<p>Packing for 10 days (2 nights pre-cruise in Seattle & 7 nights onboard) and trying to stick with one suitcase and one carry-on backpack (mainly camera gear). I’ve rolled up casual clothes before with good success, but I’m not sure about rolling up my evening wear (including one sequined dress). </p>
<p>Would you roll or fold or (God Forbid) check an extra garment bag just for the evening clothes? We’ll be disembarking with our luggage, so I don’t want to be in pack-mule mode dragging everything off the ship.</p>
<p>My evening dresses are all synthetics or silk jersey that does not wrinkle easily. I put them into those long plastic bags that drycleaners use, spread out flat on the floor and then roll and pack into my suitcase. </p>
<p>Another idea: pack a fabric garment bag into your suitcase. At the hotel, iron your dressier clothes and put into the garment bag (again, use the plastic bags mentioned above ). Carry onto the ship. On the way back, just cram everything back into the suitcase. </p>
<p>Eta: just saw that you have a sequined dress. How foldable is it? Can it travel well? If it is too much fuss, I would leave it behind. For destination events, I usually go with a simple dress and bling it out with shoes and accessories. </p>
<p>I also would think about taking a dressier outfit that doesn’t need special handling. We went on a cruise from Seattle a couple of years ago. It was warmer than expected . Layering helps . Try to minimize the luggage and keep it to one suitcase or rolling duffle and a carryon. I just got back from 2 weeks in the British Isles and was able to fit everything into a large rolling duffle. Have a great time!</p>
<p>You will not need a super fancy dress (even for the fancy dress night) on an Alaskan cruise. Most women wore black slacks (or slacks) and a nice top. Most men wore khaki trousers (or trousers), and a button down shirt with a sprt coat. Alaskan cruises are far more casual than any other cruises I have been on.</p>
<p>There are 2 formal nights. Frankly, it’s just easier to take the dresses I have (mostly purchased for past warm-weather cruises) than to try and find/buy slacks/tops that look nice enough. I have lost some weight the last year and while the dresses are still ok the pants don’t fit as nicely. I have purchased some new ones, but nothing dressy.</p>
<p>I just did a test run and it looks like it might work. Will try BB’s advice about the dry cleaner bags - that seems like a great idea!</p>
<p>On my last cruise I only took one dress, a very basic knit LBD. Took two entirely different sets of accessories, different color schemes, different degrees of formality. What especially differentiated them was the shawls (cruise ship dining rooms are notoriously chilly). Honestly, it looked like two different dresses, or close enough considering I’d never see any of those people again! </p>
<p>Yes, I took one black skirt and two different dressier tops for the 2 formal nights. Wore pants more than once so I I would not have to take 14 pairs of pants! , Took layers for clothing. My kids got me ebags for Christmas and I was skeptical but they were great in helping to organize things. </p>
<p>The bigger space stealer is shoes. Do your fancy dresses need special shoes? Can you find a low-heeled dressy sandal that can squish into a tiny space?<br>
On both the Alaska cruises that we have taken I was glad to have a wide knit headband or knit cap and a lightweight pair of gloves. While the ship is moving full speed it’s always windy on deck and I love to walk laps around the ship. (Why would you go to the ship’s gym and run on a treadmill when there is this glorious deck with beautiful scenery that you are paying for?). I took a medium weight fleece, a lightweight waterproof outer layer (Marmot Precip) and one smartwool under layer top for cold days ashore.<br>
Oh, and lots of folks will head to the liquor stores on shore after the sticker shock of dining room drinks or wine. the cruise lines will X-Ray your bags when getting back on and will not allow it back on board. </p>
<p>Do you know if there is a mid-cruise laundry service? That would help you cut down on baggage. </p>
<p>A good resource is Cruise Critic website. (The websites is a bit like College Confidential, but for cruisers. Usually there is a thread for specific cruise and dates.) </p>
<p>I really have had no interest in doing laundry while on my cruises . My last 10 night cruise last month was on Celebrity and there was no self service laundry. The laundry service was VERY expensive although there may have been some discounts for elite past passengers. I was a past passenger but only had one other cruise with them before my latest. With smart packing and a good piece of luggage, I would think you really shouldn’t have to do any laundry for a 10 -14 day trip.</p>
<p>You would be very well dressed on any cruise compared to what H and I would wear. Don’t worry too much about what you look like-especially to strangers you unlikely will ever see again. I would hope most passengers are not fashionistas.</p>
<p>Laundry service on our NCL was very expensive per item. But they offered a mid-cruise deal for $25 for a full bag. They picked it up in the morning, and it was waiting for us when we returned clean and folded in the evening. Knowing about it ahead of time allowed us to pack lighter and avoid doing any handwash in the sink. For us that was worthwhile. </p>
<p>It is probably too late for the OP to shop, but here is a suggestion for others who might be peeking into the thread for cruise wear advice. Lauren dresses like these ones come in all sorts of colors, sleeveless and without sleeves, and travel extremely well. They also look great on both small and plus sized ladies (and everyone in between ). I have a couple of versions in solid, dark colors and use silver or gold strappy sandals, dangly earrings, and scarves to accessorize them. </p>
<p>Y’all have convinced me. Sequins are out, promoting another dress for second formal night and black slacks will be recycled for two non-formal dinners.</p>
<p>BB, I purchased a much cheaper but very similar version of that dress from Penney’s last year. Unfortunately it’s a very bright blue. I don’t think I can repeat it. </p>
<p>Taking only one pair of black heels that work with everything. I hate shoe shopping, so that was easy for me.</p>
<p>You may find that you don’t even feel the need to change for dinner (except on the 2 formal nights). Great idea to take only one pair of black heels that will work with everything. I only took 2 pairs of walking shoes and one pair of dressier black flats for my Alaska and British Isles cruises. The only reason I even took a second pair of walking shoes was to make sure I had a backup.</p>
<p>OP - just some heads up about the weather in Seattle for the upcoming weekend. It is apparently going to be sunny and 85-90 degrees! Bring shorts and comfy shoes for walking around the city! :)</p>
). Carry onto the ship. On the way back, just cram everything back into the suitcase. </p>
). I have a couple of versions in solid, dark colors and use silver or gold strappy sandals, dangly earrings, and scarves to accessorize them. </p>