Well, I’ve booked a cruise for later this year. It will be the longest time at one stretch I will have spent on a cruise ship. It is two cruises back to back. I’m looking forward to going.
In the process of getting ready for the cruise, I’m the kind that does preliminary packing early, I came across some items that need to be replaced. Of all things, my old pair of Bose noise canceling headphones have finally bit the dust. They need to be replaced. The muff part that goes around the ear have finally begun breaking down. And I do mean breaking down. The foam is sticky and coming apart in my fingers. Consequently I went looking for a new pair.
I attempted to do some research, but in the end I went to Target. By luck they had some Beats on sale. Who doesn’t love a good sale when you need something. I was able to buy a pair of Beats Studio Pros at what I consider a reasonable price. I’ve tried them at home and they seem to work pretty good. So I’m pleased with the purchase, at least so far.
One interesting thing about starting packing early is that you sometimes realize that your stuff may simply be old, too old. Nowadays some things are better at their job than the old things. I look at some of the old locks and suitcases and realize they may need updating. Another strange thing I need to update is my toiletry case. Since this will be a long cruise, just over 3 weeks, I need to basically take a month worth of toiletries. Just one little travel tube of toothpaste may not be enough for me to brush my teeth twice a day. But since I will be flying to the port a day early, I expect to take two small travel size toothpastes. I’ll keep one with me, and pack the other, hence the need for a separate toiletry case.
I’m not one that tends to take a lot of makeup, nor a lot of toiletries with me. Hotels have body wash or soap, shampoo, and usually lotion of some sort. Cruise ships provide similar items. And of course they supply hair driers for your use, not that I use them. That’s why I don’t bother taking shampoo or body wash in my toiletries. Now I do take hair conditioner, not everyplace supplies that. And I need to take a brush, small, toothbrush and paste, floss, etc.
When it comes to makeup, I take as little as possible. I’m not a big fan of makeup. Do you really need to wear a full face of makeup on a cruise ship every day? I get wearing some makeup on formal nights, but you don’t really need a full face? Personally, I don’t think so, and so I don’t take much. I might take a cream blush, maybe some concealer, maybe some lipstick, eye shadow (maybe small palette cream or powder), mascara, but all of these items can be found in small sizes. You don’t need large sizes. And you don’t need much.
And that’s part of the point of this article. Even if you use large size makeup or toiletries at home, maybe you need less, smaller, maybe even newer stuff for your cruise. There are many makeup palettes that will take less room in your suitcase than all the makeup products you may use at home. Maybe its time to check out some of the new small products out there.
I’ve also decided to try the new AirTags as a tracker for my luggage. There are a variety of options available to purchase, I just tried this particular kind. Along with the AirTags i purchased a set of cases for them. Hopefully it will make them easier to attach to the luggage.
Time changes, and products we use need to change too. It may seem great to use something old, that will last for ever. But sometimes times change, needs change, and we need to change with them. What served a good purpose, may not serve as good a purpose anymore. We need to change and grow, when we need to change and grow.