Packing to live somewhere else for 6 months feels a bit like moving. When I travel, I always have the best intentions to pack a simple, capsule wardrobe with basic necessities. In fact, I tend to pride myself on efficiency in packing, finding multi-purpose in items, and knowing I can always do laundry to save from having to bring extra clothing. This strategy tends to work better for shorter journeys, or when travel involves staying in a different place each night, moving from one hotel to another, using various types of transportation, and rarely seeing the same people twice. On a cruise ship, while space can be a limiting factor, luggage only needs to be transported to the ship and back home, no matter how long the journey. This time we don’t even have to schlep through customs or a 21-hour plane ride, since we are only going to Miami. So, in the process of packing for this trip, it was so easy to adopt a sort of WTF attitude of why not bring the kitchen sink, too? In fact, I did include things like closet organizing aids to maximize the space for all of my stuff (a self-fulfilling act, indeed), a small sketchbook, pencils and watercolors, a stick-on magnifying mirror, and even some flameless candles to add evening ambiance to our suite and terrace.

And, included in our cruise fare, was the service of shipping our luggage in advance to be met at the ship. So, our bags were sent over a week before we left, with a few things remaining to check on the plane and have for our brief time in Miami, which enhanced the laissez faire attitude about how much to overpack. When we finally left home, though, the temperatures were unreasonably cold, as in zero digit cold. And, ironically, with all the clothes I had packed and shipped, the things I had set aside to wear for my travel day did not even come close to keeping me warm. Probably a justified payback for my overindulgence.