Caribbean-Cruising Fashonista

[indiana71]

cardamom: First, for the chilly (cold?) SailAway - why not wear a cape or poncho? I've seen some that are in fun colors and not all drab & wintry.

Formal Night that is cold - I wear a silk shawl. Dressy cardigans are nice, too...there are some really pretty ones, without looking like a little old lady...

Well, we had a great time in Las Vegas! It was HOT! 100 degrees...but not sweaty & humid. It didn't feel as oppressive as the 95 w/ high humidity this summer back home in PA:eek:.

LV is a nice place to visit...but twice in 5 years is plenty for us. The shows and restaurants were fabulous!! The Flamingo Hotel is old (by LV standards) but completely adequate.

We prefer cruising, though; & made a list of why during our flight home:

Vegas is EXPENSIVE!!! You must always have ID, credit card & cash. All one needs on a cruise ship is the card issued. It's a credit card + room key.

We like dinner at the same table w/ the same servers and tablemates. Anything on the menu is available.

In LV, menus list each item w/ price (appetizers$$, entrees$$$$, salad$$, dessert$$....)

The cruise line can arrange all tours, and shows and tickets are delivered to your stateroom.

You get the idea, we prefer cruising:cool:.

PACKING:

I packed several outfits on hangers so when unpacking, it was easy to pick up the hanger & put it in the closet - quick & easy!

That was a great tip found on this thread:)!

A while back I read on another thread that some of you use plastic dry cleaner bags to keep clothes from sliding in the suitcase. I had always used tissue paper. This time, the plastic bags worked beautifully! I cut some of the long bags in half. Another good tip!

In the photo below, I have on the dress purchased just days before our trip. It's a Joseph Ribkoff and is lightweight, a travel-friendly fabric & a style that flutters any figure.

[TNGALOHA]

Indiana 71, I really like that dress. You look like a million dollars in it.

Did you have any luck in Vegas?

We aren't real keen on Vegas, we like to go to Laughlin NV instead. It is like Vegas was 20 years ago, and it is right on the Colorado River so it gets cooler at night and really enjoyable.

Did you get over to Fremont Street for the experience?

[indiana71]

TNGALOHA: Thank you for the nice comments!

DH played electronic Blackjack at a bar so he drank for free (spent $5 and had 2 Gin & Tonics a couple times). Even though he didn't win, the drinks would have cost more than he spent.

I put $10 in the penny slots and brought home $5. Not too bad.

Fremont Street: For those of you who aren't familiar with Las Vegas, Fremont Street was the original hub...but now, IMHO, it's seedy. We were there in the late morning so didn't see the "Experience" (Fremont Street has a roof and at night the entire ceiling is one big Light Show).

LV casinos are SO BIG! We prefer the shipboard casino, probably because we don't drop more than $20....

It's nice to be on a ship where only your ship ID is needed. I hadn't realized how acclimated we have become to the cruising lifestyle: having everything we need within walking distance - no vehicles, no traffic signals.

Now that Las Vegas is behind us, my Cruise Room won't have much activity for several months:(. Some clothes are at the dry cleaners, the rest are washed, ironed and back in the closet or drawers...

NEXT PROJECT: Since we aren't flying in March, I'm going to search for a piece of luggage made specifically for shoes. Some of mine have bows, flowers, etc. and get crushed in the suitcase, even though I put tissue paper to try to protect them.

If anyone knows of such a thing, please let me know.

Edited September 24, 2011 by indiana71

[TNGALOHA]

Indiana,

You might want to try JoyMagano.com.

She has some shoe suitcases in there, just beware that her suitcases are on the heavy side.

We bought a complete set about 7 years ago and we have all but quit using them unless we are driving to the port or where ever we are going.

If we are flying we use our polycarbonite ones because they start out so light and I can pack more in them.;)

Edited September 24, 2011 by TNGALOHA

[SAN415]

Hi Indiana71

Here is a link to a shoe bag that is a decent price. It holds 8 pairs of shoes.

 

http://www.hammacher.com/publish/72539.asp

 

Hope the link works.

[SAN415]

Sorry I just realized its no longer offered. I wish I still had mine I would have given to you for just the shipping. I donated mine a few years ago to Goodwill.

I sometimes wish I still had it for me too.:p But I rarely take more than 4 prs shoes.

[SAN415]

So excited, Indiana I did a search and here is a 4 pair bag from Meijers. So cheap you could order a couple if a 4 pair bag is to small. I am going to order me one.

 

Here is the link:

 

http://www.meijer.com/s/traveling-shoe-case/_/R-155782;jsessionid=44CB21611FCA3772B7242EDB42024FA7.instance02?CAWELAID=547076109&cmpid=goobase

[mdmc]

So glad I found this thread. We are going on a cruise in March and I need a long dress. I am wondering for those of you who ordered from the e-bay store Ever Pretty where you happy with the quality of the dresses you bought? I want a long but from fitting dress. This looks like the place.

[indiana71]

SAN415: Thank you! I looked at the shoe case and will most likely order at least 1:). Only a couple pairs of dress shoes need to be packed carefully to avoid crushing.

mdmd: I've never ordered from ebay but will anxiously await others who have...it might be a great new option for shopping....

[deladela]

Just read through all 459 posts...wow. I don't think I'm organized enough to do the spreadsheet thing, but I definitely was inspired to be more organized than usual. Hopefully I can significantly reduce my overpacking for this next cruise. One thing I didn't think about was the weight of denim...now I will eliminate most, if not all, of the denim and that should help with weight. I would like to get DH and I both packed into 2 medium suitcases, but IDK if that's going to happen...11 night cruise plus 4 nights pre-cruise and 2 nights post cruise. AND we will be in South Beach for Halloween...so we HAVE to have costumes...

BTW...I LOVE that I'm not the only one with a "cruise room"!:D I call it the "guest room", but we all know what it's REAL purpose is!;)

[indiana71]

deladela: Welcome! After reading ALL the posts, you deserve an umbrella beverage:cool:.

Let's start a petition to get builders to include a Cruise Room option in houses!!

How much fun you will have in South Beach on Halloween:)! I'm envious!! The fashions AND costumes will be fashionista worthy!

[indiana71]

TNGALOHA: I finally found time to look at Joy Mangano. The carry-on with drawers looks interesting...and the video claims it's very light at just over 5 lbs.

My thought right now is to simply use light-weight cardboard around the bows/poufs to keep them from crushing. That way I don't need an extra piece of luggage...but the Joy M just might replace my outdated carry-on. It comes in lots of colors and the drawers come out to make a traditional packing space...could be a nice item for my Christmas list;)...

[TNGALOHA]

Indiana,

That is one of the pieces that I have and I love it. When I went back to Wy. to help my son and daughter in law out while she had open heart surgery a couple of years ago, I took that piece and it was my dresser for the 8 weeks I was there. It was perfect and I carried the big garment bag and the worked as my closet for my jeans and such since her surgery was in Feb.

 

I really like that the dresser one has a snap out organizer so I was able to keep my necessities in it and hung it on the hook on the back of the door so that my granddaughter couldn't get into it.

 

With the drawers and all in it tho it does get heavy fast. But I didn't mind then because I drove up and it didn't mtter how much I put in it. ;)

(No weight restrictions, just me lifting it):eek:

 

The drawers are big enough that the top one held a weeks worth of socks and undies and pj's. The second one held Long sleeve t-shirts and my dress shirts and the bottom one held my sweat shirts for cooler days.

 

The little carry on workd out great for 2 prs of tennis shoes, a pair of bedroom slippers, 1 pr of dress shoes and a pr of knee boots for the snow.

It also fits over the handle of the large suitcase so I was able to keep the extra shoes in there when they weren't being worn.

 

Hope this helps in the decisions on them.

[Pennyscandy]

Noticed your shoes packed in your luggage. If you get a newspaper in a plastic sleeve they are prefect for your shoes. Also we use them for garbage in the car and I keep one in my carry-on for the plane. Tuck a couple in your luggage, you will find a use for them, wet swim suits, sports towels and gym clothes to mention a few.

Linda

[indiana71]

TNGALOHA: You helped me make up my mind! The "shoe case" is on my Christmas List. Our family exchanges Christmas Wish Lists on Oct 1, and that piece of luggage is at the top of mine:). Thanks so much!

Pennyscandy: Thanks for the tip RE plastic newspaper sleeve. I'm all for recycling so those sleeves will be used and will go in the Cruise Room for future packing:)!

QUESTION: Do you use the laundry/dry cleaning service onboard? RCI is the only line we've been on and have never sent out anything to be cleaned, laundered or pressed.

But, with a longer cruise, could it be a good idea.....??

[deladela]

TNGALOHA: You helped me make up my mind! The "shoe case" is on my Christmas List. Our family exchanges Christmas Wish Lists on Oct 1, and that piece of luggage is at the top of mine:). Thanks so much!

 

Pennyscandy: Thanks for the tip RE plastic newspaper sleeve. I'm all for recycling so those sleeves will be used and will go in the Cruise Room for future packing:)!

 

QUESTION: Do you use the laundry/dry cleaning service onboard? RCI is the only line we've been on and have never sent out anything to be cleaned, laundered or pressed.

But, with a longer cruise, could it be a good idea.....??

My hubby's suit, my dress and my daughter's dress all needed to be dry cleaned before we went on our cruise. I opted to wait til we were on board to do it instead of doing it before we left so we didn't have to worry about them wrinkling. It wasn't that expensive and way less hassle than dealing with the wrinkles! (we were on Royal Caribbean)

[tmee]

This is such a great thread!! Thanks Indiana71 for starting it and everyone who has been posting. So I too read the whoooooollllle thread. I'm one of those people who won't post until she has read the ENTIRE thread (hence my limited number of posts :) ) I and I thought wow…. There are so many like me!!

 

I am definitely a chart list squares plan clothing maker. I do this very far in advance in fact it is definitely part of the whole traveling experience for me. It makes the trip seem real and exciting!!!

 

The funny thing about cruising especially to the Caribbean is that for me usually it makes packing a luxury. Usually when I travel any other way than by ship, really even on a ship outside of the Caribbean, I pack minimally. I tend to dress the way I do at home very simple classic tailored, sometime vintage or retro styles, which allows me to mix and match. But EVERYTHING fits in a carry on (and I don’t wear the same outfit twice ;) that’s where all of the charts come in)

 

But on a cruise I feel free, I don’t have to worry about carrying my bag over cobblestone streets and wonder if it will fit in the train, shutter at the looks of disapproval as my very large bag gets caught in a carousel door and they have to stop it so I can get my bag out :( The first 7 day cruise to the Caribbean I took I didn’t even know what to do with all of the extra space in my “Checked Bag” But I still make lists and plans But I don’t usually mix and match… I just wear everything once. Generally I have 2 ½ outfits planned for each day. Also I find on a Caribbean cruise I wear things I would not even think of wearing at home. Not the style necessarily but the pattern. I don’t usually wear bright colours or flowers, but on a Caribbean cruise I will wear flowers and prints. They still aren’t loud and tacky, but they are for ME. I think “well it is pretty obvious I’m a tourist so is everyone else” lol. Right now I am looking at two very similar dresses one in a dark burgundy and gold. The other is white with orange, blue and yellow flowers. Guess which one, I may take on the cruise, and which one I am going to wear to the ballet :D

 

Any earlier post (much earlier:D) was asking about scarves. I love scarves. I wear them a lot, especially traveling but at home too. I often use them in place of a necklace, sometimes as a hair wrap or head band, I also wear them as belts and once or twice even around my wrist. They are sooooo versatile and very light weight. And especially for me since I wear mostly solid colours mostly blacks. A bright or interesting pattern scarf brings a lot of colour and a bit pizzazz to my otherwise austere outfit ;)

 

Did I mention I LOVE this thread…?

 

tmee

[tmee]

QUESTION: Do you use the laundry/dry cleaning service onboard? RCI is the only line we've been on and have never sent out anything to be cleaned, laundered or pressed.

But, with a longer cruise, could it be a good idea.....??

I have used the dry cleaning services on RCCL and I have been relatively pleased. I used it to dry clean the "suit" I wore on the way to Miami It was slacks and a blazer. I was a lot colder in Miami than I thought and I wanted to wear it home. It came back fine, but I don’t think it did as good of job as my local cleaners. I don’t know if I would send anything delicate with special buttons or embellishments. But something simple or even a man’s suit I would think it would be fine. I have also had a few things pressed, but again anything very expensive, or detailed , I don’t know…. But it is certainly handy to have available.

 

tmee

[indiana71]

deladela: Another simple but brilliant idea:)! Instead of fussing with dry cleaning a garment before packing, and then trying to keep wrinkles out...send it to the ship dry cleaning service!! Thank you for sharing your experience.

Since there are many posts w/ good ideas - I'm keeping a notebook w/ all the suggestions to use when Outfit Planning begins in January.

tmee: Welcome Fashionista Sister!! It is so-o-o pleasing every time a new poster reveals her fashionista side:)! It validates all of us who spend time planning and making charts before cruising: Your quote:

I do this very far in advance in fact it is definitely part of the whole traveling experience for me. It makes the trip seem real and exciting!!!

is exactly the way I (and other posters) feel:eek:!

After watching a very early morning program about behind-the-scenes of Oasis of the Seas, DH commented on how much laundry is done each day.

So, your suggestion to not send delicate fabrics, embellishments or fancy buttons is good common sense.

 

 

 

[Viennagirl]

All these posts make fascinating reading! Living in Europe, we don't have things like extra bedrooms to stage clothing. I usually lay things out on the living room U shaped sofa. I have to be prudent with what I bring since flying has become so difficult. Even though I've arranged to ship 2 extra suitcases, we will be traveling for 4 months with climates ranging from the heat of the equator to penguin friendly cool! My husband is happy to throw 2 kakis, 2 t's, a shirt, a tie, and a suit in a bag and that's it. Then the argument begins, which I usually win with my best exit line "I'm not spending my cruise in the laundry room washing your clothes"! I am excited about our adventure, but terrified about the packing!

[indiana71]

When I started this thread in February, I had no idea if it would be ongoing or fizzle out and go away. But it is so much fun to read all the posts and to know how many Caribbean Cruising Fashionistas are out there:cool:!

We love clothes, putting outfits together, looking as good as we can...and seeing suggestions and ideas.

AND TODAY - THIS THREAD IS A FEATURED LINK IN THE CRUISE CRITIC NEWSLETTER:)!

Viennagirl: You are a prime example of a Fashionista - concerned about your appearance but well aware of the limitations in luggage allowances and the time (and space) it takes to plan outfits and then pack neatly and wrinkle-free.

Traveling for 4 months, with climate changes is a huge challenge. Please share your fashion strategy!

I loved your quote that proves you ARE a CCF:

"I'm not spending my cruise in the laundry room washing your clothes"

[Anita2305]

:o I'm sailing out of Baltimore thanksgiving week & yes I have planned my outfits for the entire week.

[indiana71]

Anita2305: I see you have recently joined Cruise Critic and this is your 1st post! Welcome:cool:.

Where are you going? I love cruising from Baltimore. My only concern is the weather. Are you wearing a fall/winter outfit for SailAway?

Bright colors, but heavier fabrics, i.e. peach-colored corduroy pants and a white pullover sweater will probably be my choice in March. Shoes will be sandals no matter what; and a jacket or pastel poncho to keep me warm as we leave the port.

QUESTION: Is anyone interested in joining me for a Fashionista Cruise - summer or fall of 2012...just a thought...

[pjck71]

QUESTION: Is anyone interested in joining me for a Fashionista Cruise - summer or fall of 2012...just a thought...

 

Now THAT would be fun!!

 

I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments in this thread & in this section. I've been a little stressed over what to wear during our E. Caribbean cruise in Dec/Jan and ya'll have been a HUGE help!

 

We'll be flying from Texas to Florida on Dec 30 to board on NYE. It could be 90* or 30* in Texas that day, so travel clothes will have to wait til the last minute. I'm hoping we have pleasant caribbean weather for our trip and will definitely have outfits planned in advance!

 

I plan to wear dresses mostly, since I've been dieting (not for the cruise!!) and have been changing sizes fairly quickly. I've pretty much been living in dresses for about the last 6 months :)

[indiana71]

pjck71: I'm so envious of you! Cruising in less than 100 days:cool:!

I didn't realize that Texas temps could fluctuate so much. Oh my!

Waiting till the last minute to choose a travel outfit is the smart thing to do in that case. Since none of those items go in a suitcase, there's no pressure.

Dresses are so much fun to wear - and congratulations on the weight loss:)! How good does it feel to put on a feminine, flattering AND comfortable dress!

I agree that it would be so much fun to have a Group Caribbean Cruising Fashionista cruise. If there's enough interest, I would LOVE to organize it!