We leave on our cruise in a little over 3 weeks I want to pack so bad right now I have had my clothes sorted and layed out for months but they are not actually in the suitcase yet. So I was just wondering how soon does everyone pack to go on their cruise????

We start doing it about a week before, and this is mostly gathering up what we want to take and doing an inventory. We then load the baggage 2 or 3 days before we leave.

My wife does all the packing about 3 days before the cruise. She starts sorting out everything a week before. One of my favorite feelings is going down into the basement to get the luggage.

Yes, the "Luggage Moment" While we don't have a basement, I understand. Our luggage is kept in the attic space over the garage.. here in Texas at 100 degrees outside, you don't EVER go into the attic for anything. but I have no issue making that trip if it to retreive the cruise luggage.

But to answer the first question, we start stacking clothes about a week before, actual packing happens a day or 2 before, but the checklists start getting written months before.. You should try it... its almost like packing but you don't actually pack anything. Write down everything you plan on bringing so that come the heat of battle, you don't forget anything. (Don't forget to put down "Cruise Docs")

Jim

We are leaving on sunday and I have no plans to pack anytime soon. I like to wait to the last day and do it in one big event, however I will be frantic on Sat. Have fun on your cruise

Actually, I start shortly after I return from my cruise. All of my formal wear is sent out when I return and after I retreive it from the cleaners, it goes into it's own bag (which, in turn will go into one of the bags that will be checked thru at the airport). That way, that part of my packing is DONE!

Well I think I am too anxious because I had my clothes sitting out and organized for a couple of months just piled up on the side of my dresser, so in actuality I packed them; I got tired of them sitting their and really wanted to know how much room in my suitcase would be left for my husband which was a little less than half of the suitcase but netherless I am packed already for my curise which is 3 weeks away what you think about that???? I have to pack my kids clothes as well their clothes are organized in their closets but I have not packed their clothes as of yet, so I guess I just have a head start of all the suitcases I have yet to pack I don't know I;m just EXCITED

I am going to sound CRAZY here, but I am so excited. Our cruise is 01/21/07. I have begun buying things and putting them in the storage bins under my bed. I cannot wait until it is time. I have started to look for formals as well. Great sales right now.

They day I booked baby baby!

The day I get home from the port. Our upcoming will be our 17th and I'm as excited as my first cruise. Best wishes!

Definitely allow at least a week before. Plan for add-ons. Sometimes, impromptu packing works best but not at the last minute.

I am definitely the exception to the rule!

I start to pack the day I leave, unless we are flying out early in the morning. In that case, I'll pack the night before.

It's not that I'm not excited. I just procrastinate like anything. I do, however, start to make a list of what I need to take a week or so in advance so I don't forget anything! I cross things off as I pack them.

It doesn't mean that I'm not excited. Since I booked the 2 cruises I'm taking this year, they are all I can think about. Instead of packing, I read the boards, look at kroooz-cams and make a journal for that particular cruise.

Chris

Mooney, I pack the day/evening before I travel, too.

It helps that I have a permanent packing list on my computer, listing things I need for all sorts of different trips. Before I start to pack, I print out the list and cross off the things that are not relevant to the current trip. Then I just fill the rollaboard with clothing I choose from the listed categories (socks, slacks, dress purse, etc).

Makes packing faster and easier, and I don't forget the things I may have forgotten if it weren't for the list, which I keep updating.

Sandy

My cruise is in 4 months on the Glory. I too, am already starting to pack for the cruise. Fortunately, this will be my third cruise. So, with all the past expierience, I do have more of an idea what to pack. I have too, like Hemigirl, started to store things under my bed that I plan to take on the cruise. Right now, I am starting to dig into the cookie jar to get lots of coins rolled up and ready to use in the slots onboard the Glory's casino. I have now a few rolls of Quaters and Nickels ready. On my last cruise, I did not see any slots that ran on dimes or pennies. I am also saving up some of the Saccajewia (Indian lady) dollar coins. I did see a few slots that ran on those dollar coins. I don't know if I will save up enough of them to make a roll (that would be an expensive roll of coins). Since I work at an airport, I am now exchanging my $20 bills for $5 bills and especially singles. I will spend them on tips, and maybe in the casino?

I am also saving up a few toiletries. I am purchasing the tiny travel sized toiletries since they will probably have some waiting for me in the stateroom. On my last cruise (aboard the Inspiration), they had a basket of Procter&Gamble toiletries (Crest tootpaste, Herbalessence shampoo, etc.) in a basket in the bathroom. That was a nice touch.

I am now debating what photographic/videographic equipment to bring on my next cruise. I might post a message on this website later about this.

Maybe I should bring a mask, fins, and snorkle should I do any snorkling on this upcoming cruise. So I may go to a dive shop to purchase them.

I remember, on my last cruise, I packed too much clothes. First of all, I will pack less this time around. Secondly, I may considering purchasing and using those space-saving vacuum bags to squeeze down my clothes and create more space in my suitcase. I take seriously what Tom Ogg and other expierienced cruisers said. One thing that was said was "if you take enough cruises, inevitably, your checked baggage will be lost" (or words to that effect). That writer went on to say you should prepare for that by having an emergency supply of clothes in your carry-on(s). So maybe those vacuum bags would come in useful for that purpose. I just hope there will be a vacuum available on the ship at the end of the cruise when it comes time to re-pack. Maybe my cabin steward will have a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. I can only hope.

I will bring a small notebook, Post-It notes, and envelopes. I will use the first two for writing notes to my cabin steward and other crew members. I will use the envelopes to place tips into on the last night. Maybe I will also place the first two in the envelope as well with a message saying "Thank you for a job well done!". I will also bring along a few larger 10x13 manilla envelopes to save the sounvenir literature in (daily cruise news letter, purchased photos, fliers, etc.).

I was thinking about bringing my Kodak printer along to print-out the photos I took for my crew members and fellow passengers. And maybe even purchasing a laptop to store and manage my photos and video. But I am not sure if bringing them along would be feasable (or affordable in the case of a laptop).

I am not too concerned about formal ware. I did not bring a tux on my last cruise (a simple dark suit instead). And on formal night, I did not see any men wearing tuxes. At least, all of my tablemates wore suites like me. As for females, I don't know much about female clothes. All I can say is that on formal night, it looked like everyone was dressed for a job interview as opposed to a black tie affair. I guess it would be different on luxury cruise lines.

I know one thing that I will bring lots of on my next cruise: Zip-Lock storage bags; the gallon sized ones. Especially the ones that have the sliding tab (as opposed to having to slide your finger and hope you sealed it). They really worked like charms. You can organize different things in different bags by subject and labeling them. In one bag, my medicines; in another my toiletries, in another reading matierials, in another important papers, etc. etc. It really worked well in organizing things and making things quickly acessible. It also will work in case of a spill; where everything will be confined to just one bag, so clean-up will be a breeze.

So, that is all I can think of at the moment. And, it is never too early to start packing for a cruise. The more time you put into preparation, the better. Just remember not to over-pack.

Anyway, I hope this was some help for you. Have a good time on your cruise.

Thank you so much for that post it was very helpful. I already feel that I may be overpacked, but I feel like I will be upset if I did not have a certain dress on any particular night that I liked but did not bring. Plus we are spending two nights in Miami before our cruise so I pack for two days for there.
Any suggestions???