Pack,List,for,Cruise--and,othe travel,insurance Pack List for a Cruise--and other Travel Tips

Like any American, traveling occasionally is just what I love doing and I bet you share the same stuff with me. But traveling does not mean that you would be safe. Escaping from our job and other stressful activities is just something that w Torres del Paine is among the biggest of Chile’s national parks, occupying almost 600,000 acres (242,000 ha) of land in the south on the border with Argentina. It is also among the most important, receiving a significant proportion of domes

What you bring on a cruise depends a great deal of the kind of ship itis.........casual or elegant.........and your plans for "fine dining".If you are sailing a ship with all the elegant evenings, this takes specialforethought on your part. Even though they say that its two formal evenings,three informal and two casual........you are sitting in such elegantsurroundings and eating a wonderful 5 course meal...........you may want tolook your best ! Consider that this will be like a fabulous dinner partyevery evening ! When I pack for cruises my husband asks me if I had leftanything in my closet.............well.............I wear absolutelyeverything I pack.Here are some of my thoughts...........some ships provide robes, beachtowels (both on deck and if you are going ashore to the beach) and hairdryers...all depending on your level of accomodation. Check on this for yourparticular accomodations............and if they are provided then leavethese items at home.....that's half a suitcase right there !Ladies----If you are planning on "fine dining"-----Think thru 7 wonderfulevenings of dinners and cocktails beforehand. Think Black !! Black or creamflowy pants or skirts topped with several different jackets, dressy dinnerjackets, big satiny tops..........if you pack separates you will have somuch more milage. Bring several evenings handbags......a nice selection ofjewelry........several different pair of dressy shoes..........severalbright colored Pashmina-type shawls are PERFECT.....lots of color over yourbasics.......different little accessories to mix and match. These littlethings that do not take up much room but will make all the difference.Remember...........half the beauty of cruising is that you have theseelegant evenings. Basically..........if you think you want it.........bringit. O a recent cruise, I brought 4 jackets with me of different colors andfabrics..........and really did not feel it was enough. In addition todinner, we had lunch in the nice dining room three times, breakfast theretwice and High Tea one afternoon. All worked over basic bottoms. For casualclothes, you will want fun things............some wrapskirts..........bathing suit and coverup, flip-flops...........fitnessworkout clothes...............Kids------Remember no shorts or jeans in the nice dining rooms ! I havefound that kids really love these nice evenings. Where else can they have 5courses of anything they want ?? Shrimp cocktails and lobster always a hit.Teenage boy still hungry ?? What else would he like ? Another lobster tail ?(Take lots of pictures-this can be great family time !)Men---Quite Easy ! (Of course !) Tuxedo -optional...........but very nicefor the formal evenings. (Certain ships it is not optional) You may considerbringing two tuxedo shirts. Navy or basic blazer and dress pants...dressshirts...neckties....dress shoes.....khaki pants....knit shirts.....basicshorts....workout clothes...casual shoes..sneakers...bathing suit. Hawaiiantype shirt for fun ! Discuss with your agent. So much depends on the kind ofcruise ship you are sailing ..and your personal dining plans. Overall-planon dressing for "Country club elegance".You can check two bags with the airlines and carryon one more..........mycarryon was a garment bag and a very full large purse. Bring some sort ofgranola bars with you on the plane.....airport and runway delays are all toocommon and food is no longer served onboard as it once was.Other Good Basic tips.....**Pack a pad of Post-It notes to leave messages for your cabin steward (youget to know him !),family, and shipboard friends.**Have plenty of one-dollar bills handy for tipping airport skycaps andporters at the pier.**Don't pack photo film in checked luggage as new airport screeningequipment could ruin it. Put it in your carry-on instead. Even if you don'tthink you'll need them, bring along extra camera batteries and change thembefore you think the old ones are "dead." Don't forget film !**Put a rubber band aroundwallets in your back pocket will inhibit pickpockets. Some "ports of call"have large pick-pocket communities....unfortunately.**Toss a few empty plastic bags into your suitcase. You may need them laterto pack dirty or damp clothes.Tap water on your ship is perfectly safe to drink; purchasing bottledwater is only necessary if you prefer the taste.**Tuck fabric softener sheets between garments as you pack to keep clothingfresh during travels.**Bring your own travel alarm clock; most staterooms do not have them.**If you live in a colder climate are traveling to a warm weathercruise...When you put your summer wardrobe away for the winter, set asidethe casual outfits, sandals, swimwear, and sleepwearyou want to wear on your cruise and store them in the suitcase you plan touse. You'll be at least half packed and won't be hunting down an outfit or apair of shoes later. You will also free up some drawer and/or closet spaceat the same time. Hang your evening clothes in a separate area of yourcloset and pack them when you're ready to leave for your trip**Pre-address stick-on labels for postcards to the folks back home & youwon't have to carry along a bulky address book.**Make two copies of your passport, driver's license, and credit cardsbefore leaving home-in addition to your Cruise Documents, and Trip TravelInsurance. Leave one set of copies in a safe place on your ship.If the ship's purser holds your passport (which is often the case, toexpedite clearing the ship in foreign ports), carry the passport copy ashorewith you. Leave the other copies with a friend or family member at home.**Binoculars ---lightweight, small ones..........particularly for Alaska,Hawaii, Europe !**Print cards with your name, address, phone number, & email address toshare with new friends. Having your cards handy sure beats huntingfor pens & scribbling on scraps of paper to swap addresses. Fun,inexpensive, colorful cards can be ordered online from a company calledwww.vistaprint.com. (Allow plenty of time to order and receive these !)** Leave any paperback novels you've finished for the crew library. You'llhave more room in your suitcase and crewmembers will have fresh readingmaterial--they will really appreciate this !**Don't forget to pack and USE your sunscreen. Why take the chance of anasty sunburn ruining a great cruise vacation? Protect your skin from injuryand aging. Throw in something for Sunburn too. People have a way ofoverdoing on vacation.**Check the balance of your on-board account before the end of your cruise.Straighten out any discrepancies immediately and avoid a long line at thePurser's Desk that last morning after your final bill arrives (try to do thefinal the last night...try to beat the rush !)**You are all dressed for dinner and you look fabulous !! Have a familyportraittaken to preserve the memory. There's no obligation to purchase any photosyou don't care for.**and my all time favorite..........depending on what type of trip, ship,elegance level etc etc...........bring t-shirts you might want to work outin.......sleep in..........tour in..that you will wear and leave behind asthey are dirty.......this will give you room in your suitcase for purchaseswhile traveling.