Luggage Information
To keep your luggage from being picked up by mistake, we place colored items upon it.
Your luggage amount and size is limited by the airlines. Check out the requirements for luggage on http://www.delta.com. Under the tab for “Traveling Guide & Check In” you will see “baggage” Click onto it for baggage and luggage for how many pieces you are allowed and the weight restrictions.
Always do this when traveling: Keep all receipts for any travel items in a box so that in case of lost luggage-you can prove the cost of the items that were in the luggage, including the luggage itself. Save those receipts for pants, shirts, hats, shoes, sweaters, jackets, swimming wear or any electronics that may go into the luggage. Insurance requires proof of contents and cost.
Important Notice. Apply colored ribbon or plastic to your luggage handle. You can purchase a color of plastic ribbon at Home Depot or any hardware store. It is the same plastic ribbon as used by surveyors. It is important because, as we have found out, there are hundreds of pieces of luggage that will look the same and you need to be able to find yours when you leave the departure area. Two benefits. First it makes your luggage easy to spot and second, it keeps others with similar luggage from taking yours by mistake.
Before you start packing remember this. Lay out all of the clothes you think you will need, then put 1/2 of them back. You can wear your clothes more than one time. Take clothes that can change the look by swapping the tops or bottoms. You WILL NOT use all the clothes you take with you so pack for the least amount to get by instead of the most. Normally, some will buy clothes at the different stops. Because of this, we end up not wearing all that we planned. (please exclude underwear from this suggestion) There are two (2) dress up nights on cruises of one week. 5 day cruises have 1 dress up night. 12 day will have three dress nights, but remember, we are all in the same boat (pun intended) so many will not dress up as they did not have room in their luggage to bring extra dress clothes.
Baggage tips
The first tip is to have money for tips for the baggage handlers. Usually about a dollar per bag.
On a cruise, bring an overnight bag for your last night at sea. Staff will collect your bags the night before you leave the ship, and you will need an overnight bag to carry your night clothes and toiletries the next day. Don’t forget also to leave out clothes to wear the last morning getting off the ship.
Identify all your bags, including carry-on with your name and a special ribbon color. With approximately 2200 persons on the ship and most of them having black luggage, it is easy to pick up the wrong one. That is why it is so important to make your luggage look different from the others. The neon ribbon helps you and the baggage handlers to spot your luggage.
Remember two things:
First ~ You will have to store the suitcases you bring onto the ship in your small closet or under the bed while on the ship, so do not bring that “super-sized” large luggage.
Second ~ You will have to carry home all the luggage and items you brought with you for the cruise and all the items you bought while on the cruise. If you buy a quantity of souvenirs, it could be quite cumbersome getting all the stuff off the ship. You can Mail extra clothes or purchases home so you do not have to carry them. Go by Wal-Mart and purchase a $10 carryon bag that is lightweight nylon. It is easy to roll it up and put it in your luggage to take with you. Then, upon return with the extra souvenirs, you have a place to put it all.
Below is information “Before You Cruise – Packing”
Relaxed elegance is the guideline for dress on board each cruise ship. And though your own taste, interests and destinations will determine what you pack, keep in mind you’ll need three types of clothing:
Casual shipboard attire or day wear
Conservative apparel for sightseeing
Evening wear
Day wear-Caribbean or Hawaiian Cruises (disregard for Alaska)
On the ship, when visiting our warmer ports of call, stylish resort wear is fine for both men and women:
Walking shorts and polo shirts
Lightweight slacks or skirts
A light sweater (for cooler days)
On Alaskan cruises, summer temperatures sometimes reach the 70s. But, be sure you pack:
Shirts and blouses Levi’s
Slacks or pants
Sweaters and jackets for cooler days -You can buy this in Alaska.
Lightweight windbreaker for misty weather-Buy this in Alaska.
On all Cruises, it’s wise to bring along:
Comfortable, rubber-soled shoes
Hat and sunglasses.
Don’t forget to pack something nice for the dress up nights.
