<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">Packing for a cruise can be a stressful experience. Am I bringing too much or too little? What if I forget something? Most people worry that if they leave something behind they aren&rsquo;t going to be able to make do. Not true. We struggle on with bulging suitcases and end up wearing less than half of what we brought in the first place. Those of us who travel a lot know that we can buy most anything we need in the onboard shops or at the various ports of call, and so packing light becomes a priority.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">In today&rsquo;s world with airlines charging for luggage and overweight, we should be far more selective about what we pack. There is an advantage to boarding a cruise with just carry on bags. Most lines will let you carry bags off and on the vessel. That&rsquo;s a plus in many ways. You don&rsquo;t have to stay in the cabin waiting for luggage to arrive when you could be out having fun. No long waits at luggage carousels either especially when there is a tight flight to catch. <span>&nbsp;</span>Overall it just pays to pack smart.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">Whether you&rsquo;re taking a nine day cruise or a four day jaunt pack exactly what you need. To determine your needs ask yourself the following questions.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">Am I cruising for rest and relaxation, or do I plan on being a social butterfly attending every activity?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">What activities are important to me?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">What clothing weighs more than the actual suitcase itself?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">What are my favorite colors and do they work with each other?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">Am I planning on dining formally? Do I intend to attend the formal night if there is one?&rdquo;</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">After you&rsquo;ve answered those questions pick three colors in your closet that are complementary. <span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>My personal favorites are red, white and black. Red adds color, white is always cool, and black of course is elegant.<span>&nbsp; </span>You of course choose based on your coloring and personal preferences. Perhaps it is tan, chocolate or white.<span>&nbsp; </span>It really is up to you.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">If you&rsquo;re cruising the tropics I recommend two pairs of shorts and a pair of linen draw string pants. I choose two neutral colors- black and white preferably, (red you would remember.) <span>&nbsp;</span>I pop a pair of black slacks in my bag. They are a necessity and go with everything and you can dress them up or down. A sweater, shawl or jacket in one of the colors works well. Men stay away from a red or white jacket because you&rsquo;ll surely be mistaken for a concierge or butler.&nbsp;<span>&nbsp;</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span></span>Ladies pack one dress (keep it simple).<span>&nbsp; </span>I recommend white or black. If you are full figured go with black; less memorable and of course slimming. Pack one pair of jeans and a long sleeve shirt or Tee. Then add three short sleeve T-shirts or camisoles in complementary colors.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">Is a picture slowly beginning to emerge? These items are all interchangeable and can be dressed up and down. With the right accessories a so-so outfit can be brought to the next level. <span>&nbsp;</span>Ladies pack scarves (in the same color scheme,) jewelry, belts, etc. Regardless of gender you need a cap/hat. Men don&rsquo;t forget a tie and belt. Add a swimsuit, sneakers, flip flops or sandals (again stick to the color scheme,) and a&nbsp;pair of dress shoes. Don&rsquo;t forget underwear, cosmetics, and medications, and if there is room, ladies add a skirt, men another pair of slacks. <span>&nbsp;</span>An easily folded poncho or raincoat is a must.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Now let&rsquo;s talk about putting these outfits together. The shorts, T-shirts or camisoles could be used for day wear. They can be worn with sneakers or flip flops. On rainy or cooler days bring out the jeans, long sleeve shirt or Tee and trade the flops for sneakers. Ladies during the day the wrap can be used as a sarong over a bathing suit. And at dinner those dress slacks and jeans come in handy and so does the skirt. <span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">On formal nights, ladies bring that dress out. If you&rsquo;re not in dress up mood then out come those nice slacks, match them with a camisole and add the wrap. Jazz the outfit up with jewelry, put on your dress shoes and grab your purse. <span>&nbsp;</span>Men step into those nice slacks, don that long sleeve shirt, jacket and tie. Presto you are set for formal night.</span><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">If you&rsquo;re a fitness fanatic the shorts, camisoles, T- shirts and sneakers serve double duty.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">Costume party in the works?<span>&nbsp; </span>The possibilities are endless. You can be a &ldquo;tacky tourist&rdquo; in your shorts, T-shirt, and socks with sandals. Ladies that wrap can become a sarong or a diaper and that shirt and wrap could turn you into a gypsy.<span>&nbsp; </span>Men your tie can go around your head ala hippie style. Roll up those Tee-shirt sleeves, step into your jeans, and Bruce Springsteen move over. One of the most creative costumes I&rsquo;ve seen was a couple going as Adam and Eve. Both wore swimsuits covered in leaves they&rsquo;d gotten from a tree while in port. Eve carried an Apple. They were a hit! Now use your creativity and see what emerges.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">Just packing the basics gives you at least twenty combinations to work with. So why lug around heavy suitcases when you can cruise sensibly, and be the first on and off the ship?</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Feel free to contact me with questions at </span><a href="mailto:Susiesails@yahoo.com"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Susiesails@yahoo.com</span></a><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">. I'll be happy to add you to my newsletter list but the deal is you have to keep my identity a secret.</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">Now pack a positive attitude and head off for your cruise. A wonderful adventure awaits you!</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">Keep Cruising,</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;">Sailin&rsquo; Sue</span></p>