Caribbean-Cruising Fashonista

[t60]

snip....But for this cruise I saw a travel pack that works like an envelope and you put your outfits in that and then fold the sides over each other and pack in the suitcase.

Well I got creative this week and made some and they work fabulous ...snip... and unvelcro the top and I am set to go...

 

Hi TNGALOHA

I´ve just made some packing cubes to fit our hand luggage, but would like to give the envelope style ones a go as well.

If you don´t mind me picking your brains...what dimensions did you use for your folders? what material did you use to make the folders? Do you have a photo for them?

Thanks

Sandy in Spain

[Lois R]

Where is a poll about unpacking? I always unpack when I go on a cruise.:)

[indiana71]

The Cruise Critic email newsletter had a link to a page w/ survey results for Do You Unpack or Not?

A couple weeks ago there was a link to this thread. One click is all it took...but the story/link isn't always at the top of the email.

STARFISH*4/TNGALOHA: You two are the Packing Fashionistas:cool:! STARFISH*4 shared the best idea about packing outfits on hangers...and now TNGALOHA is making it easier w/ the travel packs.

QUESTION: I'm very close to having my own website for all of us interested in looking our best when cruising. Would you go there? AND, just a thought TNGALOHA - would you consider advertising the travel packs and selling them through that website?

There would be packing info, lots of photos of outfits, etc., product and clothing reviews...

[STARFISH*4]

QUESTION: I'm very close to having my own website for all of us interested in looking our best when cruising. Would you go there? ..

 

i would definitely CHECK out your website:)

GOOD LUCK, keep us posted!!!

[TNGALOHA]

Indidana, I would definetly check out the website.

 

Sandy, the dimensions of the packs are: 20 in. X 14 in. for the bottom

Middle flap is 20X11 and the top flap is 14X13 both flaps were closed by velcro.

Hopefully the pictures will come out ok and you can tell by them how to make it.

 

I just used some cotton material that I had here at home already. It takes about a yard to make these. This one has my shirts in it. The picture of this pack being closed won't upload for some reason so you can get an idea of how it looks by the looking at the orange one.

I will try to upload the one with my shorts and capris in it.

Edited October 23, 2011 by TNGALOHA

[TNGALOHA]

Hopefully this will work.

This was my first one so all the mistakes are on it. The Blue one was the 4th so they are getting better as I do them.:D

 

They can be any size you want pretty much. I am going to make a smaller version for my bras and undies to fit in. That one will probably be 8X10 on the bottom and then the flaps would be made accordingly so that they will fit and still be able to overlap.

[t60]

Sandy, the dimensions of the packs are: 20 in. X 14 in. for the bottom

Middle flap is 20X11 and the top flap is 14X13 both flaps were closed by velcro.snip....

 

Thanks for the instructions and pictures. I´ll have a go later in the week

Sandy in Spain

[Fiftiesareus]

There is a huge variety of clothing worn on formal nights. Acessorize those outfits and you can wear them on formal night. Not everyone wears gowns. Many of the women wear cocktail dresses and tea length dresses. Some wear dressy pant suits.

[Fiftiesareus]

I always unpack so I can find all of my outfits. When we sailed on the Carribean Princess to New England & Canada 9/17/11, I put all my casual short sleeve shirts in one drawer, long sleeved & warm sweaters in another. Pants all got hung up. Purses and acessories went in one drawer. I used those open shelves on the side of the dresser for things I wanted quick access to on the way out of the room ie: cameras, magazines, lightweight mini back packs. I used the shelves under the safe for bathing suits, backpacks. I hang all my evening clothing up in the closet so I could find it all easily.

[deladela]

Feeling like a complete fashionista failure! I thought I had finally figured out all my outfits and packing, but ended up with one suitcase way over weight. I had to unpack everything and start over...including reducing the amount I'm taking. So I guess I'll have to take bottoms that will match multiple tops and take a couple less pairs of shoes...:(

[Happy ks]

Feeling like a complete fashionista failure! I thought I had finally figured out all my outfits and packing, but ended up with one suitcase way over weight. I had to unpack everything and start over...including reducing the amount I'm taking. So I guess I'll have to take bottoms that will match multiple tops and take a couple less pairs of shoes...:(

 

My take on being fashionable while traveling is quality over quantity. When we first started cruising, I was among the worst of the overpackers. Then I got wise, figured how much easier life would be if I packed smarter. Less to organize, less to haul and that goes both ways.

 

We unpack even if we are just staying overnight. If we fly in for a cruise the day before, I use a packing folder and put all our clothes, robes, pj's, etc... into it and don't have to disturb the rest of the case.

 

I have a relative that does not unpack when on a cruise or hotel stay and it drives me nuts. She has to go through her case every time she gets ready, then fusses with the case to put things away after she's dressed. All the while I stand there and wait. When she stays with us, her suitcase is on the floor, in the way, my daughter has to give up her bedroom and can't get to her closet to get to her clothes.

 

She says that when she leaves her stuff in the case she knows where it is. Huh??? I know exactly where my stuff is too, right there in the closet and drawers! I just like simpler ways to do things and not fuss too much.

 

We hang almost all our clothing and it makes unpacking and repacking such a breeze. After wearing the stuff, we rehang the stuff, slide it to the back of the closet and it goes home the same way it came. If we're going to wear the stuff again, we send it out for laundry or dry cleaning. Re-wearing a few things is the simplest way to cut back on the amount of packing. A whole lot cheaper than an extra bag fee or overweight bag fee, our charges usually come to around $25 for a week long cruise. I wash my bras and undies in the dink(no big deal, I just let them soak while I shower) we send husbands out mid cruise. Another good thing about washing out smelly undies is you aren't transporting week long stinky underwear home, even in a ziploc they will stink up your suitcase.

Edited October 24, 2011 by Happy ks

[indiana71]

Hmmm...Dh has accused me of overpacking. My defense is that I've planned each outfit and will wear everything...BUT I must admit - there have been a few times when the weather was cooler than I expected, and instead of wearing shorts, a pair of pants got an extra go-round.

AND I concede that flying restrictions on weight are a HUGE issue. Happy ks: "Quality over quantity" is always the rule in that situation.

Living out of a suitcase (even overnight) is inconceivable to me. Clothes get wrinkled, you can't find a pair of earrings...if it's because those folks don't want to take the time to unpack - READ some of the Suggestions on This Thread!

deladela: You are NOT a fashionista failure:confused:!! Because of your diligence and organization, you're tackling the problem and fixing it. Even though you must cut down, you will look great!!

PS - I've just gone over 1000 posts!! (Did I mention, that Cruise Critic threads are the best way to stay up to date on the latest info:cool:??)

[deladela]

My take on being fashionable while traveling is quality over quantity. When we first started cruising, I was among the worst of the overpackers. Then I got wise, figured how much easier life would be if I packed smarter. Less to organize, less to haul and that goes both ways.

 

We unpack even if we are just staying overnight. If we fly in for a cruise the day before, I use a packing folder and put all our clothes, robes, pj's, etc... into it and don't have to disturb the rest of the case.

 

I have a relative that does not unpack when on a cruise or hotel stay and it drives me nuts. She has to go through her case every time she gets ready, then fusses with the case to put things away after she's dressed. All the while I stand there and wait. When she stays with us, her suitcase is on the floor, in the way, my daughter has to give up her bedroom and can't get to her closet to get to her clothes.

 

She says that when she leaves her stuff in the case she knows where it is. Huh??? I know exactly where my stuff is too, right there in the closet and drawers! I just like simpler ways to do things and not fuss too much.

 

We hang almost all our clothing and it makes unpacking and repacking such a breeze. After wearing the stuff, we rehang the stuff, slide it to the back of the closet and it goes home the same way it came. If we're going to wear the stuff again, we send it out for laundry or dry cleaning. Re-wearing a few things is the simplest way to cut back on the amount of packing. A whole lot cheaper than an extra bag fee or overweight bag fee, our charges usually come to around $25 for a week long cruise. I wash my bras and undies in the dink(no big deal, I just let them soak while I shower) we send husbands out mid cruise. Another good thing about washing out smelly undies is you aren't transporting week long stinky underwear home, even in a ziploc they will stink up your suitcase.

 

Hmmm...Dh has accused me of overpacking. My defense is that I've planned each outfit and will wear everything...BUT I must admit - there have been a few times when the weather was cooler than I expected, and instead of wearing shorts, a pair of pants got an extra go-round.

AND I concede that flying restrictions on weight are a HUGE issue. Happy ks: "Quality over quantity" is always the rule in that situation.

 

Living out of a suitcase (even overnight) is inconceivable to me. Clothes get wrinkled, you can't find a pair of earrings...if it's because those folks don't want to take the time to unpack - READ some of the Suggestions on This Thread!

 

deladela: You are NOT a fashionista failure:confused:!! Because of your diligence and organization, you're tackling the problem and fixing it. Even though you must cut down, you will look great!!

 

PS - I've just gone over 1000 posts!! (Did I mention, that Cruise Critic threads are the best way to stay up to date on the latest info:cool:??)

Thanks...you guys make me feel better. I finally got my one overweight suitcase under 50lbs, but now I have to figure out how to get the rest into the other 2 suitcases. Maybe I should do away with one of the big suitcases and pack 2 carry-ons instead. We usually try not to do carry-ons because we always have to change planes and it's easier to let the airline take care of the bags than for us to drag them through another airport and board another flight with them...we'll see. Hopefully I'll be done packing by tonight. I'll let you all know how it goes!

[STARFISH*4]

Thanks...you guys make me feel better. I finally got my one overweight suitcase under 50lbs, but now I have to figure out how to get the rest into the other 2 suitcases. Maybe I should do away with one of the big suitcases and pack 2 carry-ons instead. We usually try not to do carry-ons because we always have to change planes and it's easier to let the airline take care of the bags than for us to drag them through another airport and board another flight with them...we'll see. Hopefully I'll be done packing by tonight. I'll let you all know how it goes!

 

once we stopped using the larger suitcases we werent going overweight...those larger bags are to easy to go overweight and then there is so much room left over...we now use the smaller bags 27" and smaller.

i am an over-packer to some to me I am just the stuff i need and then some, which makes me HAPPY ..lol.......we have 3 checked bags and 2 carry-ons for a 2 week cruise.

 

carry-ons are a GOOD thing tho in case those bags go missing you would have something........we always have a couple of days of clothes in the carry-ons...all essential shoes and underwear-lingere etc

my bags have gone "missing" before a cruise and it was GREAT we had stuff in our carry-ons (bags found right before we sailed)

 

GOOD LUCK PACKING!!

Edited October 24, 2011 by STARFISH*4

[Kaye745]

Hi Ladies-

 

I've been following this thread, just haven't posted before, but I now have a question for all you experienced fashionistas out there. We're going on a Thanksgiving cruise out of Baltimore, MD this November. We've always cruised out of Florida, and I'm getting confused about what type of clothing I need to take. I know layers, but I think I'm over thinking this whole thing. For those of you that have sailed from Baltimore (we're doing an Easter Caribbean 9 day cruise on RCI), how long until we get to shorts and t-shirt weather. On average, is it warm enough to be out on deck at sail) away with sweaters or are we talking parkas? (HA) Can I break out the Caribbean clothing by day 2? HELP! I'm so over packing. At least we're driving to port so I don't have to worry about weight restrictions.

 

Thanks so much in advance-

Shelia

[deladela]

once we stopped using the larger suitcases we werent going overweight...those larger bags are to easy to go overweight and then there is so much room left over...we now use the smaller bags 27" and smaller.

i am an over-packer to some to me I am just the stuff i need and then some, which makes me HAPPY ..lol.......we have 3 checked bags and 2 carry-ons for a 2 week cruise.

 

carry-ons are a GOOD thing tho in case those bags go missing you would have something........we always have a couple of days of clothes in the carry-ons...all essential shoes and underwear-lingere etc

my bags have gone "missing" before a cruise and it was GREAT we had stuff in our carry-ons (bags found right before we sailed)

 

GOOD LUCK PACKING!!

I thought I was going to be ok with the weight because the biggest bag is a 28", but that one was 64lbs when I finished packing the first time! I guess I need to stick to even smaller bags! I just spent a couple of hours at a friend's house with my packed suitcases...we went over the stuff I had packed while we downed a couple of beers and she helped me eliminate about 1/3 of the stuff I had packed...and I'm sure I won't even miss it. I did have 3 checked bags and 1 carry-on. I was going to downsize to 2 checked bags and then do 2 carry-ons, but DH says maybe we should just stick to the 3 checked bags. IDK...I was hoping to finish packing tonight, but I guess I will decide and finish tomorrow. I like the idea of having a few things in a carry-on so you know at least something is going to make it to the destination, but when you have to change planes, the carry-ons can be a pain...and DH doesn't want to deal with them.

[naxie nee!]

What type of appliances (or electrical outlets) are provided on Princess Cruise Lines? Will we need a converter?

 

Princess provides a hair dryer and a refrigerator. No converters necessary, DH brings lots of electrical gadgets and doesn't have a problem. Not much shelf space inside the shower for stuff though.

 

Ladies, I just found this thread this past weekend and I'm totally hooked. I thought I was abnormally ocd about my cruise wardrobe. I love you gals.

 

I totally want a "cruise clothes room". Maybe I'll make room in the sewing room.... A noble goal, it's already quite cluttered with fabric and patterns waiting to be made into the cruise wardrobe for January's cruise.

[5326jan]

Princess provides a hair dryer and a refrigerator. No converters necessary, DH brings lots of electrical gadgets and doesn't have a problem. Not much shelf space inside the shower for stuff though.

 

Ladies, I just found this thread this past weekend and I'm totally hooked. I thought I was abnormally ocd about my cruise wardrobe. I love you gals.

 

I totally want a "cruise clothes room". Maybe I'll make room in the sewing room.... A noble goal, it's already quite cluttered with fabric and patterns waiting to be made into the cruise wardrobe for January's cruise.

 

We have found it very convenient to bring a power strip (with a 4-5 foot cord) with us for all the low voltage charger plugs. The longer cord moves the plugs away from the outlet where everything else seems to accumulate. :)

[naxie nee!]

We have found it very convenient to bring a power strip (with a 4-5 foot cord) with us for all the low voltage charger plugs. The longer cord moves the plugs away from the outlet where everything else seems to accumulate. :)

The power strip is a brilliant idea. The "desk" gets so cluttered. I'm getting so many great ideas from all of you. I've already started the spread sheet, DH is shaking his head. But, he's also asking where his packing spread sheet is. His is easy, fourteen days: fourteen "hawaiian" shirts. Maybe less if we decide to get them laundered, he loves how Princess does them.

[indiana71]

Kaye745: Welcome to CCF:eek:! I'm jealous...how nice it would be to cruise over Thanksgiving.

I suggest you have a heavy jacket in the car (since you're driving to port) and if you don't need it, leave it in the car. We ALWAYS go on deck for SailAway and only once (in March) was a parka necessary...but a long-sleeve T top and heavy sweater is recommended.

Within 24 hours, it will be warm enough for shorts. You should be off the coast of the Carolinas by then.

naxie nee! - Welcome to you, too!! I love your screen name - very interesting.

What would our DHs do without those Hawaiian shirts??? Frankly, I like them so much more than plain oxfords or golf shirts.

5326jan: Power Strips: DH & I aren't very techno savvy...the only electronic device we take is his cell phone...and it's JUST a phone. Neither of us have texting or internet access...

Once we're out of the calling area, his phone is turned off and put in the safe. For sure we are in the minority...

deladela: I'm feelin' your pain RE: OverWeight Luggage. It had to be tough to eliminate 1/3 of the contents!:eek:

Our largest suitcases are 28" and I pack them very full so everything inside doesn't slide around - and closing takes a wee bit of effort. I have never had an issue w/ overweight - 46 lbs is the heaviest ever. But admittedly, I'm holding my breath when the luggage scale is giving it's readout!

I hope you have a Wonderful Cruise and will let us know if your paring down worked out.

Edited October 26, 2011 by indiana71

[deladela]

Kaye745: Welcome to CCF:eek:! I'm jealous...how nice it would be to cruise over Thanksgiving.

I suggest you have a heavy jacket in the car (since you're driving to port) and if you don't need it, leave it in the car. We ALWAYS go on deck for SailAway and only once (in March) was a parka necessary...but a long-sleeve T top and heavy sweater is recommended.

Within 24 hours, it will be warm enough for shorts. You should be off the coast of the Carolinas by then.

 

naxie nee! - Welcome to you, too!! I love your screen name - very interesting.

What would our DHs do without those Hawaiian shirts??? Frankly, I like them so much more than plain oxfords or golf shirts.

 

5326jan: Power Strips: DH & I aren't very techno savvy...the only electronic device we take is his cell phone...and it's JUST a phone. Neither of us have texting or internet access...

Once we're out of the calling area, his phone is turned off and put in the safe. For sure we are in the minority...

 

deladela: I'm feelin' your pain RE: OverWeight Luggage. It had to be tough to eliminate 1/3 of the contents!:eek:

Our largest suitcases are 28" and I pack them very full so everything inside doesn't slide around - and closing takes a wee bit of effort. I have never had an issue w/ overweight - 46 lbs is the heaviest ever. But admittedly, I'm holding my breath when the luggage scale is giving it's readout!

 

I hope you have a Wonderful Cruise and will let us know if your paring down worked out.

 

I will! I'm pretty sure I'll be fine because even though I had packed outfits, I had a few extras. I had 6 swimsuits and went down to 3 because I didn't NEED 6. And being gone for 18 days, I will be wearing a few of the things more than once(especially bottoms), but I have a lot of jewelry so I can accessorize differently and with different tops nobody will realize it's the same bottom. Plus, if I wear something the first or second day and someone recognizes it by the end, they REALLY need to drink more!:D;)

 

Thanks to all of you for your ideas and encouragement! I love talking about cruise clothes...I used to be one of the ones who couldn't decide what to take so I took everything...I've gotten better with each cruise, but I think this will be the best because of the ideas I got from this thread.

[tophatgirl]

Love this thread but I feel SO unprepared! 1st cuise in 5 weeks, packing for a family of 3 and overwhelmed! DH won't make any decisions, I have to pack for him as well as my dd5! I have no idea what to wear for daytime, what is appropriate for embarkment day (Miami), the list goes on an on! Trying to pack all of us in one large suitcase to check plus two small carryon suitcases.

 

I am up to page 17 of this thread...keep it going!

[deladela]

Love this thread but I feel SO unprepared! 1st cuise in 5 weeks, packing for a family of 3 and overwhelmed! DH won't make any decisions, I have to pack for him as well as my dd5! I have no idea what to wear for daytime, what is appropriate for embarkment day (Miami), the list goes on an on! Trying to pack all of us in one large suitcase to check plus two small carryon suitcases.

 

I am up to page 17 of this thread...keep it going!

My DH is the same way...is it a 7 night caribbean? Shorts and tee shirts are appropriate for day. Swimsuits and cover-ups can be worn, too. IDK about one large suitcase...I was trying to pack DH and I in 2 for 18 days and didn't make it. I ended up with 3 large suitcases. I packed, then took out about 1/3 of what we had...probably could've ended up fitting it into 2, but DH said to spread it out so we'd have room to bring stuff back. That's one thing to keep in mind...if you just fit going, you won't have room for extras on the way home.:D Don't stress...it's supposed to be fun! You'll have a blast!

[Happy ks]

Love this thread but I feel SO unprepared! 1st cuise in 5 weeks, packing for a family of 3 and overwhelmed! DH won't make any decisions, I have to pack for him as well as my dd5! I have no idea what to wear for daytime, what is appropriate for embarkment day (Miami), the list goes on an on! Trying to pack all of us in one large suitcase to check plus two small carryon suitcases.

 

I am up to page 17 of this thread...keep it going!

 

 

Edit to add, this was typed one finger on my iPod touch, spelling errors are what the iPod decided to do for me, I'm really not that bad at spelling.

 

Our first cruise I also had this same overwhelming experience. If there is one thing I can say to relieve your dilemma it would be to say "don't fret too

much"! My thoughts at the time was that it was a luxury vacation, people must dress up. Wrong, not only is the ship full of very average people, most of them typical of who you see in an average shopping mall on a Saturday afternoon.

 

Take your summer clothes for daytime, take at least 2-3 bathing suits per person, take plenty of sunscreen, take a good camera. For dinners. Casual nights most lines require men to wear long pants, my husband takes 2 pair and a couple shirts, we have them laundered inboard. He rakes his sportscoat, slacks and one shirt, 2 ties.

 

I take a couple pair if shorts with 2 shirts to go with each, I Aldo have some laundry done, there is a charge for laundry but it's a lot cheaper than extra suitcases at the airport. I also re-wear evening clothes, it's just black slacks and tops, I am starting to take jersey knit dresses instead, a whole lit easier to pack than pants/tops. I take 2 cocktail dresses for formal nights, but I swear I'm going to start taking just one and use different accessories to cut out that second dress.

 

Other than that, take your own toiletries, makeup, hair stuff (I've been disappointed too many times by ship blow dryers-take your own and be happy about it), try to avoid extras you read about on packing lists, such as over the door shoe holders and hampers, those just take up too much packing space and you can really get by without them.

Edited October 28, 2011 by Happy ks

[deladela]

Edit to add, this was typed one finger on my iPod touch, spelling errors are what the iPod decided to do for me, I'm really not that bad at spelling.

 

Our first cruise I also had this same overwhelming experience. If there is one thing I can say to relieve your dilemma it would be to say "don't fret too

much"! My thoughts at the time was that it was a luxury vacation, people must dress up. Wrong, not only is the ship full of very average people, most of them typical of who you see in an average shopping mall on a Saturday afternoon.

 

Take your summer clothes for daytime, take at least 2-3 bathing suits per person, take plenty of sunscreen, take a good camera. For dinners. Casual nights most lines require men to wear long pants, my husband takes 2 pair and a couple shirts, we have them laundered inboard. He rakes his sportscoat, slacks and one shirt, 2 ties.

 

I take a couple pair if shorts with 2 shirts to go with each, I Aldo have some laundry done, there is a charge for laundry but it's a lot cheaper than extra suitcases at the airport. I also re-wear evening clothes, it's just black slacks and tops, I am starting to take jersey knit dresses instead, a whole lit easier to pack than pants/tops. I take 2 cocktail dresses for formal nights, but I swear I'm going to start taking just one and use different accessories to cut out that second dress.

 

Other than that, take your own toiletries, makeup, hair stuff (I've been disappointed too many times by ship blow dryers-take your own and be happy about it), try to avoid extras you read about on packing lists, such as over the door shoe holders and hampers, those just take up too much packing space and you can really get by without them.

I agree with everything you said except the over the door shoe holder...it takes up very little suitcase space. I usually pack mine in the outside zipper on my suitcase...and it helps ALOT in keeping toiletries and small items organized in the bathroom where there is VERY limited space.