How far ahead do you pack?

[bballprncess]

Ok, I'm getting ready to start packing for my 3/26 sailing. And I'm wondering if that is too far in advance, or if I've got company! :)

And although I haven't gotten my suitcase out yet, I've started shopping for last minute items as well as hard to find things (a new bathing suit! Come on girls its THE toughtest thing for us to shop for!).

Happy Sailing Everyone!

[bepsf]

I start about 4 hours before the car is due to arrive to take me to the airport...
;)

[DNCButler]

Hi Lori-Ha! I beat you! I started 2 days ago! But only the evening attire! The rest will go this weekend!

[jhannah]

I use a packing list, so I don't pack until the night before we leave home. I start my list months before sailing, so I guess you could say I mentally pack starting about 3 months ahead!

[Wennfred]

I set everything out during the week and then pack the last day. If you set everything out you can see what you have, if you pack too soon you soon forget what you packed.

[bluehorizonlover123]

I leave in8 days and still havent packed.

[Ziggy7]

I use a packing list also, so I don't pack until the night before we leave home, but I do start gathering it in our spare bedroom so its all there and ready to be packed, I pack hanging clothes last, about 30 minutes before we leave for the airport :)

[ron46936]

Some things seldom get unpacked. We pack our suitcases in the spare room on the bed. We have a clothes rack next to the bed where we can organize our outfits. This sometimes starts early but most of the serious work is done the last two days before leaving.

[meff]

OK, I'm leaving on the 26th too, and all clothes are washed and ironed and hanging on an extra clothing rack (Can't lay them out on the extra bed because of the cats). So I guess I'm a little ...um...overzealous. At one week, plus a day or two to go, I tend to get a little anxious about what I'm forgetting, etc. and make lists in my head over and over again. This is vey out of character for me, but I get so excited about going on a cruise! I will actually put things in the suitcases the night before we leave. But I have new suitcases, so I might have to practice a little. What ship are you going on? I'm on the Zuiderdam.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I'd have to say that what I really do is "gather". I have my own study here in the house and I "gather" everything in this area. But my actual packing is probably a week or so before. I also use a list. It would be pretty scarey without that ... don't even want to guess what I might forget, but it could be embarrassing:)

[2FlCruisers]

I do like Heather, I gather. I make a list, and then 2-3 weeks before sailing I start gathering the things on the list and get them in the room where the suitcases are layed out.

[stanford's girl]

Figuring out what I'm taking starts about 1 month in advance but the actual packing takes place the day before.

[bluehorizonlover123]

I have lists upon lists and just go down, and cross stuff off. I also have a box of stuff that was never even unpacked from our last cruise. I just leave the stuff in there and pull it out when I pack for the next one. We cruise 3 x a year so this works out great. i will begin doing my list this weekend. We leave in 8 days.

[OCruisers]

:confused: Does anyone else have clothes that are ONLY worn on cruises? :rolleyes:

Happy Sailling! OCruisers :)

[jhannah]

Not really. Except some times I might not wear my tux between cruises.

[papadave]

We leave in six days for a cruise on the Westerdam on the 27th (we're visiting family for a few days prior to the cruise) and I was glad that I checked my tuxedo shirt. I was concerned that I might need a new shirt with a larger neck -- I've had the shirt for 14 years -- but didn't think that the hanger might have left a stain on the shirt. It is off to the cleaner, but I have enough time to shop for a new shirt. If I had waited until the last minute I would be stuck buying a shirt after arriving in Florida.

[richnorto]

OK, leaving tomorrow. I started a list a month ago and was still adding to it today! Clothes have been ironed and set aside for a week, except for things DH and kids have needed. I'm still washing those! I've been shopping every day for the last week and a half, picking up forgotten items and shoes - yeah, I've bought 7 more pairs in the last 3 days to match outfits for myself and girls. We all now wear the same size so..... I'm in a panic because I have a tennis match in the morning (singles and doubles - long) and DH has not decided which shorts/pants fit. I haven't packed anything for him to wear! It's a ten hour drive, If I finish play around 12:30, drive home, run across town to drop the dogs off, check kids out from 2 schools I still look foward to a 9-10 hour drive. Thank goodness I don't have to drive. We change to EST so the earliest we could check in is around 1:00am!!! I'm in a real panic! Packing early could not help this situation! I need a vacation! - Oh yeah, I'm going! Once we're on the road, all this will be forgotten - unless I forget to put the Bathroom bag in the car again!!!!!:D
Laurie

[jaguarstyper]

Give me a few hours the night before we leave and I'm ready to go.

Tim

[Ziggy7]

OK, leaving tomorrow. I started a list a month ago and was still adding to it today! Clothes have been ironed and set aside for a week, except for things DH and kids have needed. I'm still washing those! I've been shopping every day for the last week and a half, picking up forgotten items and shoes - yeah, I've bought 7 more pairs in the last 3 days to match outfits for myself and girls. We all now wear the same size so..... I'm in a panic because I have a tennis match in the morning (singles and doubles - long) and DH has not decided which shorts/pants fit. I haven't packed anything for him to wear! It's a ten hour drive, If I finish play around 12:30, drive home, run across town to drop the dogs off, check kids out from 2 schools I still look foward to a 9-10 hour drive. Thank goodness I don't have to drive. We change to EST so the earliest we could check in is around 1:00am!!! I'm in a real panic! Packing early could not help this situation! I need a vacation! - Oh yeah, I'm going! Once we're on the road, all this will be forgotten - unless I forget to put the Bathroom bag in the car again!!!!!:D
LaurieWow not much time in there to breath and pee ????

[tonyt713]

I am also on the Westerdam on the 27th. I started making a list about 2 weeks ago. All of the dress clothes are out cleaned and ready the rest I will do the night before.

[richnorto]

Ziggy,
My thoughts exactly! I just want to get on the road (with every thing we need) and shut down!!! VACATION MODE!!!!:D
Thanks! Laurie

[HeatherInFlorida]

:confused: Does anyone else have clothes that are ONLY worn on cruises? :rolleyes:

Happy Sailling! OCruisers :)

Yes. Many, as a matter of fact.:)

[bluehorizonlover123]

The dressy outfits that I wear are really good material for packing and I only wear them on cruises. I have beach bags that I only use on cruises. The rest of the things I wear in the summer time and to work so it gets used quite often. I usually buy new things for a cruise and then wear it for work etc after the cruise is over.

[Kathy & George]

I like to always be booked for a cruise and so I am always packing for a cruise! I keep a "Packing Room" for my cruise wear and suitcases and things. I regularilly add new things to the collection (replacing the old and worn) as I see things on sale. I've found some real bargains out there. Each cruise I try to eliminate one thing from the list of things I packed the last time. I'm down to 4 pair of shoes now for me (a real accomplishment for me). I try to get things that don't need ironing, pack small and are light-weight. My DH's things are the heaviest and hardest to pack. We are (combined) down to 2 large suitcases, 1 Medium bag and 2 small carry-ons. We usually include 7 or 8 bottles of wine inside one of those bags as well. Can't wait...Aug.6th Zuiderdam here we come!:D

[arzz]

The way my life has been this year if I even have clean clothes to pack the night before (which is this coming Thursday) it will be a miracle! We may be packing in the am before we fly!

[cruzincurt]

Up at 5:00 am, in the car by 7:00 am, on the ship at 1:00 pm.

[kgjg]

I have 2 tux and a white sports coat (with a pink carnation) that I only wear when we are on a cruise. I tried on one of the pair of pants and this may sound incredable, but they seemed to shrink while they were sitting on the hanger in the closet. I didn't realize that closet air would do that to a pair of pants. LOL :confused:

[grannynurse]

I'm also a gatherer. I do keep one suitcase for cruise stuff, but I also have a closet set aside.
The luggage comes out about 30 days out, but I save packing the formal wear for 2-3 days before leaving.
I'm really trying to cut down on my packing. I'll try to get by with 1 30 inch, 1 26, and 1 24 this summer plus a tote and a roll-on carry-on.
Like many others we divide our clothes among the cases, just in case a piece of luggage goes AWOL. I also keep the pre and post cruise clothes in a separate case.
I'm trying to reform. Trimming my shoe allotment is a main focus for this summer.
unrepentantly,
GN

[Himself]

My sister asks me a week before I sail if I have started packing. I laugh and tell her I am not that organized. I usually do it the day before I leave and I frequently get into port the day before I sail.

Himself

[tankerjo2]

Sad as it may sound my Father-In-Law never unpacks his suitcase. Last time we visited it was still sitting where he set it the last time he returned from a cruise..and it shows. First, last and only cruise we ever took with him had him sitting with us at dinner in a wrinkled coat and dress shirt, shirt unbuttoned on top with his clip on tie plus needing both a haircut as well as a shave. And to top it off he refuses to wear his hearing aide.

He's a devoted HAL alumni so perhaps you will run across him sometime, enjoy!!

[jhannah]

Wow! I would imagine that his packed clothing would become ... uh ... "ripe" after a while. :eek: Maybe we should start an adjunct thread to the dress code issue that deals with proper dining room grooming!

[Globaliser]

What's all this about "The night before we leave for the trip"?

I usually don't pack until the morning I leave!

[Suskies]

I can't vote in your poll because I start "packing" (defined as figuring out what you need and pulling it together) literally months ahead of time. We bought a new blazer for our teenage son yesterday for our cruise in August! (Pre-Easter is a great time to buy those things.) And I've had a pile of paperwork (mostly printouts of great suggestions from you all) to take along literally since the day I booked the cruise.

Cruises are a great excuse to buy a nice dress, nice new casual clothes, etc., but I've been burned waiting until the last minute--once, a couple of weeks before the cruise, I couldn't find a nice formal dress ANYWHERE and ended up with one that I look dumpy in and will never wear again. So my daughter and I will spend the next few months leisurely shopping for, and putting aside, just the right clothes!

[Aussie Gal]

I am very much like Ziggy. I start compiling a list of clothes that I think I will need on my Computer when we first book the trip and add or subtract during the months beforehand. I have the lists going back to 1994 and so can see what was successful and what wasn't.

I get out everything and gather them in our spare bedroom about 2-3 weeks beforehand. I then add or subtract from the clothes and put them into the suitcase the night before we leave or during the morning of our departure as our flights are always in the afternoon.

This way has always worked for me and I find that now I take very few clothes that are not needed.

Jennie

[bballprncess]

OK, guys and gals! When I wrote this poll and posting, I thought for sure I was heading home from work that day, laying out my suitcase and beginning the pre-packing ritual.

WRONG!

So, tonight, after my toddler is in bed . . . I started examining my closet. Trying on clothing, dresses and bathing suits.

Dear God . . . Help me!

Not being happy with my formal dress choices, I started to delve deep into the depths of my closet. The things that I found were black sorority cocktail dresses, satin pants 3 sizes too big, hoochie mama tops from that stint when I had the permanent wild hair in my head, and the shoes I ordered online but never wore, tucked away in various treasure troves throughout my closet. It was actually a walk down memory lane, with the resulting clothing being put into 3 piles -

1. Take on cruise
2. Give to Goodwill
3. Burn, so that so one will ever know that I owned such an article of clothing.

I was startled that a 30 year old single Mommy had so many clothes in pile #3. But, it has given me a focus in shopping . . . or an extreme sense of humor about what I will actually be wearing to dinner on each night!

So, after much experimenting, digging, creative wardrobe combinations, and finally submission to the limits of my current body style, I have come up with a series of dresses and outfits designed to not embarrass me nor embarrass my table mates on my cruise departing on Saturday. Hey, did I just say Saturday?

Oh My Gosh!

I have to go pack some more!

See you all on the high sails!
Lori

[Stakeout]

like Wennfred we pack by laying out the clothes during the week before cruisin'..I use one spare bedroom.. my wife the other...

it's started already...since we'll be leaving here early next week for the drive down to 'Ft Liquordale' .... have most of my 'essentials' already packed having come off the Zaandam a few weeks ago...things like binoculars, handheld GPS, fishing gear, digital cameras, books, magazines, walkie-talkies.. and of course one extra T-shirt, one pair swim trunks..just in case they lose all my other luggage at the Port...it all goes into my ug-lee big bright yellow roll-on Bass Pro Shops waterproof carryon boat bag.. no one will steal it because it's so ug-lee.. and it's pretty hard to misplace it because of the color :D:D

[grannynurse]

WOW! i'm a little (a lot) older than you are and I have the same 3 categories.

You'd think that someone with the cruise experience that I have would have reformed long ago, alas! I look at old cruise pix and wonder how I had the nerve to wear "that".
Don't worry; one thing I've found is that we're not alone, AND unless the outfit is truly a freak-out, no one will notice.
GN

[Himself]

Well, I got the first thing for my next cruise in May. On Feb 28, 2005 I sent my money and old passport in for my new one. Guess what? The new Passport came today. I am now good until March 20, 2115. (I'll be 75 by the time this one runs out.

I have also booked my plane both ways. Wow!

Himself

[Krazy Kruizers]

One week before we are to leave for the airport, I run off my packing lists and medication lists. Four days before we leave for the airport, the suitcases come out of the attic and make certain that we don't have to buy new luggage. Two days before leaving for the airport, I pack.

Since we have to stay at a hotel before we fly out, the suitcases aren't closed until we are ready to put them in the car.

[Oceanwench]

I belong with the gatherers.
Now that all my company from up north has come and gone, I've started putting some cruise things in the guest room. My cruise is 5/14!!!
I will make lists, match shoes and accessories, etc. over the next several weeks. The actualy packing of this stuff into suitcases will be done the thursday before we leave.

I have some things I bought for our last cruise [10/31/04] that I have not worn again, only because they were rather summery -- and down here, in the winter, many of us wear our "winter" wardrobes!

I also dream about packing, usually forgetting shoes inthe dreams!

DH packs the day before we leave -- he has a home health aide during the week, and his aide is the best packer I've ever seen!

[Scrumpy]

I have clothes that I only wear on holiday, cruise or otherwise. My daily clothes have to be animal-resistant (horses and dogs), so they aren't great resort wear. Other people would probably put them in the Goodwill bag. I only dress up for weddings, funerals, reunions, and other very special events. Normally, I buy something new for each of those. That leaves me a selection of things to wear to formal nights, but doesn't stop me from shopping for more stuff. :)

I am thinking about getting DH a tux. He doesn't have to wear suits at work and this is a big battle. He detests the very idea of formal nights. He doesn't want to dress up for the cruise, but I am going to check some consignment shops and see if I can find something. If it's a fait accompli, there won't be much yada yada about it.

Scrumpy

:confused: Does anyone else have clothes that are ONLY worn on cruises? :rolleyes:

Happy Sailling! OCruisers :)

[Scrumpy]

I may have just messed up the thread...is there a "poll" icon? Thought there was a different icon and I guess I somehow changed it.

SORRY!!!
Scrumpy :o

[Druke I]

My wife starts her bags a week to 10 days before we leave. (But she is already pre-planning for our 8-31-05 cruise into the Baltic, on Oceania's Regatta.)

I do mine the day before - but it only takes me about 15 minutes for my
bag(s).

[Classynfun1]

Admittedly, I've been shopping and "gathering" for weeks. Maybe because it's my first cruise, maybe because it's my first trip to Europe, maybe because it's my first trip all alone, or maybe because I'm going to be gone for 24 days! :eek:

I'm so excited and nervous! I fly out on the 27th! Woo hoo!

[Himself]

My real problem is I pack too much and then buy too much when I am at sea.

[RevNeal]

I begin packing about 3 weeks ahead of the cruise. Packing is a long process that doesn't just include putting clothing and items into bags. It involves sending Formal clothing off for dry cleaning and any adjustments, along with other semi-formal clothing. It also involves sorting through clothing to determine what I need to buy (new shoes, undies, shirts, slacks, etc). Once I get my formal gear back I pack it, along with anything else that I won't be needing until I'm on the cruise. A few days before I partly pack my second bag and carry-on with everything else ... and, then, the night before I finish packing those two and am ready to depart.

[General Max]

Looks like we will be joining Reverand Neal on that inaugural voyage.

Cheers

General Max

[kryos]

I start about 4 hours before the car is due to arrive to take me to the airport...
;)
LOL ... I'm almost as bad as you.

I come home from work the morning before I am leaving for my cruise ... (I work graveyard). I go to sleep and get up maybe around 4:00 p.m. I know that I have to bring my bags to work that night ... because I leave for the airport directly from work in the morning ... and so far, at this point, NOTHING is packed.

So, after I fix myself some dinner ... eat it ... relax a bit ... we're now at around 6:00 p.m. Now, I decide to get packing. Usually takes me all of two hours tops ... and then I set the bags in the livingroom for dad to put in the car. Since I have luggage, he will take me to work the evening before a cruise ... so that I don't have to drag the bags on public transportation.

Now it's after 8:00 and I'm bushed from all that packing. Set the alarm and try to get another hour's nap before I have to get up for work.

LOL ... sheeeeeshhhh ... what's the big deal about packing anyway? So many people make such a production out of it. True, when you pack at the last minute, you're likely to forget stuff ... but I've been lucky. I've never forgotten anything truly important. And even if I do ... it's not like I'm gonna be living in the Austrailian outback for a month. The ships and the ports do have stores, you know. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Classynfun1]

Rita, packing for me, a *very* type A person, is important. It's usually the only thing I'll have control over the whole vacation and if I put time into it, I'll feel much more comfortable. I know what I have, that everything on the list is in the bags, etc. It's the only way I can really relax and not stress.

I wish I could me more like you!

[Tarkus]

i just finished checking & packing my scuba bag... and since i sail one week from today i guess that means i start packing about a week out. :)

i had room in the kit to put my 24 cans of diet coke - only downside is that the already heavy bag is now all-the-worse (i suspect they may think i brought my lead weights with me!).

i've also begun pulling clothes - mainly to see what fits and what doesn't - but won't do any substantive ironing then packing until thursday or friday.

can't believe one week from right now i'll be having dinner on the zuiderdam! :D

[kryos]

I wish I could me more like you!
LOL ... no, you don't. My mother, God rest her soul ... I used to drive her to distraction with my "lastminuteitis." Even with projects for school ... last minute. I'd be up all night writing a paper or whatever ... something I had on my plate for the past three weeks ... or longer. I would finally sit down to it the night before it was due. And, amazingly, I would get it done ... and done well.

It just seems like I am at my most efficient doing things at the last minute. But that doesn't work for everyone ... whether it be packing for a trip or getting a project done at work.

But, hey ... that's just what works for me. I always got great grades when I was in school, so my folks didn't get on me too much about the waiting. But, that style doesn't work well for everybody. If waiting until the last minute to pack makes you stress, then you are better off packing well in advance.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[cdkempton]

We don't leave until 12/16/05 and I'm already packing (in my head). Usually, a couple of weeks ahead of time I have my DH figure out what he wants to take (in the evening dept.) and then I go through it and take out what he "needs". I want him to make sure everything fits (with room to spare ;)). I press anything that needs it and hang it on an over-the-door rack. Then I do the same with my things. (Of course I never need to take out anything I don't "need") and press my things as well. The daytime wear is usually done a couple of days in advance; here again, just want to make sure everything is going to fit and is washed and pressed and laid on the guest bed ready to pack. Other than clothes, I have a list of meds, sundries, toiletries and, if the cruise will include snorkeling, the masks & snorkels and beach shoes. Everything will finally get packed the day before we're to leave except for the last minute toiletries which will go in the carry on. I've always enjoyed the aniticipation and planning for a cruise ( or any trip for that matter). Travel rocks!!!! :) Happy Sails

[Bones]

Usually I am a last minute packer. I stay up the night before.
My upcoming Alaskan cruise in September will be different because of
the uncertainty of weather. I have been researching weather history on the web so looking at bringing a variety of clothing. Hiking boots, rain gear, hats,
warm socks, and gloves. And my wits and sense of humor. Must bring them.
For once, I will be glad to dress in layers for this cruise.
Dan

[dippy]

We have a checklist on our computer that we add to or take away from before we go vacation and use it to guide our packing. We work on the checklist once our vacation is booked and then pack using it the day before. :rolleyes:

[harrodsfan]

I usually start planning what to take 2 or 3 monthes before the trip. I have a trip closet where I start putting together a wardrobe. I periodically look at it and weed out and add. I have a master list for cosmetics and toilitries. About a week before the trip I put everything I would like to take on a hanging rack in my bedroom. I continue to add and subtact and look at accessories. I do have some travel clothing (exofficio) that I use for adventure travel. Also I have "travel jewelry." I also plan snacks, liquor and reading materials.
I have files where I stick tourist information that I weed out a few weeks before the trip to a managible amount.
My family thinks I am a bit nuts for planning so far in advance. But I have a real problem...I loose interest a few days before the trip and if I wasn't already almost packed..I wouldn't want to pack at all. Its very wierd.