I have been reading up on all the post and they have been very helpful.  My husband and i are going on our first cruise in jan 09, for 8 days.  how much do i pack?? 

 most people over pack on a cruise what i would do is pack a power strip only one outlet in the cabin  and bring clothes for like 4 days  MAYBE just maybe 5 ........... i went on a 5 day cruise and came back with a half a suitcase of clean clothes pluss there are laundry rooms 

In addition to daily underwear and socks...

Depends on your style.  My wife packs a sundress for dinner for each evening and an evening gown for each formal night.  Capri pants for if the evning gets chilly. She also packs 2-3 swim suits.  Shoes, she is very good.  Sandals for dinner, flip-flops for deck, tennis shoes or sport sandals for excursions.

I bring either a dress shirt or high quality aloha shirt for each nights dinner and a tuxedo for formal night and if multiple formal nights change up with my dinner dress uniform.  I wear either dockers or slacks at dinner.  Since I started cruising carnival I no longer bring a sports coat or tie.   Two pairs of shorts and  a fresh tee shirt for each day on deck and I can get by with one pair board shorts for swimming.  I bring more footwear than the bride with flip-flops for deck, dress shoes or top siders for dinner, tennis shoes or sport sandals for excursions.

I recommend jeans & closed toe shoes for certain excursions such as ATV riding.  Bring a light jacket or sweater for evening strolls around deck in case of a chill rain.  Don't forget your sun hat.

Tip:  We bring old shoes on excursions that will get muddy or wet.  Two cruises ago after cave tubing we just left the soiled wet shoes at the change area.  Less to pack home.

Other stuff:  I am sure you read about a power strip.  I also bring a headlamp like a miner wears.  Don't laugh it is in case of emergency.  Sun Screen on ship can be costly.  The selction of OTC meds is limited.  Clothes pins or binder clips because sometimes the drapes just don't close enough.  Day pack to carry stuff on excursion.

 Our travel agent provided a suggested packing list, I'm sure someone here has an on-line link to one.

Everyone has given great ideas!!  I brought clothes pins and couldn't remember why, now I know, but I did use them to bind stuff together, but dummy me didn't think to use them on the curtains, and we really could have used them.

The other thing that came in really handy and was a lifesaver, especially if you like an organized cabin, is an over-the-door shoe holder.  I use it to put all those little things that you keep on the desk area, or on the sink.  I'm considering getting another and actually using it for shoes.  Plus then I'd have more pockets.  I'm just a neat-freak when I travel, I hate spending my time looking for lost items.

I also brought post-it notes and a pen, used it a lot.  We have kids, so we brought walkie-talkies as well.  The closet have a few hangers in them, so when I packed, I packed the hangers as well, I was very glad to have my own.  I've read where people bought the inexpensive hangers and just left them on the ship, so they only had to pack them one way.  We brought our own clock, I have this thing about knowing the time and not relying on my watch.  Getting ready for dinner, or leaving on time for excursions.

I have used the laundry facilites due to an accident with clothing, and I was impressed.  They were clean and plentiful.  Not sure if I just hit it at the right time or what.  It was in the evening when we were sailing.  I did bring my own quarters, because we stayed in San Diego for 3 days prior and I did laundry before getting on the ship, but I see now that doing it on the ship if I had to would work also.  So I'll be bringing quarters with me in the future.  My goal next time is not to pack so much!!

Have a great time cruise!! They're addicting so watch out!

Speaking of laundry...I think I remember reading somewhere that you can leave dirty laundry in a bag for your room steward and pay to have it laundered...is that true?  also, how much does is cost to have this service done?  I assume the charges are made on your sign and sail account

Laundry charges are $15 for the paper bag - which isn't all that big.

As for how much I pack for an 8 day cruise? Everything fit into my airline size carryon bag (I don't do formal night). I also plan to do laundry at least once during the trip (but now that I'm platinum, I get my laundry done for free.

My tip for packing light - Wear  sneakers onto the ship (mine are black and go fine with dockers when I go to dinner). I also only pack 2 or 3 pairs of socks since most of the time I am barefoot of wearing Crocs. I only wear socks and my sneakers for dinner and on shore excursions (unless I'm going snorkelling or some beach activity). I only take one pair of Dockers for dinner - and after dinner it's back to the cabin to change into shorts and Crocs again.

I don't recommend this for everyone because I know some people are clothes crazy. On my last cruise (a 2 night jaunt on Princess) I saw people coming on board with 2 or 3 suitcases. I couldn't believe it, but I guess when you change clothes 3 or 4 times a day you need all those clothes.

DS -