First time cruiser

Thanks a lot for the info. I will try posting on the cruise website.

I think you will reach more travellers who cruise if you post at cruisecritic.com.

The days on shore can be quite warm if not hot. The days at sea will be cool and the nights potentially chilly depending on wind and weather. A series of light weight layers will be fine - including a good wind breaker rain jacket. We get by with a carryon each and one rolling carryon size bag.

I second Norma's suggestion. Cruisecritic.com is a wonderful resource for cruises. In fact, make sure to go to the "Roll Call" for your particular cruise and you can talk to others that are going on the same cruise as you. When we are getting ready for a cruise, I spend as much time on that site as I spend on this site when preparing for Europe! Have a wonderful time! (I can't imagine that you won't!)

You will be pretty far North. The cruises only go during the warm months but be prepared to layer if it gets cold, windy or rainy.

Wear a t-shirt. If it's a little cool add a lightweight wool sweater. If that isn't enough add a lightweight polar fleece (100 weight with a full zipper is my favorite, you have to search to find 100 weight with more than a 1/4 zipper). Finally always have an unlined wind/water proof parka in your daypack. If it's windy or rainy, the parka will make all the difference. Some combination of the four layers should get you from a beautiful Summer day when the sun stays up forever to a cold, wet and windy day.

I want to thank all of you for your replies. It has really been helpful to me. I have traveled in Europe alone before so I have a pretty good idea of what to pack, but a cruise is different. I usually pack minimally. I usually don't see the same people over and over again.I appreciate all of your ideas and I will look further into the cruisecritic.com

I want to thank all of you for your suggestions. I have traveled in Europe alone before but never on a cruise where you see the same people all the time. I am going back to cruise critic.com and really check it out further. Thanks everyone for your suggestions that are most helpful.

Even thought you will see the same people over and over, they aren't going to pay attention to what you wear. So don't worry about that at all. As they will all be in the same boat!

Even if you pack lightly, laundry is usually available on the ship.

Just to clarify Nancy's statement, self-service laundry is not generally available. The ship will have a laundry service but it can be expensive.

The single BEST thing I brought, a hanging shoe bag. Went on bathroom wall and held everything a tiny counter can not. We had perfect weather, only a light jacket needed.

Princess ships have great self service laundry rooms available on every second passenger cabins deck.

Accessories like inexpensive costume jewellery and scarves and belts come in handy to expand a wardrobe and dont take up much space. I hate scarves except my uniform one but wear them when I travel for the versatility.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I really appreciate it. It is always good to talk to people that have been there and done that. I use the scarves because I know that is a great way to make a black outfit seem new I also contacted cruisecritic.com and I love that website. Thanks for all of your suggestions.