Amazon.com – our life reality

When we travel, there are some items that we make sure we take on each and every trip. I would like to share with you what are essentials are for this cruise.

First and foremost are the fans. Yes, more than one. The large black one is for the room while the other two are for outside use. Well, mostly outside use any way. I say that because when we were on the Carnival Vista in August/September, our embarkation was at terminal 2. It was our first time embarking from that terminal so we did not know what to expect. What we found was that it was very hot. We used the necklace fans a lot while we were standing in line. I thought it was probably cooler outside!!!!

We bring an over-the-door shoe hanger on each trip. This time, I purchased a new one that is slender and came in a a package of 2. We do not use the hangers that come with it. Instead, we use Command Strips. They have never failed us!

Our first aid kit has everything we could possibly need and then some. Better safe than sorry.

Do NOT forget to bring some antacids. It is definitely a necessity. Any brand will do. These were purchased at Dollar Tree but the container has since been refilled with whatever we have on hand at the time.

We also bring plenty of hand sanitizer, both liquid and wipes. I keep wipes in my purse, beach bag, and back pack because you never know when you will need them.

Let’s not forget our beverage cups. Hubby brings a Bubba Mug he has had for years and years. I bring my trusty Tervis tumbler that I found a Bed Bath and Beyond many years ago.

Typically, we bring two bottles of wine on board with us at embarkation. So, we bring plastic, reusable wine and champagne classes to use. A corkscrew is kept with the wine and glasses so we do not forget it like we have done before. We also bring metal straws with us since plastic straws are no longer available and I do not like the straws they are now using.

We also bring a travel power strip that stays in camera bag when not in use. It has been awesome to have.

Also in the camera bag is spare batteries.

Do not forget face masks. We bring disposable ones as well as reusable ones. I am fully aware that I’m bringing more than I will probably use.

A battery operated night light works well when your room gets dark. Even the balcony rooms tend to get dark at night.

Water shoes and rain ponchos come in handy as well. I purchased these water shoes on Amazon several years ago and the rain poncho was purchased at Dollar Tree.

So that is it for now. I know there are some things I have left off. Anything not included here will be in a packing blog.

First, let me apologize for this blog being late. Sunday we celebrated my mother’s birthday and I had my daughter take some pictures of my husband and I in our evening attire. While the pictures came out okay, I wasn’t happy with the way some of the clothes made me look so I had to re-think a couple of outfits. Which meant I had to retake photos. I will post the ones my daughter took but please be kind. It was hot, the clothes still need to be ironed, and there was a party going on inside my mothers very small apartment. Now, on with the post!!!!

We are 6 weeks away from sail-away!!!! The next 42 days will go by very fast and I feel like I still have a lot to do!!! Clothes need to be ironed. Others need to go to the cleaners. And of course, there is still the stop at Spec’s for our champagne and wine we will be carrying on board!!!!

There is something you should know about me before I continue. I love to get dressed for dinner. Not necessarily over-the-top dressed up, but something I would not consider wearing after dinner. So, after dinner I change into something more comfortable for any situation such as mini golf, movies under the stars, piano bar cocktails, or giving money to the casino. Most nights, with the exception of the first night, I will have 2 evening outfits. I’m old and set in my ways so please bear with me.

Dinner the first night usually means the photography staff will come to each table and take your picture with a pirate!!!! Since we are celebrating the 17th anniversary of our honeymoon cruise, we will not be wearing the clothes we wear when we take our embarkation photo. Instead, we will wearing something casual and comfy. This is our choice… okay, it’s my choice and it is what we WILL be doing, LOL! Tonight I will be wearing an asymmetrical top in shades of blue, turquoise, and white with a pair of white capris, white sandals, and a necklace and earrings in a shade of turquoise. Jim will be wearing khaki’s and a light green golf shirt. My top and capris are from Steinmart, sandals are from Amazon, and the necklace and earrings are from BaubleBar. Jims shirt is from Amazon. He’s had his pants for so long, I do not know where they are from. Could be Dillards, could be Ross, and it could be Burlington’s. I just do not know about any of his pants or shorts. I can only account for this golf shirts!!!!

Cruise Elegant Night!!!!! I love this night!!! I like to be able to get dressed up since I rarely do it at home and I definitely do not do it for work. Tonight I will be wearing a white one shoulder jumpsuit and a pair of black heels, both from Venus.com. The jewelry I will be wearing is a black and gold braided necklace I found on Amazon and some black earrings I picked up at Charming Charlie. Jim will be wearing a blue and white shirt and navy slacks or maybe his khaki slacks. We will be dressy but not formal by any stretch of the imagination.

After dinner I will be wearing a tan colored halter with some bling to it and black capris I purchased at Venus.com. The earrings I will be wearing were purchased at one of those jewelry home show things, but I do not remember which one. I will also be wearing black flip-flops. I will need some comfy shoes after wearing heals for a few hours!!!! Jim will be changing into a red golf shirt and shorts.

Recovering from a day in Cozumel means light, comfy clothes that is something we would wear out to dinner if we were at home. I will be wearing a cream colored top from StitchFix that I am pairing with a tan and white very narrow stripe capris that I purchased at Steinmart. Tan sandals are from Amazon. Earrings from BaubleBar and necklace from Amazon. Jim will be wearing a gray golf shirt from Amazon with a pair of slacks.

After dinner I will be changing into my white capris and a blue and white stripe top with pink flamingos. Of course I will be wearing white flip flops I bought at DSW. And lets not forget the pink flamingo earrings from BaubleBar and the pink flamingo necklace from Charming Charlie. Jim will switch his slacks for a pair of shorts!

Since we have no plans for Progreso, I have chosen this night for a dinner in the steakhouse. This will be our first time to go to the steakhouse that Carnival Cruise Line has. I am beyond excited to do it on this cruise!!! I will be wearing a navy floral maxi dress from StitchFix, with pink wedges from Payless Shoe Source, a necklace with a pink drop that I think I purchased from Charming Charlie online, and pink earrings from BaubleBar. Jim will be wearing either a teal golf shirt from Amazon or a short sleeve button down shirt and slacks. Maybe you can help us decide which one he should wear.

After dinner I will be changing into a blue, black, and white halter and black capris along with black drop earrings and black flip flops. Jim will be changing into shorts and depending on which shirt he wears to dinner, he might be changing into a golf shirt as well.

Our last dinner on the ship is always so sad for me. But that doesn’t mean I will not dress comfortably. Tonight I am planning on wearing a white and blue stripe jumpsuit I purchased at Steinmart with white sandals from Amazon. The jewelry I will be wearing is also from Steinmart. Jim will be wearing a blue and white stripe golf shirt from Amazon and slacks.

No doubt, after dinner we will be changing one last time. I will be changing into a pair of blue capris from Steinmart and a tropical print halter from Venus.com, White flip flops and blue earrings will round out my after dinner outfit. Jim will obviously change into a pair of shorts.

For my own peace of mind, I am also taking a couple of dresses should I decide I do not want to wear the dinner outfits I have selected. Both dresses were purchased at Steinmart. At least I will have an option for the drive home after the cruise and the force us off the ship.

The first dress is a navy tank top dress with a gold anchor on it that come just below my knees. If you know me, you know I love anchors!!!! I will be wearing it with navy canvas shoes from Target, gold earrings, and white bracelet with an anchor on it and another bracelet with a blue and white anchor all from Charming Charlie.

The other dress is a bit over the knees and very flows beautifully. It is a precious tropical type print and I will be wearing it with gold earrings and my white sandals.

On the drive home, Jim will be wearing a blue golf shirt and shorts. Please note that this is the last golf shirt I have packed for him!!!

As you can see, I am definitely an over-packer. But this time, if I have planned everything correctly, I should only be coming home with one outfit that I did not wear.

Next week, precruise blog #8 will be what we have in our first aid kit.

Tag: Amazon.com

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