blog post

I think I'm getting pretty good at this -- once the airlines starting charging to check bags, I went down to one checked bag and one carry-on.  It wasn't easy, because I am a shoe lover, but I will share how I do it now:

First, a few basics to keep in mind: 

* A 7-night cruise means you have 8 days of clothes to figure out.

* You can pack for 5 days: do laundry on the ship on day 4 of the cruise.  I wash a pair or two of shorts or slacks, 3 tops, underwear, a couple of pairs of socks, my pajamas or sleep t-shirt, work-out wear, and maybe my swimsuit.  Keep it to one load or one bag (if you send it out -- some ships do not have self-serve laundries).  If you do it yourself, pack a baggie with a scoop of laundry soap and a dryer sheet and take a couple of dollars in quarters.

* Wear shoes with socks on day 1 and day 8 at the airport -- don't you just hate walking on that filthy floor barefoot when they make you take off your shoes through security?

* Only pack 3 pairs of shoes, 4 if you include beach/pool shoes/flip-flops.

Here's my list:

2 pairs of casual slacks or khakis (no jeans on a warm-weather cruise -- they are too hot, heavy, and take up too much room in a suitcase).

5 casual tops

2 pairs of shorts

1 sundress or maxi dress

1 pair of dressy black pants

1 dressy black skirt

2 dressy tops

2 pairs of socks, 1 pantyhose, 1 black knee-hi hose

2 bras, 5 underwear, 1 pajama set or sleep shirt

1 or 2 swimsuits, swim cover, work-out top and shorts

Walking shoes, dressy shoes, comfortable but nice-looking sandals

Beach bag!

Day One:  Casual slacks #1 with top #1 and walking shoes with socks -- plan to wear this all day because you never know how soon your luggage will be delivered to your stateroom. 

Day Two:  Shorts #1 with top #2 and sandals.  This works onboard or on shore.  Heading to the beach?  Fill bag with the beach towels supplied in your room (be sure to bring them back!), swimsuit and cover (or wear suit under your outfit), sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, beach shoes (if you have some), and don't forget your key card and ID.  I take along a little kit with anti-insect wipes, band-aids, hand sanitizer, gum, and eye drops (I wear contact lenses).  I also take a bottle of spray-on hair conditioner and a comb, along with powdered face papers and a lipstick to revive my look for going back to the ship after being out in the wind and water all day.

     Evening is likely to be "formal night" tonight, so after some relaxation and a shower wear dressy skirt and dressy top #1 with hose and dressy shoes.

Day Three:  Shorts #2 and top #3 with walking shoes.  Evening -- wear sundress with sandals.

Day Four:  Send off laundry bag or pop load in at self-serve laundry.  Wear casual slacks #2 and top #4 with sandals.  Evening -- dressy pants and dressy top #2 with dressy shoes.

Day Five:  Shorts #1 and top #5 with walking shoes.  Evening -- sundress with sandals.

Day Six:  Shorts #2 and top #2 with sandals.  Evening is "formal night" -- wear dressy skirt and dressy top #2 with dressy shoes.

Day Seven:  Casual slacks #2 and top #3 with walking shoes or sandals.  Evening -- dressy pants and dressy top #1 with sandals or dressy shoes.

Day Eight:  Casual slacks #1 and top #1 with socks and walking shoes for the airport/flight home.

So there you have it -- the perfect (?!) warm-weather-cruise wardrobe that fits into one suitcase and keeps you comfortable and looking sharp on your cruise.  Bon Voyage!