Dont' Forget...Checklist Items and tips learned from Past Experience

[Don_In_AZ]

Okay all of you experienced cruisers out there....

What are some checklist items (beyond the obvious ones) or things you've learned to expect that would not be obvious to someone who is new to cruising?

 

1. I've only been on 1 cruise and it was awhile ago, but one thing that is now on my checklist that wasn't there the first time is change for the on-board self-serve laundry.

2. Our next cruise is in Mexico and someone gave me a tip to have quite a few $1 bills for tipping at the ports.

3. I've also heard that if you plan to venture off on your own in the more depressed areas to pack a "Dummy" wallet, with old credit cards, an old DL, even an expired passport and then "just enough" cash for your day.  Keep your real ID and extra cash stashed somewhere else on your person.

 

[1025cruise]

Not all ships have self-serve laundry. And a lot have switched to using your cruise card.

 

I wouldn't even plan to venture off on my own into more depressed areas. But, I only bring ashore what I need.

 

 

 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

What are some checklist items (beyond the obvious ones) or things you've learned to expect that would not be obvious to someone who is new to cruising?

this questions come up just about every couple of days. There are numerous lengthy threads covering it... 

[caffeine_demon]

Don't be late

Bring passport and other travel documentation

don't jump in the sea/ocean

enjoy yourself!

[ldubs]

Been on several Mexican Riviera cruises and can't think of anything specific.   Sun screen for sure.  I tend to avoid the popular tourist bars like Cabo Wabo or Senior Frogs.   If doing on your own some of the ports have a lot of great cantinas where you can sit and enjoy the ocean views.  We have had very good luck picking up a van/driver  at the ports when we wanted a tour.  They are actually pretty good.  Note, these are tour guides, not taxi drivers.  

 

Like 1025 says, don't venture  into questionable areas on your own.   

 

I think the caffeine demon means don't jump into the sea from the ship.  Always good advice.  

 

PS: Huh, just realized what I said has nothing to do with your question about checklists.  Oops!

 

 

Edited February 15, 2019 by ldubs
added content

[angie7911922]

Learned from past experience:

Leave the kitchen sink (and everything else) at home. You don't need it and you aren't going to use it!! Just bring the basics. You're going to wear the same clothes (your favorites) and the same shoes (You don't need 12 pair). Keep it simple 🙂

[Mike981]

My beautiful wife does a fantastic job at packing so I'm a bit out of my element. I do know that she has an extensive checklist. For EVERYTHING that gets packed. It's so easy to think, "oh I'll throw that in the bag later." And you forget.

[rmurray847]

On 2/14/2019 at 11:04 AM, Don_In_AZ said:

Okay all of you experienced cruisers out there....

What are some checklist items (beyond the obvious ones) or things you've learned to expect that would not be obvious to someone who is new to cruising?

 

1. I've only been on 1 cruise and it was awhile ago, but one thing that is now on my checklist that wasn't there the first time is change for the on-board self-serve laundry.

2. Our next cruise is in Mexico and someone gave me a tip to have quite a few $1 bills for tipping at the ports.

3. I've also heard that if you plan to venture off on your own in the more depressed areas to pack a "Dummy" wallet, with old credit cards, an old DL, even an expired passport and then "just enough" cash for your day.  Keep your real ID and extra cash stashed somewhere else on your person.

 

1)  I've never been on a cruise with self-serve laundry.  I know they exist, and if they do on your ship, I'd bet that you use your key card to pay (as you do to pay for everything else on the ship, except casino [although you can there as well if you want to pay a service fee]).

2)  Good advice about having small bills.  I do that for all my travels.  Tipping the van driver from car rental place to airport, for example.

3)  I can't comment about going to more depressed areas.  We usually book independent shore excursions that take us to areas with activities we find fun.  Yes, they are still "touristy", but we get decent prices (compared to ship excursions) and can usually cram more activity into a day.  

4)  As far as a checklist...there are MANY such lists to be found here and on youtube, which has loads of videos about checklists, packing, etc.  Watch a few.  Look for themes, and for things that make sense to you.  We have our own checklist, which we modify after each cruise:  "nope, never used that" or "that was great to have, bring it every time" or "do we need this since the weather will be warmer (or colder) that most of our cruises".  Obviously, bring required ID, payment method, prescription meds and the kinds of things you would always travel with, no matter what, like a toothbrush.  But for cruise specific items, I do recommend browsing the youtube videos.  Watch 4 or 5...you'll see what the common themes are.

[cb at sea]

Realize that you won't need to travel carrying wads of one dollar bills....larger denominations are much easier to carry, and the ship can break them down into smaller denominations for you!