Booked on the Celebrity Galaxy Baltics cruise July 28 and don't want to "bring the house". Would apprediate any suggestions on bringing along binoculars, 35mm camera and extra lenses, brown shoes, black shoes, sneakers, boat shoes,etc. Why don't the cruise lines allow you to bring a bottle of champagne for your departure? Are jackets, sweaters needed for shore excursions? Can verandas be used for sunning or sight seeing for arrivals and departures?

<BR>Hi John, <BR> <BR>If your travel agent can not send you a sheet for tips on what to pack, you will receive info in your final documents from the cruise line with basic packing guidelines. <BR> <BR>Have fun on your first cruise. I am sure you will. <BR> <BR>Paul

Never cruised the Baltics. Was on the Galaxy for a Caribbean cruise in December. Bring a sweater or shawl. The dining room and show room and casino were sometimes quite cool. I always bring outfits in the same color family to try and limit the number of shoes I need. Take out what you want to bring, then go through and put half of it away!

Bring a lightweight jacket (preferably water proof) and a sweater just to be on the safe side. Even though it will be the middle of the summer the weather is unpredictable in that part of the world. I remember spending my vacation on the Baltic coast in Poland when it was beautiful and sunny but I also remember it so cold and rainy in the middle of the summer that you had to wear a sweater and a raincoat.

Check out the packing list (one for women/one for men) on http://cruisediva.com/. <BR> <BR>And, if you are taking the Baltics cruise, aren't you flying into either England or one of the Baltic countries.? Do you really want to carry that bottle on plane, etc. to ship? If your answer is yes, do so -- wrap it; put it into well-padded carry-on -- do not flash when boarding ship -- remove when you are in your cabin. Volia!! <BR> <BR>Although we are taking a Baltic cruise in Aug, we are more European vacationers ; cruising is not our first choice for a vacation. I am planning to pack just as I do for 10-14 days in Europe: to be brief: 3-4 slacks in black and beige; 7-10 tops to coordinate with either; 1 "dressy" slack & top for concert, ballet, etc.; 2 good walking shoes; raincoat and sweater. You do not really need sneakers, boat shoes if your walking shoes have a good non-slip sole, which they should since you will be walking on cobblestones & climbing stairs. I do slip in a non-clunky more dressy shoe for the evenings. For a long-weekend trip we take less. <BR> <BR>One indespensible: that traveling corkscrew for the bottle wine bought locally.