If the Shoe Fits

Even though I love to travel, and usually take 4 or more short leisure trips a year, packing for this cruise is mind-boggling. The big factors for deciding what to include are: comfort, versatility, style, bulk, color, climate, and resistance to wrinkles and stains. I am not one of those folks who is already scheduling a laundry room slot into my sea days, nor my early morning or late night routine after shore excursions.

I do like the Splendor offering of a $15 laundry charge for an "undies" bag that they provide mid-way into the itinerary. If for no other reason than not to have my clothing return with "eau de odor!" Have noticed on Cruise Critic that many believe this to be for ANY laundry items that fit in the bag, and indeed in my excitement, I also misread the laundry ticket so kindly posted by Zydecocruiser on his three back-to-back cruises. DH who is quite a tickler for details, referred me back to the post and yes, it is for the unmentionables and not for those items viewed by the public at large. Too bad.

It's great to share with you my success with the Cruise Diva method of packing for a cruise, though unlike her I will not be travelling with only a carry-on bag. Ms. Diva suggests pairing each top and bottom to make an outfit and determine how many outfits you need for each day. So, yesterday morning, I took all the clothes out of the suitcase, placed them on hangers, and hung them on my shower curtain rod. Then I removed more clothes from my guest room bed, and hung those alongside the others on the bar.

At this point you may want to sing along with the childhood song of "London Bridge is Falling Down" because that's the tune that popped into my head as I heard the shower curtain bar slip 3 inches, only caught from falling by the tile surround of the bathtub. But I was not deterred and approached my new found packing pleasure with some logic. Jackets to the left, sweaters next, followed by pants with coordinating tops. Then I did the "organize your space" project and moved everything around by color. Lest you think I have too much time on my hands, let me remind you of the extra weight, extra luggage airline charges!

It soon became apparent to me, I still had too many items, but now I was able to eliminate items, hmmmm, even had to try on a few pieces to make sure they looked good together. So, here I was going from the bathroom to the full length mirror in the next room, feeling like a runway model....but unfortunately at 5 foot 3 inches, not looking like one. It was then that I noticed an emergency evacuation plan was needed....no, not for our friends in Pensacola, they have their Gustav plans in order. I was in dire consequences of having my very bowed, formerly straight, shower curtain rod collapsing. So, how much weight can a shower bar hold? Answer: not enough. I would have taken a photo of it, but I was afraid it might be too incriminating....guilty....does not know how to pack for 12 days London to Rome, shore and ship.

So, in ending my packing session, I moved all the clothing to my guest room closet and today I will edit again, because as you know my goal is to be packed today as we depart in only one week. By the way, did you know a sagging shower bar returns to its normal straight self after relieved from its burden?

And I didn't even mention shoes. But yes, underneath that drooping shower rod, I placed the walking shoes (one pair Clarks, one pair Naturalizer), the canvas sports shoes (Ralph Lauren), the flip-flops (Ann Taylor loft), and the dressier but oh so comfortable sandal (DSW). I'm not sure if I have my shoe repertoire complete yet, but I find the shoe choices so much easier for me.

Enjoy your day....you know what I'll be doing!
Kiko