Need Advice on Packing-- Rome to Istanbul

[confused4now]

Since I am a fairly big fellow (6'5" and 235lbs), I would appreciate suggestions from other big men on what to pack for this cruise. My clothes take up twice the suitcase space that my wife's clothes require. Also, I understand that luggage weight limits have been reduced on international flights. All suggestions are welcome and appreciated. We are on the June 8th sailing of the Nautica.

[nparmelee]

Depending on what airline you are flying, most have gone to 2 bags per person at 50 pounds pre bag. Check what your airline says. We're probably bringing 3 checked bags and 2 carryons for the two of us. We're on the same cruise.

[digby]

I, too, am a big guy and know exactly what you mean about the clothes taking up more room in a suitecase -- and closet. One of the things I like best about Oceania is that you have NO need for a tux, suit, or even a sport coat. I wear slacks and a good sport shirt for dinner every night and dockers type pants with Tee Shirts/jerseys during the day with a light jacket if needed.

[confused4now]

I, too, am a big guy and know exactly what you mean about the clothes taking up more room in a suitecase -- and closet. One of the things I like best about Oceania is that you have NO need for a tux, suit, or even a sport coat. I wear slacks and a good sport shirt for dinner every night and dockers type pants with Tee Shirts/jerseys during the day with a light jacket if needed.

Thank you for your commnts. As a matter of
curiosity, how much do you pack for two weeks? I.e, to what extent do you rely on the ship's laundry and dry cleaning facilities?

[confused4now]

Thank you for you advice. See you on board.

[nparmelee]

The how much to bring question... we just started talking about that this weekend too as we started a staging area for things we don't want to forget to pack. We decided we'd do at lest one load of laundry on the ship for undies and socks and whatever else we could fit in and also use the ship's cleaning services if we need to, we both plan on re-wearing clothes tro reduce how much we're taking. We also have 4 nights in Rome pre-cruise and another 2 nights post-cruise in Istanbul and an overnight at JFK on the way home, we really wish it was still a 70 pound per bag weight allowance.

[digby]

Thank you for your commnts. As a matter of
curiosity, how much do you pack for two weeks? I.e, to what extent do you rely on the ship's laundry and dry cleaning facilities?



First of all, I tend to over pack for a trip no matter how long or short! We use FF miles to upgrade to Business Class and therefore get the 70 pound limit. I have never used the do it yourself laundry, but often use the ship's dry cleaning/laundry service especially to press my shirts when I arrive. I take enough underwear for a week, probably 6 or 8 sport shirts, two pair dress pants/slacks and the same number of casual pants. Same for shoes. On my last two cruises we had to plan for winter as well as summer weather conditions which added to the clothes needed.

[Liat]

In 2003 we did a cruise-tour with Princess that involved 6 days in Central Europe before flying from Prague to Copenhagen to start the Baltic cruise portion. Our docs had told us that the European flight had a 20 Kilo (that's 44 lbs) weight limit; NOT per BAG but per PERSON. We managed it despite the fact that I packed my tux because of two or three formal nights on Regal Princess. And the limit was enforced. At least two couples on our tour portion paid over $300.00 in excess baggage charges at the Prague Airport. We had six days of 85+ degree temperatures during one of Europe's worst heat waves and we all had changed clothes twice a day. Needless to say the land tour group all met again the first day on board - in the passengers laundry room. I have a TravelSmith traditional blue blazer that is virtually wrinkleproof, so I wear it on boad the plane and stuff it in the overhead. That will take care of the jacket for our Istanbul > Athens jaunt on Nautica May 17. We also do some laundry on any cruise over a week. I try to wear woven polo shirts and even some woven material long sleeve Jhane Barnes type shirts so they do not need ironing and can be worn more than once. I find that the biggest headache is shoes. Men's shoes are always bulky and heavy, and you need a good pair of dress-ups, and some heavy duty ones for shore excursions. I am not in love with the Nike walker type sport sneakers, so I usually bring a pair of Topsider type loafers for daytime ships wear and shore trips where we are driving. I wear my pair of heavy duty hiking shoes on board the plane, which saves weight and room.
We find that making a written list ahead of time really helps in focussing on what we really need, amd enables us to keep things under control. Cruising is not a fashion show experience. While we all like our fellow passengers to look presentable, we should not be checking on whether or not Marge wore the same dress five days ago, or Jack has been seen in that Tommy Hilfiger shirt before!

[isabella52]

As long as we smell ok, right, Phil?
I don't even want to think about what the stateroom with my 3 girls in it will look like:eek: ! Shoes for days........
I'm more worried about those other ships docking in "our ports" on "our days"!!! That has superceded any packing thoughts!

[Liat]

Thanks to another poster, I found a site: www.cruisecal.com; which enables you to find out what ships are in any port on any given day. It also lists their arrival and departure times. Neat.