What to do with purse at dinner?

thegoaliegirl · September 12, 2020

I carry a small crossbody purse around the ship with me. I never know what to do with it at dinner (or any other meal). I’ve tried hanging it from the chair but that never works, so I usually wear it. There has to be a better solution. (Leaving it behind in my stateroom isn’t an option). What do you do with your purse at dinner?

awhfy · September 12, 2020

I put it behind me on the chair or if sitting at a window on the window ledge

gotta cruise again · September 12, 2020

I too put it behind me on the chair but have encountered chairs not conducive to that trick. Love having a handy window sill too.

Using the strap on the back of the chair in combination with tucking the bag portion behind me seems to work pretty well.

I have a tiny crossbody for daytime and usually bring a small clutch for use each evening. I have been able to kinda-sorta hold it on my lap by tucking the napkin around it but that’s still pretty tenuous. As it doesn’t have much in it, I’ve been a bit more successful just slipping the end of it under my thigh.

I think a good solution would be one of those purse hooks that allow a bag to dangle under the edge of the table. Might have to double-up the strap on a cross body and the hook wouldn’t work with a clutch but would work with a bag with a little handle. Some of my clutches have an optional chain handle that I could use...but I now need to get one of those hooks!!

clo · September 12, 2020

Curious what you do when you go out to eat when not on a ship. I'd then do that.

I have this little drawstring pouch that came with a rain poncho which I've used on two different cruises. I carry my phone (camera), lip balm, a tissue and a comb, key card.

57redbird · September 12, 2020

Is the strap adjustable? You could turn it in to a 'fanny pack' type for around your waist for dinner - then adjust it back to be a crossbody.

shipgeeks · September 12, 2020

As soon as I'm seated, I take out my "menu glasses" and put them on the table; then the purse goes on my lap, under my napkin.

ohnonotmeagain · September 13, 2020

19 hours ago, clo said:

Curious what you do when you go out to eat when not on a ship. I'd then do that.

I have this little drawstring pouch that came with a rain poncho which I've used on two different cruises. I carry my phone (camera), lip balm, a tissue and a comb, key card.

Surely you wouldn't take this to dinner?

My bag goes on the floor between my feet and chair leg ,so that the waiter doesn't trip over it.

clo · September 13, 2020

25 minutes ago, ohnonotmeagain said:

Surely you wouldn't take this to dinner?

Surely???? Why wouldn't I? It carries everything I could need. (Forgot to mention reading glasses.) Carries flat in my hand. Sits to the left of my plate about where a napkin would be . Totally unobtrusive. Still wish OP would return and tell us what they do when they go out to eat on shore.

thegoaliegirl · September 13, 2020

Thanks for the suggestions. On land I carry a much larger purse, that tends to stay well on the back or side of a chair. Think I’m going to look for a purse hook.

thegoaliegirl · September 13, 2020

20 hours ago, 57redbird said:

Is the strap adjustable? You could turn it in to a 'fanny pack' type for around your waist for dinner - then adjust it back to be a crossbody.

This idea has never occurred to me! Might try that!

awhfy · September 13, 2020

I’ve always put my purse (always small) behind me or beside me in a chair. If the chair doesn’t have arms I’ll sit on the purse

aungrl · September 14, 2020

7 hours ago, thegoaliegirl said:

Thanks for the suggestions. On land I carry a much larger purse, that tends to stay well on the back or side of a chair. Think I’m going to look for a purse hook.

FWIW, my mother has one, and swears by it. She uses it all the time, and it seems to work for both largish and small purses.

Lois R · September 14, 2020

Hi, there is a product called a "Hand bag Hook".......here is a photo. You can google it as well. It works really well.

Sits near the edge of the table and will hold the strap of your bag🙂 This is just an example I found

on Amazon. There are tons more to choose from.

6 Pack Purse Hook Long Handbag Hanger for Table Desk, Creatiee Portable Bag Holder Under Counter Handbags Hook for Women G...

Lois R · September 14, 2020

Hi again, I should have said I know it works well because I used them for many years😃

ger_77 · September 24, 2020

I've had a purse or "hand bag" hook for many years and always bring them on cruises with us. It's particularly useful in the dining room on a ship because it sits at the edge of the table and the evening bag is close at hand if needed. I switched evening bags a few cruises ago, to one without a handle, so I simply sewed a little loop of ribbon to the inside near the zipper - I can flip it out and put the loop over the hanger and I'm done.