What to pack for a cruising family?

[adschmad]

Hi Michele and other experienced cruising parents,

We are taking our children on their first cruise in a couple months. Do you have a link for a suggested packing list for a family with young children? Our kiddos will be 7, 5, and 2 when we sail. The oldest 2 are girls. Thanks very much.

Adrienne

[adschmad]

After posting this question, I found this thread.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1482596

 

It had this link to the infamous cruising with tots packing list.

http://travelingtots.shutterfly.com/

[adschmad]

Now that I started digging deeper, I've seen many helpful tips. I'm going to use this thread as my "notes" for what I've found throughout CC.

 

Video on packing items in a carry-on

 

Link to a CC thread with a great packing list for adults

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=986205

[cb at sea]

Whatever you need on a land vacation, bring to the cruise vacation....it's really not that different!

 

Clothes for daytime, dinner and pool-time...that's about it!

[eskiemomo]

we ordered the toddler supplies through Babies Travel Lite and it was delivered direct to our cabin. I'm not sure if they offer the service for all cruise ships but you can check here

http://www.babiestravellite.com/

[IttaBit]

The pricing on that site is really high. I priced out 8 days for diapers and it was well over $100.

[cantw8togo]

We usually fly to the port city the day before sailing and have made it a bit of a tradition that we go to a dept. store to pick up snacks, forgotten items and our DS's get to pick out a small toy, usually lego, to play with in the cabin. You could plan on picking up diapers and anything else you need at that time.

 

We usually spend some quiet time in the afternoon in the cabin taking a break from the crowds and the sun, and the kids love to spend the time playing with their new toys.

[tunseeker1]

Cameras for the kiddos.

a list of everything health related you can think of.

Lots of squish able bags to use for things like dirty laundry.