those 15# will come off!).

[GUT2407]

I must be slow, I just don't get it, I count th numbe if shirts, pants socks and undies I need and pull some out.

[marchie1053]

I must be slow, I just don't get it, I count th numbe if shirts, pants socks and undies I need and pull some out.

 

I have a special function to fill, so it is not as simple as you say. Think back to the advice your mother/grandmother gave you - if an accident occurs, I shout 'Make way - I am the clean underwear salesman' so I have to ensure that I have spare items to avoid the Doctor saying 'Your husband is OK - but his underwear was a disgrace ...' :o

 

I bought a new camera bag yesterday to accommodate the extra kit I purchased on the cruise 2 weeks ago ... There really is no hope for me - but, as long as I can take photos galore and look at them over a harbourside cafe coffee, I don't care ... :D

[Nora23]

Great Idea Cathy! I am going to steal it from you.

Marchie- I am an old Emergency Room nurse. Trust me we do not judge some one's undies when we are cutting them off :)

[carterd2002]

Taking pics of outfits is a great idea! I plan to do that for our July cruise and future ones too:)

[suezyq50]

I use a spread sheet and color code the cells. Print it out for easy reference.

[marchie1053]

Great Idea Cathy! I am going to steal it from you.

Marchie- I am an old Emergency Room nurse. Trust me we do not judge some one's undies when we are cutting them off :)

 

Now where have I heard that before? :eek: In which case my reason for existing is still secure - I can sell the patient new knickers instead of watching them struggle to reknot the elastic ... :D

[Nora23]

Now where have I heard that before? :eek: In which case my reason for existing is still secure - I can sell the patient new knickers instead of watching them struggle to reknot the elastic ... :D

 

I love that! Brought a smile to my face. :)

[kct5]

Great idea. I never thought of doing that. Thanks!

[QuilterGirl]

I have been on several cruises to the same place (say, Alaska,or the Caribbean). I keep Excel packing lists (one for cooler weather, one for warmer). These are helpful, but even better is that I keep another Excel spreadsheet, ongoing but with a separate entry for each trip, with columns for the date, day, activity, daytime top/bottom/"topper" if used/shoes/socks/other, with notes. Then there is a line for the same info for evening, for each day. I fill it out each evening as part of bedtime prep. It makes it easy to see what I actually wore in the past, and over the various cruises there is a definite pattern - so I don't have to reinvent the wheel each time. I will also make note of items that worked well, or didn't work well, or what needs to be fixed/purchased/etc. for next time. After my trip (if I remember), I will mark on my packing list what I didn't wear, for next cruise's reference. Note that I am an Excel junkie and take a laptop when traveling - YMMV.

[Roadtripster]

I just have what I call my "cruise box". Several different outfits, anything new I have bought, sandals, dress shoes, regular dresses and dressier ones too, etc. I really don't wear this type of clothing here at home. If I would need something like that, I head to the box.

[pcur]

I don't like to wear the same clothes every cruise, except my absolute favorites. I have a large long walk-in closet. We modified the master bathroom area when we bought the house new 10 years ago.

 

Anyway, all my tops and bottoms hang in color groups, so I decide what to wear based on weather and color.

 

When I book a cruise, I start "staging" what I want to wear a few months before in one area of the closet (could be done in a guest bedroom closet, too), switching out clothes over time as I change my mind. It's a no-stress way to decide, and then when it's time to pack it's all hanging in one place ready to go in the suitcase.

 

My husband, on the other hand, is "escorted" (read: dragged) to his side of the closet about a week before we go, and he picks out his shirts and slacks. He's more interested in trying on the slacks to make sure they still fit :D. Then, his clothes are ready to pack, too.

 

I'm not much of a shoe person, and always wear low-to-no-heeled sandals on cruises. So, the shoes come last, and I have my sparkly ones for evenings in black, and a pair in silver. I also have my dark taupe low wedge ones for brown outfits. These are all dressy thong style sandals. My feet swell sometimes, so this style is foolproof on cruises.