CRUISE CHALLENGE TOILETRY LIST

Now that my transatlantic Cruise Challenge is less then a week away, I am finally finishing my toiletry list. Today I checked out the Travel/Trial Size section at CVS; tomorrow I will go to Target where the extensive array of products offered makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. My toiletries will include:

 toothbrush (foldable)

 two 2-oz. tubes of toothpaste 

 5-oz. antiperspirant deodorant

 3-oz. tube of moisturizer

 3-oz. each of shampoo and conditioner

 2 razors

 1-oz. vial of baby oil (to remove makeup)

 3-oz. tube of sunscreen

 snack bag filled with QT swabs and cotton balls

 sanitizer hand wipes

 (I will keep a pen-sized spray tube of hand sanitizer    in my pocketbook)

 Sally's trial size nail polish

 1-oz. jar of nail polish remover

 2 emery boards

My makeup will be a Clinique travel kit, and I will list the contents of my over-the-counter medical/first aid kit in a future blog.

RC'S JEWEL OF THE SEAS FOR MY TRANSATLANTIC CRUISE CHALLENGE

I will be taking Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas on my transatlantic Cruise Challenge. After speaking with the cruise lines's customer service department, I learned that my sailing will only be hosting two formal evenings and not three as I thought. The ship will also have two "smart casual" evenings and eight regular (or informal) nights. I plan on taking my full-length black skirt to wear for at least one of the formal evenings. Later, I will wear the same skirt as a sleeveless dress with a bright colored scarf as a belt at the waist. If I had had three formal nights on the crossing, I would have worn the long skirt twice on formal evenings with two very different tops. The tops one wears are critical as most people spend more time on a cruise looking at you from the waist up. Keeping this in mind, I will intersperse my black-base clothing with bright colored and light-weight patterned blouses and sweaters. In addition, I will use long-sleeve tops over certain dresses to make attractive skirt sets, thus making my wardrobe appear much larger then it is.

MY TRAVELPRO UNDER-THE-SEAT BAG CRUISE CHALLENGE

For me, packing light, has become a life philosophy, not just an efficient way to place things in a suitcase. Over the last few years I have been traveling about learning the tricks of frequent travelers who opt for just one carry-on bag. It is not only practical, but it makes their trips easier to manage. Less can be better, and in the case of travel, definitely less stressful. With that said, I started Mimi Packs Light hoping that I too could scale down my luggage to just one carry-on so that I could teach others to do the same. That done, I have now set up my Cruise Challenge to see if I really can go on a transatlantic cruise with just one small bag (Travelpro under-the-seat bag) and still have plenty of outfits to showcase. The entire trip will be 14 days, and I expect to wear 36 different outfits. That leaves 35 outfits to pack as I will be wearing some clothing as I board the ship. Over the next few days I will be blogging about the suitcase and its contents, how certain items were selected, how I will coordinate outfits and how I will place them in the suitcase. Please join me on this journey, which I hope will be fun as well as educational.

SIZE MATTERS

My transatlantic cruise leaves next week so I'm seriously reviewing all my packing options for my under-the-seat-bag Cruise Challenge. Nearly everything I pack must be scaled down in size or weight. Today, I went looking for light-weight socks at Boscov's department store. Shown above are two different types of casual/sport socks by Goldtoe. Each package contains three pairs. It is clear to see how the ones on the right are the better option for a pack light traveler like me.

MY BANK AMERICA CREDIT CARD BENEFITS

I called my credit card company today to get an update of benefits that come with my signiture visa. There were some pleasant additions that I did not know about. Besides, the all popular, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, I was pleased to find out about the Lost Luggage Reimbursement of up to $3000 per trip for checked or carryon. Other benefits include, Travel and Emergency Assistance, Roadside Dispatch, Warranty Manager Service with warranty registration and extended warranty protection, Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance which provides accidental death and dismemberment coverage protection while traveling on a common carrier and my favorite, Purchase Replacement which within the first 90 days of the date of purchase, Purchase Replacement replaces or repairs certain eligible items. Of course, I must use my Bank America Signiture Visa to get these benefits and certain exclusions, restrictions and limitations do apply. So before your next trip or just to enlighten your knowledge of, contact your credit card company and find out about the benefits of the credit card or cards that you plan on using. Bon Voyage!

STAIN REMOVAL WHILE TRAVELING

Often, while traveling, I have found myself in the awkward situation of having to remove a stain. Many of us like our coffee and when it spills we need to act quickly. With most clothing, it is best  to clean from the reverse side by dabbing with cool water rather then rubbing, which can spread the stain. Later, when you have more time, it can be soaked with a liquid soap. Wine Away, which can be purchased in a 2 oz spray bottle, is perfect for the traveler who likes to consume red wine. So if you are busy visiting the vineyards of Napa Valley or Sonoma, CA, keep a container handy in your day bag. For gum, put the stained area in a bucket of ice and then chip it away after it has frozen. For chocolate, grease or lipstick, pre-soak the effected area in cool water and then dab with liquid soap dish detergent. Remember not to use hot water as it can set the stain. If blood gets on your clothes, soak in cool water and then dab with a bit of baking soda (I always bring a small vial of baking soda for an upset stomach). Remember to always check your clothing labels first and dry clean if that is indicated. Another great pack light item that I always take on a trip is a Tide stick. I have had great success with this product and always keep one close at hand.

KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR DOCUMENTS

Keeping track of your documents has gotten easier with the use of the internet. Before I take off on a trip, I check with my travel agent or airline carrier as to which documents I will need. I then photograph them with my iPhone and send a copy to a secure email account. This can be done with a camera and scanned or imported to your computer too. I do this with the credit and bank cards I carry, as well as, my passport and driver's license. I make sure I copy the card contact numbers for security purposes. This way, I am protected if they are lost or stolen. It is a good idea to do the same with your itinerary, health and auto insurance cards. For the road warriors, a list of all your hotel, auto and airline club numbers, will come in handy when you don't want the bulk of all those perk cards in your wallet.

TOILETRY TUBES, VILES AND CONTAINERS

Most people don't get excited when they see toiletry tubes, viles or containers, but I do. I am always on the lookout for products that help me pack more efficiently, practically and can reduce the space taken up in my suitcase. The GoToob, shown above, is such a product.  It is available at REI, the sports equipment and adventure, camping store. Drug stores, dollar stores and travel shops often carry empty toiletry containers as well. They are perfect for taking your favorite products and can be rinsed out and used again. I like to use the clear, see-through bottles since they make identification easier.

CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST BEFORE YOU PACK

It is always a good idea to check the weather before you pack for a trip. Today, that is easy with the internet and cell phone apps if you have a smart phone. There is nothing worse then packing for a week at the beach just to arrive to clouds and rain and find you have not packed a sweater or sweatshirt. Several years ago I took a trip to Key West in January. The temperature dipped into the high 40's and I had to find something to keep me warm. You can imagine how surprised I was that not even the local Kmart had sweatshirts. They told me it never got that cold in the tropics and they sold only t shirts for the tourists. I always carry a  plastic rain protector that I buy at the Dollar Tree. They come in packs of two so I usually put one in the glove compartment of my car too. They come in handy and are so cheap that it doesn't matter if you lose one or if it gets ripped.

TRAVELING BY PLANE WITH YOUR DOG OR CAT

Preplanning is crucial when traveling with your cat or dog on a plane. Make certain that your airline knows well in advance that you will be traveling with a pet. The U.S.D.A (the US Department of Agriculture) sets and enforces the regulations you need to know about when you transport a pet. The particular airline you will fly on will also have their own requirements, so get the information you need when you book. If your pet is small enough that it fits into a carrier that can be placed under the passenger's seat, you may opt to have your dog or cat join you in the cabin. Otherwise, your animal will need to be in a regulated crate placed into a temperature controlled cargo area. Make sure your name and phone number, flight number and destination are clearly marked on the crate or pet carrier. Also, put on the outside of the container, any special instructions and a bag of food if the airline allows it. Do not put in any lose food, water or hard toys into the carrier. You must obtain an "Airline Veterinary Health Certificate" normally no more then 7 to 10 days before your trip. Your Vet can supply this. Your Veterinarian will also know if it is advisable to give your pet a tranquilizer since they can cause adverse reactions in some animals due to the altitude and cabin pressure.

SOME ADDED TIPS
Your pet must be fully weaned and over eight weeks old

Non-stop or direct flights are best

Exercise your pet before the flight

Your pet should be given food and water within four hours of check-in (but not too much)

Water should be given to your pet before, during and after the flight

Animals traveling internationally should have a pet microchip

The crate or pet carrier must meet "IATA" and your airlines particular specifications

Contact the airline AGAIN, at least 48 hours in advance, to remind them about your pet since animal spots are limited
Be aware that added fees and weight restrictions may apply

Arrive at the airport early 

Familiarize your pet to its crate or carrier in advance of the trip

Place a favorite soft toy in the carrier if the airline allows it

Keep a photo of your pet with you in case your animal gets lost

When transporting an animal other then a cat or dog, contact the airline directly for their specific policy

SAVE MONEY ON PHONE CALLS AT HOME OR ABROAD

Before I travel abroad, I call my cell phone company to let them know where and when I will be out of the country. In that way, I get an update on long distance call rates and specials offered by the server that I use. Other ways to save on long distant calls are by purchasing an International prepaid phone card (shown above). Remember to record the dial up number and code and email it to yourself for additional safe keeping. If you are taking your computer on your trip, download a software application like Skype to make inexpensive or free voice calls and chats over the internet. 

SUNSET MAGIC

Some of the most beautiful sunsets or sunrises can be seen over water. So if you happen to be lucky enough to have a river, bay, ocean, lake or pond close to your home, then go enjoy one of natures wonders. You really won't have to pack much, perhaps a folding chair with a thermos of coffee or a favorite drink will do. Bring a friend or loved one and your about as close to heaven on earth that I can think of.

BARGAIN ALCOHOL PRICES ON CRUISE SHIPS CAN BE EXPENSIVE

If you are flying home after a cruise vacation, think twice before purchasing the bargain liquors that the ship offers for sale. Many cruise ships keep your purchases locked away until the night before your departure. You then experience the dillema of transporting the bottles back. Since carry-on restrictions allow for 3 oz per liquid container, most likely the alcohol will need to be placed into your checked luggage. If you are not flying an airline like Southwest which accomodates two free bags up to 50 lbs, not exceeding 62" in size, you might have to pay for either a second or third bag or perhaps a weight surcharge. These fees can go as high as $100 per bag, so check with your airline to know for sure. Also, keep in mind that many a travel wardrobe has been destroyed by a broken bottle of booze.

HOW TO GO THROUGH AIRPORT SECURITY EFFICIENTLY

The airport security check in process can be unnerving at best. To help make it easier remember that you will be asked to take off your shoes, belt, jacket, coat and certain jewelry like your watch. I wear either sneakers with velcro straps or shoes that slip off easily. I try not to wear a belt or watch on airport travel days, but if I do, I put my belt and watch into my carry on during the security screening. I will also empty my pockets of change, etc. and put the contents into a quart size ziplock bag and place that into my carry on as well. You will be asked to remove your computer and all liquids for screening. Keep your laptop in a safe and convenient spot in your carry on and remember the 3,1,1 rule for all carry on liquids. All liquids that you carry on must be 3 oz or less, placed in a clear plastic 1 quart size bag and only 1 bag is allowed per passenger. If you require larger quantities of liquids they can be placed into your checked luggage.

MY SOLO UNDER THE SEAT BAG VERSUS MY TRAVELPRO ROLLING TOTE

My May transatlantic cruise is coming down to the wire. I have selected most of my clothing and will be packing a pair of Lindsay Phillips SwitchFlops as my main evening shoes. That is all great, but my subconscious is obsessing over my suitcase. I actually had a nightmare last night. I know I can do the two week trip with the Solo bag but the Travelpro is yet to be tested. Dimensions for the Solo bag are 16"x15"x9", for the Travelpro they are 13"x16"x8". For you mathematicians out there, you know those inches lost add up to a lot of space. So back to the dream, there I am onboard the ship with only half of what I wanted to pack. My goal is to pack 35 unique and different outfits not 18. What a challenge this is going to be!

THE SAK OR MY FAVORITE TRAVELON BAG?

The other day I saw an ad for the sax bag on travelsmith's website. The bag rolled for easy storage. I better get one of those I thought. My two week transatlantic trip is coming up soon and I might need it.

I thought it was going to be an easy decision as to which bag I liked best. It wasn't. The sax bag rolled nicely but so did the Travelon. Then I asked myself, "why do I need the bag to roll anyway?" The answer is, I don't. So then the problem of which would be better for me became clear, it was the size. The sax was bigger so it could acommodate more but the Travelon had more compartments and was better organized. It was also made with microfibers that made cleaning easier. The sax was made of high quality leather and seemed a bit more stylish. At this point, I still think I will take the Travelon bag on the trip but keep the sax for other adventures.

LET YOUR TRAVEL CLOTHES DO DOUBLE DUTY!

Letting your travel clothes do double duty expands your pack-light wardrobe. In the case of the sun dress above, which is actually a formal black full length skirt, it will do triple duty. I will wear it as a short skirt as well as a formal long skirt by topping it off with a long sleeve wrinkle free silk sweater. Always keep in mind that people often pay more attention to the tops you wear. Add interest to your wardrobe by wearing a bright colored scarf or clipping on a "funky" silk flower to your blouse. Be creative and have fun, thats all the rage these days!

FLIGHT TRAVEL WITH THE ELDERLY

When you are planing to take a trip with the elderly, the indisposed or small children for that matter, it is best to call the airline directly to see how they can help. They can assist you in making arrangements for a wheelchair to meet you at the main entrance of the airport and even locate seats that would best accommodate your charge. An isle seat located close to the restroom might be perfect for some while the bumper seats behind first class might offer needed room for others. Regardless, this is one time when it is better to speak to someone from the airline rather then trying to navigate through the internet. On occasion, the airline will even help the elderly go through the grueling process of the security check if they know the situation in advance. 

PERSONAL STUFF MAKES FOR GREAT PACK LIGHT OPTIONS

I took a break at a highway rest stop today and found these pack-light goodies. PS stands for Personal Stuff and personal stuff they are. It is a great concept having sample size packets of national products like Claritin, Benadryl Allergy, Day Quill and Chap Stick, but I was a little  taken back when I saw Sominex and Tylenol PM. Let's just hope the sleeping aids weren't for any of the drivers, and if they were, that those drivers waited until they got home or to their hotel before they popped them!

VISIT LOCAL FARMS

Spring is here and so are my annual visits to garden centers and nurseries. Maybe its because, just a few generations back, practically all my ancestors were farmers, that this time of year inspires that need to plant and get back to my roots. Regardless, it is always a joy to go out to the garden centers and see all those possibilities for my garden. But what about local farms? If you do a little searching on the internet via the Department of Agriculture for your particular state you can find local farms and events that allow access to the wonderful world of farming. Many are free and all offer the promise of a very interesting adventure for you and your family. So check it out and remember to pack plenty of water and disinfectant wipes or spray.

THOMAS EDISON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Yesterday, I spent time at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, mesmerized by some of the 1093 inventions by the incredible and talented Thomas Edison. At the West Orange, NJ invention factory complex, one can wander for hours in the three story research building complete with machine shops, experiment labs, the incredible research library with a sleeping corner for the exhausted inventor, the first recording studio (shown above) and out buildings for chemistry, physics and metallurgy experiments. I am truly in awe of Edison's genius and curiosity and wish to thank him for among other things, the incandescent lamp that paved the way for lighting up our planet, for the phonograph, and the introduction of motion pictures. How our world changed because of him. His beautiful home at Glenmont is also available for tours and is just a short car ride away from the research center. 

GOOD NEWS for anyone wishing to visit next weekend, in celebration of National Park Week, all National Parks are observing "Fee Free Days 2011" on April 16th and 17th.

PACKING BUSINESS MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Today, most business travelers will tell you that their smart phone or laptop is all they really need to travel with. I, however, have found that I often need a few extras. These extras often include stapler, staples, scotch tape, paperclips, folders, etc. A trip to the Dollar Tree and I am in business. The Dollar Tree sells all of these items for the great price of $1.00 each and many of them come in a scaled down size. The smaller sizes are perfect for traveling light and because of their cost I can toss them after I use them if I need the extra space (although they don't take up much of that). They fit perfectly in a quart size freezer bag which makes them easy to locate in my suitcase. 

LADIES, ADD A LITTLE SPLASH TO YOUR TRAVEL WARDROBE

Michaels, the arts and craft mega store sells lots of goodies for the Pack Light traveler. I love the clip-on flowers shown above. They can add that extra splash of color to my black base wardrobe. For only a dollar or two, clip-on flowers are also a bargain. I use them on hats, pocketbooks or on the lapel of a favorite jacket. Other great Michaels finds include velcro strips and dots for quick mending on the go.

SMARTPHONE TRAVEL APPLICATIONS ROCK

I love my iPhone. I especially love it when I travel. Everyday new applications come on the market which make traveling easy and fun. One can also rely on the old favorites. Fodor's has travel guide apps, so does Zagat. If I want to find a restaurant there are apps like LocalEats and Restaurant.com. The AroundMe app will help me find banks/ATM's, hospitals, movie theatres, gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, taxis and even the local weather. Built into my iPhone is a superb weather app that lets me select cities and towns from around the world for a seven day weather forecast. At the bottom left of that app Yahoo provides specific listings for local news, events, relevant websites, etc., all for the actual town I selected. If I am traveling abroad and need help translating, there are apps for that. Currency Converter makes purchases in foreign countries go smoothly. If I want the news I tap onto my NYTimes app, for hotel prices, I tap on Priceline or Sidestep. If I need to check up on a flight I use FlightTrack Pro. The list goes on and on and makes me wonder how Columbus ever found the new world let alone a good place to eat.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A PACKING LIST

The "Packing List" to the traveler is not unlike the recipe to the chef. It is the guide to the adventure and when used correctly can make the whole process efficient and easy. Start by identifying where, when and why you are going somewhere, remembering the sooner you start the list the better. I often start my list weeks in advance. I don't write it down all at once but add to it as I think of things, keeping the list in the very suitcase I will use on my trip. My packing list might include the following:

1)  Date of trip

2)  Location and climate

3) Length of trip and type (business, vacation, cruise, ski, family, etc.) 

4)  Underwear   

5)  Pants            

6)  Skirts            

7)  Dresses        

8)  Sweaters     

9)  Coats             

10) Shoes         

11) Stockings, socks, belts
12) Medications

13) Makeup       

14) Toiletries, combs, brushes    

15) Bathing suits and coverups
16) Misc.electronics(cords,charging docs,ear plugs)
17) Misc./other 
To make the whole process go even smoother, go to my website: www.mimipackslight.com and answer the "Questions" in the header bar and fill out the "Daily Charts".        

DON'T PACK GERMS!

Packing for a trip can be exciting, but don't let the thrill of travel take it's toll on common sense.

Remember to pack your shoes in separate bags after wiping the soles down with a disinfectant wipe. It is amazing how many germs can be on your shoes and if you think about it, you surely don't want those germs to be transferred to your clothing. As an extra measure take a package of disinfectant wipes with you in your suitcase. Top areas for germs in hotels are on the phone receiver, TV remote control, toilet seat, and all door knobs. Wipe these areas down after you get into your room. Keep disinfectant wipes, spray or gel in your pocketbook or day bag and use them frequently through out your day.

LEAVE IT TO MARY KAY

I have written about makeup kits before and how frustrating it is that they only seem to sell them on cruise ships and around the holidays. They are perfect for the pack-light traveler since they usually contain foundation powder, blush, mascara, eye shadow and lipstick. Well Mary Kay cosmetics has come up with the perfect solution. They sell a kit box that you fill with your favorite MK products. What could be better then a custom makeup kit that shows off your individual style and can be replenished when needed?

REPOSITIONING CRUISES ARE A GREAT BARGAIN

If you love to cruise but don't have a lot of money, consider a repositioning cruise. In this economy, travel lovers often find it hard to make their travel dollars work. It used to be that if all else failed one could always hop in a car to travel economically. Today, however, with the cost of gasoline going up, up, up, you get more bang for your buck with a cruise. The best deals by ship can usually be found in the spring and fall when cruise lines reposition certain ships to different areas of the world. For example, Caribbean ships take off across the Atlantic for a summer of European adventures, while southern California ships may go to Alaska.

PACKING MEDICATIONS ON A CRUISE

I recently took a cruise on the MSC Poesia and found out that passengers could not buy aspirin or any other over-the-counter medications from the ship store. This was a first for me since all of the other cruise lines I had been on offered aspirin, Imodium or the equivalent, various upset stomach remedies, etc., from their sundry markets. On the Poesia passengers requesting such items had to go to the ship's medical center and see the doctor. When I travel I always pack a few over-the-counter medications including Imodium, Milk of Magnesia tablets, Pepto-Bismol, antibacterial cream and any prescription meds that I happen to be taking. I also carry a weeks supply of antibiotics and a paper prescription for refills. In a small snack bag I pack various bandages and alcohol wipe packets. These items help to make do until I can get to a pharmacy. The best policy for any cruise traveler is to check with the cruise company in advance to see what their policies are.

TRAVELPRO CREW 8 ROLLING BUSINESS TOTE

Spirit airlines is not going to get me down after yesterday's disaster with my Solo carry-on under the seat bag. I will be using the Travelpro Crew 8 Rolling Business Tote for my May transatlantic cruise. The dimensions come in at 13"x16"x8". Spirit requires 16"x14"x12". The tote also complies with Icelandair (the airline I will use on my return flight from London) carry-on requirements that are not to exceed 45 inches for (L+H+W). The bag is a little smaller then the Solo bag which I used for the one week cruise in January so the challenge to get the 36 unique outfits into that tiny space shall be greater. This quest shall be interesting to say the least!