first cruise what should I not forget to pack?

[Happy ks]

can someone point me to these checklists?

 

Just add the dot com. For some reason, they don't allow her web address to be posted here :rolleyes:

[abhb]

If you take a travel alarm clock make sure it is battery operated. It might not keep acurate time if it is plug in. I have a batter alarm clock that when lifted, turns into a flashlight. It is very helpful for bathroom runs in the middle of the night.

[graf103]

Take an underwater camera if you're doing any water activities, and I need a good book to read poolside or at the beach.

[joan_al]

Don't forget to bring your sense of adventure! Experience all those things that you have said "one day I will..." - now's your chance - especially when it comes to trying new food dishes!

 

I would caution you - don't try to make everything perfect because if something does go wrong, it could color your judgment of what will still be a wonderful cruise.

 

Most important thing - HAVE FUN and relax!

 

That's the best info you can get above.

 

Our first cruise we went with a list,,,,,,,way too much to bring. If you don't bring it you'll live without it. Don't bring a charger for your phone the battery will be just find, turn the phone off when you leave home and forget it until you return. You'll have a fantastic time!! Enjoy your cruise.

[louieond]

learned a while ago, especially if your in an intreior room, bring a night light! you can get those Indiglo flat type in a 2 pack everywhere. Nothing like waking up in a pitch black unfamiliar room trying to find the bathroom and kicking everything on the floor on the way!

[Happy ks]

cruisediva (dot) com /pack_it (dot) htm

 

 

Her site is interesting and informative, but be aware some of the information is outdated. Just reading some of the tips, bringing rolls of film is mentioned. On another section, I was looking up Princess ships, particularly Sapphire and it is listed as "coming", the ship was launched in 2004.

 

Her packing tips are great, but again, written before there were luggage weight restrictions adhered to and when most people were bringing 2 checked bags along. Things have changed dramatically in the last few years.

 

Please re-think the unneccessary items, like shoe holders, hampers and anything else taking up precious weight and space.

[bluegirlum]

You're not allowed to bring fruit or sandwiches off the ship onto land, so don't worry about trying to stock up from the WJ. If you want things like granola bars or other pre-packaged snacks, bring your own with you.

 

Bring your own sunscreen, as well as anything like pepto bismol/imodium/tylenol, as they are way more expensive on board, and you may not be able to buy imodium on the ship.

 

A bag for going into port.

Copies of your passport.

Extra large ziploc bags for dirty clothes/wet bathing suits.

A small power strip.

Twice as much underwear, as someone else suggested! :D

 

Otherwise, don't worry about it. You'll bring too much and stuff you don't need, but that's part of the fun.

 

Have a great time!!!

[Kellie Poodle]

Over the door, transparent plastic pouch shoe holders work great to ease clutter in tiny bathrooms. They fold and fit nicely in the bottom of a suitcase.

We never cruise without one now. :)

 

The over the door shoe holder is the first thing I pack.

[reeran]

I always bring my own sunscreen, the islands do not have a very large selection of the higher Spfs.

[nvr2manycruises]

On our first cruise, we packed way too much clothes, which was a waste of space in the room. So, just try to remember to NOT pack that much! You can always mix a lot, like shorts and different shirts, or same shirt, different skirt. You get the picture. Have fun! :)

[sjb317]

We've been on 20 cruises and never once have I or my husband had a need for post it notes, highlighters, over the door shoe holders, fold up hampers, pastic bags or duct tape. :D What we would consider essential are swim suits, sun screen lotions, a sun hat and comfortable walking shoes. We did discover on our first cruise that a nightlight is good to have if you are in an interior room. We tend to wear clothes more than once and use the laundry if necessary. If there is one thing I pack too much of, it is shoes, since I do love my shoes!

Sherri:)

[heatherandjerad]

Wow thank you everyone! I guess there is alot to think about for the next two weeks. I am going to start packing....

[texasmomof2]

I have been talking about taking this cruise for 10 years! I want to make it the perfect 7 days. What should I pack to make my trip the best it can be. Clothes/swimsuit check now what?:D

 

 

My husband and I are going on the Voyager in November to celebrate our tenth anniversary, too. This will be our first cruise, so I can't really give you any helpful advice--just wanted to wish you a happy anniversary and tell you to have a great time! I'd love to hear all about your trip when you get back.

 

P.S. Something that I'm going to surprise my husband with on our cruise is the classic romance package. Royal Caribbean's website has details on it, but I thought it would be some extra special for our anniversary. If you don't like that one they have a few others to choose from.

[pinkroses]

I stock up on toiletries-- and all I can think of, as mentioned above. Anything I think we may need from bandaids to Rolaids because they are SO expensive on the ship and hard to find on the islands!!! Guess I think if we have it all we won't need to use them!!!!;)

[IBookHePays]

If you have the room, I like to bring small portable speakers for my ipod...mine is only about 7" long and fairly light. It's great to listen to music while you're getting ready for dinner...and making play lists before you go adds to the vacation anticipation!:)

[hoop4321]

chargers for camera battary and cell phone.

[hoop4fun]

I'd definitely suggest going along with Cruise Diva's recommendations. Also, bring along a nite lite if you have an inside cabin.

 

Hi...why do you need a night lite in a inside cabin? Don't they have lamps, lights in them???? :confused:

Thanks :rolleyes:

[C2CMH]

Hi,

 

You will love the Voyager! We are sailing one week from today on Voyager for our 4th time on this ship!

 

I agree with all of the items that have been mentioned so far, a few more are water shoes (aqua sock type) for the beaches in ports, also the all important tote bag to carry your camera, money, towel, sunscreen etc.... into port for day at the beach or shopping or excursion. I also always bring a rain poncho that you can get at the Dollar Store (just be sure it is the adult one and not the kids size), I can't even begin to tell you about the unprepared folks I have watched go into port on a rainy day and try to use a towel to keep off the rain. A sun hat or baseball hat is always a good thing to have too rain or shine!

 

 

Bon Voyage!

[hoop4fun]

Flashlight, especially if you are in an inside room.

 

Hi...why do we need a flashlight for our inside cabin? Are there no lamps or lights in them :eek:

 

Thanks :o

[olemissreb]

Hi...why do we need a flashlight for our inside cabin? Are there no lamps or lights in them :eek:

 

Thanks :o

 

I think the flashlight is so that you don't have to turn on a light for those middle of the night bathroom runs and wake up your partner.

[sjb317]

Hi...why do we need a flashlight for our inside cabin? Are there no lamps or lights in them :eek:

 

Thanks :o

There are lights but the room is incredibly dark, day and night. It was nice to have a small night light so I did not have to turn on the bedside lamp and disturb my husband during a middle of the night bathroom trip!

Sherri:)

[jmb4534]

Wow thank you everyone! I guess there is alot to think about for the next two weeks. I am going to start packing....

 

 

I see you will be sailing in 2 weeks. As others have said, check the weather before you leave home, not just for the islands but for Galveston. On our last cruise out of Galveston, Easter Sunday, first week of April, 2007 I think, it was sleeting in Galveston the morning we left. I always find it cold or at least chilly on the first day out and the last day coming in. A fleece 'hoodie' and some sweats feel really good especially if you have a balcony.

 

Of course, you can disregard all of this if you're down here in the summer!!:D

[hoop4fun]

I think the flashlight is so that you don't have to turn on a light for those middle of the night bathroom runs and wake up your partner.

 

So true, he hates when I do it at home too :rolleyes:....thanks for the reply..It's been over 22 years since our late cruise...so, I feel like a first-timer here :( I'm sure the ships are much bigger and nicer now lol...thanks again..

[emeraldcity]

I generally pack a couple flannel-backed plastic tablecloths I pick up at the dollar store to use as disposable beach blankets. Sure beats hauling all that sand back to the cabin.

[NemoCrownie]

We just returned yesterday from our first cruise - after dreaming about it for 10 years. We had a balcony room and I researched and spent hours on cruise critic. This site is invaluable! We were on a Caribbean Cruise so I can't address your weather but I will speak as to what we found necessary.

 

We used lots of sunscreen, hubby took 2 hats and I took a hat and visor. I only used the visor.

 

Definitely need a beach bag and water shoes like Keens if you are doing any hiking excursions.

 

We took rain ponchos but didn't need them. Would take them again just in case.

 

We took a large trash bag for dirty laundry and then used it to bring home wet suits and cover-ups.

 

We used a couple of baggies but only as extra protection for cameras.

 

We did not need a power strip but did use a plug in with three outlets. We only had to charge our phones and cameras once each so we did these during the night and then only needed the outlets for hair dryer and curling iron. Also had to recharge the MP3 players once. We did not need the power strip and could have done with out the extra outlets but this did not take up much room so would take it again just in case. We took rechargable batteries but never needed them.

 

We did not take an alarm clock and did not need it. The room phone and cell phones had the time and you can set up a wake-up call if you choose.

 

We took a minimal first aid kit which included Tylenol, Rolaids, Peptobismal, Neosporin, hydrocotisone creme, band-aids and anti-diarhea med. Believe it or not we used some of each and were glad we had them. I did not pack but a few of each and that was plenty.

 

Took a highlighter and post-its but didn't use either and would not take again.

 

I took a blank gift card for the safe but it was a programmable safe so didn't use.

 

We only wore about 2/3's of the clothes we took and I thought we had packed light! We were in suits and cover-ups most of the day. I took a black sweater for evenings. There are a lot of posts about attire and as my hubby's idea for vacation attire does not include formal I had headed the advice of others that nice shorts with nice shirts and slacks with a nice shirt were appropriate dinner attire for casual and formal nights. I was very mistaken. All of the men were in slacks and dress shirts on casual night and all men wore at least a sports coat and tie on formal night. For women nice capris and summer tops or sun dresses were fine for casual nights and a nice party dress for formal nights. We will know next time.

 

We took an over the door organizer but didn't need it. There are drawers in each of the night stands and six drawers plus an overhead cabinet with three shelves. Additionally there are seven shelves in the closet with about four feet of hanging space and floor space. There is a small medicine cabinet and a full length narrow shelf under the sink and a shower organizer and clothes line in the shower. This was plenty of storage and we were able to keep the clutter totally out of site.

 

I don't know why you would need a night light unless you have no windows but we don't use night lights at home either.

 

We took large mugs for coffee and didn't need them.

 

We bought two soft drink packages. Unless you have several sea days this was a waste as we ended up drinking most of our soft drinks during the day when we were off of the ship. We did use them but would have been ahead to just drink tea or lemonade and buy a coke if wanted.

 

We did excursions through the ship and using guides recommended on Cruise Critic by seasoned cruisers. We enjoyed both so recommend you decide what you want to do in the port after researching that port. If you are just going to the beach then do it on your own as it is much cheaper than through the ship.

 

We loved every minute of our cruise and know you will too as you have been reading and preparing for it by using this site.

 

Our pleasant surprises: The coffee was good! We are caffiene addicts and based on the comments we were expecting bad coffee. It is ground Seattle's Best - contrary to some of the comments. The food was good. I don't know how it used to be but we enjoyed it and saw no reason to eat at the specialty restaurants. The majority of the cruisers were between 35 and 60. In our minds we were expecting a disproportionate number of elderly. We are getting there ourseles but enjoyed the variety.

 

Again, it was the vacation of a life time and we will definately go again!