Some Helpful Packing Tips (click here)
Barb's Blog

My staff and I are very busy here at our CE’s At Sea Corporate office, preparing for our upcoming 17NP Conference Cruise. We are looking forward to hearing about your anticipation and preparation….as we count down the days until we meet for the …Ultimate Educational Experience !! So…. thanks for commenting here on my Blog and sharing your thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you and know that all the other attendees will enjoy it, as well. I wanted to pass on a few packing tips, that I hope you will find helpful. Remember to check with your airline regarding their updated guidelines regarding the number and weight restrictions of your luggage. You are permitted to place locks on your luggage, however, the locks must be TSA approved. This approval is easily found on packaging when purchased.  TSA approved locks are accessible by TSA personnel with a master key, but your luggage will be secure from any others in the transit from home…to your cabin. I am trying to follow my own advice this year. I always take more clothes and shoes than I could wear in 2 weeks. Trust me… your travel will be more pleasurable, if you are not lugging around excessively heavy luggage, not to mention paying the extra fees that the airlines charge for going over their weight allowances. I assure you that the airlines extend no grace…they will charge you!  So, take time to pack thoughtfully. Put any of your valuables i.e. medications, passport, cash, credit cards, jewelry, camera and IPODs… in your carry-ons…and don’t forget your copy of our “AHOY Mates” information for your reference. Before leaving home….program your phone with important phone numbers of Carnival’s Emergency Hot-line, your CSA travel insurance assistance line, your hotel # and my cell phone number 513.484.2092, for use when none of the above are able to assist you in case of a travel emergency.  All of these numbers will be found in your documents, CSA travel insurance policy and your hotel confirmation…which you are yet to receive…they have not been sent to you…yet!!

Some helpful packing tips are as follows:

  • Stick to a neutral palette, so you can mix and match…accessory with splashes of color and jewelry.
  • Take things you can wear more than once…a dressy sweater can be worn on one of your travel days with jeans and on a formal night, too.
  • Black is your friend…whether clothes or shoes!!
  • If you are taking a suit or a dressy dress, fold and place on the top of your suitcase, layered with tissue paper…this almost eliminate all those deep creases and wrinkles.
  • Pack some extra hangers…never enough in the cabin.
  • If you choose to use soft luggage, the duffel bag style, you can get more in them and they can be tucked aways easily under your berth.
  • Leave your hair dryers at home, they are supplied in all bathrooms.
  • Don’t need to bring beach towels, they are provided by the cruise line.
  • Do you enjoy a cocktail in your cabin while getting ready for dinner?? Bring a new, unopened plastic bottle of your favorite “Spirits of Frumente” (this was actually a term for a shot of bourbon…a medical order that was used in many nursing homes 30 years ago as a medication for sleep!! How many of you remember that??)  All cruise lines discourage this, as alcohol sales is a huge source of income aboard.  However I have never seen any confiscated in when luggage is processed through the scanners at the pier.
  • Bring along an extra canvas bag to use as an extra carry-on for your trip home for all of you shoppers to take home your vacation souvenirs.
  • Bring an extra zip lock bag for any wet laundry you have for your trip home.
  • Bring along your favorite coffee mug…coffee is free and plentiful…to wake you up and keep you awake for those early morning conference session!!
  • Pack a warm jogging suit for layering in the conference rooms…and bring along a set of your favorite scrubs for our first conference day.
  • Pack things in zip lock bags. You can buy super size ones now. They are easily inspected through and if TSA does inspect your luggage you won’t find your belongings looking like the remains of hurricane Catrina.

Do YOU have some packing tips to share???

Please pass share them with US.

I am looking forward to seeing you soon…aboard the Carnival Liberty.

Enthusiastically…

Barb Herrera RNE


8 Comments

  1. Keiko Torgersen, January 27, 2010:

    Barb has great suggestions for packing. The lighter you pack, the more you can buy and bring back. It is amazing how much you THINK you need, when you actually DON’T need it. The last 2 years I traveled with only 2 carry-ons — so easy.
    Another key — drink plenty of water — bring your own water bottle. I actually pack a couple of water bottles and then when I disembark I buy a big jug of water and keep in my room. Allows me to have all the water I want (that tastes like fresh water) and I don’t have to pay for the bottles of water on the ship. I am all for saving money.
    Did you know you can order goodies to your cabin. Get on the Carnival Website and do that. I did it last year and it was so easy and fun!! Have a great trip this year. I won’t be joining you as I just had hip surgery and am still recovering. But, I will be there next year — Barb has asked me to speak and I have accepted. Bon Voyage!!

  2. Dianne Charsha, January 30, 2010:

    The snow is falling here in southeastern PA this afternoon. I am looking forward to meeting all of you while enjoying the warmth and sun of the carribean. We only have 4 weeks remaining! See you soon

  3. SUSAN GUNTER, February 2, 2010:

    I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CRUISE AGAIN THIS YEAR. I AM ALREADY PACKED AND READY TO GO-YOU NEVER CAN BE TOO READY TO TRAVEL. SEE YOU THERE.

  4. Laura Higgins, February 6, 2010:

    CE’s at Sea offers the best way to take a class. Warm weather and great speakers, you can’t beat it. I look forward to the cruise every year.

  5. Linda Trexler, February 7, 2010:

    I LUV to travel with CE’s at SEA!! Even my 91 year old mother enjoys the adventures! It snowed here yesterday, only 8 inches of snow-I got my passport out to think of warmer climate, and realized it had EXPIRED LAST MONTH!!! In the AM I need to expedite my passport to the National Passport Processing Center so I can make the cruise in 2 weeks!!No stress here! PLEASE make sure your passport is up to date! Also, because of the weather, we fly in the night before the cruise. Less hassle! Looking forward to seeing everyone!! Safe flying to all! Tropical breezes! Here we come!!!

  6. Robin Howe, February 10, 2010:

    Hello all! This is my first CEsAtSea cruise and I am soooo excited! Although temps in the mid 30’s may seem like a heat wave for many of you, for us poor Southern nurses, this winter has been brutal. I’ve never had to run a heater all winter before. I am so looking forward to beautiful seas, fun friends, and great classes. As far as packing tips, if you fly in the night before, pack a change of clothes into a smaller carryon along with all your other valuables. This way you don’t have to disrupt your careful packing for just one night. Last time, my suitcases fit easily under the bed. If you get are prone to motion sickness, get a Rx from your MD before leaving…just in case. Murphy’s law, if you have it, you won’t need it! Can’t wait to meet all of you. CEs at Sea, take us away!

  7. Karen Caulder, February 11, 2010:

    I have been reading the the packing suggestions and I havent even started yet. I have kids I am trying to get ready for there Coasta Rica trip leaving the day before I do on the cruise. I am more focused on them at this time. I did not think of even bring a joging suit I have never really worn one. I may have to rethink this one.

  8. Barb Herrera, February 15, 2010:

    Only 11 days to go…we’re getting 11 inches of snow today…let it snow…let it snow…let it snow!!!

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