You’ll never get me on a cruise. Unless it’s to ALASKA! Recap and New PTR Link! 2/1

[eandesmom]

That's some heavenly awesome scenery. Again, I am coveting your west coast location. The only thing that makes my location better is the two hour flight to Disney.

right, my 5 hour flight is a pita...and that's the direct one! I just helped someone book a trip yesterday and her travel times are more like 7-9 hours with one stop decent flights. BLEH!

Your FE and your pillow cases are adorable! The FE is just precious. It looks like a Christmas decoration. Love it!

It's funny, her original design has a mickey snowman as well on it which I had her take off of ours. For me, since we are going in summer having the snowman there seemed odd, I just wanted to focus on the whole Northern Lights aspect.

Wow - I have to admit I'm a bit overwhelmed by your packing list!

You will certainly be prepared for the wide range of temps & everything from the gym to a fancy dinner!

I'm overwhelmed by it! I'm sure it will get slashed more as I actually start to pack.

What great hiking pictures!!!!! Love your FE!

Thanks!!! If the weather cooperates I think we will hike in Ketchikan, everyone really wants to do it including me.

Beautiful pictures Cynthia! What a great place to hike.

It was a great hike, just gorgeous all the way up.

 

[eandesmom]

Your hikes look great, Cynthia - beautiful scenery! Okay, a couple of packing tips since you asked - (you know I love to give my opinion!)

1. Bring an air freshener, I forgot to mention this in my TR, but sometimes there are toilet smells in the cabins, and an Airwick helps alot! (we had a problem this last time, and didn't get one until our 2nd day in SF)

So is that a stick air freshener? Or a spray. I always seem to have a hard time finding the old fashioned stick kind, they want you to plug everything in!
I will add that to the list.

2. I know it's going to be chilly, but you are used to chilly. I think I would cut out a few of the sweaters and the parka (just layers are fine - I know it's snow up there on the glacier, but it is melting, so layers are fine when you are moving around and the sun is shining) - Bring a hat though. I mean you said the temps would be 50-70 - that is pretty warm, really.

Used to chilly yes...but I also dress for it. I've been wearing a sweater every day all summer! My office is freezing lol.

I run cold all the time. All of the sweaters are really dressy cardigan layers for dinner or just walking around on the boat and I am sure I'll cut at least one out. I've been on the fence on the parka but Jeff actually thinks I should bring it, I was going to try to get by with the shell and a fleece but he may be right and I'll be cold with just that, especially on Tracy Arm Day and sitting on our verandah, and I really want to be outside without being miserable on that day (or any other). It's a lighter parka in terms of taking up space (squishes lol). I actually took it to WDW in Feb of 2009 and needed it one night!

I may drop it and the vest, we will see. I'd love to drop the rain jacket but if we hike that's by far the best thing to stick in the daypack and if it's not cold, same thing for ziplining. It doesn't take up that much space though. I am so not a hat person though, no matter how cold but the shell and hoodie have hoods that I will use if needed. Am planning on gloves. If you look at some of the blogs and TR's people are in parkas! 70 only if we are lucky. For this week right now it looks like these for the highs for the extended forecast on the days we will be there.

Skagway 59
Juneau 58
Ketchikan 61

So with those, the shell would be fine. I am quite sure something will get weeded out as I try to pack it all!

3. I love shoes, and I love a pair of stylin' shoes with everything, but if you want room for souvies, I would see if a few of your shoes can do "double duty." The lines are so long in customs, etc. it does get cumbersome with so much stuff and so much weight.

Oh I may lose one or two, again we will see. As for souvies, honestly I don't see me getting hardly anything, I typically don't and everyone else will have some room. Plus we will have room for FE stuff from what we are using for our FE gifts and the wine we are bringing. If we were flying, I'd be a bit more ruthless but the only time we have to deal with lines and lugging is right at the terminal so not really a big deal I don't think. Better than what I lugged to Germany in Jan.

That's all - I love the pillowcases!!! Go ahead and see if they will sign all 3, what can it hurt?

Oh, and I love the FE too! Who made it for you?

A crafter from FB/Etsy, she's also on the DIS I think. You can look her up either place, Stichesandbows.

What beautiful scenery, Cynthia. Your list for the cruise looks great. Love the pillowcases.

Thanks Kathy!!

Great Update Cynthia !!I went on one cruise and well remember the packing nightmare !!The dress clothes and the daytime clothes , just all seemed so much to remember !!

Yeah, I remember it too from the one I did a bazillion years ago though it would be a lot less bulk if we were going somewhere warm!

Wow, what beautiful scenery! Looks like you are all set and ready to go. I wish I could get that prepared for any trip. Love your fish extender. It is too cute.

Getting there, slowly but surely. Made some progress on my FE gift assembly yesterday, finally!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

So is that a stick air freshener? Or a spray. I always seem to have a hard time finding the old fashioned stick kind, they want you to plug everything in!
I will add that to the list.



Used to chilly yes...but I also dress for it. I've been wearing a sweater every day all summer! My office is freezing lol.

I run cold all the time. All of the sweaters are really dressy cardigan layers for dinner or just walking around on the boat and I am sure I'll cut at least one out. I've been on the fence on the parka but Jeff actually thinks I should bring it, I was going to try to get by with the shell and a fleece but he may be right and I'll be cold with just that, especially on Tracy Arm Day and sitting on our verandah, and I really want to be outside without being miserable on that day (or any other). It's a lighter parka in terms of taking up space (squishes lol). I actually took it to WDW in Feb of 2009 and needed it one night!

I may drop it and the vest, we will see. I'd love to drop the rain jacket but if we hike that's by far the best thing to stick in the daypack and if it's not cold, same thing for ziplining. It doesn't take up that much space though. I am so not a hat person though, no matter how cold but the shell and hoodie have hoods that I will use if needed. Am planning on gloves. If you look at some of the blogs and TR's people are in parkas! 70 only if we are lucky. For this week right now it looks like these for the highs for the extended forecast on the days we will be there.

Skagway 59
Juneau 58
Ketchikan 61

So with those, the shell would be fine. I am quite sure something will get weeded out as I try to pack it all!



Oh I may lose one or two, again we will see. As for souvies, honestly I don't see me getting hardly anything, I typically don't and everyone else will have some room. Plus we will have room for FE stuff from what we are using for our FE gifts and the wine we are bringing. If we were flying, I'd be a bit more ruthless but the only time we have to deal with lines and lugging is right at the terminal so not really a big deal I don't think. Better than what I lugged to Germany in Jan.



A crafter from FB/Etsy, she's also on the DIS I think. You can look her up either place, Stichesandbows.



Thanks Kathy!!



Yeah, I remember it too from the one I did a bazillion years ago though it would be a lot less bulk if we were going somewhere warm!



Getting there, slowly but surely. Made some progress on my FE gift assembly yesterday, finally!

It was a solid one - the cone shaped kind.

I hear ya on always being cold - I'm the same, and it is much colder here, except in the Summer, I guess.

I'm thinking the parka thing is relative. Where are the people from who are wearing Parkas? Although I will say when you are out to sea - it is very cold with the wind whipping through, and if you want to be outside, you probably would want the parka - heck, I would have worn one on Pirate night!

I would probably wear a long-sleeved T, a good fleece and a vest with gloves on the glacier. I'm not much of a hat wearer, but if I was outside and it was breezy I would need one, or at least "ear muffins" as they are called in our house! I guess if you have lots of room for the parka, just bring it!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

but sometimes there are toilet smells in the cabins, and an Airwick helps alot!

lay off the bean burritos

 

[MAGICFOR2]

lay off the bean burritos

I am crying right now!!!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

I am crying right now!!!

 

[eandesmom]

It was a solid one - the cone shaped kind.

I hear ya on always being cold - I'm the same, and it is much colder here, except in the Summer, I guess.

I'm thinking the parka thing is relative. Where are the people from who are wearing Parkas? Although I will say when you are out to sea - it is very cold with the wind whipping through, and if you want to be outside, you probably would want the parka - heck, I would have worn one on Pirate night!

I would probably wear a long-sleeved T, a good fleece and a vest with gloves on the glacier. I'm not much of a hat wearer, but if I was outside and it was breezy I would need one, or at least "ear muffins" as they are called in our house! I guess if you have lots of room for the parka, just bring it!

Yeah, I can't see remotely needing it on land, it would be out to sea. I'm leaning towards dropping it and the vest but bringing a lighter shell that will work under the shell I am bringing, if needed and be more multipurpose.

 

[eandesmom]

lay off the bean burritos

I am crying right now!!!

 

[Happydog]

Man you have been busy!!! I know that the shopping for a cruise and packing for a cruise is really daunting! Your lists look good! I think you will have more of a chance to change clothes as you are expecting... in February I wore more clothes than I did in June, but that was because I spent more time in my swim suit! So your list looks good.

Love the FE and the teeshirts and the pillow cases! TOOO cute! Very thematic with Alaska! I understand the whole Magnet concern, I laughed at your comment that Jeff would think you went over the edge... I know Matt was "thinking" that more than once on that cruise!!! Great fun! You must be so excited!! You are going to have a great time.

 

[eandesmom]

Man you have been busy!!! I know that the shopping for a cruise and packing for a cruise is really daunting! Your lists look good! I think you will have more of a chance to change clothes as you are expecting... in February I wore more clothes than I did in June, but that was because I spent more time in my swim suit! So your list looks good.

I made some changes to the list today and I think it works a little better. It's too many tops, I always pack too many and that's just how it will go. The changes should lessen the overall bulk but we will see what it really looks like come packing time. I am expecting to change 2-3x a day based on what our activities look like.

(3) camisoles for layering under tees
(2) capri - may lose 1
(4) dresses
(2) fleece
(4) Short Sleeve T
(3) Long Sleeve T
(7) Top
(4) Scarf
(4) Sweater
(4) Jeans - still might lose 1
(8) shoe - still might lose 1-2 including the uggs lol but am going to try and fit these as it stands. 3 heels, 1 dressy flat, 1 walking sandal, ugg slippers, 2 tennis/casual.
(1) leisure - aka yoga pants for the verandah lol
(4) jacket - shell, hoodies, rain jacket
(1) shorts
(4) workout
(1) swim
(3) pants
(1) Gloves

Love the FE and the teeshirts and the pillow cases! TOOO cute! Very thematic with Alaska! I understand the whole Magnet concern, I laughed at your comment that Jeff would think you went over the edge... I know Matt was "thinking" that more than once on that cruise!!! Great fun! You must be so excited!! You are going to have a great time.

Yeah, I figure hanging the FE and then the whiteboard on the door is enough for the first outing.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Man you have been busy!!! I know that the shopping for a cruise and packing for a cruise is really daunting! Your lists look good! I think you will have more of a chance to change clothes as you are expecting... in February I wore more clothes than I did in June, but that was because I spent more time in my swim suit! So your list looks good.

Love the FE and the teeshirts and the pillow cases! TOOO cute! Very thematic with Alaska! I understand the whole Magnet concern, I laughed at your comment that Jeff would think you went over the edge... I know Matt was "thinking" that more than once on that cruise!!! Great fun! You must be so excited!! You are going to have a great time.

Jim was worried about the magnets the first time, too. Once he saw other "crazies" doing it too, he kind of got into it! This time we bought that 8x10 pirate portrait just for that purpose!

Oh, and we found that alot of the FE gifts were magnets, so people just stuck them to our door - it got more and more decorated as the cruise went on!

 

[Happydog]

Jim was worried about the magnets the first time, too. Once he saw other "crazies" doing it too, he kind of got into it! This time we bought that 8x10 pirate portrait just for that purpose!

Oh, and we found that alot of the FE gifts were magnets, so people just stuck them to our door - it got more and more decorated as the cruise went on!

Yep, that is true!! we got several magnets. IN fact my FE gifts were magnets!! More for the fridge I was thinking though, but I saw them on everyone's door...

Crazies. Isn't that funny.. that we are!

I just spent two weeks in Bend, OR. Where are you?

 

[eandesmom]

Jim was worried about the magnets the first time, too. Once he saw other "crazies" doing it too, he kind of got into it! This time we bought that 8x10 pirate portrait just for that purpose!

Oh, and we found that alot of the FE gifts were magnets, so people just stuck them to our door - it got more and more decorated as the cruise went on!

I'm hoping some will be I love that pirate portrait!

Yep, that is true!! we got several magnets. IN fact my FE gifts were magnets!! More for the fridge I was thinking though, but I saw them on everyone's door...

Crazies. Isn't that funny.. that we are!

I just spent two weeks in Bend, OR. Where are you?

What's funny is I can't even use magnets at home, they don't stick to stainless and I hate to put good ones on the garage fridge as they just get knocked off and trashed. It will be fun to have any on our door, we will see what happens!

 

[tinacaplan]

Just popping it and saying hi! Enjoying reading your packing plans and excited for you that you only have eight more days until you leave!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Yep, that is true!! we got several magnets. IN fact my FE gifts were magnets!! More for the fridge I was thinking though, but I saw them on everyone's door...

Crazies. Isn't that funny.. that we are!

I just spent two weeks in Bend, OR. Where are you?

I'm in Klamath Falls - about 3 hrs South on the same side of the state. Similar geography, just small and dumpyish.

 

[eandesmom]

Just popping it and saying hi! Enjoying reading your packing plans and excited for you that you only have eight more days until you leave!

Hi Tina!!!!!!!!!

7 now

I'm in Klamath Falls - about 3 hrs South on the same side of the state. Similar geography, just small and dumpyish.

Ah but you are close to Crater Lake! Well, closer than we are at least. We keep talking about taking the kids there. Are there actual falls there? I can't recall.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Tina!!!!!!!!!

7 now



Ah but you are close to Crater Lake! Well, closer than we are at least. We keep talking about taking the kids there. Are there actual falls there? I can't recall.

Yes, it only takes about an hour to get to Crater Lake. You would come in on the North side - which is closed for about 9 months of the year due to snow. If you do decide to do so - come before next Fall so we can have a DISmeet!

There are no Falls in KFalls. I think there used to be a rapids area but time and dams have changed it. There are actually alot of great outdoors things to do here - you guys would probably have alot of fun visiting. There is a lodge at Running Y and hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, rafting type things around. There are bald eagles and pelicans galore. Spring is the best time to see the birds. The boys would have fun at the lava beds caves and there is a visitors center with lots of educational information on the Indian wars and the science stuff.

Wow - for a place I don't like to live, I sure gave you a great tourism plug!

 

[treece2122]

Saying hello and letting you know I'm loving your PTR so far. Can't wait to find out more info about your cruise and how you enjoyed it.

You're a way more organized packer than I am! I usually have all of my clothes spread all over the bed and toss things off that don't fit....which usually means I forget something important. I can't tell you how many "necessary" items I've had to purchase on trips, only to throw them into the back of the closet and never wear them again. I think you've inspired me to pull together a packing list the next time I go on vacation (whenever that may be).

It's getting closer; I'm so excited for you!!

- Christine

 

[eandesmom]

Yes, it only takes about an hour to get to Crater Lake. You would come in on the North side - which is closed for about 9 months of the year due to snow. If you do decide to do so - come before next Fall so we can have a DISmeet!

There are no Falls in KFalls. I think there used to be a rapids area but time and dams have changed it. There are actually alot of great outdoors things to do here - you guys would probably have alot of fun visiting. There is a lodge at Running Y and hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, rafting type things around. There are bald eagles and pelicans galore. Spring is the best time to see the birds. The boys would have fun at the lava beds caves and there is a visitors center with lots of educational information on the Indian wars and the science stuff.

Wow - for a place I don't like to live, I sure gave you a great tourism plug!

You sure did! I still remember Crater Lake as magical from my childhood. It is very much on the short list for next summer, that, Oregon Coast or DC but DC is likely not in the pocketbook thanks to college tuition so it will be one or the other or perhaps a combo (though they aren't remotely close as you well know). I'm going to have to hit you up for info if we ever make it down, it's been on the list for a while! It would be summer though for sure.

Saying hello and letting you know I'm loving your PTR so far. Can't wait to find out more info about your cruise and how you enjoyed it.

You're a way more organized packer than I am! I usually have all of my clothes spread all over the bed and toss things off that don't fit....which usually means I forget something important. I can't tell you how many "necessary" items I've had to purchase on trips, only to throw them into the back of the closet and never wear them again. I think you've inspired me to pull together a packing list the next time I go on vacation (whenever that may be).

It's getting closer; I'm so excited for you!!

- Christine

Hi Christine and Oh that will happen too, it will all end up the bed and I'll pull and add and end up messing something else. If anything I over think things. I have to though as my husband and kids always forget something we have to buy! I do make the kids lists but Jeff really should fend for himself. It will be interesting to see what he forgets...

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Hey! Thanks for the link, I don't know why I couldn't get over here from clicking on the one in your siggie?

I didn't realize the cruise was coming up so quick!

Your packing list is amazing.....ly large! You MUST take a picture of the suitcases before you leave! But I get ya - it would be impossible to pack light for an Alaskan cruise, too many weather variables.