I CAN'T TAKE ALL THIS STUFF

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:28 am Post subject: I CAN'T TAKE ALL THIS STUFF

HI every one, I got so many clothes choices BouncingLaugh

laid out, I can't even pack. Don't know where to begin, Sad

being of girl of coordination, I'm trying to eliminate some BUT I CAN'T CHOOSE, what to BRING!!! , CAPRIS, SHORTS, SHOES, TOPS, PANTS, ALL THIS STUFF.I can't pack my bags. you ladies have any suggestions about the COUNT of changes, I SHOULD, NEED TO HAVE ON SHIP. Oh, by the way, hubby has all these clothes out too, although HE WOULD NEVER SAY HE GOT TOO MUCH TOO, Rolling Eyes

HELP PLEASE, i gotta get this done!!!! crying

TONIGHT. THANKS IN ADVANCE

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 1:05 am Post subject:

Sounds familiar. We start packing and weighing our stuff for the airlines two or so weeks ahead, and then start to trim down the bags.

We usually find that if we pack what we think we need, and then take 1/3 to 1/2 out we're fine.

Good luck with the packing. We've never been on a cruise, so I can't give any real advice, just moral support Jump

DS

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:04 am Post subject:

LOL, thanks for the moral support, of all the views, at least you gave your 2 cents worth. I was beginning to think that I'm alone in this dilema, or that there ARE NO SOLUTIONS TO THIS, and I have to DEAL with it like every one else did.

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:27 am Post subject:

I shouldn't answer, since I ain't a girl, but, I will. We always pack too much. In Grand Cayman in Jan, my wife wore capri's once or twice, and mostly tank tops. It was never cold enough for sweatshirts or pants. She brought a pair of tennis shoes (walkin), a couple of sandals, and water socks. Only a few pair of shorts she wore, but packed a lot.

I too packed way to much stuff. I wore a tshirt once, but the rest was all tank tops. Never pants. And, only wore 3 of the 7 pair of shorts. I brought tennis shoes, and two pair of sandals. Bought another pair of sandals, and wore them all the rest of the time.

Also, do you need any work out clothes?

We are getting better every time we pack. Less stuff. but, still more than we need, it turns out. But, if you can fit it, and the suitcase isn't to heavy, better to have too much than not enough.

Also, we always buy some shirts, so that could lower the amount you actually need.

Have fun!

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:48 am Post subject:

SLYN CAMPBELL.......We've been on about 6 or 7 cruises, most of them to the Caribbean. The rooms are SMALL, the closets ample. We always took too much, despite reducing the amount each trip......I would suggest two formal outfits IF you want to attend the Captains Dinner (always a photo op with the Captain before entering room for hors d'ouerves, prior to moving to the dining room for dinner) and if you also want the last night formal night, big lobster dinner/baked alaska dessert finale' photo to be different......there are photographers scattered at both entrances to the dining room and you generally take the photos prior to dinner. If you don't care about that, or are happy with your own photos, just take one formal gown and hubby can wear suit, tuxedo or there are tuxedo rentals....but I think that had to be reserved in advance, not sure.....hubby and all the male friends we've gone with have always just worn dark suits.

Probably one bathing suit is enough, but they're small......we always took two. I'd take at least two pair of shorts or one shorts and one capri pants and some t-shirts or Hawaiian shirts or something cool. I'd take a sweater or long sleeved something because some of the dining rooms on the ships can be quite cool. I also suggest some nice dress pants or dress for the dining room on the non-formal nights.....no shorts allowed there for dinner. Towels for the beach are provided, don't bring any.

I'd take a beach bag that you can fold up and put in your suitcase, to carry your towel, sunglasses, lotions, bottled water, camera etc on excursions.

Do NOT leave Cayman without rumcakes....they pack and keep beautifully, are delicious and inexpensive souveniers.....and won't take up much room in suitcase for return trip.

I'd also take a bathing suit coverup so that when you leave your cabin to go to the ship pool or when you go to the beaches, you are good to go explore the towns, etc without worrying about changing.

As for shoes.......tennis shoes for exploring island, flip flops, formal shoes and flats for walking the ships deck....crocs if you've got them.

Have a WONDERFUL time.......when you are in Jamaica, do NOT go off alone. That's the ONLY island I would ever suggest someone staying with the ship's excursions......it can be VERY dangerous on your own, and I speak from personal experience here. Hubby and I went to the Crafter's Market and first were offered drugs by cabbie, then he told us he had no change for our fare, then when we got to the Market, the locals kept trying, REPEATEDLY to separate us, which was NOT going to happen, and lastly, the shopping in the town is mostly jewelry stores. DO go to Dunn's Falls..........WONDERFUL catamaran trip there, rum punch offered and the Falls are great!

Have fun......you're going to find that Cayman is the highlight of that or ANY trip!

Celine

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:07 am Post subject:

I agree cruises are great! But pack light, shorts, tanks, couple of sun dresses and nice formal wear for dinner. Its nice to dress up especially when you always wear scrubs. Rolling Eyes

Totally agree with Celine, Cayman is the best island ever and I have been all over the Carribbean too... ENJOY!ENJOY!ENJOY!!!

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:09 am Post subject:

Slyn,

Is your island in TX warm, yet??? We'll be back in the 70's this weekend,Yeah!!! sun

Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:

Just be glad you are not in OHIO!! As for what to pack...you can never go wrong with pretty little sundresses, cardigans, flipflops and a pair of nice sandles! Relax...you will have a blast! wine

Newbie Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 2

Celine is right. This is my 6th cruise I'm about to go on as well. Pack light. We're going on a 5 night cruise this time which has 1 formal, 3 casuals, and "smart casual". You'll see ALL kinds of different versions - esp of the formals.

Bathing suits: I'm taking 3 (when you go into eat its nice to have a dry one to come back out to). Same with cover ups - you can LIVE in your coverups during the days - esp at sea - I'm taking 3 of them as well. Remember, if you decide to change in real clothes (shorts and polo) for lunch, you're only in that shirt for an hour - rewear it - no one will remember!!! Smile

I'm hoping to keep to the following: Black cocktail dress, black slacks, bolero jacket and blouse (wearing same shoes), black bermuda shorts with a dressier blouse for 2 nights and last casual night will be white bermuda shorts and another dressy blouse with sandals. I'll probably take 1 pair of jean shorts and 2 polos and that's it! When I get off for the islands, I'll wear my bathing suit with a cover up (looks like a dress - Lands End and Kohl's have good ones that are inexpensive). My problem is keeping the # of shoes/sandals to a minimum. Sneaks for the zip line and a pair of exercise shorts with 2 t-shirts for exercise.

Sweater, like Celine said - the dining rooms are COOL. Take a nice sweater (or 2).

Also, don't forget the walkie talkie so you can communicate with your travel companions - esp if you've got kids going. Beach bags work great on the excursions, but then you have to carry them - we take pack packs.

We're rolling up 3 of our beach towels to take as well - first time for this, but planning on spending time on a beach in GCayman.

Have a great time!

Native Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 1224 Location: Kansas

Never been on an cruise, but I can tell you this, Grand Cayman IS going to be your BEST stop.........you might as well surrender now and just make reservations for a 7 day trip there next year. You are going to LOVE Grand Cayman...... Have a great time and quit worrying!!! See you when you get back!!!

Native Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Illinois

Another thing....try to mix and match as much as you can.....it will look like you have different outfits......and take one of those Tide sticks in case you get a little something on your clothes...this will assure that you can wear them again........I don't have any other great packing tips.......I always over pack.....I usually take about 7 bathing suits and cover ups...I'm going to cut back this year.

One thing I do now is leave the Birkenstocks behind....I take fancy looking flip flops that weigh hardly anything.....shoes is another thing I over pack....I still over pack them but the weight is much less. Wink

We have not cruised either.....no desire to.....like to plunk my feet down in one place.......oh and I did see that people from cruise ships had beach towels from the ship.....that may be something you could leave behind....all the people we saw from different ships had them.

I have not been to Jamaica........and for reasons Celine has mentioned.....have many friends that have been......it is an island that we will never visit.

Enjoy your crusie...... sun

Oops.........she's gone already......wish there was a way I could delete this post. Embarassed

Native Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 1224 Location: Kansas

Oh....I forgot, take Celine at her word..... she knows of which she speaks!

SheisoneofthemostknowlegeablepeopleherethatCeline!

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 1:36 am Post subject:

Celine wrote:

Do NOT leave Cayman without rumcakes....they pack and keep beautifully, are delicious and inexpensive souveniers.....and won't take up much room in suitcase for return trip.Celine

It might be best to have the rumcakes shipped to your home. Otherwise, the temptation is to keep eating them as the vacation continues and then you get home and they're all gone.

Kinda like Captain Jack Sparrow, "Why is the rum always gone..."

I agree with the assessment of Jamaica. It looks attractive, but the research we've done on possible dive trip locations suggests that it is best avoided. That's one of the things we love about the Cayman Islands. Sure, you need to use common sense anywhere, but we've never felt unsafe anywhere on Grand Cayman.

DS

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 9:53 am Post subject:

you over estimate me kchick.......but that's very sweet, just the same.
thanks,
Celine

Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:07 am Post subject:

ds........know what you mean about the rumcaketempation.........I've mentioned this before, but I LOVE them so much that in Cayman, they are my breakfast dessert! It's really important to eat as many as possible in between diets........and I could probably set a record!

Also.......my girlfriend's daughter celebrated her honeymoon at one of those all inclusives in Jamaica and loved it.........'course she never left the resort........SO not for me. It's just the BEST to wander around Cayman anywhere and not feel threatened, offered drugs, or tacky souvenirs or feel cheated.......that place is just so much better than anywhere else it's no contest.
Celine

	Cayman Activity Guide Forum Index -> Making The Most Of One Day	Goto page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2