silver7,
You are so correct that we princesses
need to plan our attire. When I asked DH and DS yesterday if they still wanted to wear tuxes for formal night the answer was yes. Originally we had planned to borrow one for DS from the college...the choir DH used to sing with there wears tuxes and we have an "in" with the director and DH owns one, but now DH says "let's just rent them on the ship that way we don't have to pack them."
Well....the Passporters Guide suggests using cruiselineformal.com. I have never used this service before since this is our first cruise. It looks like a basic black tux with 2 shirts, cummerbund, tie, cufflinks and studs will run about $85. Shoes are $12...supsenders are $5 and vest/tie combos are $15 and $20. If you want a white jacket the cost is the same or if you want a black jacket and a white one then it will cost $120. There are other options so you can rent just the jacket or shirt. I guess this isn't too bad...considering a tux rental around here is about the same and that is for just one shirt and only one evening. We'll see what DH says and then decide...he and DS are the ones who have to wear it...not me.
Personally, for formal night I found a steal of a dress at David's Bridal.
It is a shatung silk gown in merlot...tank style top over a straight skirt which is attached under the top. I really got lucky and found it on the clearance rack for 1/5 the original cost and it's in a shade of my favorite color...red.
Being that I am a vertically chanllenged woman I need to have it shortened and for once in my life I need to have the bust taken in. I plan to have the seamstress who made my wedding gown do it...she's great and reasonably priced. My biggest problem with it is what color of shoes?
I was thinking black, but can't find any that I really like. I have a pair of silver strappy ones that I think might do the trick...just haven't had time to see how they look. I am a shoe hound and I could pack a pair for each different outfit, but I really want to have room in my bags for other stuff.
What's a princess to do?
As for the other evenings...not 100% sure. I will probably bring some skirts or summery dresses. I was wondering about capris and a nice sweater or blouse. What do you all who've sailed before think? I had the perfect dress for Tropical night...our mother - daughter banquet at women's group was Hawaiian themed, but now I haven't a clue. My TA said WDW travel told her that people are still wearing tropical attire for the Pirate Dinner.
And honestly, DH and DS weren't any too thrilled about wearing pirate garb. I am not sure about the semi-formal night or when we go to Palo's. I am leaning toward a pair of black dress pants...slinky material with wide legs...and a shiny top. I expect that DH and DS will be wearing docker type pants and polos...DS may do the camp shirt with a nice white tee under it like the boys wear these days.
And of course there is the daytime wear...shorts and comfy tops are in order IMHO. I want to be very comfortable while I'm trekking those ruins at Tulum.
Have you all started to really plan?
I mean started lists and purchasing the needed items for the cruise? It just hit me that I've got about a month to get it all "together" and never having been on a cruise I find myself wondering if I'm forgetting anything or am I planning for too much. I did print the "must have" pakcing list someone posted here several months ago and will consult with it again.
Another question for the parents with older kids...I'm still undecided on allowing DS charging priveleges. He's 12 and really responsible with his money, but that is when it's hard cash or travellers checks not a piece of plastic. So, what are your thoughts? What do you plan to do?
And while I'm on the subject of kids...12 yrs. olds can check themselves in and out of the Lab...so what kind of guidelines do you plan to use for your older children. I'm leaning toward letting him do this with the instructions of infomring us where his next destination onboard will be or checking in with us before he goes to the next place.
Well, alrighty then...I've posted a book today. But, hey, I'm entitled...it's my birthday so I can do whatever...
And now I think I will go read some more on my new book DS gave me today...the Birnbaum
DCL guide. So far I like the Passporters better...more info. Birnbaum has more color photos.
For now,
Laura ºoº
) and post it.
That was way too much and totally unnecessary.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
I am taking the excercise and WISH thanksgiving challenge, so I am putting off buying myself anything until I get to where I want to be. I am lucky living near the water, as we have tropical clothing stores here, so I don't need to kill myself getting the tropical stuff.
) and probably will not charge much. I let my kid check himself out of the lab with the same instructions as you listed. It was fine.
(see ya soon)
:thewave: 
