Make your cruise better with proper planning.

[canadjineh]

Hubby and I took two heavy magnetic hooks and two battery op tea lights with us on our first cruise, as suggested by others on a First-Timers thread.  They were the most useful things ever.  Bathrooms are always so tiny in cabins (unless you pay the big bucks for large Owner's Suites, lol) so the magnets came in handy for our beach towels and assorted other stuff we didn't want to stow in the closet next to our dressy dinner/show outfits.  They also held our daily activity plan on our bedroom wall under the TV so that paper didn't get shuffled around and lost.  

Hubby is an 'old guy' and has multiple bathroom needs in the middle of the night, and although we both can get around our home in total darkness, the tea lights in the bathroom with the door closed are just enough to find your way and do your business without injuring yourself on furniture. 

The other thing we always bring on any trip is our 4 station charging deck - both tablets (for downloaded books, and internet at free WiFi in ports) and my phone for emergencies and contact with family at free port WIFI spots.

[misguy]

I will post a video showing our cabin on the Jewel in a few days.  I used everything I recommended.  The gaffers tape worked perfectly to hold down the long extension cord I needed for the CPAP, my side of the bed was 3/4 of the way across the cabin, and we had a 4 port and a 3 port usb charge, and they were always in use.  We also took two shoe holders and they were mostly filled.

[Sean_B]

On 3/20/2019 at 12:54 AM, misguy said:

I found something else that I will take from now on.  It is an inexpensive action camera that is waterproof and actually takes great photos.  I reviewed it here. 

 

Why is your N5S footage in 4:3 with your S8 footage 16:9? 

[misguy]

On 6/16/2019 at 6:17 AM, Sean_B said:

Why is your N5S footage in 4:3 with your S8 footage 16:9? 

That was default and I failed to change it.

[melissa84]

A few things that we have found helpful (YMMV of course!)

• A pad of post it notes and a pen/Sharpie and highlighter.
  When travelling with a group, it is nice to be able to leave a note on someone's door - "meet us at ___ at 5:00", "gone to the pool, back at 3:00" etc.   There is usually a pen in the room but an extra comes in handy.
• A canvas bag or small daypack - to carry on excursion/port days.  Mom always ends up being the keeper of everyone's stuff, and a tote bag makes it easier.  Also handy to take towel/book/sunscreen/goggles/water bottle etc to the pool and back. 
• A water bottle - someone upthread mentioned a Tervis, we like the bottle kind where the straw locks down to prevent spills.  We fill them with ice water at the buffet and carry to the pool and in port.  Being hydrated helps to counteract the alcohol and sun. 
• A few plastic grocery sacks or ziplocks - nice to put wet/sandy stuff in when packing. 
• A light sweater or sweatshirt / jacket - the casino and theatres can be chilly, especially when you have been out in the sun all day.

We've found that we don't need the over-the-door hangers, our regular travel dopp kit style bag works fine.  A binder clip or two is handy, or a small roll of tape, but not a deal breaker.

 

The main thing is any kind of OTC medication you might take at home - bandaids, neosporin, tummy medicine, allergy, headache.  You don't need the whole medicine cabinet, but it's nice to have the regular things available.  The ship has all sorts of sundries for sale, but the prices are high.  If you get hurt, the medical center can provide you with supplies, for a price.  I once fell in port and skinned my knee badly.  I had small bandaids and Neosporin, and the medical area had large adhesive bandages for $0.75/each.    I bought a couple and that kept me happy until I bought a box at the next port.

 

Don't stress.  If you forget something, it will be ok. 

 

 

[ehughes]

One thing I've found to be very useful is a small sewing kit.  Had to use it on my last two cruises.

 

Also, small magnets for hanging my necklaces on the wall.  

[GUT2407]

35 minutes ago, ehughes said:

One thing I've found to be very useful is a small sewing kit.  Had to use it on my last two cruises.

 

Also, small magnets for hanging my necklaces on the wall.  

We take a little sewing kit we got from a hotel we stay at a fair bit.

[dogs4fun]

Great tips - thanks for posting.

[clo]

On 2/3/2019 at 10:17 AM, misguy said:

I also forgot our selfie stick

Well, I'm sure your fellow cruisers were happy.  IMneverHO, they should be banned from 'polite company.'  Do you know that some years ago at an Apple trade show they were banned?????

[misguy]

9 hours ago, clo said:

Well, I'm sure your fellow cruisers were happy.  IMneverHO, they should be banned from 'polite company.'  Do you know that some years ago at an Apple trade show they were banned?????

I don't use mine in a crowd, or where it might be dangerous, but there are times when my wife are somewhere together and we want a picture of ourselves in that location that a selfie stick is the appropriate tool.  Sometimes my arms just aren't long enough. 🙂

 

[clo]

3 hours ago, misguy said:

I don't use mine in a crowd, or where it might be dangerous, but there are times when my wife are somewhere together and we want a picture of ourselves in that location that a selfie stick is the appropriate tool.  Sometimes my arms just aren't long enough. 🙂

 

I don't even like selfies 🙂  I usually just turn to some one and ask them to take a pic of us.  I did understand when our daughter was climbing with a friend and they were the only two on the mountain!  

[ldubs]

5 hours ago, misguy said:

I don't use mine in a crowd, or where it might be dangerous, but there are times when my wife are somewhere together and we want a picture of ourselves in that location that a selfie stick is the appropriate tool.  Sometimes my arms just aren't long enough. 🙂

 

 

I use mine quite a bit, but of course, like anything else, not when inappropriate.   Daughter gave me a really nice one with a blue tooth connection for snapping pic's with the iPhone.   It gets knocked around quite a bit but has lasted a long time.   (I hope I didn't just jinx it!)