Packing for a 14 day Med. cruise...

[genni]

Thanks - My brain is getting foggy from so much research on so many ports. I think it is Monte Carlo where jeans or sneakers are not allowed in the casino, or even to enter some of the fancy hotels. Thanks

 

Church: women's shoulders covered, something to the knees (not classy, but one can alwalys bring a light-weight 'wrap-around skirt, and a shawl) also...Casino...do be careful in Italy - the North American way of saying that word actually means a house of ill-repute...say, when in Italy (Montecarlo will have to fend for themselves- do note - It is Monte Carlo - Princess Grace - elite-selected clientèl...), ca -sin - OH (stress on the last syllable means a place for gambling)... so...

Hockeymom....yeah...jeans (could depend on what designer? - sneakers the same...) at the places where one gambles/fancy hotels - Montecarlo...??? If they are so picky about dress code, ought one spend money there?...hey, just my personal opinion - ...religious places are a totally different thing - yes/no???.

[cruisinalong001]

Thanks for the heads up on capped sleeves. I better check my short sleeve ts in the mirror. Better yet, I think I'll change into a 3/4 sleeve blouse before our Vatican tour. Evidently shoulders has a pretty extensive definition in some places. I don't know too many women whose shoulders extend half way to their elbows :D

[ceciliasowh]

Genni,

 

Thank you for your advice...I love old churches and want to see as many as my family will allow! I will keep a scarf for my daughter and myself so we can see any Greek Orthodox churches or mosques. Do you have any idea why the custom was started? We are Protestant but I have been to many Catholic masses with friends. The older women always seemed to have their heads covered and I always wanted to know why but didn't want to ask in case they were offended!

 

this may help-

The custom goes back to the early Church, where women covered their heads because they carried the power of the angels on their head. St. Paul writes on this practice: "that is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels" (see 1 Cor. 11). With this in mind, the woman covers her glory when she is in the presence of the Lord's glory as a sign of humility. Indeed, it is a sign of the heart clothed with humility.

[cmpaula]

Many thanks! I have read that passage before during studies of Paul but it didn't "click" until your reply:o So much to learn, so much to see, so many cruises to go on!

[Belle]

I'm taking a b2b..28 days.

Just hoping I get everything in

two suitcases for husband and

I. Bet I'll need an other one.

Celebrity..Formal and Informal

take room.

 

Some of you have the gift in packing.. not me.

In fairness to me thro, we wear everything

I pack.

 

Also you want to keep the suitcases under 50.

The ones with wheels weigh more to begin with.

Plus extra stuff you have to bring, can't put in

carry on.

 

Just talking myself into three suitcases! LOL

[MMDown Under]

We usually travel for a couple of months and our luggage limit is 20 kg with one suitcase and one hand luggage, which varies with each airline.

 

When I start packing, I still start out with too much, but then take away everything I can live without. Just thinking of having to cart the luggage helps me meet the luggage limits easily in the end.

 

One thing I can't do without is luggage, with wheels, for the majority of the time when you are not travelling by plane. Whilst I always envy those smart people who have wheels on their hand luggage, I give up the convenience for weight reduction, and carry a small dual purpose backpack.

[Coolcruise02]

We're also heading to the Med this summer for a 12-day cruise, plus 2 days prior and 1 post (with a teen and a pre-teen). We are not going to check any luggage! I have a couple casual, plain "travel" dresses (Exofficio and Lands End) which I can wear to sightsee and wear for dinners on the ship. I'm taking a pair of white capri's and 2 pairs of black pants. My formal outfit is a top and pants made out of that slinky material that packs light and very small. I'm taking one pair of comfortable leather sandals, one pair of walking shoes, and a pair of black ballet flats. My son will have a few pair of those pants that unzip into shorts and his black suit. Our ship has convenient laundry facilities and we'll just throw in a load whenever we need to. Should be interesting, but we have no desire to deal with checking bags or dragging large bags around Venice! Less is more! Good luck to both of us!

 

I find this impossible to do. I am packing very light for our upcoming Med cruise and pre-stay in Rome and I still need to pack at least one large bag for the two of us.

 

First, how big are your sons? You are packing a suit for them plus their other clothes in a small carry on suitcase. Are they wearing dress shoes all day? My husbands dress shoes alone take up the bottom of a roll-on suitcase. What about your shoes? How do you get 3 pairs of shoes plus your clothes in one small suitcase?

 

Second, how are you taking sun block, shampoo, shaving cream, lotions and other liquids? I realize you can take travel size but with a family's needs and only being allowed one quart baggie per person this is quite an accomplishment.

 

I wish you luck!

[cruisemom42]

Second, how are you taking sun block, shampoo, shaving cream, lotions and other liquids? I realize you can take travel size but with a family's needs and only being allowed one quart baggie per person this is quite an accomplishment.

 

Believe it or not, these items can be purchased in Europe. ;)

[buckeye7]

Hi Coolcruise02,

I have done a "trial" pack to see just exactly what does fit in our cases. We're taking the largest carry-ons that Delta allows. My son is 12 and he will wear his tennis shoes on the plane, pack his dress shoes, and then have a pair of those adidas flip-flops. His suit is a boy's size 12, so not that big and the pants will also be worn to dinner on other nights. (His feet are not that big either, so we're not talking boats!) My daughter is 15, and again, small feet! (None of us are tall, large people, so maybe that helps!)

 

For shoes, I'm wearing my walking shoes, then packing leather sandals that I can either use to sightsee or to dinner and a pair of satin-y ballet flats. Our clothes are all light-weight.

 

As for the liquids, those bags hold a lot! We get to take 4 of them, and my son really only needs toothpaste! I have 4 tubes of 3 oz. sunblock, toothpastes, contact solution, hair spray, hair gel, lotions, hand sanitizer, mascara. My makeup is all powder. My only disappointment is my perfume is too big, but I can live w/o!

 

Now, we couldn't do this if we couldn't do laundry on the ship -- but we can and we don't mind. We've done it before. I can understand those who would hate to travel this way, but for this trip, we're going for unencumbered! I've done the "packing-everything-I own" route too -- it just depends on the trip which approach we take.

 

Have a terrific cruise!! It'll be fantastic!

[knitter]

Formal nights get a long knit skirt and a couple of different tops. DH packs a suit. For 10 night cruise and a couple days in Rome I will pack 1 pr. sandals for all evenings, a pair of shoes for touring, something for the pool and wear sneaks over. DH plans to bring black shoes for evenings and wear sneakers, pack a pr. of flip flops. Travel undies that you can wash at night and wear the next morning are a big help. On land trips we try to view doing laundry as an adventure- we've found laundermats in Sienna (picnic lunch at a fountain next door while clothes spun) and Montpeiller, France ( student area, got to meet some local characters!). We plan on using the ship's laundry service. Must packs include stain remover and some woolite packs for hand wash, travel clothes line. Compression packs (you squeeze the air out and the clothes get compacted) are great, but you have to watch the weight since they let you put more in your suitcase!

[s73645]

we buy all of our toiletries in europe and get euros from the ATM.

the ship takes care of the laundry.

tux rental is the carefree way to go.

[Coolcruise02]

Hi Coolcruise02,

I have done a "trial" pack to see just exactly what does fit in our cases. We're taking the largest carry-ons that Delta allows. My son is 12 and he will wear his tennis shoes on the plane, pack his dress shoes, and then have a pair of those adidas flip-flops. His suit is a boy's size 12, so not that big and the pants will also be worn to dinner on other nights. (His feet are not that big either, so we're not talking boats!) My daughter is 15, and again, small feet! (None of us are tall, large people, so maybe that helps!)

 

For shoes, I'm wearing my walking shoes, then packing leather sandals that I can either use to sightsee or to dinner and a pair of satin-y ballet flats. Our clothes are all light-weight.

 

As for the liquids, those bags hold a lot! We get to take 4 of them, and my son really only needs toothpaste! I have 4 tubes of 3 oz. sunblock, toothpastes, contact solution, hair spray, hair gel, lotions, hand sanitizer, mascara. My makeup is all powder. My only disappointment is my perfume is too big, but I can live w/o!

 

Now, we couldn't do this if we couldn't do laundry on the ship -- but we can and we don't mind. We've done it before. I can understand those who would hate to travel this way, but for this trip, we're going for unencumbered! I've done the "packing-everything-I own" route too -- it just depends on the trip which approach we take. Have a terrific cruise!! It'll be fantastic!

 

Just a word of warning if you are flying out of Columbus. On my last trip I tried to only take my roll on bag and I had the bag expanded to the max. (you know how you can zip or unzip your bag to make it smaller or larger)

Well the Delta agent that hangs out around the kiosk made me take it over and try and put it into the metal measuring thing and it would not slide down in it. So, I had to take out enough clothing (put in my purse/bag) until the carry on suitcase did not puff out.

 

I hope it all works for you. I admire you for getting your 15 year old girl to pack one small bag. :)

[Coolcruise02]

Believe it or not, these items can be purchased in Europe. ;)

 

I understand that, but I guess I don't want to spend my vacation shopping for these items or doing laundry. But, everyone can spend their vacation time how they choose. :)

[genni]

Genni,

 

Thank you for your advice...I love old churches and want to see as many as my family will allow! I will keep a scarf for my daughter and myself so we can see any Greek Orthodox churches or mosques. Do you have any idea why the custom was started? We are Protestant but I have been to many Catholic masses with friends. The older women always seemed to have their heads covered and I always wanted to know why but didn't want to ask in case they were offended!

Actually, although I live in Italy am 'protestant' -Episcopalian - but what ever, there is no question about entering religious areas without the proper attire (as written - even in Italy - a definate difference between Lucca's cathredral and Modena's ...or - Capris ok for females but not for men at the Vatican - which really made me wonder about my Tuscan husband's mid-thigh shorts and those young joggers in Modena were accepted, and my 'cap' - shoulder covered sleeve was not - BUT MODENA IS NOT a place for cruiseline intenaries). - As to why a women ought to have at least her head covered - others have given some reasons based on the Bible. But European history supplies additional reasons (or Hollywood versions, more or less). Accept or do not go...and..oh ..yes...the elbow or shoulder question mentioned by someone -

Yeah - good question - to be safe - to visit any church in Italy a shawl ought to do, easy to carry, but one ought to be covered to the knees-hint however tacky - wrap-around skirt...I still plan on returning to Modena wearing a burka - problem is - wearing one is illegal in Italy!

[gedam]

Does anybody have any idea how much tux rental is?

 

In all my holidays in Europe, I never thought of buying toiletries but will do now after reading this thread! :)

[buckeye7]

Coolcruise02,

We are flying out of Columbus, as a matter of fact! I will take your advice and make sure that the bags are not expanded and stuffed.

 

Thanks for heads-up!!

[MMDown Under]

I have found European toiletries generally nicer than ours, so whatever I buy becomes a "souvenir" of that country.

 

My daughters are better and lighted packers than I am, they roll everything and often travel with just hand luggage. With them and their friends, travelling light is cool.

 

I agree doing laundry in a foreign country can be a fun part of the travel experience. You can savour a rare break and often meet the nicest people so come away with not only clean clothes, but also recommendations of what to see and do, where to eat, etc.

[s73645]

last 12nt. celebrity cruise tux rental was ~$80 including two shirts, shoes and all accessories. was in the closet in the cabin when we arrived.

[gedam]

last 12nt. celebrity cruise tux rental was ~$80 including two shirts, shoes and all accessories. was in the closet in the cabin when we arrived.

 

Thanks for that. My husband and 19 year old have one but I was thinking about the 14 year old who is over six foot! Can you just hire the suit without the shirt and shoes?

[Coolcruise02]

Does anybody have any idea how much tux rental is?

 

On RCCL it is $75.00 the last I checked.

[canuck88]

On X tux rental is $85 + $12 for shoes, I believe.

[genni]

These fromal nights must be a nightmare for men - rent-a tux- extra cost for eating aboard that particular evening - OK, Some higher level cruiselines request it, and if one can afford the cruise - whatever...On most today, with luggage weight limits?...MMMM...eventually there will be less request for a tuxedo, especially during summer cruises, hopefully - women can find ways to dress up, but for men - ? Fun for a night, but - 2 - 3 depending on the cruise - becomes a tax, especially if with teenage boys...

...Today is "Earth Day" - global warming and all that on the TV (Italian) here, but just think about it - now how much will it cost (global-warming-wise) to refridgerate/aircondition the dining rooms so men can be comfortable - (so women chilly) in their, rented or not tuxedos??? For what purpose?

[jms2362]

I wore short sleeve tees and capris we were in Italy, Greece and Turkey. No problem. My husband wore shorts and did not go into the churches but looked in the door, I did the pictures. The Greek churches are the same as Catholic. Did not have to cover my head.

[jesse]

be sure if you go to the Vatican you prepare for knees being covered-both men and women, along with shoulders-no tank tops. on ship, we rent tuxes for the guys (my 4 men) and we use ship laundry when and if necessary some rinsing in the room as well, but not much. we usually change after dinner to keep the slacks etc clean-

 

we also each pack two outfits rolled in a backpack or carryon just in case--on our cruise last summer, we saw people--about 40 in all-- all week looking for lost luggage that was literally being shipped from port to port and actually missing the boat--for the entire week--the last day before we returned to Barcelona, there was a woman arranging for her finally found luggage to be returned to Atlanta via Rome, where it had last turned up--yikes!