Princess Stateroom Organization

[cr8tiv1]

Interesting thread.  Thanks for starting it.  I am glad I am not the only one that brings an excessive amount of "must haves".

 

If...I am traveling in any other stateroom (not a suite), then I bring along my "privacy (shower) curtain" attached to the ceiling with magnetic hooks and a bungee cord to hold back the curtain.  It is positioned between the front door and living area to create a larger private dressing area around the bathroom.

 

The Ruby had (sometimes annoying) motion detector lights on the bottom shelf of the desk to guide you to the bathroom.  Thrak was the first to mention this.  

 

You can never have enough magnetic clips for those important memos.  All walls, ceilings, and doors are metal.

 

I bring collapsible boxes for things around my nightstand and to organize the desk.  I've even used small cardboard boxes and just disposed of them when I left.  Soda boxes are great to store things in above the closet.  You won't lose things way in the back.

 

I have a hanging 3 tier shelf that I use in the closet.

Similar to this:   https://www.amazon.com/Travelon-Packable-Zippered-Compartment-Organizer/dp/B007XAIFC0/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=travelon+travel+shelf&qid=1570175249&sr=8-2

 

Most importantly, I attach a note to my front door....Please do not leave SPA and/or Art fliers.  

 

This is just a small fraction of the things I bring along on a long cruise to make my stateroom functional.  I am not OCD....just the opposite.  I have to organize my chaos.  

 

On the other side.  I lay out what I think I will need to wear, then throw out at least half to 2/3's.  Even then....I pack too much clothes.

[PaperSniper4]

3 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

.............Most importantly, I attach a note to my front door....Please do not leave SPA and/or Art fliers.  ....................

 

Does that work?

[Piperpals]

8 hours ago, 2 cruises a year said:

Where do you keep the bagpipes? 😉

lol, stored neatly in corner of the closet.

[Fairfield Nana]

we save the little "amenities" bags you get on most airlines business class flights. Really cool and handy to create several   mini-kits for such things as first aid, camera stuff, cellphones & chargers,????? I often slip one or ore into my day pack when ashore or on land trips.

[cr8tiv1]

7 hours ago, PaperSniper4 said:

 

Does that work?

 

Yes, the no flier sign did work.  The Ruby had no "mailbox" although it wasn't really Medallion ready.  The fixture was there and you used your cruise card to open the door.  That was the extent of "Medallion".  Without the mailbox, they would slip fliers under the door....what a pain in the back (side).  So I put up the handwritten unprofessional sign and trash (oops...notices) ceased.  Wahoo.  I did my part to save Mother Earth from junk mail.

[Yehootu]

I let my wife do it, just show me where my stuff is=Happy Cruise

[dara90210]

Bring a bottle of hand soap (maybe two if your cruise is longer than seven days).  So much better than a wet bar of soap sticking to the bathroom counter!

[CruiseVA]

I actually collect the bars of soap & bring them home 🙂 After putting one in the shower & one on the counter. I'm so cheap - LOL.

 

[24639]

I do the pop up hamper, the battery tea light and the magnetic clip.  I, also, designate the bottom desk drawer solely for the tons of paper you will accumulate on that 15 days of awesome cruising.  The night before disembarkation I go through and throw out anything I do not wish to save. I did the HI cruise over Christmas and NY so there was a sentimental attachment to some of the otherwise boring and redundant sales papers. The tealight will last exactly as long as your cruise, by the way.  I also recycle a letter sized Fedex envelop for all my travel documents.(My own personal filing system). Bring a reusable water bottle as the tap water is perfectly fine for drinking and Stewart will make sure you have ice. Yay! For you and your fabulous adventure. Have a blast.

[PaperSniper4]

16 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

Yes, the no flier sign did work.  ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

Well sonofagun. I am going to try that on the Crown next month. I don't mind the hassle of wadding them up and tossing them in the can, but I hate to think of all the paper waste generated. I know they probably recycle paper items, but still that's a waste of resources in my opinion....and I am not particularly "green". <g>

 

Doug

[PaperSniper4]

13 hours ago, dara90210 said:

Bring a bottle of hand soap (maybe two if your cruise is longer than seven days).  So much better than a wet bar of soap sticking to the bathroom counter!

 

Great idea, although I'd want something small like those "travel sized" items they have in stores. I've never seen anything like that, although there are tons of shampoos and deodorants and they like. Maybe I will just re-use an appropriate sized bottle....like I've been doing for 10+ years now for my after-shave. I am still wondering why I cannot find small after-shave bottles anymore....I guess because the "sexy thing" is to go unshaven? 🙄

[nanwel]

I travel as lightly as I can - most of the "take" items listed would not go in my suitcase.

I use the ship laundry bag - then do my own laundry part way through the cruise or just take everything home dirty and do it then. I always wash everything in my suitcase when I get home anyway.

I take my toothbrush from home and the 1/2 used paste -toss last day - same with deodorant etc..

Take my own soap because my skin is sensitive - but again the open almost done bar - toss...

I do take 1 or 2 of my own laundry soap pods - in a zip bag - never had a leak - pack them in my shoe.

I take 1 clip type paperclip with a magnet to hang all the paperwork I must keep in 1 spot - things I want to do, tickets.

Toss the paper they deliver asap when I have glanced at it - if you leave it,  it seems to multiply...haha. Take a highlighter to mark what you want to remember!

When I board, I make the attendant take away anything in the cabin that is for sale - water etc - or put it on the very top shelf out of the way.

I have 2 travel mugs that go with me - 1 I use for water only - other for coffee etc. - especially if going on a day trip - sit on the bus drinking my coffee - ah enjoying just thinking about it!

 

[Doug R.]

In all of our cruises we have found little use for the extra items suggested for convenience in organizing. In any event, they would take up far too much precious space and weight considering airline charges for overweight bags and limiting the number of bags by way of escalating prices for additional bags. We use packing cubes and have a mesh bag to store dirties is about it.

[brisalta]

On 10/2/2019 at 12:02 PM, gotta cruise again said:

• closet: we nest our small suitcase into larger one and might put any tote bag in there too then store the case in the closet on the floor, under the clothing rod, in the far corner next to the tall shelving unit. If needed, we’ll stack another on top but if not, then DH puts his shorter hanger clothes at the far end of the rod so that they won’t drag on the suitcase.

 

We put the suitcases under the bed. Plenty of room there and does not waste closet space.

[donswife]

I always bring the battery tea lights for the bathroom, both on ships and in hotels. I buy 2 packs at the dollar store, so if I forget them, no big deal!

[DMT1970]

On 10/3/2019 at 11:00 AM, PaperSniper4 said:

 

We do the same, especially for a bunch of $1 bills we use to tip the steward who brings our morning coffee for us to enjoy on the balcony. For years we forgot about needing tips for luggage porters and the stewards; now it's on my Cruise Packing Checklist; bring a bunch of one dollar bills. I could probably get bills in the casino or at the purser's office, but it's much more convenient just to plan ahead.

 

Doug

Doug,  

 

care red to share your cruise packing checklist.  This will be our first cruise and I am panicked I am going to forget something.  10 day cruise is a long time to be without something you may forget.

[BrenRob3]

How is the layout of a berth bed interior room and organization

Edited October 6, 2019 by BrenRob3

[PaperSniper4]

1 hour ago, DMT1970 said:

Doug,  

 

care red to share your cruise packing checklist.  This will be our first cruise and I am panicked I am going to forget something.  10 day cruise is a long time to be without something you may forget.

 

I've attached the check list I made years ago, although I slightly modify it for each cruise we take. You will surely do the same as you cruise more. We forgot a TON of things we would have liked to have had on our first, and brought another ton of things we never needed! The attached file is PDF.

 

I doubt you will forget something you really need, like medications, but sometimes it is easy to overlook the obvious......

cruise pack list general.pdf

[Gimer]

Here's what I do with those magnets.......,

[jangor]

On 10/2/2019 at 3:02 PM, gotta cruise again said:

 

I do find that the cabins on Princess have plenty of storage, like others have said. And I don’t bring any specific storage items other than using packing cubes (used as previously mentioned) and we take a large plastic reusable shopping bag that when unfolded, fits very nicely on the little shelf at one end of the closet to hold our dirty clothes. The bag is easy to carry to the laundry to do some wash (only DH uses our elite laundry perk and then only for some items).

 

But here are some things we do to help keep things tidy in the cabin; hope some of the ideas are helpful!! Keep in mind that these tips are based on ocean view/balcony/mini suite cabins with the walk-in closets and tall storage area. I imagine some could be adapted to other cabin layouts too.

• I use a drinking glass on the desk to hold all my makeup brushes, liner pencils, mascara, etc. Keeps things handy and they don’t stray
• Of the 3 shelves in the bath: DH gets the top for his items, I take middle just for my stuff, and bottom is used for items we both use like our electric toothbrush handle, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc.
• one of us will pick up the room before we leave it for the day and are ready for it to be serviced in the AM: straighten papers, put away CPAP, put away items from sink counter, put away any clothes, etc.
• closet: we nest our small suitcase into larger one and might put any tote bag in there too then store the case in the closet on the floor, under the clothing rod, in the far corner next to the tall shelving unit. If needed, we’ll stack another on top but if not, then DH puts his shorter hanger clothes at the far end of the rod so that they won’t drag on the suitcase.
• we designate one drawer (location may vary depending on cabin type and layout) just for electronic things: cords, tablet (if it doesn’t fit in safe), headphones, camera stuff, etc.
• put shoes away and keep them pretty straight on the floor in the closet!!
• I don’t usually take any clip-type magnets but I do have a long, flexible strip of magnet (I think it was originally part of a refrigerator to keep the door closed!) that goes on the wall to hold excursion tickets and any piece of paper we don’t want to lose
• bring an envelope to hold receipts for any purchases so they are all together in the off chance you need them for customs; I just bring some envelope that comes with a bill for return payment that I would throw away due to online payment

Those are what I can think of quickly; will post if something else comes to mind.

Excellent list.  I also put carry-on inside larger suitcase, but I slide them under the bed so that they do not take up any closet space.

[jangor]

On 10/2/2019 at 3:50 PM, Piperpals said:

I assume as you are from Langley that you are taking the Star from Vancouver so won't have any luggage restrictions (very jealous).  We have done this trip seven times and never needed over-the-door organizer or hamper, here is our hints:

 

• we have a small carry-on type bag that I pack all of our toiletries, hair dryer, curler etc. plus extra items we may need (sewing kit, first aid, nail kit etc.). I remove items that I will need on regular basis and leave the rest in the bag which stores neatly on the shelf under this sink and is still very accessible. I check this bag in with my suitcases so I don't have to carry it about at embarkation, and I carry on makeup, bathing suits and other important items (wine) in my backpack.
• Put toothbrushes and toothpaste in one of the drinking glasses in the bathroom and razors in the other and put these on the first shelf. Put all other regularly used items on the second and third shelf and leave make-up in zipped makeup bag on the counter to one side.
• Use hooks on back of bathroom door for robes, bathing suits
• Put hair dryer, brushes etc. in drawer in desk near the electrical outlet where they will be used.
• Store suitcases under the bed, leave anything that you won't need until you get to the islands in them (ie: backpacks, rain jacket, umbrella's, snorkel equipment etc.)
• We use the paper laundry bags they supply to put our laundry in, just leave it sitting in end of closet. Bring on laundry pods to make easier and save a couple of dollars but make sure you put in something that will prevent them bursting. I have an eyeglasses case that I use.
• Lots of room on floor of closet for shoes.
• Try to hang in the closet as many of your clothes as you can, including t-shirts etc. as closet space is pretty generous and leaves other areas tidy. The remainder of clothes should fit on the shelves in the cupboard.
• Put excursion tickets in the safe with wallets, passports so that they don't get mixed up with all paper accumulated over the week and we know where they are.
• You will received multiple pieces of paper daily (patter, spa, art promotions etc.) , discard the ones you don't want in the bin right away and find a spot for the ones you want to keep. I put them under the room services binder on the desk so I know that I have looked at them.
• We will use the chair at the desk for putting clothes over during the day but will put them away in the morning before leaving so they are not in the room attendants way.
  
  
  Hope you have a wonderful time and wish we were going.
  Helen

Love the eyeglass case for laundry pods!!!

[jangor]

On 10/6/2019 at 6:26 PM, PaperSniper4 said:

 

I've attached the check list I made years ago, although I slightly modify it for each cruise we take. You will surely do the same as you cruise more. We forgot a TON of things we would have liked to have had on our first, and brought another ton of things we never needed! The attached file is PDF.

 

I doubt you will forget something you really need, like medications, but sometimes it is easy to overlook the obvious......

cruise pack list general.pdf 126.77 kB · 41 downloads

Very comprehensive.  Works for me with just a few tweaks!  Congrats!

[PaperSniper4]

12 hours ago, jangor said:

Very comprehensive.  Works for me with just a few tweaks!  Congrats!

 

Glad it will be helpful. In our case, I have been modifying it for each cruise we have taken over the last 20 or so years; it is a work in progress. If it would help you to modify it for your use, I have that same file in Word or OpenOffice format if those are on your PC. Just let me know and I can upload the checklist in whichever format so you can edit it to your use.

 

Doug

[Bollycats]

On ‎10‎/‎6‎/‎2019 at 6:26 PM, PaperSniper4 said:

 

I've attached the check list I made years ago, although I slightly modify it for each cruise we take. You will surely do the same as you cruise more. We forgot a TON of things we would have liked to have had on our first, and brought another ton of things we never needed! The attached file is PDF.

 

I doubt you will forget something you really need, like medications, but sometimes it is easy to overlook the obvious......

cruise pack list general.pdf 126.77 kB · 65 downloads

Wow, I thought I had a great packing list! This is incredible!! I bow to the master....

[PaperSniper4]

5 hours ago, Bollycats said:

Wow, I thought I had a great packing list! This is incredible!! I bow to the master....

 

Well, thank you kind sir or madam!😎