I have been packing for our vacation. We are going on a cruise. This is a first for me. I have traveled to many different places in many different ways, but never on a cruise.

Based on what friends have told me about food on cruises, I have spent some time planning my cruise philosophy. I'm going to avoid the big obvious avoids. No rolls at dinner, no sandwiches, no milk or cheese, no potatoes, no pasta. However, if I order something beneficial like steak, lamb, spinach, or sweet potatoes, I'm not going to worry about the ingredients in the sauce or seasonings.

I'm going to eat one dessert a day. That will certainly include some wheat and dairy products. This is vacation; I'm going to enjoy myself that much. I've heard that on cruises they serve food 24 hours a day. At home I don't eat after dinner time - I'm going to keep that rule on the cruise. I don't drink alcoholic beverages, and I have no intention of starting on this trip.

There is supposed to be a gym on board, so I hope I can work out on some weight machines. There is also supposed to be a jogging track. Two days we will go ashore to swim and snorkel. I'm going to be sure I get lots of exercise.

I'm packing calcium, magnesium, multiple vitamins, and bladderwrack. After the recent media madness about prescription drugs after a Caribbean vacation, my husband said we should only take pills in their original bottles. I take several other daily supplements, but I'm leaving them behind. The break might be good for my body anyway.

I'm packing my nut and seed breakfast mix. I'm also packing nuts and dried fruit so that we can make trail mix for our two days on the beach. There's a lot of packing left to do before we load the car. I'd better get busy.