Packing!!

Usually packing is not too complicated.  Some nice clothes to wear on the ship or to a special event ashore. We have been to concerts in cathedrals, dinners in palaces, parades in castles! Also when ashore we may hike out to a geyser or waterfall. Visit a temple, shop in craftsman store, stroll in a park, or climb a mountain (okay, it is just a big hill!).

Because it is a long vacation with a variety of accommodations, countries, and weather systems, packing was tricky. We can expect lots of rain in Iceland, strong winds, and very cool temperatures, 41degrees in Akureyri! It will probably feel good after the sweltering summer we have been experiencing! However, 41 + rain + wind requires personal protective gear. Lined boots, I will wear on the plane to avoid packing them, maybe long johns, definitely my puffy coat, hat, gloves and a rain poncho! Yes I am from the South so that screams winter to me.

I also need shorts and tee shirts for Boston, Bar Harbor, and Halifax. On board the HAL Nieuw Statendam I may also want to wear them. Being on a cruise ship requires daytime clothes like you might wear if you were going our with the girls for lunch - nice but not fancy. There are dress up evenings, which for me means black or navy slacks, not jeans (never allowed at dinner time in the dining room) and a dressier top.  I have a sequined black sweater which does nicely. I no longer bring very dressy things like you might wear for a party or wedding. The theme party this cruise is the Orange Party.  Several cruise lines have a White Night but Holland's national color is orange.  I hope my University of Tennessee Grandma shirt will do!

I like to pack using plastic bags that let you remove the air so more fits in a smaller space.  First I gathered what I thought I might need and lay it out on the bed or a table in sorted piles. Now that I have a chiffarobe I liked stacking it on the shelves to add and take away things.  After a few days I put in the bags then the bag which will be checked. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the roll aboard bag is what I need at the hotel the day before. my rain coat, and enough clothing to survive until my checked suitcase shows up!  I have only once had it not be there when I landed and luckily that was on the return.  It was delivered late that night.  I read, though, that things are more difficult now and airlines are struggling to even have baggage handlers report to work.  (Let's stay on task here and not talk about delayed and cancelled flights!)

My friend, Anna, sent me a link to a Packing for Iceland blog post.  What to Pack for Iceland Looks like an interesting blog which maybe I will follow.  It did give me reminders about how gloves, hats, warmer clothes are needed even in August. She took one carry on bag which works great for a short land trip. Most importantly, both she and I recommend layering!

My 'personal' carry on has medications, first aid, back up batteries, and my trusty laptop! I am sure I over packed but I do not want to pay for laundry even if you do it yourself!  I may have to use the clothes dryer available it my jeans or cords get soaked but i can pack enough underwear to get by. And I have enough tops to allow for enjoying spaghetti and spilling my tea!

Speaking of following blogs, if you haven't yet joined me please choose to follow and you will be notifiesed when new posts are available.  Since I won't be purchasing wifi on Holland America for $15 a day, the posts will come a little randomly and perhaps in clusters when I go ashore!  Why not follow and we will see what happens together!