important things to pack

[SuitCaseBears]

I wear glasses (spectacles) and have done so all my life. Pretty short sighted without, and I cannot imagine being any more miserable than if I lost or broke them consequently I always always pack a spare pair of glasses, irespective of the type of holiday I am taking.

 

I know it is unlikely i the extreme that I will ever need them but it is almost a superstition now whereby I feel that if I didn't take them something would happen.

 

AMEN!!!! I pride myself in packing everything. I don't care about weight limits, we always pay extra. I'm the packing nut. I didn't bring a spare pair of glasses.

 

I lost my glasses in Cozumel - my own stupidity, and too long a story how I did it considering I wear them all the time. But I lost them.

 

When I discovered the loss, we cut our beach day short. I was lucky to even find two pairs of cheap reading glasses in a drug store in Cozumel. Neither were great but one I could walk around in, the other pair I could read with.

 

One pair made me look like Dame Edna and the other made me look like a bug eyed Elton John. But at least I could see.

 

Yes, spare glasses are a must now.

[jorgesgirll]

duct tape!!!! You never know!!!

[Putterdude]

In no particular order:

Grey Goose

Bombay Blue Sapphire

Cocktail shaker

Martini glasses

:D

[Gondaue]

I make sure I have a small flashlight and correct addresses for family back home.

[zacc]

Anything material that you forget to pack you can purchase. However there are at least five things money can't buy that will definitely influence your overall cruise experience:

1) a sense of humor

2) the mindset to try things you have never tried before

3) the ability to accept the unexpected and move on rather than allow it to become a problem

4) an open mind

5) a friendly smile!

[Calico Jack Sparrow]

One thing over everything else.

 

I wear glasses (spectacles) and have done so all my life.

Pretty short sighted without, and I cannot imagine being any more miserable than if I lost or broke them consequently I always always pack a spare pair of glasses, irespective of the type of holiday I am taking.

:D.

 

I once arrived for a week in Fort Lauderdale and found I had lost my prescription sunglasses on the flight down. The first thing I pack now is extras of BOTH clear and sunnies.

[Happy ks]

We have, in recent years, trimmed down our "essential" list. We no longer drag a power strip, over-door hanger, duct tape. We still carry zip locks. We use them when we pack. We have even found zip locks for shoes. We pack our undies in zip locks, a quick whisk of the drawers with a disinfectant wipe and toss them in. Zip locks for jewelry (snack and sandwich sizes) and put them all in a larger zip lock and toss into a desk drawer. We pack empty zip locks for return trip. They don't take up room and in fact make a great time saver when packing and unpacking. Everything can be seen in the clear bags and yet they aren't dumped out on the conveyor belt or table in airport (we were "chosen" for a random luggage search). They are ready to put away in the drawers and on selfs when we get on the ship and they save room in the suitcase (squeeze out the air from the underwear bags). Gives me great peace of mind to know thta when I open the luggage, I can easily take the zip locks and toss them into the spaces without worry. I also pack the hanging clothes on wire hangers, inside the dry cleaning bags. Pop them out of the suitcase and straight into the closet and I'm set for the week with little effort and ready for the muster drill, and my sailaway cocktail.:D

 

 

Pretty much same with us, although we do take an extension cord for the DVD player, but the shortest one we could find.

 

I have a lot of different sized packing cubes, collected over the years (working in a luggage/travel store helps :)). So instead of the plastic throw away baggies, we're a bit more eco-conscious. We do use 2 and a half gallon zip locks for dirty underwear for the trip home, on the trip going I use them to line the top and bottom of the suitcases, just in case another persons luggage springs a leak with any liquids.

 

It's amazing to me to read how much stuff other people take along on a cruise, especially empty cups, hampers and shoe holders. We have never needed duct tape in over 30 years of traveling together, nor an extra suicase. We manage to charge one thing at a time, bringing along extra camera batteries rather than needing to charge every single day. Our cell phone is turned off, no need to bring along the charger for that.

 

I do have to admit though, that if you have 4 people in a small cabin, the shoe holder is essential for all the clutter...no use for it with only 2 people. We did use one when our kids were younger, then learned to get them their own cabin. That was back in the days where you could bring 2 suitcases each and no extra charges were applied. Packing like that now would add $140-280 in baggage fees each way.

 

The next time we fly, I think I will try to pack us in one checked bag and 2 carry ons. I know we can do it...only a $50 round trip baggage fee ;)

[Greselda]

Hi Putterdude!

 

We see that you list one of your addresses as Ft. Mohave, AZ......we are there in the winter.....probably neighbors! And of course, AVI Casino!!!;)

 

During the other months we are in SW Colorado......aaahhh, retirement:D

[Donder1]

We pack with lightly and carry off luggage, one small roll on and tote. (We can get right off ther ship first for disembarkation. Check with Purser a day or two before the end of cruise.)

 

 

That said, these are my must haves:

 

Highlighter pen

 

Binoculars

 

Imodium and Pepto Bismo (they don't sell it on board).

 

Tide Pen for minor spots

 

The new Blister Bandaids (work great as I ALWAYS get blisters where it is hot)

 

Yankee Candle air fresheners

 

Nook

 

Wine and cork screw

[erinmarie424]

Sham-wows - I use them to get our bathing suits dry enough to finish air drying overnight. We also throw a couple small ones in the beach bag to wipe the water off ourselves when we get out of the water, that way the hefty towel from the ship stays nice and dry to lay on....

[annecolorgreen]

Sham-wows - I use them to get our bathing suits dry enough to finish air drying overnight. We also throw a couple small ones in the beach bag to wipe the water off ourselves when we get out of the water, that way the hefty towel from the ship stays nice and dry to lay on....

really? that works? I need to buy one of those! (or two)

 

Made my trip to the Dollar Tree and bought my clothes pins, rain ponchos (2 for $1), vanilla coffee creamer (doesn't have to be refrigerated until it's opened and I'm a BIG coffee drinker!), and some zip lock bags. Thanks for the tips :D.

[GlendaleCruiser]

While it is true that most things can be bought if you forget them, do you really want to spend your valuable vacation time in Rome or Venice looking for a store for suntan lotion or band-aids? I paid $12 for a bottle of Aloe on the ship 20 years ago (when that was real money) and really--how much room do a few clothespins, highlighter and sewing kit take up?

 

If it's small, you probably have room for it. If it's important (glasses) you can't afford to forget it. If you have 4 people in a cabin, you need that shoe bag. It's a great help then. Not so necessary for 2 people.

[Watson's aunt]

Hi

 

I use zip lock bags but I have address labels on all of them... Bandaids for blisters, shower caps if you have a camera it will cover and protect it from rain/mistjust slip it on back and you just have lens exposed. book to write bown memories Dollar store has nice ones or if you have a Christmas tree store near you.. you can leave all that dollar store on ship why lug it home. Copy of passport, copy of medicine, copy of credit cards. store those in safe place not in pocket book or checked luggage.

 

Mary

[msgisfree]

antibacterial wipes

[CaroleLee]

I know i read this somewhere at somepoint but i can't find it when i search. Does anyone have any list of what to pack. I'm not talking about clothes but like "nightlight" or "over the door organizer" , etc.

If anyone has ideas of items you would NEVER cruise without please let me know.

Thank you.

 

Where/when are you going?

Never pack- shampoo, conditioner etc-These are supplied in your cabin.

Never pack your Leatherman( my DH cries about this)

Never take an outfit for EVERY day- mix & match-cuts down on weight for flight

Never take more than 3 prs of shoes-walking/slip on for plane & sightseeing,dressy heel for dinner & flip flops or equiv for pool & use a bedroom slippers

Do not bring a bathrobe- ask your steward for one

Leave the good jewelry @ home

Make a list of ports &planned excursions-organize your clothes to match your list. Lay out everything at least 3 weeks prior to travel and mix & match-cull out then do a practice packing. You will be amazed at how much you do not need. DH & I travel a great deal. We both have a 21" Travelpro( overhead on the plane) & a small tote. Did 15 nights in E. Med this way. Remeber ships have laundries- budget for laundry & you take 1/2 of your clothes

Carole

[5326jan]

We definitely used the power strip. Recharge camera batteries, laptop- saving pictures to hard drive, make up mirror, flat iron, tea kettle, etc.

 

I took a kettle, had no problems and LOVED having coffee every morning before getting dressed. I know it may not be allowed on some ships, but on Princess, they had no problems with it. (it is auto off and I unplugged when not in use) Had coffee/melita cone, hot choc, tea, etc. We also bought a bottle of Bailey's through room service and had coffee with Bailey's on our balcony in Glacier Bay! Lovely!:p

 

Magnified make up mirror .. on our ship there were only regular mirrors and I can't see in them!

Tweezers!

Extra pair of glasses!

 

Magnetic clips like you would use on fridge .. the walls are metal (under the wall paper). We would clip our daily newsletter, tickets for shore excursions, etc to them on the wall. Never had to shuffle through piles of paper looking for them. They are small and weigh next to nothing.

 

Over door organizer. Ours wouldn't fit over the bathroom door and still be able to close the door. I cut it in half to make it shorter and hung it from the brass rail on the "bar area". Worked great to contain wallet, keys, note pad and pen, cell phones, ipods, etc.

 

Wine. Princess allows you to bring on wine, beer, sodas. I probably saved $$$$ on bar charges. We would have a drink or two on our balcony before dinner.

 

I brought, but did not use wrinkle release, tide pen, post it notes.

I did not bring and did not need duct tape, bungee cords, or night light.

 

Hope this helps!

 

On clothing my only advice would be to NOT bring anything that is a little tight.... IT WILL ONLY GET TIGHTER!!!!! :eek:

[perkyblue]

I always bring a hard photo mailer so the photos I buy don't get bent up in the luggage on the way home. And now that we can't carry liquids on the plane, I bring bubble wrap to wrap the liquor I buy in port. Nothing's broken yet! *knock on wood*

[westlab]

Great idea to take a hard photo mailer to store photos you purchase on board ship. I have arrived home from more than one vacation to find photos bent.. even in their "frame". I must admit that I just HAVE to buy vacation photos.

[printingchick]

On my last cruise, I brought a big zip-lock bag full of granola bars. They were good for both the flights and for islands where we didn't want to eat at a restaurant, but couldn't quite wait to get back to the ship.

 

I also packed envelopes marked with the name of each port. Inside, I put the cash I figured we'd need there. It's easier to think of that stuff ahead of time. You're excited when you dock at each new port and it's easy to miscalculate in your hurry to disembark. I also made a "to bring" list for each port. Granted, in many ports its the same. However, in some ports we wanted our snorkel gear or waterproof camera. In some ports we needed the granola bars and in some we did excursions which included lunch. In some ports we brought our water bottles. Not necessary in ports where the tour guide would have a cooler of drinks available. It's too easy to forget something if you're scrambling at the last minute.

 

I also brought a notebook with file folders. I used to throw everything into a big envelope, but found it easier to find things when separated into folders marked : "Airline tickets/Airport Parking", "Cruise Documents" and the ports of call (for excursion receipts).

 

Yes, I do tend to be a little anal in my organization habits. The older I get, the more steps I need to take to avoid forgetting something!!!

[5326jan]

Great idea to take a hard photo mailer to store photos you purchase on board ship. I have arrived home from more than one vacation to find photos bent.. even in their "frame". I must admit that I just HAVE to buy vacation photos.

 

 

Our princess photo came in a cardboard "booklet".

 

One other thing that I WISHED I brought was moist toilet wipes or at least good toilet paper from home. The ship toilet paper was awful!!!! Industrial one-ply. Delicate subject, but you get the idea. Your fanny will thank you for it! :eek:

[Fergus]

Sham-wows - I use them to get our bathing suits dry enough to finish air drying overnight. We also throw a couple small ones in the beach bag to wipe the water off ourselves when we get out of the water, that way the hefty towel from the ship stays nice and dry to lay on....

 

This is a new one for me, but sounds like a great idea!

[Fergus]

Where/when are you going?

Never pack- shampoo, conditioner etc-These are supplied in your cabin.

Never pack your Leatherman( my DH cries about this)

Never take an outfit for EVERY day- mix & match-cuts down on weight for flight

 

Carole

 

 

What's a leatherman?

[ejohnny]

What's a leatherman?

 

Its like a Swiss army knife.

[GlendaleCruiser]

On Carnival, conditioner is not included--just the shampoo. I think it's too harsh anyway, so I pack both.

[Watson's aunt]

If you bring toilet paper Take out card board insert and crush it it will save a lot of room