Formal Night on a Dinner Cruise - What to Wear

Cruises are typically a laid back affair, but despite being a way to relax and take a vacation, it`s fun to dress up nicely from time to time. If you've never been on a dinner cruise before, you`ll probably want to ensure that you know what to wear for formal attire.

Formal Night on a Cruise: What to Wear

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Cruises are typically a laid back affair, but despite being a way to relax and take a vacation, it`s fun to dress up nicely from time to time. Formal nights allow just that. If you`ve never been on a dinner cruise ship before, you`ll probably want to ensure that you know what to bring for formal night.

Dressing Up on a Dinner Cruise

It`s normal to dress semi-formally for dinner on a cruise, particularly if you are eating in the nicer dining room, as opposed to ordering in or eating at a more informal area. A nice dress or slacks and a blouse for women are appropriate for these dinners, a suit or slacks and a tucked in button-down shirt work well for men.

Another opportunity to dress up a bit would be when you hit the dance floor on the cruise ship. Many people prefer to wear nice clothes and shorts are generally frowned upon in this case.
These are the normal situations that you would find yourself dressing up for on a cruise. Nothing terribly formal and the atmosphere is still relatively casual. Not so on Formal Night.

What to Pack for Formal Night on a Cruise

The formal night on a cruise is meant to be one of a kind and it shows. While a nice suit can be acceptable for a man, tuxedos are now the norm on many cruises. Just think of what you would wear to a nice wedding . . . if it would pass there, then you`re probably good to go.

Women have far more choice in what to wear. Formal ballgowns are definitely an option, but your most elegant "little black dress" can also be very appropriate. Again, imagine wearing it to a wedding and you`ll know if it`s formal enough. Women may choose to wear brighter colors, like red or emerald green, but when in doubt, stick to black or white to be sure you`ll fit in.

For women, matching shoes and jewelry is a must. If you have an elegant gold chain or something more formal such as a string of pearls, that will dress up any outfit. Matching earrings add an extra touch of elegance to the outfit, too. Add a touch of more formal makeup and do your hair up for the ultimate in elegant looks.

Can You Rent?

Often cruise ships will have a tuxedo and dress rental where you can pick up something for the evening that will be appropriate. However, these rentals are usually booked very early, so make sure to book as soon as you board, or even earlier, if possible. This requires that you be aware of the option, of course, so you`ll need to talk to your cruise ship representative about the Formal Night.

If you find that you are just really stressing out about the dinner cruise event, just make it easy on yourself. Call up the cruise line ahead of time to find out just what is required. Are they offering rentals? Will there be a theme to the Formal Night? Preparing yourself for this event will keep the stress levels to a minimum and allow you to truly enjoy the cruise.

Formal Night is a night meant to be super romantic and beautiful. While not everyone enjoys dressing up, it is still a wonderful occasion to enjoy your partner and have fun in a more upscale environment where you can be the belle of the ball or the prince of the hour for a short while. Just be prepared and arrange everything ahead of time to make sure you won`t be thinking about the event the whole time.

Formal Night on a Dinner Cruise - What to Wear

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Wedding Cruise - A Novel Idea

In a person's life wedding is so blissful and special that its preparation including invitations designing, selection of the menu, and choosing the colors for creation of attractive environment, becomes a matter of pleasure. However there are many other important tasks like budgeting, organizing entertainment, and hiring a minister of course. One making wedding arrangements has no doubt to pass through stresses and strains.

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Wedding cruise is the lovely idea of cruise liners

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A wedding can be conveniently arranged on a cruise ship though the idea is novel no doubt. If you prefer to arrange wedding, from its A to Z- the ceremony, the reception and the honeymoon-within your financial limitations, on a cruise ship it would be very charming. Many cruise lines are capable enough to organize a wedding on board taking care of all its aspects. The person in charge of planning wedding in that organization can do that for a few thousand dollars while if you are lucky enough you may get offers at less than thousand dollars for slightly less gorgeous but very impressive wedding still on board. That the honeymoon vacation on a luxury cruiser is included in that makes it so very attractive to you.

Wedding destinations can be cruise ships

Obviously it is not a practical proposition that all your invitees will get a cruise ticket each to join your wedding celebration and enjoy the cruise trip. But the cruise lines allow the guests to be on board the ship during the ceremony and a few more hours afterwards at the reception. However, the ships often remain anchored on the ports since legal difficulties they may face on marriage license issues and sometimes queries are raised whether the marriage took place on the international waters or within the national limits.

Honeymoon on cruise ships-the sea and the sky bless the pair

To make your wedding arrangement worth remembering forever the cruise lines put in their maximum efforts. The rates offered for by the Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises and Disney Cruises appear reasonable especially on consideration of the advantages included with their wedding packages. Packages wherein the bride and the bridegroom will feel like a princess and prince before the wedding are offered by the Princes Cruises. Extra attractions like romantic live music with stringed instruments, flowers and candles, will make the event unforgettable for your guests and dear ones.

Wedding Cruise - A Novel Idea

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Maximize Your Cruise Wardrobe With These Packing Tips

Cruises are a fun opportunity to dress up and look your best but how do you look fresh every day without bringing your whole closet?

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The first thing you need to think about is what type of clothing you will need. Will you be attending fancy dinners or dressing casual the whole time? Is there a theme party you would like to attend? Will you be dancing until dawn in your best dance dress? Some of these may necessitate bringing special attire and you want to make sure you have room set aside in your luggage for this.

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If you will be dressing for dinner, one way to stretch your cruise wardrobe is to coordinate separates. Stick to no more than 3 coordinating colors such as black, white and tan. This way you can bring 1 pair of slacks, 1 skirt, 2 nice shirts and 2 jackets and make them look like 8 brand new and fresh outfits by mixing up what piece you wear with what. For example, the slacks paired with shirt 1 and jacket 1 could be one outfit, substitute shirt 2 with the same slacks and jacket for a whole new look! Now substitute the skirt in and you get another whole new look! In addition, you can use scarves and accessories to give each outfit a whole new look.

The same method can be applied for your casual wear. If you stick to a coordinating color scheme, you can get more mileage out of each piece since it will tend to look different when it is paired with a different top or bottom.

Deciding which shoes to take is perhaps the hardest of all! If you are anything like me, you have a perfect pair for each outfit and you'll want to take them all! Of course, you may not have room in those suitcases so you must be selective in what you bring. I suggest you wear your bulkiest shoes, like sneakers, onto the ship - this way the will not be taking up space in your luggage. Bring a dressy shoe and a more casual shoe as well. Make sure you think about color when you pack the shoes, if you are bringing only black dressy slacks then white sandals might not look so good!

Finally, to get more space in your suitcase for clothes, find out if the ship will be supplying beach towels and hair dryers. If they are then you can leave yours at home and free up some suitcase space for more clothes!

Maximize Your Cruise Wardrobe With These Packing Tips

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Ten Things Not to Forget on Your Next Caribbean Cruise

Here are a few items to pack before heading on your next cruise to the Caribbean, Bermuda, the Bahamas, or Mexico.

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* 1. Ambient Noise Maker It's possible that the guests next door may keep you up longer than you would like to stay up. Kids running up and down the halls or neighbors that have had one too many to drink, can disturb your sleep. An ambient noise maker can help drown out the background noise and give you a better night's sleep.

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* 2. Snorkel If you are taking a cruise to tropical waters, there is a good chance that snorkeling is on your itinerary. Snorkeling tours usually have swim fins, swim mask, and a snorkel included free of charge on your excursion. You need to think though - how many mouths have been on that snorkel?

* 3. Camera Cruise lines have many photographers that capture great pictures while you are on your cruise. The problem is that they don't usually go on excursions with you. I would recommend a decent, but not too big or expensive of a camera to take with you. A big camera can get too heavy and an expensive one may make you a target of crime.

* 4. Sea Sick Medicine You never know when the rolling seas will make your stomach sick. There are patches and other medications to help ease sea sickness.

* 5. Diarrhea Medicine Yuck. From a bad drink of water on a tropical island to too many preservatives in some cruise ship foods, these problems can lead to a spoiled vacation.

* 6. Cell Phone On some islands you may actually be able to call home without having to pay for higher fees from the ship or 'calling shops" on land.

* 7. Plastic Bag A plastic bag comes in handy for keeping money, passports, or other important documents dry. Rain showers or ocean spray while on excursions can damage these items.

* 8. Back Pack Great for carrying your camera, snacks, water, sunscreen, or other items while on an excursion.

* 9. Comfortable Shoes Sandals can rub blisters on your feet. A good, comfortable pair of shoes are especially important on excursions where a lot of walking is called for.

* 10. Hat A baseball cap or another type of hat is a good way of keeping your head from getting sunburned. It doesn't take long in the tropics to get sunburned with the high sun angle.

Ten Things Not to Forget on Your Next Caribbean Cruise

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Planning For a Caribbean Cruise Vacation - Making the Most of a Romantic Experience

A Caribbean cruise vacation would be the ideal way to relax and rejuvenate oneself. Or to spend quality time with family and love one. All too often, the seemingly perfect vacation can quickly turn into disaster as unexpected problems crop up or somebody's expectation is not met.

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The Caribbean seas offer a variety of scenery, cultural experience, fun and excitement. It is a favorite area for many cruise vacationers. The combination of the sunny climes, beautiful white sandy beaches and exotic tourist attractions is heady. There are 3 main areas, which the major cruise lines ply, the Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean. The Western and Eastern Caribbean are easily accessible from the USA while many will choose a fly-cruise package for the Southern Caribbean.

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Firstly, consult all travelling mates to ensure that everybody has the right expectation from the trip. Some may be looking forward to an adventure while other are keen on the historical stuff. Whether they are adult friends or your young children, make them part of the decision process. You can start by gathering information on the cruise packages. Assign some of these tasks to the young ones, they will appreciate the responsibilities. Read up on traveler's review, the cruise liner's website and finally consult your local travel agent. Your travel agent will probably be able to give you a discounted package, as the cruise business is highly competitive.

The next thing to consider after deciding on your cruise destination is to buy an appropriate travel insurance. This will prevent headaches over lost luggage especially if you are making a connecting flight. That is sure way to derail your holiday plan before it even started.

Almost everything is provided or available onboard the cruise ships but it will be prudent to pack some emergency supply. Below is a list of things to consider:

a. Valid passport with at least 6 months validity
b. Appropriate visa for the country to be visited
c. Emergency cash (Do not touch for the casino or shopping)
d. Credit card with PIN
e. Local currency
f. Currency conversion chart
g. Prescription medicine
h. On the counter medication for minor ailment like headache, diarrhea and sea sickness
i. Bug spray
j. Sunscreen, moisturizer, hat and lip sun block
k. Photocopy of your passport (in case your original is lost, it will be easier to seek assistance)
l. A separate photo ID e.g. driving license
m. List of emergency telephone number (Local emergency number should be available from the ship crew when making port calls. Have your local embassy or consulate contact numbers handy.)
n. Suitable clothing including warm clothing for night out on the deck.
o. Rubber sole shoe (Non-slip sole for ship use and comfortable enough for walking especially if you are sightseeing during port calls.)
p. Sporting gear (e.g. swimming goggle, tennis shoes etc)
q. A reliable watch. Preferably with dual or world time. (To keep track of time during port calls. You do not want to hold up the ship on departure.)
r. Alarm clock
s. Electrical socket adapter (for handphone charging etc)
t. Spare batteries and memory cards or films for your camera (you may be surprise at the number of shots taken.)
u. A small flashlight
v. Luggage lock
w. Duct tape (for emergency packing if you over-shop and killed your luggage bag)

Planning For a Caribbean Cruise Vacation - Making the Most of a Romantic Experience

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Cruise Packing List - What You Must Take on a Cruise

Packing is the toughest part of cruise ship travel. Use the following cruise packing list to avoid ruining your vacation by forgetting needed items. You will save a load of money by avoiding to purchase supplies you could have easily packed.

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Essential Items

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Airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation Cruise documents, passports and visas Driver's license and auto insurance card - For driving in your ports of call Medical insurance cards and medical history List of medications you are taking One credit card - Keep the rest at home Cash or travelers checks and receipt 3 copies of passport and visas, Driver license, Airline tickets, Cruise tickets, Itinerary - One in your carry-on, one in your checked luggage, and leave one at home Plug adapters and converter Contact numbers to report lost/stolen credit cards or travelers checks Wallet wrapped in a rubber band. A cruise packing list tip to avoid pickpocketing.

Cruising Packing List for Men

Boxers, briefs Athletic shoes, dress shoes, sandals, flip-flops for the beach Sports jacket, tie, casual shirts and dress shirts Belts, hat, caps, socks (formal, sport) Pants (formal and casual), jeans, shorts Swim suit Pajamas, T-shirts, undershirts Workout clothes Dark suit or tuxedo with appropriate shirt and cufflinks Windbreaker jacket, sweatshirt, raincoat

Cruising Packing List for Women

Lingerie, pajamas Belts and scarves. Costume Jewelry. Leave the real stuff back home Evening shoes, comfortable walking shoes and sandals, socks, flip-flops for the beach. Shorts, slacks, skirts, jeans, sundresses Wide-brimmed hat and cap Shirts and blouses, short-sleeved, long-sleeved, and sleeveless Workout clothes Swim suit and sarong Dress for informal, formal and casual nights, and evening sweater Windbreaker jacket, sweatshirt, raincoat, sweater

Toiletries and Sundries

Comb, Brush, Shower cap Deodorant, razor, shaving kit, shaving Cream Shampoo, conditioner, styling products Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss Blow dryer, straightening iron, curling iron, scrunchies Eyeliner, eye Shadow, mascara, blush, lipstick, lip balm Makeup remover, facial cleanser, moisturizer Soap gel or soap in plastic container Nail clippers and file packed in checked luggage Hair gel, hair spray Make-up mirror, tweezers, nail polish and remover Contact lenses cleaner Hand sanitizing lotion

Medical Needs and Supplies

Antibiotic cream, bug repellent, cortisone 1% anti-itch cream Anti-diarrhea medication, sea-sickness medications, pain reliever Birth control, prescription medications Bandages, band-Aids, anti-bacterial wipes Sun screen

Electronics and Miscellaneous Items

Digital camera and case, batteries, memory cards, manuals, disposable underwater camera Cell phone and charger, laptop and charger Small flashlight and night light for interior rooms, small travel alarm clock Two sets of sun glasses, contacts lenses, and reading glasses. Guidebooks, foreign language dictionary, maps Paperbacks, journal, notebook, pen, pencil, playing cards Binoculars, snorkeling gear Currency converter Crazy Glue, plastic ziplock bags Lint roller, duct tape for damaged hems and bags Plastic cable-lock ties for securing luggage upon departure, extra luggage name tags Sewing kit and scissors, travel-sized clothes detergent Empty bag for souvenirs and shore excursions

Being prepared will ensure an enjoyable retreat. Avoid ruining a perfect cruise vacation by neglecting to bring all your essentials. It can be a costly mistake.

Cruise Packing List - What You Must Take on a Cruise

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Packing Tips for Your Caribbean Cruise

A Caribbean cruise can be a wonderful experience. Exotic ports of call. warm tropical weather. But, there are a few packing tips to keep in mind.

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Even though the weather is expected to be warm (preferably hot!) you will want to have something to wear for the potentially cool evenings. Even the air-conditioned dining rooms and lounges aboard your cruise ship can feel too cool for your "summer" attire. Tip one for your Caribbean cruise (as with all cruises) be prepared for the unexpected.

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Many travelers will want to get a whole new wardrobe of fantastic cruise wear for your vacation because they have "nothing to wear". Relax, you will likely have everything you need right in your closet. Of course, that new killer outfit of cruise wear may simply be a necessity!

As with most cruises, comfortable walking shoes are a must. The magnificent cruise ships can be deceiving in size. And of course most of the shore excursions require some walking. Another important packing tip is: don't buy brand new walking shoes for your cruise. Make sure that your walking shoes are well broken in and comfortable.

Beach and pool attire is acceptable in most of the open air areas of the ship on your Caribbean cruise. For daytime dining rooms and lounges you may require shorts and tops. Shoes and sandals are usually required except in the pool and deck areas mainly for health and safety.

For the formal evenings, you will require special attire. Ladies will want an evening or party gown, a pant suit or two, or a pair of black silky "cocktail" type pants matched with a couple of tops. The latter can take up less packing space and are virtually wrinkle free. They also quite often have an expandable waste (another tip for the marvellous cuisine you'll experience!).Men usually require a dark suit or jacket with tie, or a tuxedo. It's always best to check the specific requirements for your cruise ship in advance. For those of you who would rather not pack formal cruise wear, many cruise ships have rentals available. You should however plan for this well in advance. And of course, there are usually restaurants where casual attire is always welcome.

The rest of the evenings usually call for a more dress casual attire. Sport shirts and trousers for men and more casual dresses, pantsuits, or skirt/slacks/blouses for women are the norm.

When planning your Caribbean cruise as with most travel, an important packing tip is to keep your medications with you in your carry-on luggage. You may not receive your checked luggage for a few hours after boarding the ship. There is also the remote possibility (as with any travel) that your luggage may get lost or misplaced.

Because your luggage may be late in arriving, another packing tip is to include a change of attire in your carry-on luggage. You may wish to get into something more relaxing. (This also gives you two outfits in case - just in case mind you - that your luggage does get misplaced.)

Make sure to pack your binoculars and camera with extra film or digital memory and of course, don't forget your sunscreen! If you should happen to forget the odd item, the shops on board will usually have what you need. Now... sit back and relax! You're all ready to go.

Packing Tips for Your Caribbean Cruise

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What to Wear to a Corporate Dinner Aboard a Chartered Cruise

If you've never attended a corporate dinner aboard a cruise ship, you are in for a treat. These special business events are usually held on small cruise ships or yachts that have been chartered specifically for the event, providing the opportunity for a lot of fun and a very unique business environment.

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For many people who are about to attend their first cruise dinner, what to wear can be a bit of an issue. Obviously a cruise is a slightly different situation than a private dinner at an elegant restaurant and yet, it's a corporate event, so many are confused as to how formal they need to be.

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In general, chartered cruises are quite elite and elegant. Attending a business dinner on one usually calls for fairly formal clothing, but you will also need to be comfortable.

The Practicalities of Dressing for a Cruise Dinner

Most cruises will request that you wear non-marking, soft soled shoes when you are aboard. For ladies, this means no high heels, which can cause you to lose your balance. Remember that this is a boat and as such, it will be rocking and moving with the water, even in relatively calm seas. Black sneakers or formal shoes with a good grip are often used by men, women will find there are a variety of low, comfortable shoes that will let them stay upright while walking on the deck.

Men will find that a nice suit is appropriate, though slightly less formal clothing is usually acceptable. Dress pants and a nice button down shirt is often the norm, particularly on hot evenings. Women can wear a cocktail dress, but may be more comfortable in slacks and a blouse, given the circumstances.

Women tend to find it easier to do their hair in a fairly simple style that can be redone easily if it's mussed by the wind. Keep accessories to a minimum and you'll have less to keep track of while enjoying the cruise.

What to Bring on the Cruise

Being on the water, things tend to cool down faster in the evening, so if you will be out after dark, it's a good idea to bring a wrap or jacket with you. The wind tends to pick up on the water and can add to the coolness of the night. You'll want to be comfortable so opt for a jacket even if you think it's too warm during the day. After all, it's not like you can simply run back to the car to pick it up.

If you are looking at a longer cruise, culminating in an elegant dinner, don't forget to bring lip balm and a comb. The wind and sun tend to mess up the best of hairstyles and it's a good idea to redo your hair before going to dinner. The lip balm will help protect your lips from chapping in the wind and sun.

The main purpose of a corporate dinner Toronto harbour cruise is to provide an enjoyable environment to meet with those in your company. It can be a great way to lay the groundwork for a deal or merger, as well. Being comfortable in your clothing and at ease on the boat will help you deal easier with the actual cruise and hence more comfortable at dinner. Dress formally, but keep in mind where you will be and make sure that safety and comfort are also taken into account. If in doubt, go ahead and talk to the organizers about what they expect in the way of clothing.

What to Wear to a Corporate Dinner Aboard a Chartered Cruise

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Cruise Fashion

Smart packing for cruises ensures that you have fashionable and worry-free trips and cruises. Cruising is not just a vacation, it's more than that. Dressing up is an absolute must particularly during night socials and while you are in the main dining hall. The policies concerning dress codes have been loosened by quite a few cruise-ships, the premier lines still keep up the old traditions of dressing. In a way it is a good thing because many people on cruises want get away from the monotony of daily life. They get a break from the daily routine by dressing up. Dressing up, really is not such a problem. The actual problem is the packing that gets many (women particularly) frustrated.

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There may have been countless times when you have been denied at the airport or ship on account of overflowing suitcases. Just because you have to dress up on cruise does bring in the need to pack up your entire wardrobe. A good idea would be to familiarize with the cruise's itinerary. You get a general idea of what to pack and what sort of shoes, clothes and accessories should be included. Usually, the itinerary is printed on the brochure. If you'd like to confirm, give a call to the travel agency associated with the cruise. Generally, cruises require that three kinds of activities: smart casual affairs, casual/sporty activity and a formal social. It is very rarely that people notice what shoes or pants you are wearing as long change your accessories and tops.

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Packing good day wear is necessary as you certainly won't be spending your days locked up in the cabin. Day wear can range from anything to shorts, t-shirts, swimsuits and jeans. Cruises to the Bahamas, will require sarongs, swimsuits and other breezy wear. If you going for a Scandinavian trip, gloves, jackets, hiking boots and hiking clothes are absolute essentials. For sudden change in temperatures, carry along wraps, sweat shirts and lightweight windcheaters.

Night time on board the ships usually have socials that you have to dress up for. Carry along a dress (formal) and a few key pieces of jewelry, this is handy if the itinerary specifies mainly formal events. Dresses that have multiple functions should be picked up: tube, asymmetrical, tube or with straps. Buying one type and packing one type is a good idea as luggage space is saved. The standard black dress works, but you must change the accessories that go along with it. Shawls, necklaces and ear rings are brilliant additions to the whole outfit. If your preferences are pantsuits, carry along several tops to go with it and a pair of dress slacks.

If you follow the two main principles, it's highly unlikely that you will go wrong: fashion and function. The most vital aspect is the enjoyment. Not your appearance. By some smart packing, you'll find that there's still room to pack in those souvenirs. Plus you also avoid extra charges. With a little attention to details packing up for a cruise will be definitely simple process.

Cruise Fashion

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Gentlemens Cruise Clothing

Cruise Clothing - Gentlemen

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Caribbean Cruise Clothing - Gents Clothing - Day Time

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Anything goes here really gentlemen, it's that easy. If you want to spend all of your sea days on board in and around the pool, taking part in the fun under the sun, you are fine in what ever light weight clothes you choose to bring with you.

Shorts, light weight shirts, T shirts, flip flops, training shoes, sweat pants what ever you feel comfy in around a pool (Speedos do tend to scare the fish though).

If however, you might want to venture to the main dining room for lunch, pack at least a pair of smartish looking shorts and a light weight shirt to put in for the dining room lunch time attire. Even a T shirt covering your biceps is fine. No wet trunks. Leave your baseball caps in your cabin or in your bag during all meal times.

Caribbean Cruise Clothing - Gents Clothing - Evening

A couple of pairs of chino style trousers will do nicely for the cruise. Easy to fold and pack, light weight and excepted in all of the on board public areas. Suitable for all evening meals along with a pair of light weight shoes and short sleeve shirts. Smart T shirts covering the biceps are fine too for dinner on casual nights. Smart looking jeans with a shirt,shoes also fine. Avoid shorts, tank tops and baseball caps at dinner in the main dining room.

For more clothing for cruises advice, simply click on below link.

Gentlemens Cruise Clothing

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Can I Wear a Sports Jacket on a Formal Night Cruise? - Dress Codes Inside Major Cruise Lines

Can I wear a sports jacket on a formal night cruise? I've always been very stubborn when it comes to wearing a formal attire in any ocassion and a cruise is no exception. It's always been a tough job when it comes to packing for a cruise and you have to consider that most cruise lines today give a mix of formal, informal and casual wear.

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What does "resort casual" really mean? Are there different levels of wearning a "formal" attire? Do you really have to pack an evening dress or a tuxedo on a cruise? Is there any parts of the ship where one can wear different attires?

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Proper dining attire will be different for every ship. This will depend on the itinerary and the length of the trip. Typically a one week cruise will have 1-2 formal nights. And all cruise lines will brief the passengers on what to wear during the night.

Pay close attention -- You don't have any idea how the cruise industry works and you're actually being taken advantage of. I'll let you in a secret on how to outsmart them at the end of this article but first let's take a look at the dress codes on some of the major cruise lines.

Carnival - It's mandatory that you wear a formal attire in the dining room. A formal attire for men include a tuxedo, suit and tie, or a sports coat and slacks. Women can wear evening gowns and cocktail dresses. Resort casual attire are also appropriate. Shorts, t-shirts and swimsuits are not advisable to wear in the dining area at night. If you're traveling with kids then the dress code is also same for them.

How about if you don't want to dress up? You can always go to the Lido restaurants which are open every night except on the last evening of the cruise.

Princess - They have smart casual nights and you can wear whatever it is you're wearing when you go to a fine dining restaurant. You cannot wear jeans and you must have your shoes on all the time.

Holland America - You can wear comfortable and loose clothing when it comes to their casual evenings. Men can wear their jackets and their ties if they want to. As always pantsuits and dresses are good for women. You can also wear jackets and ties during their formal evenings.

Celebrity - It's almost always the same drill when it comes to their formal wear. Men can wear a jacket, tie and slacks. Women can wear a sporty attire and pantsuits. If you're going on a specialy restaurant, they require men to wear jackets with ties and blouses or pants would be fine for women.

Can I Wear a Sports Jacket on a Formal Night Cruise? - Dress Codes Inside Major Cruise Lines

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What To Pack On Your Cruise Vacation

Bon voyage - pack it up!

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The chore of packing is a necessary evil of cruise travel. But paying attention to the details can prevent disappointment and can even give a certain edge to a trip to make it more enjoyable. Why not resolve this year to take your cruise vacation packing to a new level?

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What to pack

Standing before a drawer and closet full of clothes figuring out what to wear for a cruise can seem daunting. Here are some ideas on what to pack.

Day wear

For warm-weather cruises, bring quality swimwear, as you're likely to spend a lot of time in or around the pool. For women, sarongs, cover-ups and sundresses are necessary, since most cruise lines require that you wear more than a swimsuit in the dining rooms.

If the ship holds an event requiring "smart casual" wear, you'll be fine in dress shorts, a skirt, or trousers along with a short-sleeved shirt or polo shirt. The rest of the time you can dress pretty much as you like. Useful accessories include flat shoes with a good grip for wet decks, sunglasses and a sun hat.

If you are going on an Alaska cruise or other outdoor adventure, bring hiking shoes and rugged clothes for the shore excursions. The key to an Alaska cruise is to dress in layers since the conditions can go from cold to hot to wet very quickly.

Evening wear

Most cruises will have one or two formal evenings a week. Men are expected to wear a dark suit or tuxedo; women should wear an evening dress (long or short) or a dressy pantsuit. Men can often rent tuxedos on board. For evenings that are less dressy, women can get away with silky tops and trousers. Be sure to pack a dressy sweater or jacket, especially for the newer cruise ships, whose air conditioning can be quite powerful. A pashmina wrap is versatile and provides an extra layer in the evening, and it does double duty as an airplane blanket.

Mix and match

Consider wearing outfits more than once. If it looks good and is appropriate, who cares how many times you wear it? Keep it simple and change your look from the waist up while wearing the same bottoms -- slacks, skirts or shorts -- throughout the trip. A scarf or bold jewelry pieces can change the look of a basic outfit. Other options include reversible clothes, which give many different looks for minimum packing. If you're concerned about running out of clean clothes, don't worry. Most vessels have self-service laundries along with valet laundry service for a fee. And remember, if you forget to pack something or don't want to do laundry, most ships offer a good selection of clothing, swimwear and accessories in their onboard shops. What you can't get on board, you can easily find in any port of call.

10 packing tips

If you follow these basic, common-sense tips, you can pack only what you need, safeguard expensive items and keep track of important paperwork.

Pack your airline tickets, cruise documents, jewelry, medication, eyeglasses, makeup, camera and computer in your carry-on luggage, not in your checked baggage. Also, bring photocopies of your passport and prescriptions in case these items get lost. Also put a swimsuit and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag. It sometimes takes hours for your luggage to be delivered to your stateroom, and you don't want to miss any ship time stuck in your traveling clothes. Pack your toiletry kit with small travel-sized items. Better yet, get small refillable bottles and bring your favorite grooming products. Pack heavy items like shoes and toiletry kit before packing the more delicate ones. Also, use shoe covers to pack shoes, and stuff socks, belts and other little items inside shoes to save space. Turn jackets inside out and fold them in half, then put them in dry cleaning bags. The plastic bags minimize wrinkles (which is why dry cleaners use them). Pack the bottom of your suitcase with trousers, letting the legs hang over the edge of the bag. Then pack the rest of your clothes, with lighter materials on top. In the end, drape the trouser legs back over the pile; they'll keep their crease and won't get a fold line. Bring an empty soft bag for souvenirs. Also, toss a few empty plastic bags into your luggage; you'll need them later to stash dirty or damp clothes. If you're traveling with your family, mix their clothes throughout each suitcase, just in case a bag is lost. Mark your luggage with bright-colored yarn or tags to make them easy to spot and less likely to be picked up by someone else by mistake. Also, place a copy of your itinerary inside each piece of luggage. This way, if your bags are misrouted, the airline will be able to find you quickly. Watch the weight of your luggage. Most airlines have a 50-pound limit; if you go over, be prepared to pay a hefty surcharge. If you are traveling to overseas, know that many foreign airlines will assess fees according to number of pieces and baggage weight. Baggage rules change all the time, so always check with your airline before you start hauling out the suitcases. Packing is a chore, but if you pay attention to the details, you can pack some of your cares away.

Bon voyage!

What To Pack On Your Cruise Vacation

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10 Tips on Packing for a Cruise

Holidays are exciting and among holidays a cruise is the "queen." A cruise means a special holiday with lovely evenings and exciting visits to exotic lands. Packing for a cruise is quite different from packing for a hike or week by the sea.

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A cruise has so many activities some formal and other informal so pack with care. Begin by reading through the itinerary carefully and make a list of the kind of activities you will be participating in.

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1. Pack a variety of clothing along with the appropriate shoes and bags. Take along a few outfits that can be mixed and matched or embellished with the addition of a gilt belt or string or pearls.

2. Make a list of accessories and pack them in individual zip lock bags.

3. The ideal way to pack clothes is to place them in laundry bags and hang them on a rail. Then just fold the bag and place in your suitcase along with the hanger. This way the clothes will not wrinkle and on the day you plan to wear an outfit if you notice any wrinkles just hang the clothes in the bathroom and steam out the wrinkles. If they do not iron out use the cruise ships laundry facilities.

4. Shoes, belts, and small bags are convenient when place in a shoe organizer. These come with two alternatives pockets and shelves.

5. To prevent landing on the ship with no clothes due to a mix up at the airport you must pack sets of clothes in two separate suitcases. Make two piles of clothes belonging to you and your traveling partner and pack each pile in separate suitcase.

6. Pack sensibly according to the climate and always carry essential medicines and your health file with you.

7. Even if the cruise ship is state of the art and has a shop on board there is no guarantee that they stock your kind of make up or medicines. So, pack a supply of make up, medications, and perfumes in non spill containers and pouches.

8. Label clearly all your belongings and carry with you a roll of duct tape and scissors for any small emergencies that may arise.

9. Pack sensible shoes and a light sweater or jacket to wear on the decks at night.

10. If the cruise has planned a theme night or masquerade dance it will be mentioned in the program. So, be prepared and pack a special outfit.

If you prepare for your cruise with care you will enjoy the experience. In case you have any questions always ask the cruise line office. In your carry-on bag pack cash, jewelry, medicines, travel documents, a list of what is in your checked in bag and your tickets. Be sure to take along a hat and wear your most charming smile.

10 Tips on Packing for a Cruise

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Holland America World Cruise

There are so many cruise lines that if you would even call one and tell that you are looking for a world cruise, before you know your phone would be ringing 24x7 and agents and cruise lines would be offering you lucrative deals; your inbox would be flooded with emails offing promotions. In a situation like this when you have ample of choices, being wise and picking the one which would make this trip the one to remember - very difficult. You might consult people for their suggestions, but then you should expect that suggestion being influenced by their experience of personal bias against or for a cruise line. Hence, it is better to trust a cruise line which is known world wide, even if you have to pay a little extra. The Holland America World Cruise could be one of the considerations that you could have for your world tour.

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Again, you could either trust or go for the Holland America World Cruise booking straight away or you could spend some time on the site and see what they have to offer. It is very important that you see how the website looks, a little about the cruise line background and the description about the ship and the facilities on board - as these would talk a great deal about the experiences that you would have once you are on the ship and it sets to sail. Let's face it there are not many people who would be blessed to be able to take more than one world tour in a life time, and there is no reason that you should believe that there would be a second chance for you; as it is not only the expense factor, but the time which is a binding factor when you are planning for the second world tour.

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It has been more than 136 years approximately that the Holland America World Cruise is delighting people with the excellent service that they have to offer. They have amazing itineraries taking people to destinations that are really exotic over and above the world cruise they have lined up. You might want to look up the web for the Holland America World Cruise 2010. The ship is quite spacious and huge to provide the best luxury experience that they could ever have. It has the five start standards and if you would log on to the website you would see that the cruise an award winning one. This is a confirmation enough that you would have a promising time.

The prices that the Holland America World Cruise would have to offer would be at power with that offered by the others in the industry however, you can be smart enough to cut corners. You can sign up with website and they would be more than glad to send the promotions and the discounted deals, so that you don't have to rely on the last minute cruise offers before you pack your bags and wear your vacation shoes. Make the most of it - visit the site and sign up with them.

Holland America World Cruise

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Clothes to Take For a Cruise - Cruise Clothing Basics

Understanding what clothes to take for a cruise can be a big factor on how you can be comfortable and stylish on your vacation.

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Something that you need to be aware of is the luggage restrictions. Granted there are many cruise lines that don't limit the amount of luggage that cruisers may bring on board, you have to keep in mind that cruise cabins don't have huge closets. In addition, if you need to fly to the cruise port then you may encounter some difficulties on the restrictions by the airlines.

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No matter how much luggage you bring, it's important that you pack some of the essential clothes and other important necessities in a carry-on bag just in case your other bags get delayed when embarking.

When you're thinking about what clothes to take for a cruise, the main consideration should be the cruise itinerary. Ports that have a tropical climate will need a different attire than an Alaskan trip, and the season of your trip can also determine which clothes are most appropriate. You can always do a quick research online for the suggested attire for each itinerary but when in doubt you can always ask your cruise travel agent.

One set of clothes per day is simply not enough if you want to cruise in style. There are many different activities that you can do on board a cruise ship and you're going to take advantage of everything inside if you're prepared.

Day Wear - Casual clothes are the fundamental for most days during a cruise vacation. Here are some of the things you can wear:

Slacks, jeans and shorts (depends on itinerary) Shoes or sandals Swimsuit (carry an extra) T-shirts and other loose clothing Needed undergarments Some casual accessories like sunglasses and hats
Shore Excursions - When going on different ports, the type of activity will determine which attire is appropriate. Let's take a look at the following:

Shorts or pants with deep pockets to keep wallet safe Walking shoes that are easy to move along with Fitting and relevant outfit for different places like temples or churches Flexible swimwear for snorkeling, diving or other activities on the water
Evening Wear - Most cruise lines have a basic dress code that passengers must follow when it comes to evening meals. Most cruise lines will not allow the typical casual attire that you wear during the day but there are some that permits this.

Formal nights in cruise ships have a more extravagant dress code. Men can wear a dark suit with a tie unless he wants to rent out or buy a tuxedo. Keep in mind that tuxedos aren't really expected. Women can wear a gown or a cocktail dress, but if you've just attended a wedding then chances are that your wedding attire would be just fine.

Clothes to Take For a Cruise - Cruise Clothing Basics

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Packing For Your Alaska Cruise Vacation

The sometimes extreme and always unpredictable Alaska weather will be a big factor in the success of your vacation. During your Alaska cruise vacation you may experience temperature differences from the 40s to the 80s (single digits to 20s Celsius). The days will be long, with the sun all but refusing to set, and people will be energized by the extra daylight hours.

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You'll likely encounter some rain, but there could also be weeks of sunny skies with no rain at all. You're less likely to encounter snow, but it is a remote possibility, especially in the spring. Weather plays a factor in what you need to pack, with the must-haves on an Alaska cruise including a raincoat, an umbrella, and comfortable walking shoes that you don't mind getting wet or muddy.

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A swimsuit is also a must if your ship has a pool (sometimes covered, sometimes heated) or hot tubs. Even in the summer, temperatures in Alaska may not go much higher than the 50s or 60s (low or high teens Celsius), although they also may go into the 70s or 80s (low to high 20s Celsius). Having layers of clothing that you can peel off if the weather is hot and add if the weather is cold is the most convenient approach.

Important to Pack Items

What you choose to pack obviously involves a lot of personal choice, but here's a suggested list of some items that everyone should bring along for their Alaska cruise:

- A lightweight, waterproof coat or jacket
- Two sweaters or fleece pullovers, or substitute a warm vest for one
- A warm hat and gloves
- Two to four pairs of pants or jeans
- Two pairs walking shoes (preferably waterproof)
- Sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher)
- Bug spray (Alaska has 55 different kinds of mosquitoes)
- Sunglasses
- Binoculars (some small ships stock them for guest use, but none of the big ships do)v
- A camera, preferably with a telephoto or zoom lens
- Film (bring more than you think you'll need)
- Formal wear (with accessories) if your ship has formal nights (not all do)
- Semis dressy wear for informal nights

Some people suffer over what to pack for a cruise vacation, but there's no reason to worry. Except for the addition of a formal night or two, an Alaska cruise vacation is really no different from any resort vacation. And in some cases, it's much more casual. Don't feel you have to go out and buy "cruise wear". Sweatshirts, jeans, and jogging outfits are what is must used during the day.

Dinner is dress up time on most ships, although several have begun to offer more casual alternatives. And the small adventure type ships are all casual all the time. Generally, ships describe proper dinner attire as formal, informal or semiformal (the two terms mean the same thing in this case), or casual. There are usually 2 formal nights and 2 informal (or semiformal) nights during a week-long cruise, with the rest casual; check with your Alaska cruise line for specifics.

Formal, although the term has gotten somewhat more relaxed recently, generally means a tux or dark suit with tie for men, and a nice cocktail dress, long dress, gown, or dressy pantsuit for women. Informal (or semiformal) is a jacket, tie, and dress slacks, or a light suit, for men (jeans are frowned upon), and a dress, skirt and blouse, or pants outfit for women (the ubiquitous little black dress is appropriate here).

Casual at dinner means a sports shirt or open-collar dress shirt with slacks for men (some will also wear a jacket), and a casual dress, pants outfit, or skirt and blouse for women. Recently, a new term (country-club casual) has developed. This is pretty much the same as informal without the tie. For country club casual nights, dress as you would to go out to dinner at a mid-range restaurant.

Many ships offer dry cleaning and laundry services (for a fee, of course), and some offer coin operated laundry facilities. Check your Alaska cruise line's brochures for details. Using these services can save you a lot of packing. Lastly, don't worry! Packing should be a simple task. Pack before hand, around a 1-2 weeks before your Alaska cruise and make a checklist to make sure you have all your necessities to have a relaxing and amazing Alaska cruise vacation.

Packing For Your Alaska Cruise Vacation

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Choosing Suitable Attire For a Cruise

Cruises are always associated with luxury, glamour and fun. They are the greatest kind of holidays one can go on and come back totally refreshed, relaxed and happy. It helps break away from the monotony of your daily life and enables us to imbibe new and exotic cultural experiences depending on the route of the ship's course. As cruises usually have top of the line ambience and service, they attract an upmarket crowd. It thus becomes very important for you to put forward your best, always be on time and wear place specific attires on the cruise.

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A lot of luxury liners tend to have a strict policy on the kind of clothes you can wear in various parts of the ship. They are usually divided into formal clothes, informal ones and casual clothes. Sometimes, it is difficult to determine what part of your wardrobe fits into which category. One need not become anxious and undertake expensive shopping expeditions to buy suitable clothes for each category. It is simply a matter of rummaging through what you already have and mixing and matching to achieve that perfect look suitable for each category.

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Formal Wear

Formal wear for men: It generally includes coats and single or double-breasted suits in basic colours like black, brown, beige, white etc. It is very hard to go wrong when one is putting together this look unless one chooses coats in bright colours that may end up looking tacky. Here, it is best to play safe and go with tried and tested designs and fashions. Interesting ties with contrasting colours that complement the look of your suit can be worn to give an extra zing to the attire. This look can be completed with good quality leather shoes and cuff links.

Formal wear for women: It includes long, full-length gowns that flatter the figure and make you look elegant and sophisticated. High heels complement the look and raise your height while also making you look like a model. An important factor here is accessories, which should not be ignored. If you are going in for long, chandelier earrings that brace your neck, you can do without a necklace. Excess jewellery can make you look like a Christmas tree. A slender, feminine design of a matching bracelet or a watch should be worn so as not to leave your arm completely bare. Dark makeup can be applied around the eyes to give a dramatic look at night when most formal events take place. However, during daytime, makeup should be kept at a minimum with use of a concealer and nude shades of a gloss being bare essentials.

Informal Wear

Informal wear for men: This look can be achieved simply by wearing a jacket over your jeans and a formal shirt underneath. The tie can be left out in this case. For this look it is also suitable to wear a formal shirt and dark coloured jeans. But, even in this case, it is still important to wear a pair of leather or formal shoes because if casual shoes are worn, your look will be reduced to casual wear. There is a thin line between formal and informal wear and a few minute changes here and there can transform your look from formal to informal.

Informal wear for women: For women, informal wear includes dresses which are usually of knee length or above. The material of your dress defines your look. Cotton or sporty material will give you a completely casual look while fabrics like chiffon, georgette or other flowing materials will give you an informal look. This look can be completed by wearing strappy sandals or heels. If the event is during daytime, wide hats with feminine designs consisting of flowers, beads, lace etc. can be worn along with a great pair of sunglasses in order to ward off the glare from the sun.

Casual Wear

Casual Wear for men: One does not need to think much while choosing casual wear as this look can be achieved with the minimum thought and effort and with anything and everything thrown in. Men can wear shorts and casual, cotton t-shirts along with casual shoes and flip-flops as footwear. If one intends to go for a swim, trunks can be worn.

Casual wear for women: This look can be achieved by wearing skirts, shorts or jeans with flip-flops in a multitude of colours as footwear. The point here is to have fun with your clothes with stress on your comfort. Swimsuits can be worn around swimming pools. Cotton dresses with beaded artificial jewellery are also suitable for casual wear.

Choosing Suitable Attire For a Cruise

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Packing Tips for a Cruise

When going on a cruise, packing can be a slightly stressful but fun chore. You might be worrying about remembering everything? If you forget something, chances are you can buy it on the ship. The cruise lines are more then happy to sell you those little things you forgot...for an inflated price of course. That disposable underwater camera that you could buy on sale at home, might cost you up to three times that price on the ship, or in port. So well ahead of the cruise, I prepare a list of things I want to bring. The list can be modified and reused for the next cruise. Then as I am packing things into the suitcases, I place a little checkmark on the list to show I packed that particular item.

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The following is part of my own list. It is by no means complete, or will it work for everyone. Copy and paste the list into an editor, and tweak it to fit your own needs.

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Miscellaneous:

Cruise and airline tickets

Passports or driver's licenses and birth certificates

Camera

Film if bringing film camera

Memory cards if bringing digital camera

Underwater disposable cameras

Guide books for places you are visiting

Reading material

Mp3 player loaded with favorite music

Contact info for friends and family

Batteries for electronic devices (correct sizes)

Athletic bag for carrying snorkel equipment, towels, etc etc. (double as carry-on bag)

Pin number for credit card cash

Toiletries: (most of this should be packed in carry-on luggage)

Prescription drugs (ALWAYS pack in carry on luggage)

Lotion

Toothbrushes

Toothpaste

Hairbrush

Shaving cream

Razors

Spare contacts and glasses (ALWAYS pack in carry on luggage)

Contact solution, and case

Sunglasses

Sewing kit (for loose buttons, seams, etc

Suntan lotion or sunblock

Aloe vera lotion

Shampoo

Deodorant soap

Deodorant

Motion sickness pills

Clothes:

Suit or dress

Dress shirt(s) or blouse

Dress socks or stockings

Dress shoes

White shirts

Tie(s)

Casual pants

Casual shoes

Casual shirts

Belt(s)

Sandals

Shorts

Swim-trunks

Socks (tube or ankle high)

Sneakers

T-shirts and tank tops

Hats

Fanny packs

Optional:

2 12packs soft drinks (wrapped in plastic bags)

(I do this, because I drink a lot of pop, and it is nice to have some cold pop's available in the cabin. Just keep a couple of cans in the ice bucket with ice. At the end of the cruise, you have the space and weight available for souvenirs.

Comments:

Seal stuff that might leak inside plastic bags (ie shampoo, toothpaste...)

Packing Tips for a Cruise

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Cruise Friends

Basically I am a novelist. I have written one terrorist thriller entitled "Nine Lives Too Many" and a suspenseful, modern ghost story called "The Daemon in Our Dreams." I have a new novel forthcoming which deals with rice queens. Most of my fictional activities are chronicled on my website http://www.senneffhouse.com . Every once in a while I like to go back to where I started as a writer in the field of travel writing. My roots. I particularly like travel writing with bits of humor interspersed. Here's a sample:

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If you've ever been on a cruise ship, perhaps you've met my friends. After a while, you just become one big, dysfunctional family.

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Cruising Chester: "I've been on every major cruise line and cruise ship in the past 15 years, and believe me they're not alike. There is less vibration on the Costa Romantica than the Carnival Spirit. The Crystal Harmony has great deck chairs, but they are not as comfortable as the ones on the QM2."

Pilot Boat Phil: "I take pictures of the pilots and pilot boats in every port. I have a collection of over 200 different pilots. And I rate them. When the seas are rough, and they make a smooth transfer, they get a 10. If the ship stops to pick them up, they don't get a good rating. The best one ever was in the English Channel. The pilot brought a sheepdog aboard with him. Boy, the way that dog jumped from the pilot boat to the ship was incredible."

Lecturing Larry: "Excuse me. Did I hear you say you've never been to Monaco? The population is 31,719; the area is three-quarters of a square mile; the national budget is ..."

Betty the Barracuda: "My sign is Gemini, and your sign is Taurus. You know what that means. I love the way that gold chain of yours nestles so nicely in the black hair on your chest. If you hadn't told me you were on Medicare, I'd never have thought it. I was thinking mid-40s."

Grandma and Grandpa Klutz: "And this is a picture of our grandson climbing up the drapes. Isn't he cute? And this is our granddaughter Debbie pulling Pluto's tail at Disney World. Isn't she adorable? And this is Betty's kid ..."

Travel Agent Teddy: "What did you pay? Oh, too bad. I could have gotten your cabin for 0, including port charges, airfare and transfers. I always get three category upgrades for my clients. Next time call me. My number is 800-SAVALOT. I always send a bottle of Norwegian champagne to a client's room."

Boring Brad: "Uh, I was in this place in 1964, and they had, uh, a good beer in a place at some beach, and, uh, I think I went swimming here. Maybe not ..."

Booze Cruise Betty: "What's the next port? Do they have a Jolly Roger booze cruise? Did you have those scrumptious Manhattans at the captain's reception? Is it 9 a.m. yet? I'll have a margarita, light on the salt. Louie, the bartender on the pool deck, makes great Bloody Marys."

Fred and Ginger: "We've been on hundreds of cruises. They call us the king and queen of ballroom dancing. We dance before dinner, after dinner, at tea dance, at the captain's reception, in the ship's atrium. You name it. We can do every dance from the samba to the tango, jitterbug, whatever. Fred's a podiatrist, and I work for Saks Fifth Avenue in the shoe department. We're ballroom dancers extraordinaire."

Claude, the Wanna-Be Captain: "The ship lists three degrees to starboard. The stabilizers need readjustment. Last night the captain got two degrees off course, and we lost 20 minutes in our trip plan."

Ralph, the Restaurant Critic: "The food on Celebrity is slightly more ostentatious than the food on Costa. The dinner rolls on Princess have more body than those on Carnival. Royal Caribbean's corned beef hash for breakfast is coarser than the hash on Norwegian Cruise Line."

Seasick Sam: "I'm wearing nine patches. They said to wear one on your navel, so I am. Last night I thought I was going to die. I haven't even seen the dining room, and we disembark tomorrow."

Camcorder Calvin: "Would you let me in next to the rail? I just want to shoot an hour of footage of that glacier. Do you mind holding my lens cap? Please keep your voice down while I'm doing my narration."

Dine-Around Julia and Jesse: "In the morning we have fruit and muffins in the Lido, waffles in the dining room, bouillon on deck at 11, lunch in the Lido, tea and cakes at four, hot hors d'oeuvres in the bar for cocktails, first-seating dinner in the dining room, pizza at 10 in the pizzeria, salads and desserts at the midnight buffet, and before we go to bed, we order BLTs from room service. Neither one of us has ever had angioplasty."

The Light-Tipping Lewises: "We don't believe in all this tipping nonsense. We haven't seen our room steward on this whole trip. We're putting in an envelope for him. Hey, why tip a ghost? The waiter was snippy and slow with our appetizers. He doesn't deserve more than four or five bucks. We heard that the busboys are very well paid, so we're skipping him. Tipping is getting way out of hand on these ships. I can remember when a good waitress appreciated a quarter."

Bingo Bertha: "I always go to progressive bingo. I get seven cards for each game, and I can poke out those little holes faster than they can call out the numbers. If they don't have bingo in heaven, I ain't going. They better have a stack of bingo cards waiting at the pearly gates. My charm bracelet is made up of bingo items, and my bed sheets are embroidered with bingo numbers."

Lifeboat Drill Lenny: "Hey, you've got those straps on wrong. Hey, you're missing a whistle. Hey, your light isn't working. Hey, Mister, that strap is supposed to come up through your crotch. Hey, ma'am, please don't drag your straps through the halls."

Preparedness Patsy: "On a seven-day cruise, I pack my bags for disembarkation on the fourth day, and I have my luggage in the hall on the fifth night. I'm always the first one off the ship."

Dolly, the Queen of Disasters: "I've read every book and seen every movie about the Titanic, the Lusitania, and the Andrea Doria. My room steward told me we're taking on water. The bartender said there was a secret meeting, and the captain told the crew to get the lifeboats ready. They're all going to sneak off early in the morning and leave us to die."

Me: I never get seasick; I'm not pedantic, not a cruise maven, not a glutton. But you know what? I do think that the fruit selection they give you in the cabin is better on Royal Caribbean than Princess, and the ship's newspaper on Celebrity is more literate than the one on Carnival.

Cruise Friends

SHOE CARNIVAL

What To Pack On A Cruise

Packing for a cruise can be somewhat tricky, because you need to be prepared for several different activities and situations. You will want to include your swim suit and beach clothes, but at the same time you also need to be prepared to dress up for the evening meals. This article will help you to determine what to bring when you go on a cruise.

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Because you will be in the water everyday, it is a good idea to bring several swimsuits for the week. Also, pack several cover-ups or t-shirts to wear over your suit. Don't worry about packing a towel though, because the cruise ships offer towels that you can use when you are on land.

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You will also want to bring casual clothes to wear during the day. Think country club: slacks or capris, nice shorts, and blouses. Sandals and nicer shoes are appropriate for daytime wear.

For the evening wear, you will need to have nice pants or a skit as well as nice shoes and a blouse. Shorts and flip-flop are usually not allowed in the restaurants, so make sure that you bring the appropriate clothing for dinner. Or, if you don't want to dress up for the meals, you can always eat dinner in the buffet.

Many cruise ships also have one or two formal nights, so you can bring formal clothing if you would like to participate. People dress in a variety of formal attire, so choose clothing that you will be comfortable in and you will fit in.

The most important thing about packing for a cruise, is to make sure that you don't over pack! The majority of people come home from their first cruise and agree that they packed too much and next time they will pack less.

What To Pack On A Cruise

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