"I wish I knew before..."

[Host Walt]

We bring along moist wipes like those used for computer screens to clean those inevitable nose marks (and similar) that always seem to show up on the windows (and doors if you have a balcony cabin) just when you're ready to take that fantastic shot of the ocean and a passing ship or island.

[PCMRSM60]

Kirian,

 

You're welcome! I'm glad to have explained a good tip given by someone else. It's probably been given many times, as I picked it up over a year ago.

 

Happy Cruising.

[Optragirl]

My best tip is magnetic clips for the walls. I had about 4-5 going last time for tickets, cruise news etc. I also used a magnetic white board so we could leave messages for each other.

 

 

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[justjoanie29]

My best tip is magnetic clips for the walls. I had about 4-5 going last time for tickets, cruise news etc. I also used a magnetic white board so we could leave messages for each other.

 

 

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I think I may do this. We leave in less than 3 weeks!

Thanks for the great tips.

[Optragirl]

I think I may do this. We leave in less than 3 weeks!

 

Thanks for the great tips.

 

 

It worked really well got me. I basically turned one of the walls into a mini information board. Locker stuff works great for it (and are currently everywhere with back to school :) )

 

 

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[animalzoo]

For those of you who do laundry, do you find that items that you don't dry, dry ok in your room? Several of my items I don't dry in a dryer but I wouldn't be opposed to doing laundry....as long as I knew they would be dry by the time we got back to port on the last day!!

 

 

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[dancinman66]

I wish I knew about what clothes to pack that wash and dry easily and font need ironing

 

 

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[FawnRiver]

For those of you who do laundry, do you find that items that you don't dry, dry ok in your room? Several of my items I don't dry in a dryer but I wouldn't be opposed to doing laundry....as long as I knew they would be dry by the time we got back to port on the last day!!

 

 

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I've never had any problems with that. Just hang them up using the line in the shower (or on a hanger in the closet area with space around it for air movement) and they'll dry fine.

[kruzkween]

And don't forget to take a travel size bottle of Donwy Wrinkle Releaser. That stuff is amazing! My little bottle is 3 oz. so it will fly in a carry-on. But I always put my liquids/gels in zip lock bags and pack them in my check bag.

 

It's a shame that all ships don't have guest laundry facilities. I'm going on a 12 day cruise in Nov. on a ship with no guest laundry, and I'll have to pack very carefully. This is one subject that really, really agrivates me about cruise lines; they purposely make it so you'll have to use their expensive laundry services.

 

And I recommend a travel bottle of Febreze fabric freshner...can extend the life of clothes between washings.

[EatSleepCruise]

The top five things we now always bring our:

power strip

downy wrinkle release - tried a steamer twice and did not have any luck!:mad:

Highlighter (for the dailies)

A laundry bag (to store those dirty/wet clothes)

and plenty of Ziploc bags, of various sizes.

 

We also almost always pack in our suitcases an additional flat-pack carry on for all of the additional stuff we bring back. Actually, we usually do not buy too much., but it is nice to have the extra bag in case!

[dancinman66]

Same also here except not a power board due ship rules

I do bring a door hung cloth shoe rack for storing lots of stuff out of way in cabin

 

 

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[maywell]

I had the misfortune of having my time of the season on my last cruise - Buy your pads / tampons before you get on the ship because its expensive. Also, just in general, buy or bring your own body lotions, aspirins, tums / Alka-seltzers, hair gel / grease, Ben-gay / pain creme, hair pins, comb / brush and shower cap along with soap, toothpaste & tooth brush before going because you will pay a hefty fee for them. I thought I need extra on tampons and man, that was rude awakening seeing those prices, thank god the flow end earlier because I was not going to pay $20 for box of 10.....

[cruisenoobs]

I had the misfortune of having my time of the season on my last cruise - Buy your pads / tampons before you get on the ship because its expensive. Also, just in general, buy or bring your own body lotions, aspirins, tums / Alka-seltzers, hair gel / grease, Ben-gay / pain creme, hair pins, comb / brush and shower cap along with soap, toothpaste & tooth brush before going because you will pay a hefty fee for them. I thought I need extra on tampons and man, that was rude awakening seeing those prices, thank god the flow end earlier because I was not going to pay $20 for box of 10.....

 

 

Or you can be like me and skip the placebo birth control pills and not have to worry about that, lol

[tmdl20]

I read this should thread before cruising. I got back yesterday. Here are my thoughts... And thanks to everyone for helping me prepare! :)

 

Brought and used... Thanks to this forum:

Nightlight in bathroom

Shoe holder to hold many things in our room

Flashlight

Lanyards then went to casino to get a hole punched in the card

Over the shoulder bag to carry stuff around ship

Bonine

 

Unexpected:

Had to buy antacid in shop. Didn't realized ship could cause such stomach gas pains. Suffered three days until I thought of Tums. Instantly better.

 

Wish I'd brought:

A battery operated alarm clock. Guest services did not follow through on a wake up call and we slept an hour and a half into a five hour port stop.

 

And... I overpacked nicer clothes. We really spent all day in comfy clothes of swimsuits and cover ups, then dressed nicer for supper. Didn't need the nicer day clothes.

[maywell]

Or you can be like me and skip the placebo birth control pills and not have to worry about that, lol

 

I'll take my 4-6 times a year naturally-occurring periods over every month on birth control pills. Don't want to deal with the out-control PMS symptoms and pill popping of Midol and sometimes Codeine. That I'm no near a pool or the ocean year around which actually help me and probably ended it sooner. The calm of waves and floating around in the water soothe those raging cramps & bloating all over. :p So yes, for natural treatment for PMS - tampons, bathing suit and swimming. :D Wish I had known that sooner.....

[Seawoff]

I'll take my 4-6 times a year naturally-occurring periods over every month on birth control pills. Don't want to deal with the out-control PMS symptoms and pill popping of Midol and sometimes Codeine. That I'm no near a pool or the ocean year around which actually help me and probably ended it sooner. The calm of waves and floating around in the water soothe those raging cramps & bloating all over. :p So yes, for natural treatment for PMS - tampons, bathing suit and swimming. :D Wish I had known that sooner.....

 

Wow this is a thread I would never have imagined to see on cruise critic.

 

So if you wish a PMS free cruise, talk to your Dr about adjusting you period.

 

Here is how my Daughter and I dealt with the problem of PMS and our cruise in 1982.

 

Took our birth control pills as prescribed for 6 months before the cruise but deleted the last three each month for 6 months. This caused our periods to be three days earlier each month for 6 months. Thus adjusting our cycle.

 

This cycle adjustment of your period will also work for weddings and honeymoon and other vacation events.

 

Before you try this on your own I strongly advise you to have a heart to heart with you G Y N or you could end up PG which would be a undesirable side effect of messing around with B C pills:eek:

[maywell]

Wow this is a thread I would never have imagined to see on cruise critic.

 

So if you wish a PMS free cruise, talk to your Dr about adjusting you period.

 

Here is how my Daughter and I dealt with the problem of PMS and our cruise in 1982.

 

Took our birth control pills as prescribed for 6 months before the cruise but deleted the last three each month for 6 months. This caused our periods to be three days earlier each month for 6 months. Thus adjusting our cycle.

 

This cycle adjustment of your period will also work for weddings and honeymoon and other vacation events.

 

Before you try this on your own I strongly advise you to have a heart to heart with you G Y N or you could end up PG which would be a undesirable side effect of messing around with B C pills:eek:

The whole point was for unexpected things like that - get them and put them in luggage or you'll pay alot for so little at ship's stores. Bring your own aspirin and tums/alka- seltzer just in case of stomach aches and headaches, maybe bandaids too for cuts because its expensive onboard.

 

 

 

(And for the record, it was my doctor that took me off the pills due to the severe side effects. What may work for you, your daughter and most people; unfortunately, does not for me. And, I will leave it at that. Lol)

[dancinman66]

Wow this is a thread I would never have imagined to see on cruise critic.

 

 

 

So if you wish a PMS free cruise, talk to your Dr about adjusting you period.

 

 

 

Here is how my Daughter and I dealt with the problem of PMS and our cruise in 1982.

 

 

 

Took our birth control pills as prescribed for 6 months before the cruise but deleted the last three each month for 6 months. This caused our periods to be three days earlier each month for 6 months. Thus adjusting our cycle.

 

 

 

This cycle adjustment of your period will also work for weddings and honeymoon and other vacation events.

 

 

 

Before you try this on your own I strongly advise you to have a heart to heart with you G Y N or you could end up PG which would be a undesirable side effect of messing around with B C pills:eek:

 

 

Such a cool idea

I like that

 

 

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[jammen]

I have seen ones doing their wedding planning and just bring jeans. Educate ones to use the internet and Google what to bring.

[Jota62]

Wow this thread was so informative! I'm going on my first cruise (alaska, carnival legend) in September 2015 (yes still a year away!) and I'm going with other first-time cruisers so we need all the advice we can get! I'm a major planner and have complied a great list from this entire thread, but I have a few questions if anyone knows the answers:

 

1. On top of the prepaid tips, how much is expected by the stewards?

 

2. For the nightly shows, do you need to book these ahead of time or do you just show up?

 

3. Because we've never cruises I don't know about seasickness. I see recommendations to take bonine. ..should you take this the night before boarding or an hour before? When really should you take preventative medicine for it?

 

Thanks so much to everyone who contributed to this thread! I'm so excited to join this cruising club :)

[NL2134]

Wow this thread was so informative! I'm going on my first cruise (alaska, carnival legend) in September 2015 (yes still a year away!) and I'm going with other first-time cruisers so we need all the advice we can get! I'm a major planner and have complied a great list from this entire thread, but I have a few questions if anyone knows the answers:

 

1. On top of the prepaid tips, how much is expected by the stewards?

 

2. For the nightly shows, do you need to book these ahead of time or do you just show up?

 

3. Because we've never cruises I don't know about seasickness. I see recommendations to take bonine. ..should you take this the night before boarding or an hour before? When really should you take preventative medicine for it?

 

Thanks so much to everyone who contributed to this thread! I'm so excited to join this cruising club :)

 

1. The pre-paid tips (or standard tips they include in your bill) are used for wait staff, cleaning, room stewards... everyone. Any tips above that are completely optional. On my first cruise, we didn't do any additional tips. On my last cruise, we started the week by tipping our room steward. Then he was so awesome that we tipped him again at the end of the cruise. I think he got about $40-50 total. We also provided additional tips to our main dining waiters at the end of the cruise because they were really great too.

 

2. Nightly shows do not need to be booked in advance, you just show up. But, the lines can get very long before show time, so show up early. I'd say about 20 minutes early. On my last cruise, we missed a few shows we wanted to see because they filled up before we got there.

 

3. I'm not sure I'd recommend preventative seasickness meds, unless you know that you tend to get motion sick. Most of the medications can make you drowsy or have other side effects, so you don't really want to do it unless you actually need to. I'd rather enjoy my trip and not be on medication that makes me want to sleep all day. Dramamine or Bonine are effective options and I've heard different people recommend each one. But, definitely bring something in case you need it. Most of these ships are large enough and stable enough that most people don't get sick, unless there is inclement weather that causes unusually severe movement. Myself and anyone I've cruised with has only ever needed to take something if there was a storm. But, if there is a storm, they can quickly run out of it at customer service or in the medical bay on the ship, so bring your own. Another treatment option, without the drowsiness and side effects, is ginger. They make ginger candy or gum, which aren't bad and can calm nausea. We brought some along on our last cruise, but never needed them. They also work on land if you get nauseas and I've heard they are highly recommended for morning sickness, or even nausea caused by flu.

[Smokeyham]

 

I'm not sure I'd recommend preventative seasickness meds, unless you know that you tend to get motion sick. Most of the medications can make you drowsy or have other side effects, so you don't really want to do it unless you actually need to. I'd rather enjoy my trip and not be on medication that makes me want to sleep all day. Dramamine or Bonine are effective options and I've heard different people recommend each one. But, definitely bring something in case you need it. Most of these ships are large enough and stable enough that most people don't get sick, unless there is inclement weather that causes unusually severe movement. Myself and anyone I've cruised with has only ever needed to take something if there was a storm. But, if there is a storm, they can quickly run out of it at customer service or in the medical bay on the ship, so bring your own. Another treatment option, without the drowsiness and side effects, is ginger. They make ginger candy or gum, which aren't bad and can calm nausea. We brought some along on our last cruise, but never needed them. They also work on land if you get nauseas and I've heard they are highly recommended for morning sickness, or even nausea caused by flu.

 

Just a quick follow up on this. You might also consider going to your doctor and getting a perscription for a patch, which you wear behind your ear, with perscription sea sickness meds.

 

The meds have improved a lot in the last few years, with fewer side effects. However, I would recommend leaving enough time in advance of your cruise to try out the patch for a day on dry land. A friend got the patch, and put it on just before the cruise, but a side effect which she had was blurred vision, which really impaired her enjoyment of the cruise.

 

 

As NL2134 says, many people don't get affected by the motion, but if you know that you are, then starting meds before you start your trip can definitely make things more pleasant.

[KBD1516]

Bonine (generic) is what I take because I always get sick on the water and sometimes in the car. I always carry them In my purse. They do not make me drowsy like the old Dramamine did. I take 1/2 pill when I get on board. Then take one at night before bed because they last 24 hours. You can also take one when you get symptoms, like feeling very tired or not wanting to eat. So you can wait to see how you handle the motion.

 

I go to the doctors office on board, usually deck 1, during open hours and get one or two packs. They are generic Bonine and they have 2 pills in a little foil pack and I take one for 24 hour period. They will be out on the counter at guest services if the water gets rough.

 

Patches give you continuous medicine so be cautious about side effects.

 

 

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[Marsthemush]

After reading all 92 pages I truly feel better prepared. I'm the trip planner for my friend's honeymoon and mine and the DW's anniversary but it's the first cruise for all of us. Thank you everyone who contributed. I've made a huge list of tips! Yay. Thanks again.

[dancinman66]

After reading all 92 pages I truly feel better prepared. I'm the trip planner for my friend's honeymoon and mine and the DW's anniversary but it's the first cruise for all of us. Thank you everyone who contributed. I've made a huge list of tips! Yay. Thanks again.

 

 

That's a really big task you've taken on

Make sure you also check cc ports threads and the cruise roll call for what you pick

 

Plus the wedding section could be a handy one

 

Enjoy your trip and good luck

 

 

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