At home most of us get dressed in the morning and that is the end of the worries. Energetic people exercise and then dress for the rest of the day (one change). Some get dressed for work and put on casual clothes when they get home (one change). I am not counting bedtime because I really don’t want to discuss the variety of clothing worn – or not – to bed. If you happened to belong to the upper crust, perhaps there is an additional clothing change prior to drinks and dinner served by your staff.

And then there are the clothing requirements for cruising. On this particular cruise line it seems like I get dressed in the morning, change for social hour/dinner and change once again for the fitness center. This doesn’t include any trips to swimming pool or hot tub and excludes the previously mentioned bedtime discussion.

Perhaps I could take it down to one change if I could exercise in the morning. However, the Legend after the most recent dry dock has decreased the size of the fitness center which is now reachable only but walking through the spa. That particular fact is only of importance because it means that other entrances, popular on other ships for avoiding the posted hours have been eliminated. A smaller fitness center translates to 20 minute turns on the aerobic equipment which for me defeats the purpose. In the evening, however I can grab the only treadmill with a marathon setting and jog to my heart’s content. The only others present are staff; performance staff on their nights off and a few of the junior officers not on duty.

Back to clothing changes and I haven’t even mentioned formal night. So let me add up what is required: casual clothing, exercise clothing, swimsuit(s), smart casual, formal with the potential for four-five changes a day. Unless you are wiling to wear the same outer clothing over and over it means a rather large suitcase. For those of us who happily spent years in uniform not having to worry about fashion, styles or what to wear it is much easier. Figure out mix and match cruise uniform and no need to worry about wearing the same thing multiple times.

But it can be tiring. Too bad I just can’t stay in my civilian PT clothes!