3 weeks and counting

I'm scouring some great websites this morning. Naturally, I am checking Cruisecritic.com every day but when there are so many topics where do you begin? For months now I have been gleaning great info from fellow guests at the Boards section which requires a registration. From there go to Roll Call, find your cruise line, then scroll until you find your departure date. Since our cruise is on Carnival, I'm also looking each evening at John Heald's blog as he is our CD (cruise director) and taking a look at his website will prepare you for life on board, as he frequently shares guest complaints and hoorays (of course always protecting personal identities)!
I've recently discovered CruiseDiva and plan to incorporate some of her checklist details into my own checklist that was shaped from other travel experiences as well as those from CruiseCritic. It's hard to imagine how everything on these lists will make it into my luggage and still allow for clothes. New addition will be duck tape, reluctantly I might add. I may have to even use it BEFORE I depart, as here is the current state of wardrobe affairs in my guest room.

Main suitcase is on the floor, zipped wide open, stacks of clothing inside. Result of bed? Now proudly allowing for one guest, as half the bed is available for a slim body. Plans are to decide on the carry-on bag selection this week. I'd love to do add my matching small bag on wheels. But that would mean I would need use the the piggy-back strap to link them together once I get off the plane, and while that is oh so convenient for pulling, it is horrible for pulling over cobblestones or steps (like on the tube or train). And then there is the unhooking when loading it on luggage racks on the train....just too cumbersome. The ladies bag to sit on top of the large roll-on is chic looking and meets the travel requirements. But it certainly doesn't fill the need of carry-on cosmetics, jewelry, medicines, and a change of clothing. So there's the dilemma. I usually like an open tote to place a small flat purse, laptop, magazines, jewelry roll, and the quart-size bag of liquids. My fear lies in the possibility that the airline will say "no, you must check that one too madam"....then what?

Now, I must say, have no pity for me, I am a tote nut.....so, I'll go searching in the deep recesses of my closet for a tote with zipper and although it probably won't MATCH or be cruise chic, I am sure I will find one with a zip. So, task for this week is to decide on luggage pieces, "pretend" pack my clothes, "pretend" pack DH's clothes, and then get ready to HALF each of our clothes into each other's suitcases, with the hope that if any suitcases are lost it won't be both of ours. Ah, and yes, update the checklists and see what can be checked off!
Have a great Sunday!
Kiko