A question for the ladies...

[Need-a-vacation]

On the ship, I usually put my cruise card in one back pocket and the patter in the other back pocket all folded. I put on sunscreen before I leave the room and wear my sunglasses over my eyes or on top my head. This time I didn't always carry a camera, but probably would more often in the future if it's more than me and hubby. In the evening I usually had no pockets, so hubby carried my cruise card. Hubby usually just carried his cruise card in his pocket with a little cash for the casino - nothing else. Everything goes in the safe except when worn.

 

In port and on the plane, I had a small belt pack for my id, credit card, camera, etc. Hubby used a small wallet for his cruise card, id, credit card, and cash. I also had a small carry on for the plane carrying my jewelry, meds, etc that I didn't want to pack in my checked luggage.

 

I am definitely in the "don't want to carry anything around" crowd. I'm too likely to set it down and leave it somewhere!!

[donna51]

Sorry I could not live without a purse. I would feel like I was missing something. Ha. It's like taking off your ring to mix meatloaf and leaving it on the sink.

[bdjam]

I always wondered about that myself. It’s like Queen Elizabeth – what the heck does she need to carry a purse around for? I myself never carry my wallet – it’s in the safe – while on board. I’ve got my cruise card – what more do I need?

[debkaysmith]

I just hate going back to my cabin for a book, a hat, my sunglasses, lipstick, camera, you know...shtuf! That's why I carry a big bag (cheapie) during the day and my little 'Coach' or 'Brighton' at night!

[TexasMom2]

It's amazing how much stuff you can get in a small Coach bag (long strap) or wristlet. There's tissues, lipstick and gloss, compact, mints, eye drops. Can't walk around without at least the compact and lip stuff. The small shoulder bag is so light and it lands around your hip area and you hardly know it's there. I like it better than the wristlet, especially in the casino when you are moving your hands over the gaming tables.

[kosmo]

No lanyard here either ... small wristlet every eve ... lipstick, camera, keycard, cigarettes, Pitter Patter and gum ...

[cactusrose]

No purse here either. I don't know why anyone would want to carry a purse around on a ship. I usually have a pocket to carry my lipstick and I can stop in a restroom for kleenex, keep my money for the casino in my DHs pocket and I'm all set.

[MichTraveler]

I had a purse on my first cruise, but not since. Lanyard and pockets. I have gone ashore with just the cruise card, credit card, and a little cash. Now I always take photo ID (driver's license or passport for foreign). I had read about a few people being left behind and the cruise card is not that useful in some foreign country.

[cbeach4]

Chris,

 

I laughed when I read your post because I experienced the same on our 1/7 Sapphire Princess cruise and was a bit puzzled/curious about it as well. I thought to myself, as you did, "there must be a lot of newbies on board". I imagined they'd figure out the "Escape COMPLETELY" part of cruising and start leaving that purse in their cabins after day 1, yet I still saw many carrying their purses throughout the cruise :confused: .

 

Sally

[Psee]

Wow, I carry several bags while onboard with all of my cameras and photographic supplies. Hope I'm not being classified in the same group...:eek:

 

Btw, do they actually have a circus onboard?

[tracyk]

I use a small purse going to the airport to hold my tickets, passport, etc. It goes diagonally across my body so I can have both arms free (most bags end up falling off my shoulder). I can use this bag aboard the ship too but I try to get everything into my pockets first. If I'm heading to the pool I use a tote bag for book, sunscreen, etc. I have a backpack to use when we are offshore (holds the camera, cash, small souvenirs). Too many bags? How will I find room to pack our clothes??

I'll be getting married on our cruise in November (Crown Princess). We'll be getting married in St Thomas so what bag do I use to hold our paperwork, passports, etc in and still look nice in a white dress??

[mpdahmer]

Not this woman. I don't even feel naked without a bra any more! Let it all hang out, hang loose, or just plain hang! For better or for worse. :D

Chris

 

LOL...Thats right ladies just tuck them in your waistline/shorts...whatever...LOL

 

Too Funny cruzinchris

[PescadoAmarillo]

No purse here either...lanyards all the way for me. I was so used to wearing a lanyard at work that it is no big deal. I don't generally use lipstick, may tuck a lip sunscreen in a pocket if I have one (I should find a lip sunscreen that hangs on a lanyard :rolleyes: ). My cruise card goes into my husband's pocket during the evenings (dinner and show). And I sometimes take a small evening purse for formal nights, but only if I have spare room in my suitcase.

 

BUT...if I actually go to the pool and sit in a lounge chair, I carry a tote with just about everything in it. I dislike chair hogs immensely, and wouldn't think of leaving my chair to go back to the cabin to get something I've forgotten.

 

This thread reminded my of Estelle Getty's character (Sophia) on Golden Girls. She carried a "pocketbook" when she got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.:D

[Cruisin' Chick]

On my past cruises, I would use a fanny/waist pack for my stuff (sunscreen, book, sunglasses/glasses, etc) but it never quite fit even on the smallest notch. A few days before this last cruise, I bought a small (about 8 x 10) backpack purse and ended up using it instead of the pack as I needed to add to my usual stuff an asthma inhaler for my daughter. It worked out great and I also had room for my new digital camera. I used the lanyard for the room key and driver's license (needed photo ID for signing girl out of kids' area) -- pretty convenient.

[Seal]

I usually carry some small purse w/ key card, lipstick, eye drops for contacts, tylenol etc, purell ( got the noroviris once aboard the Diamond--I try harder now to keep my hands clean--elevator button, rails, computer keys--I'm a believer NOW--always did wash in the Ladies Room--appears to be a lot more than that

 

Nancy:)

[Kat_in_Texas]

We'll be going on our first cruise on 5/27/06, I've been wondering about this very subject, whether to plan on carrying a purse or tote or whatever. I don't want to look like a rookie anymore than I have to, lol!

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions! (I actually have seen lip balm on a lanyard, by the way. I always wondered about it before now, but I'm thinking it's not such a bad idea after all...)

[Need-a-vacation]

I've also seen purell that can be hooked on a lanyard or whatever.

 

Stupid question -- what's a "wristlet"?

 

I never noticed what anyone else was carrying or considered whether they looked like a newbie or not. I guess I'm too self-absorbed to notice if other cruisers are newbies or dressed appropriately or whatever (although I did notice the woman who had a "wardrobe malfunction" at the spa pool - kinda hard to miss!!)

[Bestbubba]

Bdjam, you made me smile with your comment about the Queen! Bless her heart, she carries it everywhere and it is a well known fact that she doesn't carry any money, so why?:confused:

 

Back to the topic in hand: guilty I'm afraid! I carry a straw tote with me around the ship, book, sun lotion, camera, Patter, maybe I was a queen in another life!!;)

 

Sue

[Host Caroline]

I have this great little Maxx New York bag I got on QVC for around $22 that I use in evenings for lipstick, camera, cruise card.. has a great shoulder strap, goes with everything... or a small Vera Bradley bag in black...

[frankathy]

I do not carry a purse on land but when going to the pool or spa I do. It is easier than going back to the cabin for my hat or glasses or book.

Now for the women that carry them all the time. I have seen people stuff their 'totes' with fruit, boxed ceral, milk containers, that is in the buffet lines.

In the spa if they have shower caps, vanity pack. They take what isn't nailed down.

Come 'on folks you aren't going to starve.

[PammyJeanB]

I always bring my purse with me wherever I go, but I've decided to leave the purses, save an evening purse, at home. I've purchsed for both my husband and myself those waterproof passport cases. It has two compartments that can hold my money, credit card, and identification - then it can be folded up and I can wear it with a belt under my shirt or tankini top. I figure that way, everything of value will be in duplicate and if one of us loses our case - then one of us still has what we need. We can even snorkel and swim with them.

 

I will be bringing one of those sling backpacks (not so big) along on the excursions for my lotion and towels. If those are lost or stolen-so be it-I have more on the ship.

 

Hey, that brings up a few questions I've been wondering about. Do we need to bring our own towels with us for the excursions? And, is it safe to leave the backback on the beach while we are there?

[Ula]

This is an interesting talk, I carry a very tiny light vinyl more like cigarette purse around. I am not a lanyard person, I do not like stuff around my neck like that.

I can stuff a lot in that little thing. Close to the kitchen sink. A little this, a little that, some cash for the casino, ships map, a patter, note book, a pen. My husband just carries his cruise card and sometimes he forgets that. And he just waits for the cabin steward to show up since I am harder to find.

[camperhawk]

[giggster11]

As a guy, I love leaving the keys and wallet behind in the safe and only having the cruise card. In port the wallet comes out but that's it.

[Iceland]

Just curious. What is purell?