Cruising with Kids: What do you NOT leave home without!

[mommytotwins]

This is only our second cruise and the first with our twin daughters. They are 9. I feel like I should be prepared for anything, but right now we have 4 suitcases and 4 carry-ons, plus backpacks! :eek:

 

What are somethings I can leave at home and somethings I just HAVE to take?

[elainmir]

1. Take Lysol wipes and rewipe surfaces and remotes and light switches in the room ( trust me)

2. You can also take a spray Lysol ( we use that also)

3. And encourage the girls to use the hand sanitizer around the ship ( I'm not a germaphobe but precautions actually work)

4. Super HIGH SPF sunscreen

5. Take your own pain meds, Pepto, tampons,etc. They are a small fortune on board. That goes for the motion sickness pills also...you can get 100 for 4 bucks at walmart.

6. I throw Gain laundry pods in a sandwich bag along with a few dryer sheets and do a load of laundry onboard at night..cuts my suitcase load down from 1/3 to 1/2 dependent upon travelers ( I usually bring a roll of quarters from home)

7. Camera, extra batteries ( these are a fortune on board and in port)

 

That's about all I can think of at the moment. You guys have a blast on your cruise:D

[rgmacm]

1. lanyards if they will be taking care of their own Sail & Sign card at least when you disembark at ports....its so difficult for mom to try to take care of everyone's card. (Now...after we get off the ship, I always collect them all and put in the backpack...but for that disembarking (and embarking) process, the lanyard is invaluable)

2. Waterproof sunscreen and aloe (In case someone for whatever reason gets a bit too much sun)

3. Over the counter meds you might need.... You know your kids... if they're prone to ear infections (I always brought swimmers ear) or sinus issues, bring the meds you would need to treat those things..... Those are extremely expensive on board. You don't need full bottles of these...just a few pills in a pill container to take up less space.

4. I always brought Transderm patches for sea sickness....Again, it's about knowing your individual kids. :)

5. I opt to do laundry (ONCE only!! haha) rather than bringing mountains of clothes... That may be the best idea for cutting down on your luggage... Throw in a few laundry pods - they don't take any space and can cut your clothing list in half!

 

Leave at home anything you're bringing "just in case" except for the meds of course. ha! If you can buy it or rent it for a few dollars in port, do that (things like water toys, floaties, etc...)

 

I'm sure others here will give you more answers....this is just all I can think of off the top of my head.

Enjoy your cruise... we'll be on a ship the week after that :):)

Edited December 31, 2015 by rgmacm

[rgmacm]

Ok....sorry for posting almost exactly what elainmir just posted... I didn't see that until after I posted.

 

It's nice to know that I'm a part of the 'great minds think alike' crowd. :o:):)

Edited December 31, 2015 by rgmacm

[trippingpara]

I would have to say the KIDS! Leaving home without them would probably put a damper on their cruise!

[mommytotwins]

I hadn't even thought about doing laundry! How much should I expect to bring in quarters for the washer/dryer??

[mommytotwins]

I would have to say the KIDS! Leaving home without them would probably put a damper on their cruise!

:D You are right...although, they seem to be a little nervous about the whole thing. They've seen Titanic too many times. :rolleyes:

[Guest]

Xanax.

[SadieN]

I hadn't even thought about doing laundry! How much should I expect to bring in quarters for the washer/dryer??

 

 

You can always get quarters at Guest Services or the casino.

 

Bring what you'd normally bring on vacation. Make sure you have a med kit as they are expensive onboard.

 

Definitely don't forget the kids. We forgot Billy once, came back he was playing with bears. (Not my responsibility we were both 12.)

Edited December 31, 2015 by SadieN

[chrislo]

We also bring our sons (9) iPad loaded with movies for him. It helps keep him occupied while we are getting ready or just before bed when I need him to start settling down. There is always a family movie on the tv but its the same one for 24 hours and not always something he's interested in.

 

I also bring cards and/or spot it to play. It doesnt take up much room and we can always pull it out while waiting for a show to start.

[KatieCharlotte]

I refuse to do laundry on a cruise. :D Remember than shorts especially can be worn multiple days. Nice shirts can be worn to dinner with a skirt and then with shorts during the next day. Do pack two swimsuits/person if possible because no one wants to put on a wet swimsuit, although most ships have a pull-out clothesline in the shower. Also, swimsuit cover-ups or sundresses to cover swimsuits in the Lido buffet area, comfy shoes, and pants and jackets in case it's chilly at night.

 

We always make sure to pack the kids' multi-vitamins, which seems to help keep them healthy. Also, more basic medical supplies (kids' Tylenol or whatever you use, band aids, etc.) than you think you'll need, just in case.

 

We have the kids bring a couple books but electronics are left behind or go into the safe once on board. There's plenty to keep them entertained. You can borrow board games and puzzles from the library if you have rainy weather.

[mompella]

My girls had a blast on their first cruise. If you girls want to go to the kids clubs, make sure they go the first night they have it. Our girls didn't want to go at first because they were shy. We basically pushed them in and they had a blast. They both met a bunch of friends and had a ton of fun, they even stayed out longer at night then we did!!

[dna529]

Benadryl- works for sea sickness, colds, and unexpected allergies.

[Essiesmom]

You are going on a five day cruise. You have at least two large suitcases too many. Not a big deal if you're driving... Half Moon Cay is Carnival/Holland America's private island. It is a beach day. Nassau...you either go shopping or to the beach. So all you need are bathing suits and coverups. If the girls are not in the kids club, they will probably be at the pool, so bathing suits for you, too. And coverups for when you go inside to food venues. Something nicer for evenings in the dining room. You don't need matching shoes for every pair of shorts...EM

[Syrreal]

We always bring baby wipes wherever we go (brought them even before having kids)

 

 

As others have said, a supply of general over the counter meds (as well as prescription meds with a couple of days over how long we'll be gone- just in case)

 

Sunscreen

 

Electronics and chargers for them

 

You are definitely over packing. We did a 12 night cruise around Norway with both kids and only packed 2 suitcases plus an extra duffel bag for the return that was empty when we left.

Edited December 31, 2015 by Syrreal

[vanchelle]

This is only our second cruise and the first with our twin daughters. They are 9. I feel like I should be prepared for anything, but right now we have 4 suitcases and 4 carry-ons, plus backpacks! :eek:

 

What are somethings I can leave at home and somethings I just HAVE to take?

 

I'm on this board b/c we're taking our nephews with us on their 1st cruise but I do have some ideas:

Yes- do laundry-less clothes- We're doing a 7 day cruise with an overnight in Miami and nobody will have more than 1 checked luggage/personal item for the trip:)

 

books for the kids if they're readers

glow sticks/necklaces/bracelets- $ store or Target bargain bins- I personally pack these every cruise- for dance parties AND....I snap one each night as a "nightlight" on the floor so I can see the "step" not bathroom or edge of bed so I don't stub my toes.

easily portable and reusable water bottles.

lanyards/ Ziploc bags for waterproofing items in your bags at pool/excursions, etc.

towel clips- nothing worse for the kids than to keep losing the towel- these clips can also attach a small bag to a lawn chair

light sweatshirts...our kids always get cold in AC or breeze

 

Good luck-have fun

[cb at sea]

You really don't need all of that stuff. Bring what you'd need for ANY vacation. A cruise requires no more crap than any other trip.

 

Multivitamins???? Glowsticks?? Towel clips??? Jeez....it's one week...you can totally do without ALL of that stuff!

Edited January 11, 2016 by cb at sea

[vanchelle]

I'm pretty content to pack towel clips and glow sticks for any of my vacations. They take little space and make the kids happy in WDW and resorts.

Everyone's list of "must haves" will certainly vary. Have a blast OP with your twins on their 1st cruise!

 

 

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[CoopColbie]

Storage spots can be limited when there are 4 people in the room. I take some storage solutions - over-the-door shoe organisers, wardrobe shoe organisers, storage cubes for over-bed cupboards. These can be used to store lots of things and kept your limited table-top space free and clear.

 

I also take magnetic hooks for the cabin walls - they are metal - to hang light-weight things like hats, jumpers, etc.

 

The only other 'must have' for kids is entertainment for when you are in the dining room. My boys - although younger than your girls - will finish their meals and then either sit and watch/play/read until we are finished our meals. They get feed earlier than us anyway and we like to take our time and enjoy our meal. It stops them from getting rowdy and annoying us and others around us.

[mjmalino]

My kids took books when they were younger. Dinners could be long and boring for them and books kept them occupied. (I have always had a no electronics policy while dining).

[Aelsantokie]

I have nothing new to add. We started cruising when my quad boys were 3 1/2 and my daughter was 5. We packed everything in 3 suitcases and we usually drove to the port so whatever you think you need and whatever you can fit in the luggage.

 

I want to emphasize bringing your own medicine. It's nice to have everything handy so you don't have to take the kids to the ship doctor. I usually took Motrin to take care of any fever they might have and some band aids.

 

Have fun and enjoy your cruise! I always prefer cruising over any other vacation with the kids.

[travelhound]

For those that think they're doing laundry on board, make sure you ship has a self serve laundry. Many do not. All have laundry service if you want to pay for it.

 

I second the hooks. There are only three of us, but there are never enough places to hang drying cover ups, hats, and swimsuits. Especially in an inside cabin, it take forever for items to dry. I also bring magnetic hooks (also good for tacking up written items) and a couple of heavy duty command strip hooks. Easy on, easy off.

[cruise6196]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! I have a question. What do you most recommend for sea sickness. My children never got sea suck but just in case I like having something

[mjmalino]

I can't remember which brand of seasickness med it us (my kids are now teens), but one does come in a child strength. Unfortunately, it is not the non-drowsy formula, or at least it wasn't back then.

[cruise6196]

I usually bring Dramamine (sp?) with me, but I heard it could make them drowsy. I was thinking of the bracelets.