The weeding out process has officially begun! (3) outfits for the London/Paris portion already tossed overboard. Looking at cruise portion of the luggage tomorrow. I'm getting there. SLowwwwLY. (:

Maybe this will help -- don't think in terms of 'outfits'. That will almost guarantee you overpack. Sorry - not sure if you're male or female.

Start w/ your 'bottoms' - slacks/jeans (plus skirts/dresses if applicable). you'll need 3 or 4 total - maybe a skirt for captain's night. That number includes what you wear on the plane. Then picks tops (T's, shirts, blouses, sweaters/cardigans) - Each of which should go w/ most if not all of the bottoms. That way everything goes w/ almost everything else and you can layer as needed. You can pack LOTS of tops in a very small suitcase (more than you need really) if you limit the number of 'bottoms'

I think OP's a dude and as a guy he can get away with packing less.

I really am trying janis. I have been doing as you suggest. I just wanna be "cute"(as possible o;) whilst abroad. And if you can't tell from the "struggle", I am Woman Hear me ROARRRRR.
I've got a bum knee that wants to re-introduce itself just in time for the trip so that may trump my desire to be "flyy". (-;

If you have a bum knee --- all the MORE reason to pack less. On the cruise - it doesn't matter since they do all the schlepping. But everywhere else you will have to handle it yourself.

For the cruise - dressy nights think separates. Take a black skirt. Short if your have killer legs ;) Long if not so much >) Then take a couple of glitzy tops. easy peasy. Then if you go out on the town you can wear one of the tops w a jacket or cardigan and dark slacks or the skirt so no need for special 'cruise' clothes.

Hay janis Your concern for keeping down the potential for gauche'ness *gasp* on display is bringing a much needed smile as I head down the home stretch planning-wise
I really Feel your concern for me and appreciate it BUT the reason for my desire for separate cruise wear was more because of the differences in climate between my London/Paris leg and the Mediterranean leg (Low 70s/High40s) vs (mid80s/70s) Just so you know ... Now trust, I do know what's coming next ... Thats what the layers are for you BiG DummY! ((-;

To quote someone from somewhere . . . Thats what the layers are for you BiG DummY! :D . . .

Yep. Throw in a pair of capris, a pair of sandals and make sure some of your tops are tanks or short sleeved (they would still be layering pieces). Also when going to warm destinations I like to toss in (literally) either a broomstick or other 'floaty' / peasant-y skirt. They are cooler than slacks/capris and need to be wrinkled so tossing in is the way to go.

janisj- You had me going at "Broomstick" ... I didn't KNOW where you were heading with that Lol
But ahhhh it's a skirt I feel a lil better now And smarter Had not heard the term before
They don't let me out much o-;
Suffice it to say ... I will do my very best Milady

I will summit a Trip Report later I have been in London since Monday I must say the people have responded quite kindly to me Nothing but love on this my last night here
But I stall the real reason I'm on here is to confess to JanisJ that after all your urging I realized immediately upon landing that I failed miserably at the packing game :-(
Que the music ... Dun Dun DUNNNN ... *walk of shame*

Did you forget to pack underwear and had to go to Harrods and spend 250GBP on designer lacey blacks? :p

Because you haven't travelled to the UK, you think that the exchange rate compared to the Euro exchange rate is unfavorable, but it is all relative. A few years ago I was in England when the Pound exchange rate was $2.00 per U.S. dollar. $1.55 to the dollar sounds a lot better.

>>I realized immediately upon landing that I failed miserably at the packing game <<

Think of it a learning experience (isn't that what your mother always said ;) )

I always saw "lay out everything you plan to take on the bed...put half the clothes back and double your money!"

I've done 3 weeks in Italy with a rolling carry-on and a shoulder bag. They have water and soap in Europe...you can rinse out undies and sock as you go.

Hope you're having fun!