eggwards | Getting Ship-Shape

Chris and I have been packing for our trip that starts on Thursday. There's still a lot of things to get ready. I personally am trying not to overpack, but with 11 days to account for and the possibility of several costume changes (it is a gay cruise, after all), it's hard not to want to bring the entire wardrobe.

We're on the ms Amsterdam. We start in Seattle, then head up to Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan before returning to Victoria and Seattle. I wish we were visiting Vancouver instead of Victoria, but you go where the ship goes. We're heading out to a Mariners game in Seattle with some friends before we go back home.

Now this I hear is true with any cruise, the evening wear, and what you wear to dinner is somewhat controlled on the ship. A guide book I picked up talks about casual, informal and formal dress. I do not own a tux, so I'm bringing the "shiny suit", but that only covers a night or two. There's the informal, which can be anything from polo's to sportcoats, and then casual, but casual can only be worn on board until 6pm PDT (9 eastern). After that time, you should no longer be wearing jeans or shorts. Whatever.

I've never had to plan my wardrobe so much, and that's not including the colder weather and rain.

There's also theme parties on this ship, and due to the nature of this cruse, they have miner and lumber "jock" themes. That will go over well with the lesbians, Im sure. There's also a costume party. I know it's cliche, but unless we get a better idea in the next two day, we're going as Mario and Luigi. It gives me a chance to wear the overalls.

I guess I'm feeling some anxiety about the trip because it's all new, not so much the trip to Alaska, but the way were going. I'm having to learn the rules of the ship, when to be on, when I can go off, what facilities there are, and when to use them, but we also have a whole ship full of men, gay men, in all shapes and sizes. I've seen one website where you can check out some of the people who will be on board, and yep - I'm one of the biggest guys, pound per pound, that will be on board. I'm having some trouble with like wanting to go to the pool, and using the gym, and not feeling like I'm the most out of shape undesirable guy there. Hopefully that won't be the case, and I can just learn to relax and not worry about it.

We've invested a lot of money into this trip, probably the most expensive trip I've ever taken - but hey, I travel cheap. we don't have money left over for the excursions, so we'll be doing it our way. So glaciers, we'll see you from afar. Same goes for you, wildlife. Still, we may get into a town and see something the others don't. Who knows. I just want to feel like my money is well spent.

Oh, speaking of money well spent. I did buy something frivolous this weekend that I'm taking on the trip. Let's just say there's a leather party on the ship. See it behind the cut.

So, what do think? Am I too white and pasty (and big?) for a harness? We'll see. I won't wear those shorts with it, promise. Maybe I'll be brave enough to go out in it. Still, I paid for it, I should get some use out of it as well, right?

Current Mood: drained
Current Music: Sea Legs - The Shins - Wincing the Night Away