Attire shopping tips needed

[1st Cruise 4 me]

I'll be going on my very first cruise 2/17/07 on the Princess Diamond. I've read ththe Princess answer book about the clothes to bring. But any help from ladies that have been on past Mexican Riviera, or any cruise, would be most helpful in planning my wardrobe for the cruise. I'm 48 and want to look appropiate, not to casual but don't want to go overboard. Thanks in advance! Our group is doing the informal dining option

[mithryl]

I was on the Dawn this time last year. Most days were pretty casual. Since you've chosen to "opt-out" of the traditional dining with Formal nights, comfortable skirts, dresses or pants are all acceptable throughout the cruise.

At the show lounges, bars and casino, on formal nights (there are two on this trip) many of the "traditional diners" will be very dressed up coming from dinner. If you want to go to a show, etc. on these nights, you might feel out of place in anything too casual. Anything you would normally wear out to a nice restaurant will be just fine.

 

Enjoy your first cruise...don't be surprized if you get "hooked'...I did!

[Cruisin' Chick]

I'll be going on my very first cruise 2/17/07 on the Princess Diamond. I've read ththe Princess answer book about the clothes to bring. But any help from ladies that have been on past Mexican Riviera, or any cruise, would be most helpful in planning my wardrobe for the cruise. I'm 48 and want to look appropiate, not to casual but don't want to go overboard. Thanks in advance! Our group is doing the informal dining option

 

Just to make sure you're not misunderstanding the concept of Personal Choice: both traditional and anytime dining have the same dress code. You'll see from the daily Patters what the dress code, smart casual or formal, is for the night. You will be assigned to either traditional or anytime.

 

No matter which one you're assigned to, you can always decide to dine in a specialty restaurant (Sabitini's, etc., which have a cover charge) or the Horizon Court, which is the casual buffet (the only dress code there is "no bathing suits or coverups" as well as shoes of some sort). You can also get room service but sometimes there's a limited menu. And during the day, there's also the grill and pizzeria by the pool area outside.

 

As for clothing, just remember that the first couple of days and the last day may be on the cool side. You should check out the San Pedro weather on weather.com just before you pack (as well as any other places in LA you may plan to visit pre/post cruise). Today, it was in the 50s here and may be in the 40s tomorrow with temperatures in the 30s overnight -- not kidding, brrrrrrr. It can also get into the 80s if the Santa Anas are blowing. It's also our rainy season, so bring an umbrella.

 

When you get farther down into Mexico, it'll get warmer. As to what you will wear, it'll depend on any excursions you may be doing. Just for walking around (like we have done on our two MR cruises), a sundress or other light outfit may be fine.

 

Onboard, light dresses or a pantsuit will do for meals if you're avoiding formal nights in the dining room. I recommend a sweater for indoors as the AC tends to be blowing.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Oh, my first cruise was the MR one. You may want to bring along a few different motion sickness remedies as sometimes it gets rocky leaving LA. On my last cruise (the LA-Hawaii one which is definitely not for first timers), I took along ginger flavored-Altoids and candied ginger. I'm sure you'll have a blast and be counting the days to your second cruise.

[DetectiveMom]

My 1st cruise was on Royal Caribbean out of San Diego down to the Mexican Riviera during the first week of April.....

 

I packed 2 cocktail dresses (formal nights) and a variety of capri pants (casual nights).....Ann Taylor is a good choice as you can dress up those capris...but also dress them down. When I wanted to dress them up...I had a silk blouse and heels or dressing down, I wore a light fabric twinset and flats. Honestly, you can't go wrong with capri pants.

 

During the day...I wore swim suit, bermuda shorts and light casual skirts and plain t-shirts.

 

I never once felt out of place.

 

Good luck and enjoy your cruise! :)

[mii]

This is a sugggestion. There is a Fashion and beauty forum on this board. Just go and check that out. All sorts of information there for you.

 

Marilyn

[Aquarian]

I remember my first cruise was in February and I had a difficult time finding seasonal outfits, bathing suits, etc. I called Lands' End and the rep I reached was so helpful in finding white slacks, etc. for my trip. I would recommend taking sandals, both heeled and flat. Also, a pair of water shoes might come in handy. I aim for comfortable, but dressy casual outfits for evenings, except for formal nights and then I go all out. You will have so much fun! Enjoy!

[1st Cruise 4 me]

Thanks everyone! I think I'm almost prepared to go. I have found 1 formal dress, a pair of formal slacks and several tops that can be dressed up or down. I'm packing capris and skirts for the daytime along with tanks and t-shirts. I'm hoping to find some capri 'sweats' and matching jackets. mostly what I have found here in the midwest so far have been lightwight but long length 'sweat' pants, but am still looking. Again, thanks everyone!! I am so excited and am counting the days!

[MLJ57]

I will be on the same cruise! New to posting. This will be my 3rd cruise on Princess. My husband and I took this cruise last January. Was great for a few days. Ended up in Cabo hospital for 3 days. Nothing to do with the cruise. We had excellent care and were off to another week in Palm Springs. Do not over pack! Black slacks and a stunning top say a lot.

 

May see you on board! I will be at the aft adult pool!

 

MJ

[secretcastle]

1st cruise -

Try Old Navy for the capri sweats and jackets. The summer line started coming in right before Christmas. There are also some really cute denim and cotton capris and a lot of very lightweight tops.

Have a wonderful cruise!!!!

Julia

[kaykay51]

MJ and First cruise

We have a very active roll call going for this cruise along with 2 CC get togethers planned. Come over to the roll call board and join us. Are ya'll flying in on Friday? There are a number of talking about meeting Fri in LA also. Please join us.

Kay

[Pam in CA]

Lands End is my best friend. :) I love their things. Here are some of the things I pack:

 

* white, black and tan slacks

* silky long shirts to wear with the slacks

* a long black dress

* two (or three, depending on the length of the cruise) beaded dress shawls

* jeans and shirts for tours

* beige and black sandals that can be worn with either the slacks or dress

 

I also bring a couple of casual dresses since most of my cruises are longer than 1 week.

 

One thing I do is pull everything out that I think I want to bring and hang it on an over-the-door hanger in my bedroom. I then sort through it and put similar items together. I then re-think what I'm bringing so that I don't bring duplicates or two things that are too alike. I've found that I wind up leaving at least 1/3 - 1/2 of what I originally wanted to bring at home. And never miss it on the cruise.

[1st Cruise 4 me]

MJ and Kay, look forward to meeting you both. I am flying into LA on friday to meet the group I'm going with from Seattle area. We are staying at an airport hotel, slips my mind which one. Will check out the roll call board. Getting excited!!!!!! Bev

[TexasMom2]

I hope this isn't a duplicate - got the white screen, went back-back-refresh and it wasn't there.

 

For formal nights, I've got two options for bottoms. A black chiffon skirt that has tiers and hits right at the knee, and black palazzo pants with a chiffon overlay on each leg. Both roll up really small and resist wrinkles and can be worn with any kind of formal top. I take the skirt for summertime and pants for winter and wear them twice on a 7-dayer, although the skirt is my favorite because of the elastic waist. :)

[bjcanady]

Thanks everyone! I think I'm almost prepared to go. I have found 1 formal dress, a pair of formal slacks and several tops that can be dressed up or down. I'm packing capris and skirts for the daytime along with tanks and t-shirts. I'm hoping to find some capri 'sweats' and matching jackets. mostly what I have found here in the midwest so far have been lightwight but long length 'sweat' pants, but am still looking. Again, thanks everyone!! I am so excited and am counting the days!

 

Be sure to take a warm running suit for mornings and windy days, we even take one when leaving out of Lauderdale and always enjoy it at least one cool morning.......