Speaking of formal nights?

[daju22]

Hello everyone,

We will be sailing on the Amsterdam for 17 nights!! I'm so excited.:D First time on HAL.

Please tell me how many formal, informal, and casual nights there are on this cruise. Hope I've got the terms right.

Does anyone have any tips for packing light on a trip of this length and with such weather variations?

I am only taking one large suitcase and a carryon.

Thanks a bunch,

[RuthC]

The exact number of formal, informal, and casual nights will be listed in your documents. Sometimes the list is hard to find---but it's there. When you get to your cabin (finally!) there should be a list of dates, ports, time of docking/sail-away, and dress code for the evening. The list is subject to change, but you will be notified in the daily program.
Don't be afraid to wear the same outfit over again. As long as it's clean, neat, and appropriate for the evening no one will care that it's a repeat. (After all, in 17 days at home you're likely to repeat an outfit, aren't you?)

Packing for this cruise is a challenge, to be sure. I took it in January of '02, and my cruise included Antarctica, so I had to be prepared for fridged weather. I brought one huge suitcase with mostly summer-weight clothes; (I may have had one sweatshirt with me and probably packed a windbreaker.) I always bring an old HAL canvas bag looped over the handle of my carry-on. For that trip I put a collapsible duffle bag in the canvas bag, wore my heavy winter coat (with gloves) to the airport, then packed the coat and gloves in the canvas bag when I got to the airport, and checked them through. It's gonna be hot when you land in South America; the last thing you need is to be dragging a coat. You'll be dragging yourself after the long flights! Believe me! (But it's so worth it.)

Have a wonderful cruise.

[bepsf]

Judy--

If you're still unclear on the formal night situation after you receive your documents, you can call HAL Shipservices and they will be able to inform you of which nights are which.

BTW - There's no such thing as too much luggage...
;)
Happy 700'th post Ruth!!!

[ColoradoJuli]

I'd suggest layered clothing. Living in Colorado I have become very accustomed to layering my clothes. We can go from winter to summer in one day. Also, remember that you can send clothes to be cleaned so you don't have to pack something new for each day.

[grannynurse]

after 2 long transatlantics (17 and 34 days) that you will have 4 formal, 3 informal, and 10 casual nights. Listen to Ruth, however, because as we both know, because of weather conditions, cancelled ports and added sea days, dress code can and will be changed.

The trick is to plan to dress in layers. We left Oklahoma in June with 90 degree weather and arrived in chilly, rainy NY, and it stayed chilly, foggy, and rainy to Iceland, and then it turned downright COLD! Obviously it did not warm up crossing the Arctic circle.

You didn't say if your trip goes to Antarctica, if it doesn't, check the internet weather sites for average temps in your ports during the month you're cruising.
If you see possible temps below 50 F. take clothes for layering. Remember rain gear, and an umbrella unless you're in a suite. A windbreaker or hooded sweatshirt is also a good idea for deck walking at night. The promenade deck is covered but open on all sides except the bow on "S" class ships. I don't know of a vista class that's doing SA but I could be wrong.
If you do go to Antarctica plan for frigid temps. and stomy seas (most trips).
Don't forget hat and gloves, the second boat drill will be chilly.
If you give us more details perhaps we can help more.
GN

[cactuslady]

Tip #1. After you board, head to the Front Office and buy the unlimited laundry and pressing package. Even if you are not in a suite (where the package is included), you can enjoy the luxury of sending your dirty laundry out every day if you like, and it will come back the day after next clean, folded and pressed. So there's no need to pack 17 days worth of underwear, T-shirts and the like, and you only need to pack one or two tuxedo shirts. The package, although little-known and not well advertised, is a great bargain compared to paying the prices for individual items. It does not include dry cleaning, though. For that you pay for each item.

While the dress code is a matter of great controversy, I have never noticed anyone on a cruise ship complaining that others wore the same thing more than once. :rolleyes:

[RuthC]

Happy 700'th post Ruth!!!Thanks! I hadn't noticed! (I did notice #666, though. ain't I the Little Devil? ;))

IIRC, this cruise doesn't include Antarctica, but it can get cold around the Horn. Are you also going to the Falklands? It can get very stormy around there.

[daju22]

Wow!

Thank you so much for all of your insights! I feel better now.
Haven't got my docs so I'm not dancin' and trying to pack for formal nights without knowing is frustrating!

Anyway-

Ruth C.- I'll wear my winter coat since leaving from Philly. Good idea to stuff in bag. Thinking of buying a space bag to roll out the air and make it smaller. Have to stuff both my husband and my coat in. Not going to Antarctica-just Beagle Channel around the horn.

Bepsef- Sometimes dragging the luggage is a pain. Thanks, maybe I'll call HAL if the docs don't come soon.

Colorado Juli- There is a laundromat room on our deck. We dress in layers alot too. Thanks.

Grannynurse- Thank you, thank you for the 4, 3, 10 estimates! Now I can get my dress clothes together. Not to worried about the knock around clothing. I have plenty of that. Formal affairs always get me in a tizzy. Also, we are sailing this November 28th on the Amsterdam. I really appreciate your post.

cactuslady- Thanks for the laundry tip! The do-it-yourself laundry is located near our cabin. Will check out the package. I'm sure I'll have to wear things more than once!

Yes, we're going to the Faulklands.

A big hug to you all for taking the time to help me out!:D

[grannynurse]

It's nice to be able to help after all the help I've rceived on this board.
The laundry package is great. We paid $130 for 17 days and it was well worth it. I use the coin-operated for undies, but if you want a good laugh, We met a lady this summer who was on her 104th Hal cruise. She said she partially filled her whirlpool tub, dumped in a capfull of shampoo, put in her undies and hose, and it agitated as if they were in a washer. Cool, huh?

The hassock footstools in the room double as a laundry hamper, check it out!
SA in November won't be very warm further south, I bet,
Stay warm, and Bon Voyage,
Please write a review for us and we'll love you forever,
Amsterdam is Rotterdam's sister flagship, you'll love her....don't miss the flagship forum enrichment lectures, you'll find them either in person or on TV in your room.
GN

[dakrewser]

Thinking of buying a space bag to roll out the air and make it smaller. Have to stuff both my husband and my coat in.

I'm not sure it's worth trying to squeeze air out of your husband. At least I hope the idea doesn't catch on! :rolleyes:

[daju22]

I'm not sure it's worth trying to squeeze air out of your husband. At least I hope the idea doesn't catch on! :rolleyes:
Dave,

It would certainly keep my Dave quiet and behaving for a while!:eek: Would also be a good way to lose weight!

I noticed my typo, but I left it to see if anyone would notice.

You get the "quick award for the night"!

That doesn't sound too good either.;)

[dakrewser]

Dave,

It would certainly keep my Dave quiet and behaving for a while!:eek: Would also be a good way to lose weight!
How much does air weigh? :)

-dave

[KSCnCA]

I'm not sure it's worth trying to squeeze air out of your husband. At least I hope the idea doesn't catch on! :rolleyes:Dave - thanks for the laugh of the day! I won't tell my husband about the idea in case I need the extra room. We have never cruised with a baggage limit (I have two cruises under my belt - both from our home port). I am in the same club with Brian (and it is stressing me out thinking I can't bring everything I might want!):

There's no such thing as too much luggage...

[dakrewser]

There's no such thing as too much luggage...
WEll, there was the huge, hard-sided roll-about we had on our first cruise. It wouldn't fit under the bed so it lived on the sofa at night and on the bed during the day.

Too much luggage? No such thing. But too large luggage? You betcha! :)

-dave

[daju22]

How much does air weigh? :)

-dave
Air weighs a little. Guess it wouldn't be worth the effort!:p

[RuthC]

Too much luggage? No such thing. But too large luggage? You betcha! :) -daveNo such thing as too much luggage? In that case would you be willing to lug all I'd like to take next time? :confused: I've only got two arms.;)

Too large luggage? I've got one of those! (see above). I ask the cabin steward to store it; then I ask him to return it when it's time to start packing. Never been refused the request. :)

[dakrewser]

No such thing as too much luggage? In that case would you be willing to lug all I'd like to take next time? :confused: I've only got two arms.;)
Now Ruth, you've got to go with the times - get a "luggage system" - rollers on the bags, hooks and belts to tie them together - you can move them about with only one hand!

Wish we'd thought of asking Stewart to take our bag on the first cruise :(

:) -dave

[RuthC]

Dave, do I look like a packhorse?

(Don't answer that. ;) )

[dakrewser]

Dave, do I look like a packhorse?


Not at all. I'm sure that if you batted only one eyelash that the gentlemen would be tripping over each other to assist you with your steamer trunks!

:) -dave