Hi everyone!!

[diamond49]

Hello, Although I have been logging into this site for a few months now, I have only today:rolleyes: registered.

We (me & hubby) have never done a cruise before as it has never seemed our thing but as I have a big birthday coming up next year:eek: I wanted to try something different. I have researched so much and have decided on a thomson destiny caribbean cruise as the destiny seems less formal. Also I always fancied doing the caribbean but don't want to be restricted to a hotel based holiday so this ticks all the boxes.

My first question is about what we don't need to pack because the ship supplies/has it. I want to keep as much luggage space free for OH dj(he doesn't own one yet lol) etc.

Thanks to everyone for all the valued info I have found on here so far:D

[steelerannie]

There is shower gel and soap in the cabins but that's it as far as toiletries go. They also supply pool towels, so you won't need to take your own as you can take them with you when you go to a beach. We've just come back from Destiny and would go back like a shot!!!

 

Ann

[smiffy1951]

Hi diamond49 and welcome to the site

 

You have picked a cracker of a cruise to start with. We did it in March last year and have booked it again for March 2011.

 

The shops on Destiny are not partcilarly brilliant although they do have the basics - more expensive than home though. When it comes to toiletries you could always buy them at the airport once you have gone through departures and then carry them to save weight in your suitcase.

 

If you are doing the 2 weeks then you will need plenty of shorts and tops etc for daytime and then the outfits for the evening. If you want to eat in the Seven Seas Restaurant you will need smart/casual most nights, but more dressy on the Gala nights (there will ne one each week). If you eat in the Lido (as we do) then you can wear what you want and eat at whatever time you want. It's lovely to eat outside in the Caribbean.

 

You will find plenty of info on here regarding excursions etc, but if there is anything specific you want to know and can't find the answer, just ask. We are a friendly bunch and someone will know the answer, and if they don't they will generally find out for you.

 

You will have a great time - I can't wait for mine in March (although have got one booked in July in between).

 

Janet:)

[diamond49]

Not really into dressing up but we have said that we would take appropriate clothes just in case. The lido sounds wonderful, we have booked a late sitting does this apply there or can you eat whenever? We will be on board in March also:)

[smiffy1951]

Hi diamond49:)

 

In the Lido you can eat at whatever time you like. We're not into the dressing up (did it on our first couple of cruises) any more. We like to please ourselves when we eat and not be set to any particular time. We always change into something comfortable for the evenings, although I tend to dress up a bit more than my OH, but I reckon that's a woman thing:D

 

Janet

[kruzseeka]

Hello, Although I have been logging into this site for a few months now, I have only today:rolleyes: registered.

We (me & hubby) have never done a cruise before as it has never seemed our thing but as I have a big birthday coming up next year:eek: I wanted to try something different. I have researched so much and have decided on a thomson destiny caribbean cruise as the destiny seems less formal. Also I always fancied doing the caribbean but don't want to be restricted to a hotel based holiday so this ticks all the boxes.

My first question is about what we don't need to pack because the ship supplies/has it. I want to keep as much luggage space free for OH dj(he doesn't own one yet lol) etc.

Thanks to everyone for all the valued info I have found on here so far:D

 

Hello and welcome!:)

 

As Ann and Janet have already given you some excellent pointers - I also try to buy some toiletries from the Departures and carry them in my hand luggage (sun cream, hair mousse, toothpaste etc are all weighty items) and try hard to minimise the number of pairs of shoes I take as these are heavy. I also try to mix-and-match for evening wear (not the formal night) - e.g. one pair of trousers can be teamed up with a couple of different tops to make two outfits. Also, light-weight 'floaty' tops are ideal for the Caribbean and weigh very little. I always take a lightweight wrap/pashmina just in case it's cooler at night - more so inside the ship where the air-conditioning can be a bit fierce sometimes - usually it's much warmer on deck than inside (happy thoughts of sitting out at the stern on the Lido late at night looking over the Caribbean - no wonder you're looking forward to it Janet!).

 

It is a great cruise - I'm sure you'll love it and the luggage allowance isn't bad at all. Given that it's warm (what a treat!!!!) shorts and tops are ideal for the day you should be fine. Enjoy! :)

[capasamari]

My mum (76), my friend and I have really cut down on these and for the Caribbean we now just take tankinis and a skirt for the daytime. Virtually all our trips seem to involve a beach or a boat trip so we are ready for getting wet, and a tankini top gives decent enough coverage for wearing on-board ship or round the town as well. They dry quickly in the heat so you don't need to change (maybe take a dry bottom half in your bag).

 

We have each brought a dozen unworn vest tops and t-shirts back from cruises so many times, they just clutter up the case. You don't need to pack so many bras either!

 

My mum has had a mastectomy so she bought two specialist tankinis with matching skirts and she looked really smart.

 

Carol x

[diamond49]

That brings me to another question... we have booked an inside cabin, is there anywhere to hang wet bikinis, trunks & smalls when washed:o

[steelerannie]

We hung our wet clothes in the shower - there's a washing line in there - don't get excited though it's only small!! perfectly adequate to dry smalls though!

 

Ann

[capasamari]

We take one of those plastic rings with pegs attached to hang smalls on, it is quick and easy to move out of the way when you want to use the shower.

 

Carol x

[diamond49]

Carol thats a brilliant idea!!!!! We even sell those in the shop where I work and they are so light. Thanks so much for that:Dx