Now that the final payment deadline has come and gone we can all get down to the real fun stuff....THE SHOPPING!!! Now is the time to pull out that luggage and check it for broken zippers, holes, etc. just in case it needs to be repaired or replaced. Also, with the end of August AND the end of summer fast approaching, you should be able to find all of the cute summer outfits you could ever want to take with you to the Caribbean for just a fraction of their regular prices! A word to the wise though....most first time cruisers and even some 3rd, 4th , or 5th time cruisers like myself have a tendency to OVERPACK! Keep in mind that the cabins though comfortable are small and don't have a lot of room available for storing suitcases. Whatever you bring must be stored in YOUR cabin, and every extra inch taken up by your luggage is one LESS inch you will have available to stretch out in.
"What?", you ask, "do I really need to bring?"
Hopefully I can help you with that. Cruises are notoriously casual for the most part. Think hanging out at home on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and you're almost there....add a little extra "tryna look cute" effort and you'll have found your way. In terms of clothes: shorts, T-shirts, tank tops, capris, and swimsuits are pretty much the order of the day...don't forget those swimsuit cover-ups ladies unless you plan to strut your stuff without one! If you plan on an excursion that involves hiking, horseback riding, or some other active outdoor activity, you may want to include a pair of jeans.
As far as dress-up clothes, there will be two "cruise-elegant" dinners served in the formal dining rooms for which the attire is dressy to formal. For men and boys this means shirts and ties minimally and preferably a jacket, sport coat, or suit. For women and girls we're talking nice slacks or skirts with blouses, dresses, or suits. Formal gowns are appropriate for those wishing to take formal pictures. Outside of the two "cruise-elegant" evenings, dining attire is casual but does not include shorts or beachwear for adults in the formal dining rooms.
I thought it might be helpful if I shared some of the "summertime items" you might want to consider picking up while you still can. I am also going to include some other items that have been recommended by many of the regular cruisers who post information on the cruiser chat boards over at Carnival Connections and Cruise Critic. Hopefully some of you will find this information to be helpful.
When in the Caribbean, do what the Caribbeans do! That means you'd better be ready to work it in the water. Swimsuits and cover-ups are on sale everywhere you look, but don't forget one more very important item if you do intend to check out some of the beautiful beaches we will be visiting...
WATER SHOES!
Must have fashions for any beach comber, these nylon net topped, rubber-soled shoes are a must have as many of these beautiful beaches have rocks with sharp edges buried in the sand. These shoes are great on the beach and on the ship so be sure to fall through Wally World, Targets, or your favorite "we have everything spot" to pick you and yours up a pair!
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Also, though most of you don't typically use sunscreen, you may wish to pick some up as the caribbean sun has a much higher tendency to cause sun burns even on the beautiful hues of beautiful brown folks like most of us are.
For those who have booked inside cabins, it is important to note that due to the fact that these cabins have no windows or portholes, they are very dark when the lights are turned out no matter what time of day it is. Therefore, many regular cruisers recommend that those in these cabins plan to bring a night light to plug into an outlet so that you will be able to find your way to the bathroom during the night without injuring yourselves. Also, when aboard a ship, most people tend to lose track of time. Therefore, there are many recommendations to bring a small alarm clock to wake you up in the mornings in time to catch breakfast on the Lido deck or any of the scores of early morning activities in which you may wish to participate.
Another recommendation is for those of you who find that you need multiple outlets to power your curling irons, cell phone chargers, etc. Most cruise ship cabins have only one or two outlets so many cruisers pack a power strip in order to facilitate plugging in all of their technological apparatus.
The last recommendation for today is to pack a collapsible duffle bag in the bottom of your luggage. This will provide you with something in which to pack the souvenirs and other purchases you make while we are gone.
Well folks the time is ticking away and right now we are less than 3 months away from our departure. Don't get caught waiting until the last minute to get yourself together because that time will pass faster than you ever imagined it could!
See you onboard....I'll be the one with the look of total satisfaction on my face ;-)
