I wish I had brought.....

[6666oz]

For my cruises I always knock up a currency conversion chart for Vanuatu Vatu and New Caledonia French Pacific Franc, here is a chart I did today, its pretty simple IE: 100 Vatu = Aus $1.32

 

 

conv-chart.pdf

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Great idea. I use this site to print off a Travellers Cheat Sheet the day before I travel. I do one for each currency I will come across , and print it so it fits in a wallet.

(scroll down and look for the Cheatsheet tab.)

 

https://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/

[spazwok]

Snacks... this might seem weird because there's so much food available on a cruise but we ave found on the odd occasion that we just want some normal snacks, especially for long cruises, like chips, lollies or chocolates. So we usually bring some with s to eat on our balcony. The ship sells this kind of stuff but it's pretty expensive and they usually have limited variety. On occasion we have bought some soft drinks onto the ship as well to keep in our room fridge. This works well when you want a drink on your balcony!

[GUT2407]

Snacks... this might seem weird because there's so much food available on a cruise but we ave found on the odd occasion that we just want some normal snacks, especially for long cruises, like chips, lollies or chocolates. So we usually bring some with s to eat on our balcony. The ship sells this kind of stuff but it's pretty expensive and they usually have limited variety. On occasion we have bought some soft drinks onto the ship as well to keep in our room fridge. This works well when you want a drink on your balcony!

 

If we are in Sydney before we board and The Rocks Markets are on (and they usually seem to be:() I grab some liquorice, one of those things you can't get on board that I like as a little snack, and the bloke at the Markets sells some nice liquorice.

[GUT2407]

Sorry for my long list but I have taken 25 cruises and have learned a lot.

 

First, half the clothes that you want to pack.

A hanging 3 row, 9 pocket shoe bag with two round magnets to hang on the bathroom door.

Highlighters.

1 gallon zip lock bag with detergent pods. 1 pod per wash does lots of lingerie.

Pen and pad to get people's email addresses that you meet on the ship

Bug spray or bug spray wipes

My own shampoo and conditioner

Lanyard or you will have to buy one

Small sewing kit

OTC medication

2 pairs of eyeglasses

Eye glass repair kit

Tape

 

 

 

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Mrs Gut puts our pics in a plastic jar, (Vegemite small) that way the pics don't get squashed and leak, and then toss the jar when it's empty.

 

Never seen any use in the shoe holder, but to each their own.

[wagtail_syd]

6666oz that is such a good idea with the conversion chart. For some reason I always find the CFP to AUD conversion a tricky one to do in my head and have accidentally paid well over the odds for a few things due to my own stupidity. We leave next week and I am making myself a chart right now.

[TracyTracy1]

A torch for the wardrobe. It was very dark.

 

 

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[6666oz]

A torch for the wardrobe. It was very dark.

 

 

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Glowsticks ?

[6666oz]

When I receive a feedback email from the Cruise line, I ways beg them to install coin operated vending machines filled with junk food.

 

If you are in Noumea (my most detested port) across the road from their OPT is a supermarket called Casinos a great place to stock up on junk food, only open till about 11:00 am Sundays.

 

I also have a digital clock (no ticking ) with a built in thermometer good for keeping tabs on the air con temp. cost $5.00 on fleabay.

 

I only cruise for the destinations, and an avid snorkeler, I bought a couple of cheap digital watches ($5.00 on fleabay) to wear while in the water, and keep my main watch dry, I've bought the watches advertised as being water proof to 30-50 metres, and amazingly they are if you do not operate the buttons underwater, I also always wear a 3/4 wet suit, and I have a prescription dive mask,

 

You can also get prescription swim googles to -10, very cheap on the net

great for in the ship pool or the beach , water slides etc.

 

If you like to snorkel , buy your own cheap mask and fin swim set from Big W or Kmart, etc, they can be up to $60.00 on board the ship, and at your last port give them to the local kids to play with.

 

Also buy reef shoes there are some very good quality shoes about at the moment for $12.00

 

We also take a small hand pump bottle of antiseptic hand washing soap $2.00

[6666oz]

Here is another one, for those that insist of taking their own shampoo etc

consider saving those 1/2 or 1/3 full bottles for your cruise and save some weight in your bag, no point in carrying full bottles ,

also save up those 1/2 full tubes of tooth paste, also less weight.

[NSWP]

Mrs Gut puts our pics in a plastic jar, (Vegemite small) that way the pics don't get squashed and leak, and then toss the jar when it's empty.

 

Never seen any use in the shoe holder, but to each their own.

Vegemite? If the Ship's Chief Engineer sees that he will use it to lubricate the engines, old son. Watch out QM2, Mr Gut and his entourage are on their way with the 44 gallon drum of ye olde Vegemite, QM2 will increase speed from 30 knots to 40 knots with the black stuff in the pistons, lol.

 

Don't get the Vegemite out at brekkie n QM2 old son, the Poms will call security. lol. They eat Marmite !!

Edited January 12, 2017 by NSWP

[spazwok]

The snorkel tip is a great one!! Save you so much money.

 

Vending machines would be fantastic! Stocking up in noumea is always so fun, they have so much yum stuff.

 

 

When I receive a feedback email from the Cruise line, I ways beg them to install coin operated vending machines filled with junk food.

 

If you are in Noumea (my most detested port) across the road from their OPT is a supermarket called Casinos a great place to stock up on junk food, only open till about 11:00 am Sundays.

 

I also have a digital clock (no ticking ) with a built in thermometer good for keeping tabs on the air con temp. cost $5.00 on fleabay.

 

I only cruise for the destinations, and an avid snorkeler, I bought a couple of cheap digital watches ($5.00 on fleabay) to wear while in the water, and keep my main watch dry, I've bought the watches advertised as being water proof to 30-50 metres, and amazingly they are if you do not operate the buttons underwater, I also always wear a 3/4 wet suit, and I have a prescription dive mask,

 

You can also get prescription swim googles to -10, very cheap on the net

great for in the ship pool or the beach , water slides etc.

 

If you like to snorkel , buy your own cheap mask and fin swim set from Big W or Kmart, etc, they can be up to $60.00 on board the ship, and at your last port give them to the local kids to play with.

 

Also buy reef shoes there are some very good quality shoes about at the moment for $12.00

 

We also take a small hand pump bottle of antiseptic hand washing soap $2.00

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using [url=https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=

Edited January 12, 2017 by spazwok

[Dulcibella]

For my cruises I always knock up a currency conversion chart for Vanuatu Vatu and New Caledonia French Pacific Franc, here is a chart I did today, its pretty simple IE: 100 Vatu = Aus $1.32

 

 

 

 

Many thanks :) I would not have remembered to do that and I am sure I will find your chart useful

 

 

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[NSWP]

Looks nice, but I could not be bothered doing conversions anywhere in the world, that's the currency, that is what you pay.

 

I get cranky when one is overseas and some boofhead says..that cup of coffee for 4 pounds, just cost you $8 in Australian money, in Coles Cafeteria in Melbourne it is only $3 for a cup of coffee. Give me a break, you are there you pay it. If you cannot afford to spend, don't go. !!

Edited January 12, 2017 by NSWP

[wagtail_syd]

Looks nice, but I could not be bothered doing conversions anywhere in the world, that's the currency, that is what you pay.

 

I get cranky when one is overseas and some boofhead says..that cup of coffee for 4 pounds, just cost you $8 in Australian money, in Coles Cafeteria in Melbourne it is only $3 for a cup of coffee. Give me a break, you are there you pay it. If you cannot afford to spend, don't go. !!

 

Hmm fine for essentials (like my morning coffee:)) but I definitely want to know how much extras cost. E.g. is that kayak hire $5 or $50 for 30 minutes?

 

Most things in Noumea cost an arm and a leg, I'm assuming due to transport costs, so it is good to keep track. We accidentally paid $50 for 5 cans of drink at Antse Vata last time! Oh well, it was hot and they were delicious but we probably should have just told the kids to drink from their water bottles...

[Katesowner]

Wire coat hangers. There are never enough hangers in the closet. I pack a dozen or more and leave them on the ship when the cruise is over.

[shireboi]

 

LOL - Wire coathangers !!! On Ovation - for the first night we kept on 'wondering' what the HELL was this BANGING noise........ it was the wooden hangers ROCKING into each other in the cupboards next to the beds.

 

 

Things NOT to bring on Ovation:

 

- HDMI cable and universal remote control - forget it !!

 

 

Things to BRING or NOTE on Ovation:

 

- the price of the 'charge' restaurants - you don't get told once onboard.

- stacks of books (* these are valuable items to leave on the better Solarium chairs to 'reserve' them - given that RCI people didn't manage or monitor this activity !!!!!!! What a shame some people think that they could endless do this and not consider others)

Edited January 23, 2017 by shireboi

[neighbour_lady44]

Wire coat hangers. There are never enough hangers in the closet. I pack a dozen or more and leave them on the ship when the cruise is over.

 

I think you were the only person that mentioned hangers. Before we cruise, I always hit a local store and buy 6-8 plastic hangers as I have never found enough hangers in the room. I always leave them behind too.

I always take that mesh laundry container too, which folds up easily in the suitcase. They are super handy. We always bring an extension cord as DH has a breathing machine at night and the only outlet is on the desk...it can be very handy.

 

Great ideas everyone. Our next cruise on RCL South Pacific is coming up in a few days...can't wait... ~ Kari ~ :D

[Beachlover1989]

We always take a multi-USB charger. There are never enough power outlets. Then we just have to use one power outlet to charge two phones, kindle, iPad, etc. A small travel alarm clock is a must. And I always take a nightlight/air freshener combo.

 

 

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[keagle]

Sunscreen that doubles as an insect repellent. Look for Bushman's.

[Silver and Gold]

I take a pic of my passport and store it on my smartphone

 

Great idea!

[Pushka]

Great thread revisited.

(It's a bit icky to do washing in the ice bucket.) I bought a US pin multi USB charger from Amazon - with four USB slots. Best thing ever. Plastic coat hangers as they are lightweight and ditch the wooden ones. Magnets. Lanyards. Usual first aid stuff. Sewing kit.