The Atrium filled up with people who began crowding the stairs and leaning expectantly over the bannisters as preparations were made for the Runway at Sea Fashion Show on the Sea Princess.
It was a glitz and glamour affair with commentary, professional photographers and of course little old me finding out what the cruising mode d’apparel is really like, and more to the point where I’ve gone wrong with my packing. Lol!
Table of Contents
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Inside Information
I caught up with some of the models before the show and asked them a little bit about why they love cruising, how many cruises they’d been on and what cruising tips they had for us.
Judy hails from Detroit and Miami, and has been on 15 Princess Cruises, and she loves cruising.
“I just love going to new places, meeting new people, it’s thrilling. You come back refreshed with lots of stories to tell.”
Judy’s advice to anyone who has never been on a cruise – Do it! Don’t wait until you’re too old. You can get good prices and discounts to go cruising. Make a bucket list, put a little money aside and then just go out and book one.”
Why Princess Cruises?
“Oh the shopping on board is great, the itineraries are wonderful, the food is fabulous and the entertainment is fantastic,” said Judy.
The LBD
Everyone needs a little black dress and Helen wore a most gorgeous, sparkly Joseph Ribkoff for the fashion show and looked absolutely stunning.
This is Helen’s third world cruise with Princess Cruises and when asked why Princess she said, “I just love the amount of things there are to do on board, and I enjoy every minute. I’m never ever bored.”
More Cruise Veterans
Marianne and Wolfgang are originally from Germany but now they live near Brisbane. Together they’ve been on 6 cruises, 4 with Princess Cruises.
So why Princess?
“The food on a Princess Cruise is brilliant, and we love the Atrium design in the centre of the ship. There’s such a variety of things to do, from briliant shows, great entertainment, and some really good enrichment lectures. Then there are all the different courses, such as art and crafts, or dance classes- we’ve been doing west coast swing, the jitterbug and we start the rumba today,” said Marianne.
Cruising Tips
Marianne and Wolfgang are keen cyclists and they take folding bikes with them on cruises. If they don’t go on an organised shore excursion they take their bikes off the ship and go for a bike ride.
“Our bikes weigh in at 10kg which means we have to pack light. My packing tips are to pack lightweight and quick drying clothes, take as little as possible, but plan to layer if necessary – don’t forget to take your gym gear to keep fit, oh and take your old garments with you and when they get too old toss them out and replace them with new items along the way.”
How to keep fit when cruising
“We walk around the promenade on Deck 7, go to the sauna, and we do lots of stairs. We generally book a cabin on Deck 5 which means we have 130 steps to get to the Horizon Court (buffet), and we might do the steps 5 or 6 times a day,” explained Wolfgang.
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend
Christine wore a beautiful, sparkly, real diamond Effy necklace and a Joseph Ribkoff asymmetrical swing, Oriental jacket over detailed cut off pants. She looked amazing.
Christine hails from the Gold Coast in Australia and has been on 10 (mostly) Princess Cruises. “I love the food and the service particularly on Princess Cruises,” she told me. “The crew really look after you. Actually they’ll do anything for you, especially if you have a problem.”
Why Cruise?
“You’ve got to give it a try. I didn’t think I’d like cruising and I said NO NEVER whenever I was asked, but then I tried it and I LOVED it! The beauty of cruising is that you wake up somewhere different every morning, whether it’s at sea or a new and exciting destination. Everything is done for you on a cruise, your room is cleaned, your bed is made, there’s no shopping or cooking and at every new port of call there’s shopping and exploring to do,” explained Christine.
Singer and Model
Beautiful June, used to be a singer, model and beauty queen. She hails from Southampton in England but now calls New Zealand home. She looked so elegant in Joseph Ribkoff separates.
June’s spent over 400 days cruising with Princess Cruises she told me.
“I really like the attitude of the crew on Princess. They are always so willing and helpful and will try their best to please. And I mean all the crew from the room stewards right up to management. I love cruising, and I’m always busy. There is so much to do. If you haven’t cruised before you just have to get out and give it a go.”
Just Try it!
Susan, looked lovely in Joseph Ribcoff separates. She’s been on 18 cruises and this is her 4th half world cruise sailing to London. She calls the beautiful Blue Mountains near Sydney home.
“For anyone who’s never cruised before I say, just try it. You’ll soon be converted. You’re pampered and looked after. You have no airports or flights to battle with. The ease of it all is just amazing.”
Runway at Sea Fashion Show
Scroll on down for my ‘Finds of the Day’.
My Shop Finds of the Day
I love having a little look around the boutique, and today found this Black Sparkly Princess Cruises glamour shrug at $45 – so versatile for evening wear on board. Wear it over black pants, or maybe over a ballgown … I’d wear it at home over a pair of jeans, and a black t-shirt.
My second find of the day matched what I was wearing. A white and orange zip- up sweatshirt , a steal at $19.99!
What I wore
Featured outfits are from the ship’s boutique. I’m a guest of Princess Cruises, but all opinions are my own.
Specialty Dining on the Sea Princess.
Oh wow! How fun! A cruise and a fashion show…what could be better. I have never been on a cruise, but would love to!
Cruising and fashion (and eating!) are my favourite habits Amy!
What a fun post!! We’ve been on a couple of cruises and enjoy them immensely!! And we always take the stairs and walk as much as we can…it helps to off set the fabulous food!!
But I’m the worst packer—I want to take everything…..
XOXO
Jodie
I think I could give you a run for your money Jodie! I’m a terrible overpacker too!
how I would love to have been there the clothes look lovely I hope you did not let the monkey loose! So glad everything is going well x
Oh, we would’ve had a field day had we been together G!!! I wish you could have been there too 🙂
So, the models I take it are all passengers?
Do they put up a sign asking for volunteers or is it if you’re a regular cruiser you get first invitation to partake?
And I wonder – do they then get a special rate to buy the outfit they choose to model?
Like Jill – I’d go for the oriental jacket – very stylish 😀
Hi Linda, yes the models are all passengers – I think you get the chance to get involved if you’re a regular cruiser. Not so sure about discounts. Yes, that oriental jacket is getting some good press!
They look as though they did a fantastic job ~
Well done to them all 🙂
They did, Linda. It was good fun and very professional 🙂
I love Marianne’s lace dress, beautiful. And you look gorgeous in orange Jo! I’m wondering how you wash clothes on board? I’ve been on a couple of different cruise lines, one had self-serve laundromats, another you had to get their laundry to do it (very expensive so we washed our smalls in the bathroom basin each night and hung them up to dry!)
Thank you Janet 🙂 And I also loved Marianne’s lace dress. It would suit you 🙂 Yes there are self-serve laundromats on board and like you we also wash smalls in the cabin bathroom!
Oh my I just love that Oriental Jacket. I would have thought shopping on board would be expensive Jo, but looks like you have snapped up some great deals. And you are looking gorgeous as always. I don’t know if an 120 day cruise is for me (other than all the amazing destinations-ports), but the sea life is obviously agreeing with you. Have fun!
Thanks Jill. Yes, I wouldn’t mind the Oriental Jacket in my wardrobe either! The clothes on board really aren’t expensive, I too was surprised.
Since I hate ironing, I like to pack fabrics that don’t crease or require ironing. Soft jersey fabrics are ideal and also Iight-weight cotton kaftan cover-ups for slipping over your swimmers come in handy. I love that black and white chequered zip up jacket. Can you buy it for me please? Lol. 🙂
Haha Kathy! And it would look great on you 🙂 Thanks for the great cruise packing tips 🙂