Ultimate Packing List for the Newbies....

Janet Foster · June 19, 2009

Thanks and you are so welcome...

Marshall1968cat · June 21, 2009

We are off on our first cruise at the end of July this year. I am so glad to have found this thread...it is so helpful. I found the packing list really useful and it's a great starting point. I hate making lists, so this will make packing a breeze. Thank you.

We are not fly cruising, simply driving to port. Can I just clarify the luggage situation. Is the maximium we can take 2 large and 2 medium suitcases and carry on luggage each? Ihave 6 baggage tickets. I am not sure if we will need this all this. Also, how much will store under the bed? Is it just 2 cases or will they all fit under? (I know this may be different on different ships- so sorry if this is a daft question!)

Also what actually happens when you board the ship. You leave the cases somewhere and then 'carry' on your carry on bags? I take it you then have to lug these about until you can get into your cabin?

I will have more 'first timer' question, but I'll leave it at that for now!

Janet Foster · June 21, 2009

You will have so much fun on your cruise... I am happy to help.

With regards to the luggage and tags. The cruise line provides you with six tags but you can take as many suitcases as you wish. There really is no limit. We had more suitcases (and cases of water and soda) than we had tags. I believe we were actually short two tags when we got to the port.

Here is how it will work...

When you drive up to the port you will follow the signs (and all the other cars) and once you pull up to the curb there are luggage handlers waiting to assist you. You will unload your luggage at this time. If you are short any tags the luggage handlers will have extras to hand out to you. They resemble the luggage tags you get at the airport. Prior to arriving to the cruise terminal, I put my luggage tags on my bags and I had the tags that were sticky on the back placed on my cases of water and soda. Be sure to tip the luggage handlers. Then you will go park your car. You will not see your luggage again until it is delivered to your cabin.

I normally do not carry on anything other than my purse which resembles a beach bag type purse. Inside it besides my normal purse items, I have our cruise documents, our passports, camera, suntan lotion. We have sometimes worn our bathing suits under our clothes but we have never just went and laid out by the pool. (But if you think you will need the bathing suits then by all means either wear them under your clothes or carry them on board). We are normally walking all over the ship exploring it. So in that carry on bag, you would need to have everything you might need while waiting for your luggage to show up to your cabin. (including medicines if needed).

I have also placed a container of the clorox disinfectant wipes inside my carry on bag.

So, after dropping off your luggage you will go park your car and walk towards the terminal. They usually have signs up directing you where to go and inside you will check in for your cruise. It is kind of like checking into a hotel. You wait in line and once you reach the counter you willl present your passports and cruise documents. At this time you are given your plastic Sail & Sign cards which also serve as your room key. After you have completed the check in process you are then directed to board the ship. If the ship has started boarding you will just follow the signs, if it is really early you will wait in a line. I never really had to wait more than about 20 minutes to board. You will walk through security like you would the airport. You don't have to take off shoes. Any carry on items will go through the xray scanner just like at the airport and you will walk through a metal detector. Just following the lines you will get to where they are boarding and right before this, you will give your Sail & Sign card to the agent where they put it in a machine and they direct you to look at a camera and your picture is taken.

The picture of you is actually embedded into the Sail & Sign card so that as you are leaving the ship and returning to the ship, your card is placed in this machine and your picture shows up on their screen. The picture is not on your card like you would see at Sam's Club or Costco it is embedded into your card.

My sisters and I bring a hole puncher and we attach our cards to a necklace to wear. Typical of what you see employees wear for their ID, school teachers ID.. etc.. You will use this card for everthing on the ship as the ships are cashless (except the casino). So if you get a drink, you present the card, if you buy something at the gift shop, you present your card and like I said it is also used as your room key. My husband and the other guys sometimes get what is called a Lanyard and clip their card to it. Some who have put in their pocket have lost their's as it has fallen out when they sit down, etc.. If they don't like wearing lanyards around their neck then they can loop the lanyard around a belt buckle or something.

Another reason to wear it on a lanyard is that it can demagnetize if it comes in contact with other items like cell phones, other cards.. etc..

The pursers office or casino will also hole punch your card for you but like I said we just bring our own (in the carry on bag) and punch the end of it ourselves.. ***IMPORTANT*** be sure not to punch the end that you place into the door to open your cabin!!

Once you board the ship, your first photo of many are taken. The photo's can be very costly when adding them all up. When we cruise we wait until the last day of the cruise and look at all the pictures we had taken and then settle for one or two.

We generally search for our cabin. Depending on how early you arrive the cabin may be ready or not. On all the cruises we have taken our cabins have not been ready because we board so early. We still search for them and if the room attendant is there we introduce ourselves. Last cruise we took in April stated that 1pm was the time the rooms would be ready. I believe we were on the ship at 11:30. All of the rooms appeared to be ready but all the cabin doors were propped open and the room attendents were busy delivering items to the cabins that were pre-ordered. etc..

After we checked out our cabin we went and found the restaurant and had lunch. So be sure to arrive to the ship HUNGRY... they have the buffet in full swing. We would eat lunch and then we would walk around the ship taking pictures and seeing where everything was. They also have your dining room and table number printed on your Sail & Sign card. So we would go search for that ballroom as well.

When 1pm came we went back to our cabin and of course the luggage isn't there yet. I would say that from the cruises we have been on the luggage appears between 3-4pm. Sometimes it comes all together and sometimes you get it in pieces. The cases of water and soda showed up last. Your luggage will be set outside your cabin door.

When we get back to the cabin, this is when I take out my clorox disinfectant wipes and I wipe the entire cabin down. I wipe the phone, remote, door knobs, drawer knobs.. light fixture switches. Anything that you would think someone could touch. If you think about it another couple had just occupied your space for a week and I just feel better wiping everything down.

The room attendent will be by some time to meet you and show you the features of the cabin and to remind you when the lifeboat drill will take place.

We then will sometimes go up on the top deck and get a drink or we go book a massage. My husband had to bring his lap top with him for his job and so we went to the ONLINE INTERNET area to purchase time for his laptop so he could access the internet. I think around 3pm we went back to our cabin and the luggage was there waiting for us.

We started unpacking in a frenzy because the lifeboat drill was in an hour and I wanted all the unpacking over with.

We put our suitcases inside each other, nested... Then we zipped them up and they fit under the bed nicely. One cruise we took they didn't fit under the bed but we had plenty of room to store them inside the closet. (older ship).

After we unpacked we grabbed our lifevests and met up at our designated muster stations for the lifeboat drill. Once that was over we went back to our cabins and dropped off our lifevests and went up to the top deck for the sail away. I always have my camera with me at all times.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Oh.. be sure to read my review below because it shows you the stages of our arrival at the port leading up to the sail away...

Janet

Marshall1968cat · June 21, 2009

Wow Janet! That is such a fantastic breakdown of everything. I really thank you for taking the time out to post such a thorough reply! I feel like I know what to expect now.

You mentioned your husband's laptop. I know that my husband will want to take his too, have I udnerstood correctly that there is an area of the ship where you can get internet connection and you have to be there to use it?

Is there likely to be an internet cafe for checking e-mail if he doesn't take his own laptop? I am concerned that the safe in the cabin may not be big enough?

Also do I need to check with my own cruise line to see if soda / water is allowed to be taken on board? Or is it standard policy to allow water on?

Janet Foster · June 21, 2009

Wow Janet! That is such a fantastic breakdown of everything. I really thank you for taking the time out to post such a thorough reply! I feel like I know what to expect now.
You mentioned your husband's laptop. I know that my husband will want to take his too, have I udnerstood correctly that there is an area of the ship where you can get internet connection and you have to be there to use it?

Is there likely to be an internet cafe for checking e-mail if he doesn't take his own laptop? I am concerned that the safe in the cabin may not be big enough?

Also do I need to check with my own cruise line to see if soda / water is allowed to be taken on board? Or is it standard policy to allow water on?

My husband's laptop. The safe would be too small to put it in but we just put it away in a secured area in our cabin and felt safe with it there.. The ship we were on had wifi so we could use the laptop in our cabin.

Most ships do have an internet cafe where you can use their computers. I have often heard that the internet is slow. When I would send out an email update I would type it all out on a word document, then I would log into my email quickly and cut and paste my notes to the email and send it off.

Most of the cruise lines I have been on do allow water and sodas without question. Celebrity Constellation, the ship you are going on should not have a problem at all with soda and water. We have been on Celebrity... That cruise line is our favorite of all!!

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Janet

Janet Foster · June 29, 2009

Welcome!!

waternsand · July 2, 2009

Just to add one more thing...... I also have to call my alarm company and make sure they have a valid phone number for the person I have left the key with and the alarm code. Usually a family member or good friend. The first thing the alarm company does is call YOUR cell number. Which won't be working while at sea.

minicar · July 3, 2009

Just be smart when you place them in your luggage. My luggage had a liner that zipped down the inside back of the suitcase. One went there. One went inside a pair of pants. I also put each Rum Runner inside a zip loc bag to be on the safe side. We had four pieces of luggage and distributed the rum runners throughout the suitcases. Never lump them all together.

Just enjoy yourself and don't worry about it. People have been using these for years. My brother in law even brought beer on our cruise.. HA HA..

Let us all know if you have any questions!!!

Ok I don't drink but my husband and son (22) do so what is a rum runner?:confused:

Janet Foster · July 6, 2009

Ok I don't drink but my husband and son (22) do so what is a rum runner?:confused:

Rum Runner = http://www.rumrunnerflasks.com

Watch this=

Janet Foster · July 6, 2009

Just to add one more thing...... I also have to call my alarm company and make sure they have a valid phone number for the person I have left the key with and the alarm code. Usually a family member or good friend. The first thing the alarm company does is call YOUR cell number. Which won't be working while at sea.

This is a good tip regarding calling your alarm company... This will be included in my future lists.. thanks again..

Janet

RayJacki · July 6, 2009

I really agree with the things on your lists, especially the pop-up hamper. My husband gets frustrated with having to put each dirty clothing item into a laundry bag, but he just LOVES the hamper in the corner thing. These hampers are inexpensive enough that even if they get left behind when packing for home, it's not a great loss.

Janet Foster · July 6, 2009

I really agree with the things on your lists, especially the pop-up hamper. My husband gets frustrated with having to put each dirty clothing item into a laundry bag, but he just LOVES the hamper in the corner thing. These hampers are inexpensive enough that even if they get left behind when packing for home, it's not a great loss.

Oh yes.. same with my husband. Those pop up hampers, they are a great invention aren't they??? That and my over the door shoe holder are my two favorite things that makes our cabin life just a little bit better :-)

KGF · July 14, 2009

I somehow managed to lose my last cruise packing list...so thanks for getting me off on the right foot!

Janet Foster · July 15, 2009

I somehow managed to lose my last cruise packing list...so thanks for getting me off on the right foot!

You are welcome.. Have a great time on Carnival's Conquest. My daughter and son-in-law were on this cruise in April for their honeymoon.

Glad I could help you!

Janet Foster · July 22, 2009

You are welcome also!

GlendaleCruiser · July 22, 2009

Clothespins are not only good for their intended use, but you can clip them to the bottom of a shower curtain to weight it down a little because in some cabins it has a tendency to "drift" outward and flood the room when the shower is running. They keep them in the stall.

Sdd_mom · July 24, 2009

Wow...great information.....My hubby and I are going to Europe and all of the above information was very helpful!! :)

Tkaklita · July 27, 2009

Thanks for your list. I added some humor and I am a category freak...here is mine....hope it helps someone.

Can't get my attachment to load....anyway, here it is in text, sorry to take up all the space.

IMPORTANT DOCS TO PUT IN FOLDER FOR CARRY ON

• PASSPORT, PUT COPY IN FOLDER

• CRUISE DOCS

• EXCURSION DOCS

• AIRLINE

• HOTEL

• LAND TRANSFERS, RENTAL CAR, BUS, ETC

• TRAVEL INSURANCE

• EMERGENCY #’S AND ADDRESSES FOR POST CARDS

• TRAVELLING COMPANIONS’ EMERGENCY #’S ALSO

• MEDICAL CARDS AND MEDICAL FSA CARD COPIES

CARRY ON PACKING LIST

• PASSPORT

• LICENSE

• CREDIT CARDS INCLUDING FSA VISA

• DOCUMENT FOLDER

• IPOD & CHARGER

• WATCH (A MUST HAVE!!! YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS AND TYPICALLY WANT TO DO A CRUISE ACTIVITY)

• GOODIES AND GUMMIES

• HAND SANITIZER

• LOTION

• CHAPSTIK

• PEN & SMALL NOTEBOOK (GOOD FOR YOUR CRUISE DAYS TOO, WHEN YOU MEET SOMEONE YOU CAN GET THEIR EMAIL TO KEEP IN TOUCH. ALSO, WRITE IN THIS NOTEBOOK THE EMERGENCY TELES FOR TRAVEL AGENT, CRUISELINE, AND EXCURSION FOLKS AND YOUR EMERGENCY CONTACTS)

• CAMERA

• CELL PHONE

• PLASTIC BAGGIES

• SUNGLASSES

• WATERBOTTLE, FILLED W/GOODIES, NO LIQUIDS

• DOLLAR BILLS FOR TIPPING

• SMALL ROLL OF DUCT TAPE??

• LUGGAGE ID’S

• EYEDROPS

• BREATH SPRAY (YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOUR AIRLINE SEAT MATE WILL BE….SMILE, AH! FRESH BREATH)

OVERNIGHT BAG FOR HOTEL SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO RUMMAGE THRU YOUR ENTIRE LUGGAGE TO FIND THE OUTFITS BEFORE THE CRUISE

• PJS

• FLIPPIES

• BATHING SUIT & COVER UP

• OUTFIT FOR PRE-CRUISE DAYS

• OUTFIT FOR BOARDING THE SHIP

• HAT/VISOR/SUNGLASSES

• DISPOSABLE CAMERA FOR POOL @ HOTEL

• BINOCULARS

• CURLING IRON AND SMALL HAND TOWEL--WRAP IF HOT WHEN PACKING

• PERSONAL TOILETRIES

• PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE (PACK IT FOR WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE PIER)

IN-CABIN ROOM CHECK LIST

• WALKIE TALKIES & CHARGER

• POWER STRIP

• EXTENSION CORD

• NITE LITE

• CELL CHARGER AND CAMERA CHARGER

• OUST FOR BATHROOM FRESHNESS (TOOT TOOT)

• CLOTHESPINS FOR BATHING SUITS TO DRIP DRY

• ZIPLOC BAGS (USE FOR CRUISE DAILY SHEETS TO PROTECT FOR SCRAPBOOKING, LEFT OVERS, LOTIONS)

• HIGHLITER FOR CRUISE SHEETS DAILY ACTIVITIES (A MUST!!)

• SMALL ZIPLOC OF DETERGENT (SINK WASHABLES) & FABRIC SOFTENER SHEETS

• DOLLAR BILLS FOR TIPPING ROOM SERVICE

• SANITY (DOESN’T COME FOR FREE WHEN YOU SEE HOW SMALL THE BATHROOM IS)

TOILETRY BAG FOR ROOM

• HAIR---SHAMP/COND/HAIRSPRAY/GEL/CLIPS

• NAILS—POLISH/REMOVER/FILE/CLIPPERS

• FACE—MAKEUP/WASH/LOTION/LIPS

• FEET—POLISH/LOTION

• TUMMY—IMMODIUM/DRAMAMINE

• NOSE—FLONASE/SALINE SPRAY

• EYES—EYEDROPS (A MUST!!)

• CUTS/SCRAPES—NEO/BANDAIDS

• ALLERGIES—CLARITON D

• SKIN—LOTION/SUNSCREEN

• BODY—WASH/CLOTHS

• PITS—DEODORANT/PERFUME

• BUMM—TUMS/GAS-X

• RAZORS & GEL

• FEMININE PRODS & PRIVATE TOILETRIES

ONBOARD THE SHIP CLOTHES PACKING LIST

• DINNER OUTFITS FOR 5 NIGHTS

• AFTERNOON OUTFITS/CASUAL OUTFITS FOR 4 DAYS

• 2 FORMAL OUTFITS W/UNDERS

• 2 BATHING SUITS AND 2 COVER UPS AND RASH GUARD SHIRT

• UNDERS AND BRAS

• 3 PRS SOCKS (2 PR FORMAL SOCKS FOR BOYS)

• SNEAKS, SANDALS, FLIPPIES

• PJS, 3 PC MIX/MATCH ONE SET

• SMALL HAND BAG TO TAKE TO/FROM DINNER EACH NIGHT

• JEWELRY—MINIMAL AMOUNT

EXCURSION PACKING LIST

• BEACH BAG

• ID’S AND CASH AND VISA

• SNORKEL EQUIPMENT

• CAMERA, UNDERWATER AND REGULAR

• SNACKS AND BEVERAGES

• TOWELS

• FACECLOTH AND BAGGIES (FOR SAND AND HANDS)

• WATERPROOF BAG (SO YOU CAN TAKE YOUR $$ AND IDS SNORKELING W/YOU AND NOT WORRY ABOUT SOMEONE STEALING YOUR STUFF)

• CHANGE OF UNDERS

• BATHING SUIT/COVERUP/RASHGUARD

• HAIR CLIP

• FLIPPIES/SANDALS

• SUNSCREEN

• SMALL MEDICAL KIT (BANDAIDS AND NEOSPORIN AND EYEDROPS)

• HAT/VISOR/SUNGLASSES

• SMALL NOTEBOOK/PEN (FOR CAB INFO AND TIPS/MAPS, DIRECTIONS)

WHILE WALKING OUT OF YOUR ROOM IN THE A.M. TAKE THESE IN A BEACH BAG TO MINIIZE TRIPS BACK TO THE ROOM

• ID’S

• CAMERA REGULAR AND UNDERWATER FOR POOL/HOT TUB USE

• WATER BOTTLE

• SMALL MEDICAL PACK (EYEDROPS, BANDAIDS, NEOSP)

• SMALL NOTEBOOK/PEN

• HIGHLIGHTER FOR DAILY ACTIVITIES

• WATCH (A MUST!!)

• CHAPSTIK

• SUNGLASSES/HAT

• SUNSCREEN

• LOTION FORWHEN YOU GET OUT OF THE POOL—DRY SKIN

• BOOK/MAGAZINE/EARPLUGS

• IPOD

• SMILE (YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW MANY FOLKS FORGET THEIRS WHEN HEADING OUT TO THE POOL OR BUFFET)

EVENING PURSE/SACK TO TAKE TO DINNER AND SUCH

• ID’S

• REGULAR CAMERA

• SMALL NOTEBOOK/PEN

• LIPSTICK

LIST OF ITEMS THAT I NEED TO BORROW FROM FRIENDS/FAMILY:

LIST OF ITEMS THAT I NEED TO BUY BEFORE THE TRIP:

LIST OF ITEMS THAT I NEED TO FIND AROUND THE HOUSE STILL BECAUSE I AM SO UNORGANIZED AND I CAN’T REMEMBER WHERE THE HECK I PUT THE DANG THINGS!

I love this list and how you have it categorized. I am the same way and this will be a great tool for me on my first cruise. Thanks for the help.

MrsPete · July 27, 2009

I'd argue that most of these things are unnecessary, and they add to bulk in your luggage (unnecessry fees if you're flying, more work for the stewards, more for you to pack up on the last night, more for you to search for as you're disembarking). Less is more. Aside from your clothing, you actually need very little on a cruise.

Ø Zip-lock bags – different sizes for many different things -- A few ziplocks are a good idea, but just a few will do

Ø Hangers – I think you can ask your room attendant for extra but I always bring mine own. The room attendant may not get the hangers to you fast enough because they are generally still delivering things to the cabins, introducing themself and then they have to go to the life boat drill. -- My family of four's never needed extras, even when sharing one closet; if you need extras, ask yourself whether you're packing too many clothes

Ø Clothes Pins

Ø Power Strip – not many outlets in the room. -- Ask on the boards about your specific ship; most of the newer, modern ships have plenty of outlets -- this is a fairly large, clunky item, and chances are good that you'll have all the outlets you'll need

Ø Extension Cord - I will run an extension cord if I need to. -- I certainly wouldn't bring this AND a power strip.

Ø Alarm Clock – Some people just use their cell phones. -- There's a "clock channel" on the TV, which is a perfect night-light; it's just a big white analog clock on a black background . . . you can get a wake up call

Ø Night Light – Cabin is dark, if you don’t use your cell phone for light then bring one.

Ø Bathroom Spray –

Ø Landyards – these are those things you wear around your neck and attach your Sea Pass card to it. Front desk will hole punch your card or bring your own hole puncher. -- These are a great idea for children!

Ø Bar Soap – I like to bring my own instead of using the small bars they give.

Ø Portable Ipod Speakers- so you can enjoy your downloaded Caribbean music as you sail.

Ø Motion Sickness Medicine – if you think you need it, some you need a written RX. -- Definitely take your own medicines; the shops aren't always open, and you don't want to have to go to the doctor onboard

Ø Prescriptions and Medicine – the over the counter, Tums, Imodium, Pepto Bismol, aspirin

Ø Sudafed, tooth ache gel, band-aids, mole skin, aloe vera lotion for sunburns

Ø Cell Phone charger – you will need to charge up before we get home!

Ø Extra Camera Memory Card - Last thing you want to do is run out of memory!!! -- If your digital memory is a couple years old, it's probably time to replace it. No, it doesn't wear out, but the size of memory cards has increased, while the price has decreased. Last month I picked up a new 8 gig card (which can hold over 2000 pix on my point-and-shoot) for less than $20. (And that's a moderate-sized card these days -- they come MUCH larger.) The more cards you have, the greater the chance of losing one of those tiny things.

Ø Extra camera batteries or rechargeable batteries and charger. -- If you're using a digital camera, definitely bring extra batteries/charger -- you don't want to run out

Ø Small roll of duct tape – many uses. One is we tape our luggage tags on our cases of water, soda or whatever else we bring that we buy at the store before we go to port. Duct tape has many uses. -- I've never needed duct tape personally, but if you think it's necessary, you can at least make it tiny instead of bringing a whole roll: Pull off a couple yards and wrap it around a small piece of flat cardboard. You're certainly not going to need more than that.

Ø Small spray bottle.. use this up by the pool to spray myself when it is hot -- Why not cool off in the pool?

Ø Walkie Talkies- we always bring them, keep the volume low.. Traveling with large groups on a large ship we sometimes need to find someone. Or if you need to find your kids. Please note this can be disturbing to other travelers so we really keep the volume very low!

Ø Binoculars –

Ø Rum Runners –

Ø Hand sanitizers – small kind to put in pocket purse or clip on landyards -- The ships provide hand sanitizer, but it's not a substitute for washing your hands thoroughly

Ø Sports Bottles – We use these at the pool and around the ship for “special drinks”

Ø Snack Items We have cocktail parties in our cabins with our friends so we munch on snack or salty items. We buy these at the store before we go to the port. -- You can order something from room service for free, though it's true that the ship tends to offer sweets more often than salty snacks

o Ritz Crackers

o Cheese in Can

o Nuts

o Cookies

o Candy

o Plastic Glasses as the ones in the cabin are too small.

o Powdered Crystal Light – for our bottled water

Ø Small Rolling Ice Chest – We bring this to keep our drinks really cold in our room. The room attendant will fill it with ice daily for us. Got mine on ebay.

Ø Suitcase Scale – We bring one of those luggage weight scales to we can make sure we are within our weight limits as we fly. -- Use the scales in the gym (no cost, doesn't add to weight in your suitcase)

v We bring lots of one dollar bills for tipping. -- A very good idea

v We tie bright colored ribbon on our suitcases to help us identify them. -- A very good idea, but since we've cut down to a carry-on apiece, it's very easy to identify our luggage: it's in our hands! It's a time saver in many ways!

v Bungee Cord - Brought a bungee cord to secure a door that we wanted to keep open from banging. We once had all of our cabins next to each other and had the doors to the balconies opened up all the way. Our door kept banging.. so this helped it to stop.

They say that the cabins have hair dryers and robes in (some) them.

-- If you don't have robes, you can ask your cabin steward to bring them.

I would add a couple things that ARE useful:

When boarding, choose a carry-on tote that'll double as a beach bag for your island stops.

A battery-powered candle is very nice if you're going to have a balcony; obviously, you shouldn't bring a real candle.

Reading material; the library isn't particularly well-stocked.

Disposable cameras are a good idea for beach days; I don't like to leave my good camera unattended.

A hat; with your face and eyes protected, you can keep going on an island day that happens to be a little rainy.

A watch for every member of your party.

Print-out information for all your private shore excursions.

Edited July 27, 2009 by MrsPete

Janet Foster · August 3, 2009

I'd argue that most of these things are unnecessary, and they add to bulk in your luggage (unnecessry fees if you're flying, more work for the stewards, more for you to pack up on the last night, more for you to search for as you're disembarking). Less is more. Aside from your clothing, you actually need very little on a cruise.

I would like to argue back.... Mrs. Pete.. you are the first person to have an argument over my list. Sorry it didn't appeal to you. :confused: Hope everyone enjoys this response.... LOL

I never felt I added bulk or more work to pack up on the last night or more to search for as we're disembarking... :eek: I am a planner and the more the merrier is my motto and to each his own. My list is not intended as a MUST HAVE.. it is intended as a guide. If you need it take it, if not don't.

Ø Zip-lock bags – different sizes for many different things -- A few ziplocks are a good idea, but just a few will do

Lots of different sizes have been very helpful.. what is the harm? Is this weighing down the suitcase????

Ø Hangers – I think you can ask your room attendant for extra but I always bring mine own. The room attendant may not get the hangers to you fast enough because they are generally still delivering things to the cabins, introducing themself and then they have to go to the life boat drill. -- My family of four's never needed extras, even when sharing one closet; if you need extras, ask yourself whether you're packing too many clothes

I like to hang everything.. Not everyone puts their clothes in the drawers.

Ø Clothes Pins

Ø Power Strip – not many outlets in the room. -- Ask on the boards about your specific ship; most of the newer, modern ships have plenty of outlets -- this is a fairly large, clunky item, and chances are good that you'll have all the outlets you'll need

My husband needs to run his cpap machine and other items that warrants the use of the power strip. The ships I have been on only have one outlet and it is at the vanity.

Ø Extension Cord - I will run an extension cord if I need to. -- I certainly wouldn't bring this AND a power strip.

You would if your husband needed a CPAP machine and had to run a cord to his side of the bed.

Ø Alarm Clock – Some people just use their cell phones. -- There's a "clock channel" on the TV, which is a perfect night-light; it's just a big white analog clock on a black background . . . you can get a wake up call

What if you don't want to???