**Fun & Useful Stuff For Cruising From the Dollar Tree**

[1 Part Sand 1 Part Sea]

Bump :)

 

 

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[kangaand2roos]

I wonder if you put it on your door with the box of crayons, if people passing by would gradually colour it in for you?

 

I LOVE this idea! I may try it on my upcoming cruise! My last one, we were the second to last cabin behind the bridge so we wouldn't have gotten much action!

[kangaand2roos]

This time of year, Staples usually has folders for $.01 or $.10 and I always stickup on them. Cheap 3 rings too. Then, when I travel, I always have a supply handy. Folders are great for all the paper that accumulates as well as any purchased photos. I use 1/2" binders for my cruise docs.

[blazerjan]

Just a quick note: I took the dollar tree 2 for $1 poncho's on our Panama Canal cruise and they are very short and made of very very thin plastic... hardly worth the buck.... I think I'll take the $2.99 ones from Target or Walmart on the next cruise...

 

Also - when we took our grandkids on an 8 day cruise, I did a surprise for each of them that they received after dinner each night IF they behaved at dinner. I got most of the items at the dollar store and one of the biggest hits where the bracelets/necklaces that glow in the dark. I also bought beach balls (easy to pack w/o any air).

[1 Part Sand 1 Part Sea]

I've started a new dollar tree shopping list for my cruise in 3 weeks, can't wait to see what I find! Most important to me is a mini first aid kit.

[1 Part Sand 1 Part Sea]

when we took our grandkids on an 8 day cruise, I did a surprise for each of them that they received after dinner each night IF they behaved at dinner. I got most of the items at the dollar store and one of the biggest hits where the bracelets/necklaces that glow in the dark. I also bought beach balls (easy to pack w/o any air).

 

What a great idea! Have to do that if I take neice and nephew ever.

[Cqis]

Thank for the hints. I just remembered that I will be on a cruise for Holloween, I must decorate my door, and get a head band.

[1 Part Sand 1 Part Sea]

Just hit the dollar tree and this is what I got for my cruise in 2 1/2 weeks!

 

Drawstring backpack ( super cheap quality, may end up getting a different one)

Sewing kit (could very well be used to fix above mentioned cheap bag!)

Hole puncher (for s&s cards. I know casino will do it but I could use one at home anyway)

Collapsible box (for hair & makeup stuff, to keep vanity clear)

Cute accordion file (for cruise docs & paperwork)

3 outlet adapter (I use this instead of a strip, gives me enough plugs with out being bulky)

 

 

Wanted but didn't see:

Over door shoe hanger

Heavy duty large clips to attach towel to beach chair

Mini first aid kit

Door decoration I actually liked

 

Freaking love that store!

[griffy116]

Zip Locks in EVERY size. The 2-1/2 ones will hold a tee and shorts or BIG shoes, snack sizes hold jewelry. I carry a few empty ones and use one for receipts, one for putting room service tip money in so I don't have to look for it in the cabin.

 

Expandable washcloths: Used them in Europe where the wash cloth material didn't feel very absorbent.

 

Rain ponchos: They have become our "good luck" charm. The only cruise we didn't take them on, we were rained on and soaked.

 

Lots of the generic OTC cold meds and first aid items, which I switch to a zip lock that takes up less room than a bunch of bottles or boxes.

 

Collapsible/folding cloth box. Takes up no room to pack and when I get to the cabin the hair dryer, flat iron, cosmetics, toiletries go in it. When ready to take a shower, I grab it and head to the bathroom and know I don't waste time looking for things and sorting through everything.

 

Crossword and word search for plane ride.

 

Baby wipes for freshening up on the plane. Antiseptic wipes for the hotel and cabin on the ship. I love to pick up some of the ones individually wrapped too. They're great to drop in my bag for an excursion. I just toss f few of those into the luggage and put them into a zip lock when I get on the ship so I can locate them in a drawer easily in the cabin.

 

I go for the Downey Wrinkle Release travel size at Target, but I have to pay more than $1...it's a must for every trip. I use the bag special for laundry, then spritz them with Downey Wrinkle Release and I'm ready to head out.

 

 

 

Hanging, flat type air freshener (for cars), for the bathroom, which also takes up no space.

[jackiel3290]

I was at the Dollar Tree today and i thought id check out what they had that could be useful in cruising, pre-cruise, post-cruise, or in cruise planning.

 

PLEASE note that this is NOT a list of what I am getting/brining! Its just a fun (sometimes silly) list of potenially useful things. Dont make comments saying not to bring all of it, and that none of it will ever be used on a cruise. its just for fun :)

oh, and for the things i actually might use or bring, im marking with a **. my maybies are with *.

 

- rain ponchos (set of 2) (actually on my honeymoon i coulda used these, had to buy em in port)

- glow bracelets, rings, necklaces, sticks (they are a hit these days and you will be too if you bring em to the night clubs)

- baby wipes ** (i always bring these camping and i might bring alittle pack for while in port)

- sewing kit **

- picture frames (for your new pics!)

- cheapie flip flops ** (for spa or around pool or even in shower if your germ phobic)

- suit storage bag (like fancy suit, not swimsuit)

- journal

- flameless tealights (set the moooooooood ;))

- toothbrush travel kit (comes w/ brush, little paste and tbrush cover)

- makeup remover wipes ** (i use these on a daily basis at home, they are much easier than washing your face)

- mini tissue pack

- imitation 'designer' perfume ** (so you dont lose your good stuff. i always buy imitation clinique happy and i only use it on cruises so now the smell makes me think of that and that only)

- any toilettries ** (i do this because when im done with the cruise, ill just toss em b4 we debark. less to carry. lotion, shampoo, shave gel, conditioner, body wash, deoderant etc)

- eye mask (not for me, if you have a balcony and are sensitive to the sunlight and want a nap)

- first aid kit ** (just comes with different types of bandages and cleaning swabs in a little plastic box. its about the size of a pack of playing cards. i will add.....)

- OTC Meds ** (...to add to 1st aid kit. cold medicine [i got a cold on a cruise once and had to spend nearly $10 on cold medicine] tylonol, pepto, antacid, neosporin. just add few of each and it should fit right into the aid kit box no sweat)

- travel size bottles (if you bring your own toilettries and not the ones from the store to toss)

- detergent * (powder or liquid. put some powder into a ziplock to use at the ships laundry facilities... at least on carnival they have em)

- Bottled water *(cheaper than on boat, and can take to ports. ill prolly bring 1 bottle, maybe 2)

- mini hand sanitizer

- batteries

- Soda **

- Ziplock bags (for wet stuff, or dirty undies :p)

- Night Light (a lot of ppl talk of bringing one of these. ive never needed it, we just keep the light on in the bathroom. oh, but they had some really cute designs!)

- Tap Light * (similar to night light but battery powered and you smack it to turn it on. i mayyyyyy do this one. keep it at the bed side)

- watch (i wont be using my cell phone at all,itll be in the safe. so i need a timepiece. i wont get it here, ill get something water resistant but its an idea)

- pedometer (to see how many miles you walk on that boat! skip the elevators!)

- 3 Outlet Converter thingy ** (ppl alwayyyyysss praise the old power strip, but i think its too bulky. so this plugs into the outlet, and has 3 outlets right on it. i think thats easier to pack and use)

- Bungee Cord (for the balcony. not for me, we cruise inside)

- Extension Cord (ppl talk about those too???)

- Lint Brush! (though there are no pets to bless our clothes with their hair on a cruise, there are sure to be residuals)

- Clothes Pins (for hmmmm lets see... oh yeah pinning clothes. and for the shower curtain, or balcony curtains)

- Laundry Bag (to seperate dirty stuff and/or to bring your stuff to the laundry machines on deck)

- Pasties :eek: (ladies, for those outfits where its not so easy to wear certain undergarments...)

- Various Exercise DVD's (for Pre and Post cruise weight loss!)

- Word Search/Crossword Puzzles **(for plane ride or while relaxing by the pool)

- Note Cards (for your extra tips if you chose to do so)

- Post Its (to leave notes for cabin mates)

- Binder (if you are a manic cruise planner, you will want to organize all your info and things you've printed out.... maybe this list :cool:)

- Gift Card Holder (cute tin box that holds gift cards. i know some ppl give room stewards phone cards and this would be a nice personal touch to it.)

 

WHEW! that was a lot longer than i thought it would be! A lot of the stuff is frivelous, but HEY, isnt planning and thinking about your cruise half the fun?? well, it is for me :D

 

I was able to find a night light in the shape of a sailboat. We usually book inside cabins, so this is essential. I also like to get those pop-up laundry hampers rather than a bag for dirty clothes. They fold up into a small pouch and I now take one on every trip.

[molly5673]

What's the bungee cord or string used for on the balcony? This will be our 1st time with a balcony room.

 

 

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[t60]

Keeping the door open so you don't get locked out? also small bungee cords help keep the backs of the lounges secure so they don't beat you on the head and back when you sit up

 

Sandy in Spain

[AnyTime Cruiser]

What's the bungee cord or string used for on the balcony? This will be our 1st time with a balcony room.

 

 

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We use it to hold open the balcony door so we can sleep with the door open to hear the ocean. So peaceful that I bought a sound machine when I got home from one of my cruises to lull me to sleep at night!

[homeschoolmama]

We always load up on rafts for the beach so we can float around in the ocean. We keep an eye out for local kids on the beach and give it to them when we leave. We don't have to blow up and deflate and just take out a new one at the next beach. They pack nice in flat if not opened.

We also load up on reading glasses. If they get lost or broken, who will care. Better than losing or breaking expensive prescription glasses and work fine for a week or two.

Also found a little cooler that holds 6 sodas. Great for bringing a few back to the ship.

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[O2Cool]

I didn't have time to read the entire thread, but I was in Dollar Tree yesterday and found a package of clips to hold your towel on your chair or your swimsuit on the balcony chair. They are like the $6.00 a pair clips at BedBath ect but plain rather than fish or flip flops. They come in a pack of 6 in the area where the suit bags and clothespins are. There are 3 blue and 3 white ones in each pack.

[griffy116]

Bought the same clips at $ store, along with the cardboard air freshener you can hang from your car. Takes up no room and there are 3 to a package for the bathroom air freshener. Bought all of my zip-lock bags from snack size (jewelry) to 2-1/2 to 3 gal (shoes and a complete outfit) that make packing and unpacking easy. Got my 3 ounce set of bottles for TSA purposes. Picked up my items for the first aid zip-lock bag including: advil/tylenol in the individual size packs with 2, pepto pills, nightime/daytime cold gels, band-aids, neosporin-type antiseptic. Travel size packet of antiseptic wipes to give the room a quick wipe-down. Since we fly, we don't spend time on decorations or such. Just the essentials.

[EECO500]

Few tips I've done/heard of...

 

For inside staterooms, turn the TV onto bridge cam and turn volume down, then in the morning, your room will become light as the sun rises

OR

the mini battery operated tea lights to use as a night light plus saves a plug in! ;)

 

Lanyard w/plastic ID badge holder to carry sign & sail card in vs punching a hole in it, my OCD kicks in and I can't stand a hole in it! :p

Also I found them online, waterproof necklace pouch for shore excursions to carry sign & sail card, ID & some extra $$ for souvineers..it's always w/you vs sitting on the beach w/your chair & could 'walk off' when you're enjoying the blue water :cool:

 

Empty mug to use at the pool for coffee, tea, water, etc. Saves from going back when you want something to drink and keeps it colder too!

 

Baby powder for the beach, helps get all the sand off before putting shoes/clothes back on.

 

Happy cruising everyone!!! :D

[iHeartGlaciers]

I wouldn't recommend

- travel size bottles (if you bring your own toilettries and not the ones from the store to toss) a TSA red flag unfortunately

 

 

I put all my toiletries in the 3oz or smaller reusable travel size bottles. They go in my quart size bag in my carry on. I've done it for years and never had a problem with TSA, both domestic and international flights.

 

I love that I don't have to waste money buying travel sized products and I can use my products from home.

[fmrlkr]

Group Cruise 7 adults 4 kids. Found a Dry Erase Board at Dollar Tree and a package of foam sea animals in craft section. Had the kids decorate the board and put it on the door to their room. It became communication central. Best thing ever!

[Musicsmylife]

Love these ideas. Never thought of decorating the door. Dollar General has great wrinkle release and cheaper than downy.

 

 

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[Lulubelle45]

Few tips I've done/heard of...

 

For inside staterooms, turn the TV onto bridge cam and turn volume down, then in the morning, your room will become light as the sun rises

 

Happy cruising everyone!!! :D

 

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT IDEA! !!!!

 

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[cruiselife4me]

Great suggestions all! I'll add mine:

 

Since the cabin doors are metal, I buy cheap magnets from the where I live. Easy to find the door and if people really want one, have a go!

 

I bought the over the door hold all because we were planning on a balcony, but with the sale booked a grand suite. Tons of storage in that bathroom!

 

I always bring a new scent of perfume or body lotion. I love that it takes me back to the ship every time I smell it.

 

I bring international phone cards to give the special staff on board.

 

Thanks everyone!

Edited May 12, 2014 by silver_cloud

[richnjen2911]

Love these ideas. Never thought of decorating the door. Dollar General has great wrinkle release and cheaper than downy.

 

 

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I make my own with water and fabric softener. Much cheaper and easy to take since you can leave out the water till your on board.

[cruising_family]

I just came across this thread and love so many of the ideas. Many aren't useful for me but can see them useful for others. The only caveat I have is buying OTC meds from a dollar store. Not to be a "Debby Downer," but on a segment on 20/20 or Dateline a few months ago they discussed counterfeit products at those types of stores and said that many items aren't actually the name brands but fakes and the chemical makeup isn't always comparable and can be dangerous. I would rather buy from reputable store and be safe. I agree the cost of OTC meds are crazy expensive on the ship. I too got sick but was lucky to find stuff at a known drug store in San Juan. Learned my lesson and in the future will take stuff just in case.

 

Happy cruising.

[dancinman66]

I make my own with water and fabric softener. Much cheaper and easy to take since you can leave out the water till your on board.

 

 

What ratio do you mix the water with softener

 

 

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