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TIME TO START "TO-DO" LISTS, FREEPERS....TAKE NOTES OF INFORMATION THAT APPLIES TO YOU....KEEP LIST BY YOUR COMPUTER !

TODAY'S TOPIC: WHAT TO WEAR FROM WHERE YOU LIVE TO FT. LAUDERDALE PORT TERMINAL:

Wherever state you're flying from, remember that Florida will be very warm in late May. Forget the jackets, the sweaters and the sweat shirts. You'll never wear them all week on the cruise. You are heading for the tropics! At the most, bring a paper-thin, windbreaker or light sweater if air conditioning anywhere is a problem for you.

Saturday late morning we'll all be sitting in the H/A waiting room till our numbers are called to board. (Florida orange juice is served, hah).

Since folks in our group arrive at different times, our numbers get called at different times and we don't board as a group.

Once you are shown to your cabin by a steward, your luggage may or may not be waiting for you. Holland America is pretty swift with luggage, so chances are your bags are there. At any rate, you won't want to unpack then. You'll just want to refresh yourself and then hie to the Lido where a tasty lunch buffet (and probably other freepers) will be there in all glory. The lunch is served for a certain period of time only, so get yourself there in time.

You may want to explore the ship a little after eating or till your luggage arrives, or until mandatory lifeboat drill around 4 PM. Or you may want to visit or have a drink with other freepers in their cabins on Freeper Row.

So, the point is, when you leave home, wear nice, tasteful shorts, tops and sneakers if you desire so that you're cool, comfortable and casual during your first hours on the ship.

I arrive in shorts and a top. I carry two lightweight nylon duffel bags over my shoulders. Sometimes I also carry a piece of Bohemian luggage (paper shopping bag) up the gangplank if I have things bulky, like a Pepsi Six-Pac or a bottle of wine (you can buy this stuff at the last minute in a small duty-free store by the terminal). You don't have to be tres chic on embarkation day.

The shopping bag will come in handy later for storing island purchases in your closet or in a cabin corner.

Gals, leave all your clunky, heavy, hard purses home. You won't need them if you have the more practical and spacious duffel bags. I'll touch on purses later.

In your duffel bags (you'll carry them on with you and they go through a detector), you should pack the things you want to keep close to you or are more fragile:

Your cruise documents.....your eyeglasses and sunglasses.....your makeup, comb, brush, small deoderant, pills or medicines, camera, binoculars...any good jewelry, wallet with some cash, your credit card and a good supply of singles......your required personal ID.....your travelers checks, miniature spray cologne, small electric razor, ciggies and lighters.

This way, if your luggage is not yet in your cabin, you have everything you need right with you and you can go to lunch looking and smellin' good!

More suggestions and tips on what to pack in the clothing line coming very soon.

I'll do a piece on bringing liquor, soda, wine, etc. aboard when I obtain the latest info on H/A's beverage policy which has recently changed. I want to be accurate on this as I know I'll get harpooned if I'm not!

Bahama Mama