Best tip used?

[sappygirl]

My life saver was Pepto Bismol.:) All that rich food did me in.:) I don't use the over the door shoe thing, I just use a large ziploc for loose stuff and put it in a drawer. I do use my toiletry bag that rolls up for bathroom essentials. You can hang it on back of door. The power strip is a must. A small flashlight comes in handy.

[Cruiser23490578]

Brightly colored tape on our suitcases so we can spot them easily at the end of the cruise.

[jayesouthworth]

I pack my own small travel hair dryer, and I also pack my steam iron--it's the kind that you put water in and you run it down whatever you want to unwrinkle--made for traveling.

[Jsme]

Ginger Pills

[MDC]

A pocketed over the door shoe holder was marvelous for holding odds and ends including shoes. I did not hang it over the door, but rather on the wall hangers which made for easy access without being in the way. I picked up a 16 pocket holder for around $10.

[MonaCK]

Best tips:

 

* Tipping the cabin attendant as soon as you meet him/her - made for really great service.

 

* Battery operated alarm clocks.

 

* We picked up a USB/power strip that not only had slots for plugs,but also slots for plugging in USB devices to charge. Made by Belkin. Love it.

[pastorfrank]

If you have a balcony....as soon as you get to your room meet your room steward captain and ask him for a lounge chair (or two) from the Lido decks for your balcony. Way better than the chairs they give you for the balcony.

[mjl1960]

I am missing something here- to hole the hairdryer onto what? Surely not your hair or head????:confused:

Think they are using the hair dryer as a heater...:D

[jayesouthworth]

Best tips:

 

* Tipping the cabin attendant as soon as you meet him/her - made for really great service.

 

* Battery operated alarm clocks.

 

* We picked up a USB/power strip that not only had slots for plugs,but also slots for plugging in USB devices to charge. Made by Belkin. Love it.

 

I wished that would have worked for us! We got the opposite of good service when we tipped first thing. We gave him $20.00 and asked him to keep the ice bucket filled. Didn't happen even asking him several times. That was his tip for the week--he would have gotten more if he did what we asked....4 of us were in a cabin--he lost out. We no longer tip beforehand.

[GraceGirl]

My life saver was Pepto Bismol.:) All that rich food did me in.:) I don't use the over the door shoe thing, I just use a large ziploc for loose stuff and put it in a drawer. I do use my toiletry bag that rolls up for bathroom essentials. You can hang it on back of door. The power strip is a must. A small flashlight comes in handy.

 

Haha! I have a new bottle of Pepto AND Maalox ready to sail with us next week!! I don't eat unhealthy food very often, so I'm sure it will be my lifesaver as well!!!

[trixiefan]

The power strip was a must! and Downy Wrinkle Releaser works really well, especially on knits.

[Cruiser23490578]

I wished that would have worked for us! We got the opposite of good service when we tipped first thing. We gave him $20.00 and asked him to keep the ice bucket filled. Didn't happen even asking him several times. That was his tip for the week--he would have gotten more if he did what we asked....4 of us were in a cabin--he lost out. We no longer tip beforehand.

 

We had the same experience, except we gave him $50. Never again.

[cruisebie]

Bring a used up gift card (Walmart or the like) with a magnetic strip to use for opening & closing the in-room safe. Don't use your S&S card or credit card in case the card becomes demagnetized. (I learned this one the hard way).

[sappygirl]

Bring a used up gift card (Walmart or the like) with a magnetic strip to use for opening & closing the in-room safe. Don't use your S&S card or credit card in case the card becomes demagnetized. (I learned this one the hard way).

I just used my drivers license. Worked well.

[shoe_girl00]

A lanyard to attach your sail and sign card onto and your fountain card (if you purchase one). Having the cards on there helps so you don't misplace it and can easily find it, even if you don't wear it around your neck...as I didn't. It was much easier to find this way in your purse so you don't have to go digging for it. I would also place it around the back of the door when I was in the room and it would be sitting there, reminding me to take when I left!

 

For the ladies... I would suggest bringing another bag, possibly a beach style tote/bag to bring all your essentials with you either out onto the lido deck, if you plan to spend your days by the pool or or out onto the island. Works great for putting towels, sunscreen, ipods, cell phone, etc., etc... The best one is the style that you can easily fold up or roll up and place right into your luggage, unless you plan to use it as a carry on.

[amy_ammo]

For Christmas, it was known that I was going on a cruise, so I got 2 bags, in addition to the one that I got before I went to Mexico last year. Bringing all 3 (well loaning one to a friend for her carry on / laptop holder) and one for me to use as the carry on. The other will be filled with diet DP for the carry on to the ship. All of them are compact enough to fit in the suitcase.

[wildcatksu]

I was a first time cruiser so I used many of them.

 

1. You can get free meds for seasickness from the doctor. Did this the second day while I saw others spending $$ for them in the shops.

2. Free lanyards from the casino and they punch the cards for you.

3. Powerstrip and alarm

 

Thanks,

 

Robin

[WarmWaters]

A lanyard to attach your sail and sign card onto

 

Both cruises I have been on, I punch a little hole in one of the corners of my shipsail card and attach a small metal clip on a O ring on there. That way I can clip my sail card onto my clothes on the inside next to my body sometimes and I know its secure and safe. Other times when my pants have a pocket, I will secure it inside my pocket so it does not fall out. My shipsail card is precious I dont want it to be bulky and around my neck, some of my clothes dont have pockets and I dont always have a bag with me to secure it in. I find that very useful.

 

Last cruise, we took the insulated mugs and never used them. First cruise we used them for coffee in the morning on deck. They take up a lot of space if you are already packing light, so I will not bring them along again. This time we just got coffee from the buffet and wander outside with the mugs.

 

I too have a fold up toiletry bag with see through plastic pockets on the inside that I fasten to the inside of the bathroom door. Its not as big and bulky as a shoe holder and it doubles in my bag as the holder for all my small toiletries. Very handy and a must for me.

 

First cruise I read about the magnets to hold up the daily news/happenings on to the wall and we used them. Although they are small, they are heavy. This time I opted for the sticky gooyie stuff that holds up posters on a wall. I brought a very small amount of that with, it is super light and I will bring it again next time as counter space in the room is at a minimum, its useful to hang the paper on the wall or on the side of the mirror.

 

I bring bubble wrap . I wrap my fold up toiletry bag and my electric hair brush in 2 layers of it before putting it in the middle of my bag as in the past my stuff got squashed on the plane ( I have a soft sided bag on wheels)

 

For saving time with my hair, I bring conditioner, my hair tangles a lot and I wash them every day while onboard. It takes up valueble time to get the tangles out, with conditioner its untangled in no time.

[starflash]

this thread is awesome! i am leaving for my first cruise in 3 days and i am trying to find out as much info as i can before i go. ;)

 

keep the tips coming!

[wcurry66]

What type of ebook do you have? I'm very intersted in getting one, and have heard mixed reviews about most of them...

 

you weren't asking me, but that never stopped me :rolleyes:

 

I have a kindle and it lightened my book packing load on my last cruise by several pounds

 

As for tips - power strip and insulated mugs were the biggies for me

[starflash]

just curious... are insulated mugs for coffee or tea drinkers, or do ppl use them for cold drinks as well?

 

i am definitely bringing a power strip, as i will be sharing a room with 2 other girls! :p

[LemurCat]

This is going to sound incredibly simple, but having left bags at the terminal, it's a lifesaver. If you aren't doing self-assist, bring a marker so you can mark your luggage tags 1/#, 2/# and so on and so forth so that you *know* you have all of the bags you put out the night before. Trust me, it's not fun to get to the car/house and find out your stuff decided to extend it's vacation.

[myamifin]

One that I haven't read here, but used on our trip last week. A small white board. This worked great as we left notes for each other in the cabin as to what we were doing or where we were.

 

Also, one posted in a couple of threads but not prevalent - keep you DOD (drink of the day) glass and "trade in" for a refill, whether a DOD or another foofoo drink. This will cut your costs on drinks down to $5.25 each for a "refill" :D . This will save you a bundle on drinks.

[WinnipegCruiser]

Bring a insulated mug with a lid for your drinks. I also bring an extension cord. Bring a good attitude and that will get you the farthest on your vacation.

 

I second the mug idea. I actually go to the local Wal-Mart superstore in Miami just before the cruise and pick up the big travel mugs, and a 36 of water. Pack it in the suitcase for the porters to bring to your room.

 

Saves me a fortune while on the ship.

 

During the day I fill the mug with ice, ice cream, and coffee.... free Frapachino!

 

At night fruit punch (which I heard some ships have stopped providing), ice, some fruit chunks from the lido deck and a shot of rum. I buy the little airplane/courtesy bar bottles for the trip. You can also get them on shore at most ports of call.

[SDJen]

Great ideas everyone - thanks!