I'm from the days in California when we used to use baby oil to get as dark as possible. Imagine doing that now???? I used a tanning salon about 17 years ago when I went to the Virgin Islands because I didn't want to worry about getting burned right off the bat there. Now I'm so concerned about the safety of those salons.

Luckily I have somewhat olive skin, but it still looks white to me. I am toying with the idea of putting on a good sunblock and trying to get a little tan that way in my backyard - starting slowly several weeks before the cruise. Then, I could combine that light tan with a self-tanning lotion.

Jacki, I'm with you about the smell of the self-tanning lotions. The one I've used is Clarins Auto-Bronzant Self-Tanning Milk. It works fairly quickly but I think it still looks a little orange after a few applications. Plus, the smell is just something I can't get past.

Karen, how about the L'Oreal Sublime Bronze - does it have any oder to it? I like the idea that it is a bronzer and that you can see it as you put it on. The Clarins is white and blends right in your skin, so it is hard to tell where you need it.

Wendy, I know you are supposed to exfoliate before using them, but I've always been too lazy. I've never had problems with any streaking because of that.