Marabella2004 Posted August 5, 2008 #126 Share Posted August 5, 2008 OK here's another one of our favorite discoveries - instead of packing our laundry in zip lock bags, we pack them in collapsible storage bags; when you express the air out of them, it is amazing how much space you save in your bags for all the stuff you just had to buy to take home. We live in NYC, so we have access to all types of phone cards. But on our last trip, leaving out of San Juan, we bought phone cards there. Now that airlines are charging for extra bags, you might consider shipping your laundry home - at the cheapest rate - who cares how long it takes;) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloGirl3 Posted August 18, 2008 #127 Share Posted August 18, 2008 These are all great ideas. I've been a few cruises before but never thought of the personalized gifts to pass out. I am sailing again on Sept 6 and plan to spend this weekend getting gifts together to share with the ship's staff. Thanks for your help everyone! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofmeg Posted January 14, 2009 #128 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Tazmanaf, loved your idea about these for the steward and wait staff. We checked them out at WalMart this afternoon, and they all say "For calls originating from the U.S.," dial this 800#. Even the AT&T Worldwide card doesn't give any directions or # to call if you're initiating the call from outside the U.S. (which the ship's staff would be). Also, nowhere does it say how many minutes you get for your $10 or $25 card. And of course nobody in the store knows a thing. So we went to the AT&T store - same thing. They said to go online, but all I could find was about gophones and stuff. Can anyone provide information on what kind you buy, where you get them, and respond to my wonderings about what if the call is being initiated from outside the U.S. Thanks in advance. The crew know the best deals for phone cards-it is much preferable that you tip them extra instead of giving them a card as extra, they come out ahead that way. If you want to do something more personable, buy thank you cards and write them a nice note and put your cash in that instead of the white business envelopes the ship provides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathyedick Posted January 15, 2009 #129 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Another handy item is a small pair of binoculars. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmiloulovestocruise Posted January 15, 2009 #130 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I always go to WalMart before packing and pick up an assortment of the cheapo colorful floaties. Depending on what style you choose they range from about $ 1.00 to $2.00. My kids prefer the tube style whereas I prefer the lounge style. They are very compact for packing in your suitcase and I usually dispose of them on the ship before we disembark. This has saved us a lot of money in rentals at the various Caribbean beaches. They are cheap enough that I usually keep a stash of them in the garage for unexpected trips to the beach or an invitation to a friend's pool at home too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debihen Posted January 16, 2009 #131 Share Posted January 16, 2009 (edited) The best thing I have come up with is an accordion file. We bought the check sized one, and I have labeled all the pockets. I keep passports, tickets, hotel information, rental car info, shore excursion info, etc. all in this nice little file. I also take one of these collapsable hanging cubbies and use it in the closet for extra storage. I always take extention cords as DH and I both use a CPAP machine for sleeping. We have found that there is rarely an outlet near the bed, so the extension cord is very handy! Mini tap lights are great...we keep them next to the bed, and they can be picked up and used as a flashlight as well. Edited January 16, 2009 by debihen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladypalmtree Posted January 16, 2009 #132 Share Posted January 16, 2009 These are some really good and sweet ideas. Most crew members have cell phones these days! So the phone card thing is a bit outdated. Remember they have so little space to call their own! They share cabins and have one little personal shelf. The thank you cards are a good idea, the candy is cute. These people rely on cash tips! They have very low saleries and send money home to their home countries to help out their family's...So even though you may find it cold and impersonal...Cash is what these people want and need. I like the idea of giving the small gifts to the little kids in port! Happy cruising to all of you! LPT:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deckguy Posted February 8, 2009 #133 Share Posted February 8, 2009 A door sign? What? I've prepared on WORD, a sign that lists vertcally down the center of the 8.5 x 11 page destinations such as: formal dining, buffet, pool, gym, theater, kids club. On the first day as we arrive in our room, I tape it to the back of our door and with a sharpee, draw an arrow for each destination showing WHICH DIRECTION we should turn when leaving our room to get to the desired destination. It helps us get our bearings on those first couple of days as we learn the lay of the ship. Sure saves a lot of, "now which way is the pool??" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedwin3 Posted February 8, 2009 #134 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Walmart rechargeable small fan, ($12) in april or later, it can get hot in your room. BEST thing I took last year on my cruise!!!!!!! Got to have a power outlet strip!!!! Look behind TV for extra room outlet. Large ziploc baggies fro cameras ect.....walmart underwater camera ($10) just buy one....great for sting ray excursions, or snorkeling...(hint, if snorkeling....turn camera towards yourself for a self photo while you are swimming...really cool!!!) Mirror marker paint (car sales paint at grocery store) for mirror love messages to spouse.....WAY COOL!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedwin3 Posted February 8, 2009 #135 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Take your own pillowcases....and a must have....small hand sanitizer that fit in your pocket!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedwin3 Posted February 8, 2009 #136 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Always immediatly upon embarktation...ask for and "egg crate" from your steward whether you think you need it or not!!!!! (for your bed mattress/topping) they only have so many.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txcutie566 Posted February 9, 2009 #137 Share Posted February 9, 2009 how big a plastic pouch for a lanyard & where do you find one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg1 Posted February 11, 2009 #138 Share Posted February 11, 2009 We brought clothespins on our last cruise; pretty helpful. Roll of quarters for the laundry as well as sheets of fabric softeners. I will purchase the clothesline & pins - great idea. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedwin3 Posted February 12, 2009 #139 Share Posted February 12, 2009 my last cruise.....I wished I had about 50 ONE DOLLAR bills!!!! Cabbies NEVER had change...made me mad. Everybody had their necklace thingy to clip or hole punch their cruise cards. I'm bringin one thi s time!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlewWater Posted February 13, 2009 #140 Share Posted February 13, 2009 There are lots of really great suggestions posted on this thread! Keep them coming! Here's a link to a nice Travel Packing List; it has check-boxes and can be printed out before each trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paradoc1 Posted February 14, 2009 #141 Share Posted February 14, 2009 found some suction cup hooks at wal-maart the hook would fold down and reallly stick to the wall we used it to hang our PJ's and other stuff on they worked great and at the end we simpley lifted the hook and they came right off 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mummo Posted February 17, 2009 #142 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Ok...I made a list of ALL THE Stuff...and now there won't be any room for clothes. Ha ha ha. I thought I knew lots of the ideas, but I picked up some new ones. Wait until my husband sees my list. Oh, MY! Things to bring.... Elastic cords for cruise card flashlight binoculars post it notes pencils art stuff detergent clothes hamper line and clothespins bungee cords for balcony door air freshener small candy bars to hand out or gold dollars for tips pre made address labels and return labels for post cards tap light windsock or special scarf battery candles eyeglass repair kit lint roller power strip duct tape extention cord soft-sided cooler travel alarm clock rain ponchos shoe bag lysol wipes highlighters bottles for drinks crystal light ear plugs sm blanket magnet to trick balcony door umbrella prescription for glasses zip ties ginger pills super glue door decorations balcony decorations I think it will take so much time to unpack and organize that I won't have time to leave my cabin. The only thing I forgot was the kitchen sink! :) ~Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnyTime Cruiser Posted February 18, 2009 #143 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Mummo - I keep most of this stuff "prepacked" in a carry on then transfer it to the suitcase when we're going on the cruise. I did learn a few new ones though - super glue (I should know this one as I have crowns and caps:D), windsock and a small blanket. The blanket is a great idea. We spend alot of time on our balcony and DH gets cold easy so this will be perfect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marhun2430 Posted February 20, 2009 #144 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Don't know if this has been mentioned yet..but you gotta bring a bubba keg! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilivetogo Posted February 20, 2009 #145 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Don't know if this has been mentioned yet..but you gotta bring a bubba keg! Huh? :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlewWater Posted February 20, 2009 #146 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Huh? :confused: I didn't understand that one either! I had to do a Google search. Well, now I know what a Bubba Keg is! :o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilivetogo Posted February 20, 2009 #147 Share Posted February 20, 2009 (edited) I didn't understand that one either! I had to do a Google search. Well, now I know what a Bubba Keg is! :o Guess I'll go Google it too... For those of you who are wondering ... here you go ... http://www.getyourbubbakeg.com/ Edited February 20, 2009 by Ilivetogo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krznkim Posted February 20, 2009 #148 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Sounds crazy but I went to a convience store in my departure port, and asked if I could buy some of their big gulp 44 oz drink cups (empty) and then took them on board. It is much easier to fill them up with ice tea then having to go back several times and fill those tiny lil cups thy give you. They are good for coffee and hot drinks too! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krznkim Posted February 20, 2009 #149 Share Posted February 20, 2009 Oh and another one. I always bring extra wire hangers, they never give you enough, then I leave them in the closet. My room steward actually asked he he could have mine on my last cruise! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corkyanige Posted February 21, 2009 #150 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Loved reading this thread....just when I thought I was about finished with my list... ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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