YoureMoving Posted September 5, 2016 #1 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Hi everyone! We're sailing on the Liberty on October 22 (5 day Cozumel and Progresso) and it's been 11 years since our last cruise. We moved from Florida to landlocked Denver, and we have really missed the easy access to cruising! I used to have a list of those "unusual" items that we packed with us, but it's been so long that I have no idea what happened to it. I remember that we used to bring a powerstrip for extra outlet space in the cabin, and small bungee to keep the balcony door open, but I can't remember what else. What are the "must haves" that you pack to make your cruise experience smoother? Thanks! Gina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seannyice81 Posted September 5, 2016 #2 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Some time ago they stopped allowing use of the over-the-door shoe organizers. I've read they've been lax in enforcing it lately (I don't use one, so I don't know). I pack a multi-USB charger since most of my gear nowadays doesn't require a pronged plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted September 5, 2016 #3 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Bring a simple extension cord. Surge protectors have proven to be a fire hazard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evandbob Posted September 5, 2016 #4 Share Posted September 5, 2016 I have done it over, maybe 40 cruises so far, and except for Mediterranean and Alaska cruises, I pack less and less, not more. If I were to take half of the items suggested on CC by well meaning folk, I would need more than my sole 21" carry on piece of luggage. I'm perfectly happy not to pack stuff I won't use or need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pusywillow Posted September 5, 2016 #5 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Leave the bungee cord at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poobears Posted September 5, 2016 #6 Share Posted September 5, 2016 I don't pack any of the extra stuff people say they need. I can't imagine what size of luggage some of these people must take with them. Only thing extra I bring is a tiny fan because the rooms get stuffy now and then and I like the white noise since I sleep with one at home. I personally will not bungee the door open. I don't leave my door open at home with the AC on, won't do it on the ship just because it's someone elses "house". Might even leave the fan at home this time and see how it goes. Less is more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maldenmusic Posted September 5, 2016 #7 Share Posted September 5, 2016 I also bring a small fan for the noise mostly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newt98 Posted September 5, 2016 #8 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Maybe I'm mistaken, but when the door is open doesn't it trigger the ac off? Therefore bungee is fine to leave open? Maybe I'm wrong. Also I believe that that the ac system runs 24/7 throughout the ship regardless of whether or not the door is open. It's just a matter of whether or not the damper opens to your room. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, I haven't been on a shop since like 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted September 5, 2016 #9 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Things to leave home: Bungee cords Duct Tape Over the door shoe organizer Tools of any kind, including flashlights (your phone has one) Beach Towels Power Strips (take a three prong outlet) Extension cords Most meds other than prescriptions Jewelry Money belts Highlighters and magnets Door decorations Gifts for crew other than cash Hangers and/or clothes pins These are just a few of the things that take up space are are not needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted September 5, 2016 #10 Share Posted September 5, 2016 you surely don't have to worry about using the A/C, it's not like a hotel who pays a utility bill. The ship is completely self contained. Many hotels have a magnet on the balcony door which turns the A/C off, don't think the ship's A/C shuts off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erinmarie424 Posted September 5, 2016 #11 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Tiny (barely bigger than my iPhone 6) fan (take this whenever I travel anywhere,) battery operated tea light, magnetic hook, magnetic bulldog clip - all fit into a small plastic bag. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted September 5, 2016 #12 Share Posted September 5, 2016 you surely don't have to worry about using the A/C, it's not like a hotel who pays a utility bill. The ship is completely self contained. Many hotels have a magnet on the balcony door which turns the A/C off, don't think the ship's A/C shuts off. Most newer ships won't let the ac run if there isn't a keycard in the slot by the door, just like many hotels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonit964 Posted September 5, 2016 #13 Share Posted September 5, 2016 I don't pack any of the extra stuff people say they need. I can't imagine what size of luggage some of these people must take with them. Only thing extra I bring is a tiny fan because the rooms get stuffy now and then and I like the white noise since I sleep with one at home. I personally will not bungee the door open. I don't leave my door open at home with the AC on, won't do it on the ship just because it's someone elses "house". Might even leave the fan at home this time and see how it goes. Less is more. They have white noise apps you can use on your smart phone or iPad. Although, that won't help with the stuffiness of the cabin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted September 5, 2016 #14 Share Posted September 5, 2016 I pack very few things other than my clothes and toiletries and a sandwich sized Ziplock with basic OTC meds, Bandaids, Neosporin, etc. Here is the list: A sheet of labels printed out with the addresses of people I want to send postcards to. Mostly relatives and Godchildren. We usually send one per country to each of them, so have enough labels pre-printed for each card we plan on sending. A small LED flashlight that clicks on and off and doesn't rely on a button being held or touched every few seconds to stay on. If there is an emergency I do not want to chew through the battery life on my phone to use it as a flashlight when I might need it to make calls. A Black Sharpie and a Highlighter. A pad of sticky notes. A corkscrew Laminated cards in the language(s) of the country(s) we will be visiting with my food allergies listed on them. I have them in about a dozen languages so far. When the card is presented, the server takes it very seriously and takes the card to show the chef. That way there is no confusion. I highly recommend them if you have food allergies. A dozen ziplock bags in various sizes. One of those teeny hotel sewing kits with a half dozen threads and a needle. Also a few safety pins. An empty plastic hotel laundry bag. That's it. Every single one of those items has been needed at some point in my travels, and I can't think of anything I ever needed that wasn't on that list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiganirish Posted September 5, 2016 #15 Share Posted September 5, 2016 after many cruises we now only bring a carryon and backpack and prior to platinum status a roll of quarters for laundry. Is amazing what you can do without... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveJake Posted September 5, 2016 #16 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Of all the suggestions the only one I bring and think necessary is a flash light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgttami Posted September 5, 2016 #17 Share Posted September 5, 2016 (edited) after many cruises we now only bring a carryon and backpack and prior to platinum status a roll of quarters for laundry. Is amazing what you can do without... I'm a minimalist at home and more so on a cruise! Bring twice as much money and half the "stuff"... Edited September 5, 2016 by sgttami Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paper1122 Posted September 5, 2016 #18 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Pack light. We've been able to easily do a five day with a carry on and backpack. I stopped worrying about formal clothes but I still pack khakis and nice shirts. Less is more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjn911 Posted September 5, 2016 #19 Share Posted September 5, 2016 (edited) Well I think OP wanted a list...lol..not a minimize it...although it is the way now. If you wear glasses a repair kit..all items already mentioned you can decide...water shoes for feet if doing alot in ocean and if you are doing pool and ocean a LOT..2 suits so one is dry. Remember to take one bottle of wine and one 12 pack of pop each if you take extra drinks...pop bottles or any other beverage in bottles no longer allowed. They have very cheap bottled water on the ship now. Enough sunscreen and aloe or after sun for trip and burns. Shampoo and conditioner and soap if you need it..they have just shampoo and bodywash on shower wall...everyone's mileage varies on how it works for them. If you only carrey on; on the plane..plan a little quick stop there before cruise or just minimize and simplify. I would need more sunscreen and after sun than all that fits in allowed ziplock bag on carrey on. I am so darn fair and the sun did it too me in 30 minutes on deck on my one Caribbean cruise...even more than Hawaii. Edited September 5, 2016 by sjn911 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poobears Posted September 5, 2016 #20 Share Posted September 5, 2016 I do bring along travel sizes of OTC meds like antacids, motrin, bonine etc. Never know what you might need and I'm not paying jacked up prices for them on board or seeing a ship Dr. to get them. I also never leave home even on land without latex free bandaids since I'm allergic to latex and it can be hard find the latex free ones. But that all fits in a quart size Ziploc with my RX meds and goes in my carry small carry on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poobears Posted September 5, 2016 #21 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Well I think OP wanted a list...lol..not a minimize it...although it is the way now. If you wear glasses a repair kit..all items already mentioned you can decide...water shoes for feet if doing alot in ocean and if you are doing pool and ocean a LOT..2 suits so one is dry. Remember to take one bottle of wine and one 12 pack of pop each if you take extra drinks...pop bottles or any other beverage in bottles no longer allowed. They have very cheap bottled water on the ship now. Enough sunscreen and aloe or after sun for trip and burns. Shampoo and conditioner and soap if you need it..they have just shampoo and bodywash on shower wall...everyone's mileage varies on how it works for them. If you only carrey on; on the plane..plan a little quick stop there before cruise or just minimize and simplify. I would need more sunscreen and after sun than all that fits in allowed ziplock bag on carrey on. I am so darn fair and the sun did it too me in 30 minutes on deck on my one Caribbean cruise...even more than Hawaii. Glasses repair kit is a good one, I keep one in my make up organizer that I take traveling. I had a screw pop out of my glasses the other day, the one that held my lens in. Luckily I was home so not a big deal. Would have been a pain if it happened on the ship and I didn't have a tiny screwdriver to put it back in or lost the screw and needed another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoureMoving Posted September 5, 2016 Author #22 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Thanks so much for all of the responses so far. I never take more than a backpack and a carry on for 7 days or less, and just mix and match clothes. Good tip about the extension cord vs power strip. I'll make that change. The bungee is essential for us, and though the a/c turns off in the cabin, we use it at night while the ship is underway. There's something about hearing the ocean rushing by that gives us the best sleep we've ever had. Plus, it airs out the room overnight and the underway air is so cool we don't need the air conditioning. I have a shoe bag with a hangar top instead of over the door; do you think that would make the cut? It's nice to have a place to store toiletries in such a small space. Thanks again!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoureMoving Posted September 5, 2016 Author #23 Share Posted September 5, 2016 And I can't live without a highlighter. Crazy but true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viv0828 Posted September 5, 2016 #24 Share Posted September 5, 2016 If you have a sensitive tummy (i do), I highly recommend prescription anti nausea and anti diarrheal meds, theses have been a life saver for me on several cruises/trips. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pusywillow Posted September 5, 2016 #25 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Thanks so much for all of the responses so far. I never take more than a backpack and a carry on for 7 days or less, and just mix and match clothes. Good tip about the extension cord vs power strip. I'll make that change. The bungee is essential for us, and though the a/c turns off in the cabin, we use it at night while the ship is underway. There's something about hearing the ocean rushing by that gives us the best sleep we've ever had. Plus, it airs out the room overnight and the underway air is so cool we don't need the air conditioning. I have a shoe bag with a hangar top instead of over the door; do you think that would make the cut? It's nice to have a place to store toiletries in such a small space. Thanks again!:) Do you know it affects the air conditioning in the rooms around you? It does, unless you are on one of the newer ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now