One More Packing Tip Resource?

Want more information and website links on packing tips? Here’s an old blog article I wrote for our Mediterranean cruise. Some of you fellow cruiser may recall this information.Please feel free to explore and discover....

  

Cruise & Travel - Packing Links, Tips, Hints & Lists

http://davismedcruise2008.blogspot.com/2008/10/cruise-travel-packing-links-tips-hints.html

How to Pack Like a Pro...

As though it’s bad enough to be gone for just over two weeks, how about over a month? And unlike Roger who is totally content with wearing his “I Buy Japanese Sword T-Shirt” day after day. Yes, he has many of the “SAME” t-shirts, really

... Anxious, Nervous AND Concerned ---Panic!!! How do you pack for a 32 day Cruise and be dressed in style with at least somewhat of a “fashionista” appeal? Enough luggage for all my “gotta have’s” and still not have to spend tons of dollars on baggage fees?

You gotta start by being tough and creative! I’ve been working on accessorizing, picking my color scheme and know that you will need to bring only the essentials. I also decided that I should try for bringing outfits for two weeks and then planning to wear them again for the second two weeks.

As for dealing with the climate change from humid hot in Bangkok to the cold of Anchorage? Layers- Layers and Layers! Remember, same lightweight t-shirt while strolling humid streets of Bangkok can serve as a "Base Layer" during your sightseeing hike in Alaska! Heavy layers to a minimum wearing sweater or fleece as long as your lighter shirt closest to your skin will be a good option. Bring jacket on the plane so as to not take room in your suitcase.

Another saving space option is to rent your formal cruise wear on the ship. I recently posted a separate article on this option. Roger loves this service and its a big help to bringing your own formal wear especially for the men. For women, the options are limited and so I suggest you do your own ... Ladies , black dress or pants- different scarves, shawls, jewelry or other accessories. Shoes that goes with sundress and informal nights. Think Double duties, ok! Think tops to dress up or down.And yes.... Re-wear skirts, pants, shorts, skorts and dresses.

Lastly, you are in luck as the Diamond Princess has laundry facilities and they will also have laundry special sales during our cruise. So, plan to do laundry and bring the right outfits so you can plan to take advantage of this option.And here's another Carry-On Challenge - How to pack lightly for packing lightly by Independent Travelers .... 

This was a handy YouTube video for packing a suitcase. Thought you might be getting ready to add packing to your Travel 'Must Do' List.

Video provided by YouTube

International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card)

The International Certificate of Vaccination" or Prophylaxis (ICVP) also known as "Yellow Card" is mainly required for proof of vaccination when going to or from countries that are at risk for Yellow Fever. However, it may also be used for recording all of your travel immunization.

This tool is approved by the World Health Organization as the official document verifying that proper procedures were followed in administering vaccination for foreign travel and is used to demonstrate receipt of required vaccinations for entry into foreign countries.

This small foldable "Yellow Card" as often referred to, is a paper document that is filled out by your health specialist and validated with date and an official stamp. This document easily fits within your passport which makes carrying quite convenient.

I cannot find anything that states we need to have it for our trip especially since you might be finding out that many of us will not be needing to get the Yellow Fever vaccination. However, if you are visiting your doctor for your immunization ask them to provide you this handy travelers' tool and have them fill it out with your vaccination. I even had CVS Pharmacy mark my influenza (flu shot) vaccine.

Just another travel tip which I learned from Alex... Thanks for the tip!

FORMAL NIGHTS .... TUXEDO RENTAL , Roger says ABSOLUTELY!

Since I was gathering this information for Roger. I thought I would also write up a blog to share this information with those who might be interested in considering the option to rent their formalwear to lighten their luggage.

Yes we are mainly talking about Men’s Formalwear. But there are minimal options for Women as well. At least it’s worth a peek?

Not an easy task to find. But let me start by sharing what I found on-line with Princess Cruises. The following information can be found under Princess.com > Booked Passengers > FAQ:Cruise Answer Place > On Board > Dining & Nightlife > Formal Wear Rentals   or just read this ...

“Princess offers formal wear rental on all cruises; this can be arranged prior to embarkation. Dress with an elegance and style that is perfect for all the formal activities on your cruise with Princess. Cruiseline Formal Wear delivers beautifully-tailored clothing directly to your stateroom.To order your formal wear, please visit cruiselineformal.com, call 800-551-5091 or 305-252-8572. For questions, email: custservice@cruiselineformal.com.”

The website Cruiseline Formalwear is a Formalwear company that caters to Cruise Ships. So when you go exploring on their website be sure you link on for “Princess Cruises” 

IMPORTANT NOTE: the website price list works for those for going on the 16 day cruise
but for those like Roger who are going on the 32 day cruise, read the following information I found on their website regarding those traveling beyond 21 days. Here is what you have to do:

“The prices listed on the web site are for single voyages of 21 days or less. Please call our Customer Service Department to obtain the correct pricing on your specific voyage (1-800-551-5091).  If calling from outside the USA or Canada, please call 1-305-252-8572, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST.” 

I noticed that they have a great selection of choices and I recall that Roger had used this same service on our Cruise on the Celebrity both for the Caribbean and for the Mediterranean. So I know that this service is very reliable.

And finally once you link on to the Cruiseline Formalwear for Princess Cruise’s Men’s Apparel Page on the right-hand side of the sidebar, very last item is “Measurement Guide”. Click on that and you can print up the page to take to have your measurements done at your tailor or for Free Men’s Wearhouse (Note: Roger is particularly fond of the inseam measurement, go figure!). 

I can’t wait to have Roger dress up...I wonder if you will recognize him without his “I Buy Japanese Sword T-Shirt”...and now you know one of the true reasons why Diana loves cruising.
Hope this helps.....oh one more final thing...16 Day cruisers have 3 formal nights and us 32 Day Cruisers can double that to 6 nights...I get 6 nights with no “I Buy Japanese Sword 
T- Shirts”...How I loooooove cruising....

REMINDER...MY PRINCESS-CRUISE PERSONALIZER

Just a friendly reminder that Alex would like for you to get your MY PRINCESS/CRUISE PERSONALIZER completed and filled out. Please complete this no later then Friday,
March 15, 2013.

This will allow her time for her to review your information and work on any follow-ups as needed. This is very important as you will not be able to get your cruise documents if you
do not have this information completed and on-line for her to access. If you need assistance, contact the 800 Princess Cruise line (I have used them and they were very helpful) or contact us and we'll do our best to help you.


Photo provided by Princess Cruises