Cruising & What To Wear?

Okay You’ve Booked A Cruise – Now What To Wear?

Our Approach To A Complete Cruise Packing List

Nobody wants to make mistakes when packing for a cruise. Some people over pack lugging along heavy and multiple suitcases, while others under pack and end up with nothing appropriate for that upscale dinner onboard. Especially for first-timers it’s difficult to know exactly what to bring on that cruise and there won’t be any do-overs once your cruise ship pulls away from the pier.

To start you need to understand that dress requirements are different for each cruise line and also, dress codes have changed over the years on most cruise ships. The first recommendation is to check your cruise lines web site for dress code recommendations. For example the following is a recommendation right from Royal Caribbean’s Website:

Current Royal Caribbean Dress Code Advice

While the days of dedicated “formal nights” in the main dining room have since sailed, one of the most pressing questions for first-time cruisers remains: “how formal is formal?” The answer: it’s up to you! Royal Caribbean encourages you to “Wear Your Best” whenever you want. This means that you can dress casual with jeans, polos, and blouses for our restaurants, but please do keep the swimwear, tank tops and bare feet to the pool deck.

Make A Packing List

The best approach is to start by creating a packing list.

Most cruise wardrobes can be divided into several major categories:

  • 1. Casual clothing for daytime on the ship – Usually shorts, casual slacks, tee shirts.
  • 2. Pool deck and beach attire depending on the weather – bathing suits, tees, cover-ups.
  • 3. Evening clothes to match the ships dress code (one or two outfits) – dresses, tie and jacket.
  • 4. Clothes that layer for changing temperatures or unexpected weather – matching shirts, sweaters, jackets and thermal vests.
  • 5. Shore Excursion attire – comfortable clothes in layers and cover ups for churches, temples.
  • 6. Travel clothes for thr trip home – comfortable being the theme.

Depending on the ship and cruise line, daytime casual attire is normal – think shorts and tees. While some ships prefer to see no tees and flip-flops in the Dining room, upscale cruise ship passengers lean toward more fashionable clothes in the evening like dressy slacks, collared shirts, dresses and sport coats.

Dress For Expected Weather

Where you’re cruise is going and the expected weather should always guide your thinking. Flannel and thermal vests are not for a cruise to the Caribbean, but warmer clothes worn in layers is perfect for Alaska’s cool, wet weather. Always include something for unseasonable weather.

Evening clothing

Even if your cruise line doesn’t require passengers to dress up for dinner, chances are you won’t be out of place in a coat and tie or a nice dress. Our rule of thumb is to dress with what you like best. Often jeans can be dressed up in the evening by match them with stylish tops and nice shoes. If cocktail dresses, suits, ties, and jackets are your style, rest assured you won’t be out of place. With some cruises still on formal nights don’t be surprised if guests who are not appropriately attired are prohibited from entering in dining rooms, specific restaurants and even attending some shows. And if you’d rather not dress up for dinner, you can still dine at the buffet.

Shoes can take up a lot of space in your suitcase so it’s important to give footwear a good amount of thought. When traveling wear comfortable shoes like tennis shoes, pack a pair for dressing up and a pair of flip flops for pool and beach. One tip is to stuff the shoes you’re packing with socks to conserve space. Coordinate your evening clothes to just one pair of shoes. Water shoes are also a good option to replace flip flops as they can be worn at other times.

Bon Voyage!

Todays Image • Historic Cusco

The historic section of Cusco, Peru besides being the old capitol of the Inca Empire and the gateway to visiting Machu Picchu is also an amazing place to explore. Museums, archeological wonders, fantastic restaurants, cafes and interesting shopping. We recommend that if your travel plans take you to Cusco be sure and allow plenty of time to take in this remarkable place.

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Port Call Kagoshima, Japan

Kagoshima is located at the southwestern tip of the southern island of Kyūshū. It has been nicknamed the “Naples of the Eastern world” for its warm climate, its bay location and its nearby active stratovolcano, Sakurajima. The city was officially founded on April 1, 1889.

One area of particular note is its historical importance involving the Samurai. Today, Kagoshima preserves its samurai heritage through museums, historical sites, and festivals. The city’s Tsurumaru Castle, built in the 17th century, is a popular attraction.

Where Your Ship Docks

Kagoshima has a modern seaport and the cruise pier is only a mile or two from downtown. Right near the pier there are public facilities and local vendors often offer items for sale near the pier. Getting into town is a bit of a walk but taxis are usually available at the pier.

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Wheelchair Accessibility

Disembarking – This port has a developed cruise ship pier but the ease of disembarking varies by the individual ships gangway designs. The Kagoshima cruise pier disembarks in a park like setting about two miles from the city’s downtown.right into downtown. For passengers using wheelchairs there can be a moderate ramp incline to deal with.

Port City Characteristics – This port has an average wheelchair infrastructure typical of large cities. The port area has moderate inclines in sidewalks. Intersection crosswalks may have ramps but few wheelchair obstacles.

Currency

Japanese Yen equals 0.0065 US Dollars. 1 USD = 154.68 JPY. Most credit cards are welcome and ATMs are common. The best option for changing currency is the ATMs at 7-Eleven stores.

The observatory overlook

Transportation In Kagoshima

Kagoshima has a readily available taxi system, with designated taxi stands located throughout the city. You can hail a taxi on the street or call a taxi company to book a ride.

Taxi Fares The starting fare for a taxi in Kagoshima is 600 yen, with an additional 80 yen added for every 270 meters traveled. There is also a late-night surcharge of 20% between 11 pm and 5 am.

Public Transportation

Kagoshima offers a well-developed public transportation network, including buses, trams, and ferries. The city’s main bus terminal is located near Kagoshima-Chuo Station, and buses connect various parts of the city and surrounding areas. The Kagoshima City Tram is a convenient option for exploring the city center, with stops at major attractions like Sakurajima Ferry Terminal and Tenmonkan. Ferries provide access to nearby islands, including Sakurajima and Yakushima.

Uber has been available in Japan since 2018. However, unlike in the U.S., you’ll find that Uber here is mostly used for airport transfers and other occasional longer-distance trips. Overall, Uber cars are pricier compared to regular cabs for shorter in-city trips.

Trains

Kagoshima is served by the Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train, which connects the city to major destinations like Fukuoka and Osaka. Local JR trains also operate within the prefecture, providing access to towns and villages. The Ibusuki Makurazaki Line offers scenic coastal views.

Historic Events

The Satsuma Rebellion: In 1877, Kagoshima was the center of the Satsuma Rebellion, a samurai uprising against the Meiji government. This rebellion, led by Saigō Takamori, was a significant event in the modernization of Japan and the end of the samurai era.

The Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki: Although not directly in Kagoshima, the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945 had a profound impact on the region. Kagoshima served as a major evacuation point for survivors of the bombing, and the city continues to commemorate the event and advocate for peace.

Sakurajima Volcano: Witness the awe-inspiring Sakurajima Volcano, an active stratovolcano that offers stunning views and opportunities to learn about its geological history.

Major Attractions

Kagoshima Castle: Explore the remnants of Kagoshima Castle, a historical landmark that played a significant role in the Satsuma Rebellion. Climb the observation tower for panoramic city views.

Kirishima Onsen: Relax and rejuvenate in the therapeutic hot springs of Kirishima Onsen, renowned for its healing properties and scenic surroundings.

Kagoshima Black Pork: Indulge in the culinary delights of Kagoshima, particularly the renowned Kagoshima Black Pork a breed of pig native to Kagoshima, known for its high-quality meat, which is characterized by its tenderness, juiciness, and rich flavor.

Sengan-en Garden: High on the list is Sengan-en Garden, a traditional Japanese landscape garden boasting picturesque views of the Sakurajima Volcano, Kinko Bay and some interesting archeological sites.

Today’s Images • Peru’s Machu Picchu

An Archeological Wonder of the Ancient World

Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru, on a 7,970 feet mountain ridge. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

The purpose of Machu Picchu remains a mystery, though it is believed to have been built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti. It was abandoned during the Spanish conquest and remained largely unknown to the outside world until 1911, when it was rediscovered by American historian Hiram Bingham.

Going To Argentina’s Iguazu Falls

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Shopping On Dong Khoi Street

An Update On This Article

Seven years after this visit to Dong Khoi we returned to Saigon and were really surprised at how much this city and Dong Khoi Street have changed. Most of the high fashion boutiques, posh shops, souvenir outlets and restaurants are gone – replaced by the glass and stainless facades of brand new skyscrapers. Things change and I’m guessing many shops have relocated. More on Saigon soon…

A Short Story

Spending a few days in Vietnam on two occasions recently, we spent time shopping on Dong Khoi Street in Saigon. (Officially, it’s Ho Chi Minh City, but even the residents still call it Saigon.) Vietnam is bargain hunter heaven, featuring a great exchange rate with the U.S. Dollar which are also accepted virtually everywhere. Most countries have a famous, upscale shopping street like Fifth Avenue, Bond Street, Champs-Elysées and Via Veneto, and Dong Khoi Street is Vietnam’s. About a mile long, it is lined with high fashion boutiques, posh shops, international hotels and restaurants and more than a few souvenir outlets.

Dong Khoi Street Ho Chi Minh City

While walking Dong Khoi Street, we stopped in front of a collectibles shop where the entire window was full of military Zippo lighters. Our first reaction was one of shock. As an American, you cannot visit Vietnam without being conscious of the ghosts of the War and, if you served, your memories are still incredibly stark. We have spoken with a number of Vietnamese and, generally, their attitude seems to be focused on the future rather than the past. For most of our time in Vietnam, we rarely felt any resentment from the people we met and, the official policy is, America is an ally and a valuable trading partner.

military Zippo lighters from war in Vietnam
U.S. Military unit Zippo lighters in a shop window Dong Khoi Street, Saigon Vietnam

In the sixties and seventies, the Zippo lighter was ubiquitous in our military. Almost everyone smoked and the Zippo was THE lighter. Most military units bought Zippo lighters with their emblem attached or engraved. Standing on Dong Khoi Street looking in that window, the first thought was how did they come by hundreds of U.S. military lighters from dozens and dozens of military units? The first guess wasn’t particularly good, but than I thought back to those days. The lighters were solid, well made, reliable and pretty inexpensive, and everyone wanted them. Working with the Vietnamese it was an inexpensive gift that was very appreciated and we often carried a couple on us as a reward or for barter. In the months that I served, I probably gave away over a dozen of our unit’s Zippo lighters to Vietnamese we worked with. That’s where those lighters came from…

Vietnamese soldiers
model made from shell casings
Made from 50 Cal. casings

The memories of the war are everywhere in Vietnam like the Cu Chi Tunnels where the Viet Cong hid from the enemy. We came across a few shops that were selling “art” made from left over war materials. A couple of times we came across models made from 50 caliber shell casings.

Laser Pop-Up Cards
comb from water buffalo horn
Water buffalo horn

Walking the neighborhood around Dong Khoi Street there are a number of notable sites like the Saigon Opera House and the Rex Hotel, but it’s the shopping that brought us there. As a visitor, we discovered a number of remarkable items in Vietnam. One is laser-cut greeting cards. You know those cards with finely cut patterns that pop-up when opened. At home these sell for up to $10 but, in Vietnam, street vendors sell them for 1 to 2 dollars. Tee shirts are a great buy with prices as low as $3 or $4 but sizing is all over the place so be careful when purchasing. Saigon is also noted for great prices on high fashion and custom tailoring with a number of famous fashion houses represented along Dong Khoi. Lacquerware featuring hand painted pieces with that deep, dark finish are a local speciality available in a number of shops. For small items there are also hundreds of things crafted from water buffalo horns like hair combs and art carvings that make good souvenirs. Bamboo and wooden products are mostly hand made and available in a variety of woods and colors. Look for carved bamboo hats, bowls, trays and baskets. Paper fans are also a familiar item in Vietnamese lives and make a good souvenir that is easy to pack.

Carved wood figures

If you’ve had reservations about visiting Vietnam as an American, put them aside. This country is on the move and the people are friendly and welcoming

The bar at the Hilton Dong Khoi Street
laser cut art in Vietnam

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Todays Image • Mumbai Across Back Bay

The view in the opposite direction from the featured image

The view from atop a high rise on Marine Drive looking across Back Bay to the WNW. Mumbai is India’s second largest city and its most affluent but it is also home to one of the world’s largest slums.

Like much of Asia’s large and growing metropolitan areas, Mumbai is also struggling to deal with traffic congestion, smog, poverty and affordable housing, while it is also home to some of Asia’s richest residents helping to fuel a huge building boom.

Mumbai was actually built from what was originally an archipelago of seven islands that included Mumbai Island, Parel, Mazagaon, Mahim, Colaba, Worli, and Old Woman’s Island (also known as Little Colaba). The islands were turned into a single landmass by the Hornby Vellard engineering project in 1784.

Screenshot

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