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I picked up a over the door shoe organizer. Tomorrow I'm going to the dollar tree to pick up a few things. All of the things are going into my cruise basket for packing soon for my cruise. I figure picking up a few things here and there, I won't spend very much money all at once. Also went to TJ Maxx and bought DS 3 bathing suits for 7 dollars each. Into the basktet they go!!

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Great idea, Jill. I kept some of our cruise items together, yet spread out a little bit in my closet after our last cruise. I recently put everything into a small tote and like you, I add to it here and there when I pick up something new.

 

Keeping everything together now will make it so much easier when it comes time to pack!

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I have a savings account setup in my bank where I put in $ 50-100 a month. At the end of the year the bank gives me another $50 on top of the interest accrued. I've had these for over a year now and it adds up as long as you put something in it each month.

 

I have 2 of these accounts, one is for cruising, another is for airplane travel.

 

Shore excursions I usually just plan my own when I know the itinerary. Once onshore I either rent a car or negotiate with a taxi driver to do a tour for us. As for sunscreen I have some left over from my NCL cruise back in 2008. I also have a Whole Foods tote bag in my closet for all these cruise supplies, sunscreen, maps, and small satchel bag.

Edited by whaleship1
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Great idea! Just wondering what all I should add to mine??:confused: Sunscreen and batteries? Anything else?:o

 

When I went on the transatlantic cruise back in 09, I had not cruised in a long time & had never been on CC before. So I read all kinds of advice on what you should have. Some of it was great advice but it added up to a LOT of stuff to be bought.

 

I got TSA locks for the luggage since I didn't have any, a small compact power strip (came in very handy), recently got a travel clock since the cabins have no clocks & sometimes out at sea your cell (if you use that for the time) can go haywire. I got binoculars because we had a balcony, but found the opera glasses I packed for the ballet we had tickets for after we disembarked actually were easier to use. Highlighter pen! Doesn't take up any space but comes in handy for the activities papers you get every night for the next day. Sea sickness meds are good to have with you, just in case. Also meds in case you get diarrhea. Kaopectate or imodium are not available to buy at the ship's gift shop. If you present to the infirmary asking for medicine, you will likely be quarantined. Great if you have something contagious, not so great if you know it was something you ate that didn't agree with you.

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When I went on the transatlantic cruise back in 09, I had not cruised in a long time & had never been on CC before. So I read all kinds of advice on what you should have. Some of it was great advice but it added up to a LOT of stuff to be bought.

 

I got TSA locks for the luggage since I didn't have any, a small compact power strip (came in very handy), recently got a travel clock since the cabins have no clocks & sometimes out at sea your cell (if you use that for the time) can go haywire. I got binoculars because we had a balcony, but found the opera glasses I packed for the ballet we had tickets for after we disembarked actually were easier to use. Highlighter pen! Doesn't take up any space but comes in handy for the activities papers you get every night for the next day. Sea sickness meds are good to have with you, just in case. Also meds in case you get diarrhea. Kaopectate or imodium are not available to buy at the ship's gift shop. If you present to the infirmary asking for medicine, you will likely be quarantined. Great if you have something contagious, not so great if you know it was something you ate that didn't agree with you.

Great ideas!

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I started this with a plastic shoebox that's in my closet until it's time to pack. So far I've got an extension cord, a tiny battery operated candle (to use as a night light), sunscreen, and travel sizes of make up remover cloths, handi wipes, and wrinkle release spray.

 

We spend the night away frequently during the summer so I have travel sizes of most things and just refill the bottles as needed.

 

The items above were things that I saw recommended on these boards.

 

I too thought it would be helpful to spread out my purchases since I still have almost 2 months.

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Items added to my basket

 

Triple Outlet Adapter

Make up Remover Clothes

Glow Necklaces for the kids

A cool bottle of Spray Hand Sanitizer

Mesh Laundry Bags

Two LARGE Plastic Wine Glasses

Cheap Sunglasses

Some Neat Packing Bags in size Large and XL

They have a handle and would be great for keeping shoes seperate from clothes.

A box of Dryer Sheets (to keep dirty laundry from smelling rank)

Plastic Rain Ponchos

Ear Buds for the kids DSi

 

Did I mention I have a rather large basket?:o

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As for sunscreen I have some left over from my NCL cruise back in 2008.

 

Note that sunscreen does expire.

Make sure you check the expiry date, if it is past date, throw it out and buy a new one, you don't want to get a nasty burn.:eek:

 

Lois

Edited by electro
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I picked up a over the door shoe organizer. Tomorrow I'm going to the dollar tree to pick up a few things. All of the things are going into my cruise basket for packing soon for my cruise. I figure picking up a few things here and there, I won't spend very much money all at once. Also went to TJ Maxx and bought DS 3 bathing suits for 7 dollars each. Into the basktet they go!!

 

 

I came across this thread and had to laugh. I'm a first time cruiser but I do this for every trip I take. Only my basket is a box and it already needs to spread to 2 boxes and I don't cruise til September. :) I figure I'll have to pack an extra suitcase just for the "necessary" items.

 

So I looked in my box and to buy list to see what I have that's not on here yet.

 

I'm doing a pretty extensive first aid kit - bandaids, antibotic cream, a few of every pill for every item that we might be effected with (sinus, cold, headache, etc.)

 

clothespins (various uses weighting down shower curtain, closing curtain in hotel or room so sun doesn't get in)

magnets - from what I hear doors are metal - just be careful where you pack these.

post it notes, bag within a bag with backpack clip, sanitizer with backpack clip (Dollar Tree), Purex 3-in-1 laundry sheets (found these at Walmart recently in travel sample aisle), Downy wrinkle release trial size (Walmart travel sample aisle), Night in Sky mini starfinder (think Boy Scouts), disinfectant wipes for wiping down room. There's more but this is getting long.

 

I made a list of what i think we need then every week try to pick up at least one item. :) This helps when we get closer to the time - then I can save my money for the trip and not have to run around finding things in the middle of the summer. Oh - I'm also putting away $1 and $2 bills for tips and $5 for casino. :)

Cheryl

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I added a deck of cards to mine! We enjoy playing cards!:D

On a few cruises we were given a deck of playing cards with the ship / cruiseline on them. Makes a cute memento of the cruise, you might want to stop by the pursers desk to see if they have them.

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I came across this thread and had to laugh. I'm a first time cruiser but I do this for every trip I take. Only my basket is a box and it already needs to spread to 2 boxes and I don't cruise til September. :) I figure I'll have to pack an extra suitcase just for the "necessary" items.

 

So I looked in my box and to buy list to see what I have that's not on here yet.

 

I'm doing a pretty extensive first aid kit - bandaids, antibotic cream, a few of every pill for every item that we might be effected with (sinus, cold, headache, etc.)

 

clothespins (various uses weighting down shower curtain, closing curtain in hotel or room so sun doesn't get in)

magnets - from what I hear doors are metal - just be careful where you pack these.

post it notes, bag within a bag with backpack clip, sanitizer with backpack clip (Dollar Tree), Purex 3-in-1 laundry sheets (found these at Walmart recently in travel sample aisle), Downy wrinkle release trial size (Walmart travel sample aisle), Night in Sky mini starfinder (think Boy Scouts), disinfectant wipes for wiping down room. There's more but this is getting long.

 

I made a list of what i think we need then every week try to pick up at least one item. :) This helps when we get closer to the time - then I can save my money for the trip and not have to run around finding things in the middle of the summer. Oh - I'm also putting away $1 and $2 bills for tips and $5 for casino. :)

Cheryl

 

Just FYI- I have read that the crew doesn't like the $2 bills as tips because they don't work in their vending machines. In case you would like to cash those in for $1 bills instead.

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I don't know what ship you will be on but I also thought the doors were metal and they are not on Carnival. Most of my door decorations stayed in my suitcase.

 

You can get free motion sickness meds/patch at guest services

 

I say stock up--pack then unpack half of it--never used most of what we took! Extension cord, sunscreen, antibacterial wipes or spray and hand sanitizer a must

Edited by bluzchick
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Another pre-packer here, hello everybody :)

 

I have a detailed list of what to bring on a trip, and about a month in advance I take a large bag and start tossing (or gently depositing) things marking them off my list.

 

By the time we are ready to pack, very little left to do.

 

I also keep things to do before a trip on that list, like stop the mail, call the bank.

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I had to get a box rather than a basket. And like someone else, I am going to have to add a second box, the first one is getting very full. Bringing my own snorkle gear, which takes up a LOT of room.

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Great idea! Just wondering what all I should add to mine??:confused: Sunscreen and batteries? Anything else?:o

The robe hooks on some ships are round, shiny, and thus robes fall off easily in the bathroom. Bathrooms only have one hook. SO... I take those Command hooks and put 2 on the stateroom wall. When you leave they pull off cleanly without damaging the wall. I used them for hanging up the 2nd robe, for hanging purses on, and for hanging a damp (not dripping) swim suit on. Sure there is a clothesline in the shower, but when you get back from an excursion you will no doubt have a wet swimming suit AND you will need to take a shower.

Also found a small (3 outlet) electrical strip for desk. Great for charging cell phones, etc. If you are in an inside room, a night light with very low wattage is a must. Most important... a bottle of wine per adult. :-)

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The robe hooks on some ships are round, shiny, and thus robes fall off easily in the bathroom. Bathrooms only have one hook. SO... I take those Command hooks and put 2 on the stateroom wall. When you leave they pull off cleanly without damaging the wall. I used them for hanging up the 2nd robe, for hanging purses on, and for hanging a damp (not dripping) swim suit on. Sure there is a clothesline in the shower, but when you get back from an excursion you will no doubt have a wet swimming suit AND you will need to take a shower.

Also found a small (3 outlet) electrical strip for desk. Great for charging cell phones, etc. If you are in an inside room, a night light with very low wattage is a must. Most important... a bottle of wine per adult. :-)

Great ideas! Thanks!

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Just a few more items we always find helpful: masking tape, have used it for a quick fix on a hem or closing a too full box or bag and hundreds of other uses. Plastic photo case, the kind you put your drivers license in, very handy for those "coffee cards". Small sewing scissors, be sure to put in checked baggage. Plug in room freshener. You will need a plug extender for this but we have had smoking rooms and this saved our sanity and you will need the plug extender anyway. Post-its. Print out a few "business cards" with your name, cruise info and email. Fun way to keep in touch with folks you meet on board, easy to do and fun to have. O, throw in a few rubber bands

 

Our box keeps growing and with each cruise we add or subtract as the itinerary suggests

 

Safe cruising,

Lynne in Colorado

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helpful things: dry erase board, ribbon to tie to rail by door comes w/marker on ribbon too. $1.00 @target:D

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also shoe box 4 games-dice games,cards,apple to apples,instructions on new card games to learn, anytype of games i could fit in that one container....include a sign -come play w/us..so people will feel free to join

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also med kit(also sew)-always packed-just toss in bag hope never to open

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id holder around neck -to hold sail n sign card, reciepts, daily activities,and ship map

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besides raincoat don't forget 1 sweat or sweater -sometimes it is cold:(

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deb 12+ cruises

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