Stressing out and have some ????

[kajohn]

We leave for our MAGIC cruise in 2 1/2 weeks, and I'm starting to stress out. I have cruised before, and didn't mind having lots of shoes, and both a suit and sport coat for my husband when it was just the two of us. But this time we are cruising with our 3 boys, and it seems like an overwelming amount of stuff to pack.

Questions:

1: We aren't planning to eat at Palo's for dinner, maybe the brunch if anything. Are jackets required for brunch, or is it casual?

2: Lumiere's do most men wear sport coats even if it isn't a formal or semiformal night? What about children, (my oldest is 9) (can you tell I'm trying to avoid packing a sport coat for my husband, and extra dress shirts for the boys!)

3.: For those who have had 5 people in a category 4 room, what do you do with the shoes!!! I have bought an over the door shoe organizer to hold all the little stuff floating around the room, i.e. camera, batteries, gameboys, etc, etc. Is there room to also hang another shoe organizer for shoes as well?

Between 5 people we will have 23 pair of shoes!!! My first thought was cut back, but each of us needs the bare minimum of water shoes, sandals, tennis shoes and dress shoes, which is 20, and I need a couple more to go with specific outfits, so what do people dowith them all?

Any help is appreciated, and it doesn't help that my husband is the luggage police, and will complain if I have more than 3 pieces of luggage, (snorkeling gear and life jackets alone take up one bag!!!)

 

[Henn1313]

I understand what you are going through! We cruised in Dec. with 4 kids-- 2 were teenagers and the shoes we needed filled a large duffle bag and more! We checked 7 bags and had 4 carry ons! Way too much stuff. We didn't actually need everything we brought. 1 sportcoat and 1 nice suit and maybe 2 pair of dress pants should be enough for DH to get by with. No one notices if you wear the same thing on 2 different nights. My DH and DS each brought 1 suit and 2 shirts and 2 ties and wore them for formal and semi-formal nights.
We did each bring sneakers, sandals and water shoes. I brought a pair of dressy black sandals which went with all my formal, semi-formal and dinner attire.
Try to bring clothes that mix and match easily.
Anyway, try not to stress. You really do need less than you think. On our next cruise, I'll pack half of what we brought this last time! Have Fun

 

[Señor Ferrari]

Palo brunch is considered "resort casual." No jacket required. I usually go with a Hawaiian shirt and a pair of Khakis.

On "regular" Lumière's nights, I'd say about half of the men wear a jacket, maybe a bit more. I think shirt and tie would be fine if you want to avoid the second jacket. Or maybe the suit coat with another pair of pants, if that will work.

Not sure what to suggest about the shoes. I always go with your bare minumum of water socks, sandals, tennis shoes, and dress shoes. My wife brings quite a bit more. Ours usually just end up in a morass on the closet floor. It's a mess with just the two of us. Sorry I don't have any suggestions on shoes for five! We do keep our water socks in with our snorkeling gear. They can be stuffed inside the fins, so they don't take up any extra space.

 

[tstobb]

We actually has a separate "shoetcase" (say shoot case) on our 7 day for the 5 of us! The floor of the closet & inside the empty suitcases was fine for storing all of them.

 

[Jack & Monica]

Maybe this will cause a problem -- but there is an alternative. There is an optional resort casual seating in the topsiders (where the buffet for breakfast and lunch is). DW and I did this on formal night -- Shame on us! It was excellent food -- We had our own server all to ourselves. I wore khakis and a polo shirt.

 

[lUVTOGO]

We all basically wore sandals or flip flops during the day and I brought one pair of black strappy sandals that went with everything at night. We wore sneakers there and back. Believe me, I stressed out about all the outfits and dress codes and I couldn't tell you what the person next to us was wearing or if it was the "right outfit" for that restaurant. There is so many different versions of formal and semi formal that everyone blends in. Oh, and we all brought water shoes that no one wore. We were on the Eastern.

 

[mmouse37]

Speaking of shoes.....this our kids' cabins in August....4 teen girls shared this room...there were over 40 pair of shoes....some are not even in the picture!!!!

http://community.webshots.com/photo/50699182/57726760txYpVs

MJ

 

[lUVTOGO]

Wow, there even on the ledge under the porthole, That is something I have to look forward to with 2 girls and 2 neices.