Cruisin Christi

Here is one thing that I do before a cruise.. First of all we always drive to the port so I can leave things in the car. I always pack a "hotel bag" this has alot of my travel size items in it. For example I buy two tooth brushes one for cruise and one for hotels on the way to port. Same with many other things. This way I don't have to carry all my luggage into the hotel. This worked great the last cruise we drove with another couple who has not been out of our state so we did alot of site seeing on the way and stayed a couple nights here or there. The less you take on the ship gives you more room for the goodies you buy to bring home safely.

Most of the stuff you think you are going to need you really wont even use I promise. But the first aide kit listed above is a great idea. Going to the doctor on the ship for a band-aide will cost you. Also the power strip is great if you have alot to plug in.

And I am not packing a Hotel bag and 2 sets of toiletries. Thank you very much :)

We went to our local bank an get several "pads" of $1.00 bills. These are 100 $1.00 bills that are bound ( glued )together along the top edge like a note pad. When you want to tip, you just tear them out like a piece of paper from a pad and hand them out. We get them at Zions Bank in Utah. They charge an extra $3.00 for them but it is worth it. They are numbered in order so you can keep track of how much you have tipped and how much you have left. I believe you can get them online, but they are way more expensive. Check with your local banks for availability

That is just awesome. Do I just ask the bank if they have 'pads' of ones?

Funny funny stuff for sure.

Note to self:take batteries out of B.O.B. before packing.

In Cozumel we were walking on the pier getting back on our ship. Ahead of us was an older man (at least mid 70's) that was so drunk he was weaving all over the place. We watched as he went right into the water off the pier. Our ship "Conquest" and another ship (I think a RCCL) were parked there and all the staff from both ships started yelling "man overboard". We watched them fish him out of the water and he weaved his way onboard the other ship. I bet he did not make it to the MDR that night.

That made me laugh and think of my husband. I can see him doing something like this.

Very good list above poster, thank you!

:bump:

My name has the red star but we are paying with a credit card in DH's name. So I don't understand why I would be primary. Maybe because I was the one who they booked first (meaning they took my info before his)?

 

But when we have had neighbors use decorations a few times, it is a bit easier to find our cabin ;)

 

This would be the only reason for us to decorate our door. After a few drinks I am sure I will be lost. Making it easier to find the cabin would be essential.

I like reading what people took that they didn't need.

Bump, I love to plan...I wish everyone liked it as much as I do :)

I came across this thread and had to laugh. I'm a first time cruiser but I do this for every trip I take. Only my basket is a box and it already needs to spread to 2 boxes and I don't cruise til September. :) I figure I'll have to pack an extra suitcase just for the "necessary" items.

 

So I looked in my box and to buy list to see what I have that's not on here yet.

 

I'm doing a pretty extensive first aid kit - bandaids, antibotic cream, a few of every pill for every item that we might be effected with (sinus, cold, headache, etc.)

 

clothespins (various uses weighting down shower curtain, closing curtain in hotel or room so sun doesn't get in)

magnets - from what I hear doors are metal - just be careful where you pack these.

post it notes, bag within a bag with backpack clip, sanitizer with backpack clip (Dollar Tree), Purex 3-in-1 laundry sheets (found these at Walmart recently in travel sample aisle), Downy wrinkle release trial size (Walmart travel sample aisle), Night in Sky mini starfinder (think Boy Scouts), disinfectant wipes for wiping down room. There's more but this is getting long.

 

I made a list of what i think we need then every week try to pick up at least one item. :) This helps when we get closer to the time - then I can save my money for the trip and not have to run around finding things in the middle of the summer. Oh - I'm also putting away $1 and $2 bills for tips and $5 for casino. :)

Cheryl

Just FYI- I have read that the crew doesn't like the $2 bills as tips because they don't work in their vending machines. In case you would like to cash those in for $1 bills instead.

I didn't use MOST of what I packed. I packed way too many clothes.

I wore a sundress every day into port over my swimsuits(I wore 2 the entire cruise-we did use the laundry). 2 formal nights...3 cruise casual nights. The first night is come as you are.

 

Once I got a little sun, I didn't really wear makeup other than some mascara.

 

Never used:

Most of my toiletries..they provide toothpaste, soap, Dove makeup removal clothes, a razor, shampoo. Bring good conditioner and lotion!!

Wrinkle release

Playing cards

Books to read

70% of my clothes and shoes

Didn't need a bungee cord for balcony door, it stayed open just fine

Binoculars

Snacks

Ginger gum we bought in PR, what a waste of money!!

Waterproof watch, hubby had one, that is all we needed

A small purse other than my regular one

Lanyard--got the free one in the casino

 

We never purchased an over the door organizer, and glad we didnt. There is a medicine cabinet in the bathroom with plenty of counter space. There is a ton of storage in your room!

 

 

Glad I packed:

-IPOD and docking station--to drown out the noise in hallway and husband snoring

-Many memory cards for my camera as we found out mid cruise that two didnt work

-Spanx

-Our own snorkling gear(but never used the fins and they took up too much room in luggage)

-Our own water bottle

-Small notepad

-Tote bag

-Lots of cash LOL

-Duct tape, they busted our luggage so this came in handy believe it or not.

We are in an inside cabin, just hubby and myself. I am not sure we will need the over the door shoe thingy we pack light most of the time anyway. I literally LOL @ spanx, it is on my list as I need a new pair ;)...and I will take the duct tape, just in case...thank you so much for the response.

I really wanted to know what extra items you took that you didn't need, like duct tape, over the door shoe organizer...the tips that have been all over these boards. I want to take what I need on my first cruise, but not everything. I don't want to end up not using some of it and over packing. Thanks.

I would like to know what all you packed that you didn't need. I am going on my first cruise and I don't want a bag full of extra things that I will never use!

Love the review and pics, it makes me so excited.

This thread is great! I thought I was the only one who went to $ tree for these things. I also bought the Luau and other tropical decorations for our cabin door. These need to be cut down since they are much larger than any door I've seen on a ship.

Happy hunting to all and keep the ideas coming!

When I looked @ $ tree they didn't have this decor, I am thinking it would have to be closer to summer. I need to make a mad dash soon, this thread makes me wanna dollar shop!

Dollar Tree and similar stores sell plastic hooded rain ponchos one or two per pack for $1 (obviously). These are GREAT for travel, outdoor concerts, any outdoor events. Much more convenient that hauling around a raincoat, umbrella, etc., and they can just be thrown away when you are done (no dealing with a drippy umbrella or damp coat). Lightweight and take up very littel space in the luggage. I'm throwing in several for our Canada cruise in June.

We used these once during a rainstorm at a theme park and people were constantly stopping to ask where they could buy one. We proudly told them we'd bought them at the dollar store and brought them along. And we noticed the gift shop was selling disposable ponchos for $15.

Ugg, my mom offered to buy me this just the other day and I declined saying I would take my umbrella, but now I am gonna have to make the special trip to get 4. Oh well, I love shopping and I have found uber things I need to pick up now anyway. Thanks for the info

How long will I have to wait to see who it will be in OCT? It says sheet one and only goes to June. I wanted to make sure I had Steve (Ecstasy)

The black dress has disappeared into thin air! :eek:

Thought I had it bookmarked now I cant find it:confused: ugg.

Yes, onestopplus is where all 3 were. I hope you found it! Sorry it took me so long to reply, my blackberry has been acting weird all day :(

I found those on onestopplus.com...sorry it took me so long to reply.

They are all less than $100. And they had lots more to chose from.

Cruisenub, I have the silver dress from avenue and it does shed, but that is not going to stop me from wearing it on my cruise in April. I've taken it outside and shaken it a couple times and plan to do that a few more times in hopes that it won't shed as much. It is still a beautiful dress and I cannot wait to wear it. I love the other two dress choices as well in fact I had the third dress ordered and they sent me someone else's order. I decided it was a sign I had enough dresses so just told them to give me a refund. Whatever you choose will be beautiful.

That was it, all I needed...silver it is. Now I need a tan and a super cute pair of shoes.

It actually was the cheapest of the 3 dresses so that should make DH happy :)

I love this dress but the reviews say it sheds glitter everywhere. I don't know if I actually care as I may add glitter to my face and arms anyway. I just don't want to be rude to others if they sit where I may have been seated and get glitter on them.

I think someone else posted this one here too, I love this one and if I decided to get away from the glitter I will get this one.

This one will end up being what I get because it is black. I wanted to be spontaneous and trendy by adding in color or flare. I don't know if I can.

Which one would you all pick for a 5 foot 3 inch girls who is in a size 22/24 (hopefully smaller in 10 months at least a size or 2). I am not super busty but I have a big booty and a baby belly??????

Thank you soooo much Moxie. helps a lot. Have a great cruise

 

I have gotten great long dresses for $50.00 but it is very much hit or miss. I check often . they carry sydneys closet, kiyonna and igigi stuff

 

simplydresses.com

edressme.com

 

cruisenub-by any chance is there a Ross store nearby. I got a full length total black sequin Scala dress for $30.00

There is a Ross, I will go check it out.

Thanks for the other 2 links. I will look there too.

Ugg, I have 10 months to figure out what to wear and I am still lost after reading this thread. Igigi is too pricey, I like some on onestopplus, but I can't picture myself in any of them, well picture myself looking good in them anyway.

I really hope I lose a few lbs, if I do I have a gorgeous silk dress I can wear, but that would really be pushing it. I hope that the DH will let me do a little shopping for this cruise *sigh* he is tight with his wallet.

Don't look then..... or let anyone near you with a phone... cause you are most likely on the web somewhere....

I am gonna be the crazy fat chic who is passed out some place, or a video will surface of me falling down, I fall upstairs sober all the time.

It is all about your sense of humor about things. Not that I hope I show up on the net, but it wouldn't bother me either.