trinaweena;44571107
[SIZE="5" said:
QOTD: Has the packing bug hit you yet? How early do you start packing? Any tips anyone want to share?? Any overflowing suitcases anyone wants to show?? 
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I'm a bit OCD as well. I have a list that I constantly check and revise. I have a packing list in Excel that I go back after each cruise and make notes on as to whether or not the item was used or not, and then revise for the upcoming cruise as necessary (and yes, I have one from the Caribbean and one for Alaska since they require different clothing).
As I was packing for Scotland I had another suitcase open in which I threw my cruise specific items that I knew I wanted to take but that I didn't need for Scotland (like swimsuits, sandals, etc). When I get back from this trip some items will be tossed into the cruise suitcase as well (actually, the suitcase I have with me will become the cruise suitcase so I'll repack what is in the other smaller suitcase into the one I'm currently using).
I'm not actually packed for the cruise but I've a good start toward it.
One of my tips, in addition to making notes on the packing list, is that I put everything out that I plan to take, then pare away from that. In the beginning I used to take away about a third, but now after being on several cruises my list has become pretty consistent.
We've just two of us in our cabin so we don't use the over the door shoe hanger recommended by many. I use a plastic shopping bag for my dirty clothes, which goes in my suitcase under the bed every day or so - keeps down the clutter and makes repacking at the end of the cruise much easier.
I like a small flashlight, which I keep on the lamp table next to the bed. Easy to find and useful at night after DW goes to sleep, and especially in the early morning when I get up to do my 3 mile walk and she sleeps in. I also take a few clothespins: useful for hanging wet swimsuits up to dry.
