Getting Ship-Shape
Sep. 3rd, 2007 11:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eggwardsChris 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?
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?
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no subject
Date: 2007-09-04 04:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-04 05:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-04 05:06 am (UTC)Have a safe and enjoyable trip.
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Date: 2007-09-04 05:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-04 05:15 am (UTC)I think you look fantastic and will be the bell of the Leather ball. ( that sound strange?)
have a great time.
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Date: 2007-09-04 05:19 am (UTC)Alaska here you come!
Date: 2007-09-04 05:32 am (UTC)You will find every type of person onboard. Chris is with you. You can be as busy or as relaxed as you wish to be. I think you will find that it is really nice to dress up. Take lots of pictures!
HUGS!
ps ... I think
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Date: 2007-09-04 05:36 am (UTC)You look great Michael.
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Date: 2007-09-04 06:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-04 06:12 am (UTC)Mmmm. Burger Queen in Ketchikan.
Date: 2007-09-04 11:06 am (UTC)It's good.
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Date: 2007-09-04 12:11 pm (UTC)I may have some cheap/free excursion ideas for y'all, but let me firm up a couple of details first.
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Date: 2007-09-04 12:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-04 08:47 pm (UTC)Oh HELL no!
Date: 2007-09-04 11:14 pm (UTC)no, no,nonononononono!!!!!!!!!!
God, that is an INCREDIBLY sexy look for you Mike. I love the way it frames your chest.
And does other things *adjust* for me. :)
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Date: 2007-09-05 12:09 pm (UTC)really, I don't know how the people on the cruise will be, so I should just wait until I get on the ship to get a feel for it.
Yes to the I feel pretty days - I have them, but often it's not when I'm trying something new!
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Date: 2007-09-05 12:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-05 12:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-05 12:12 pm (UTC)We'll see you in about a week.
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Date: 2007-09-05 12:13 pm (UTC)I should have paid for tanning... :-)
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Date: 2007-09-05 12:15 pm (UTC)Thanks for the complements!
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Date: 2007-09-05 12:18 pm (UTC)Thanks for the complement. I'm just trying to keep it from looking like I have big man-boobs.
Re: Alaska here you come!
Date: 2007-09-05 12:24 pm (UTC)Yeah, the extras - not so much money for that. Luckily I don't gamble and drink very little, so I'm good there. I wish i could do one of the prop plane tours or the helicopter to the glaciers, but maybe some time in the future. For now we're exploring ports of call on our own.
Yeah, we know people in Vancouver, so that's why I wish we were stopping there, as Victoria and Seattle seem like worlds away. It's not necessarily to head off to a gay bar or anything!
I'm pretty sure
Sorry we'll miss your coming to Ft. Worth. Break a Leg there!
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Date: 2007-09-05 12:25 pm (UTC)Thanks for the Complement!
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Date: 2007-09-05 12:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-05 12:34 pm (UTC)Re: Mmmm. Burger Queen in Ketchikan.
Date: 2007-09-05 12:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-05 12:38 pm (UTC)It's taken quite a while to pack for this, so I hope you've started!
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Date: 2007-09-05 12:42 pm (UTC)Given that the bears are sponsored by the lazy bear foundation, I don't think thgere will be any trouble with having bears on board, it's just that they may more fit the lazy bear mold. It's OK, I love to look at Musclebears!
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Date: 2007-09-05 12:43 pm (UTC)Unlike last year, Chris won't have you to stalk. Ever wonder who put a note to Ms. Nash on your door on the Mexican Riveira Cruise? :-)
Re: Oh HELL no!
Date: 2007-09-05 12:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-05 12:45 pm (UTC)Re: Alaska here you come!
Date: 2007-09-05 02:42 pm (UTC)If you have time in Victoria and can find the money, The Bouchart Gardens are amazing. Course - you're up in my favorite area of the country in Seattle. I lived there off and on for about four years. Happy Sailing! I look forward to your posts.
Big HUGS!
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Date: 2007-09-05 02:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-05 06:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-05 09:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-06 03:25 am (UTC)It's interesting -- one of the reasons I got into trucking was to save up enough money for a cruise, but I've not been able to budget it (or anything special) well enough to cash in at a later date.
I am sure people will gravitate to you on the cruise and you should enjoy yourself quite well there! And as always, take plenty of pictures!
*hugs*
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Date: 2007-09-06 10:24 am (UTC)Yes, you're right. I did pay as much as anyone with a room with a porthole, and to my knowledge they don't lock the riff-raff up when the ship hits an iceburg!
I'll work to make the ship my own.
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Date: 2007-09-06 10:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-06 10:29 am (UTC)Yay Alaska!!!
Date: 2007-09-10 01:17 am (UTC)Have fun!!
It's really a great place...honest!
Hugs!