TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

What To Take? It's A Clothes Call

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 9, 2007

My husband and I represent the yin and yang of packing. I brought coordinated shoes, purses, glittery tops and delightful hoodies in an array of colors for our Alaskan cruise. Him? Finally on Friday, the next to last day, I had to ask, 'Are you wearing that knit shirt, again?'

Turns out when I was sorting out the dirty laundry back home, I found he had two knit shirts that looked alike. So I owe him an apology, which he'll never get. Anyway, we put our heads together, and here is what we view as essentials:

Techno gear. Take your photos in style because this scenery is so spectacular. We took a digital single-lens reflex camera with 18-200 mm lens. We also toted along an Apple Powerbook laptop so we could download photos on the flight back from Seattle. It made for a fun slide show. And you must have binoculars. How else can you spot the mountain goats as you cruise the Sawyer Glacier passage?

Take all your sundries. My husband forgot hairspray, and a large can was only $3.95 onboard in the ship's store. At the end of the cruise, he ended up leaving it because it was a bother to bring home. But other items weren't so cheap. Sunblock costs more than $12. The sun can be intense in Alaska when and if it's out.

Pack warm clothes. This is difficult when you're leaving 90-degree Florida. Boots weren't necessary, but hoodies, toasty jackets, socks, scarves, warm hats and gloves were needed for the 40- to 60-degree days and chilly nights. My favorite item was the black, fuzzy ballet slippers I wore to breakfast and around our room.

Take a foldable bag for extra stuff you buy. Who could resist the igloo Nativity scene to set up around the tree during the holidays?

Use a travel agent. My husband did all this negotiation with Jane Solomon of Mahalo Travel & Cruises in Seminole. It was great to deal with someone who had been on this cruise. We were also upgraded a month or so before we set sail to a suite. So for $200 more, we were at the very front of the ship with a deck large enough for 10 people. We spent a lot of time sightseeing from that very spot.

Solomon also found a reasonable room rate in Seattle after my husband failed to do so after searching online. The Red Lion Hotel across from the Seattle airport was $154 a night (1-800-733-5466; redlion.rdln.com).

Janis D. Froelich

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT