Little things to pack?

[RRFPresident]

I would recomend 2 way radios... On my last cruise i lost my husband on the ship and with no way to call him we looked for each other for hours... lol

 

I wish I had thought of this on my last cruise w/ my dad. We split up to stop in at our respective restrooms and unbeknownst to me due to some misheard communication, he had gone on to a game session we planned to attend and I spent the whole time standing there thinking he was still in the restroom.

[bjinouno]

If your a big cup tea or coffee person, bring your own mug, Mine has been all over with me, You know your drink is going to taste like it should,

 

I bring clothes pins to hang up the wet stuff in the room and also to hold down my towel to the lounge chair,, no blowing away for me

[Leadft]

Not sure if you are a woman, but....nail polish remover! The sand and surf really messes up manicures and pedicures. And ships don't sell nail polish remover because they want you to have to go get a mani/pedi in the spa! I remembered nail polish, but not remover. So I had chipped nails half the week and it drove me nuts!

[amybeth4]

Just change the batteries in the camera before you go, no need to carry more with you. If you use them up you can always buy more in port. As for sunscreen, I forgot to buy some for my first cruise and had to buy a bottle on the ship. If I recall correctly it cost $10+ in 1999. I still have the bottle somewhere in the house. ;)

 

And when you move and you're packing up all your stuff and you run across this sunscreen, don't use it cuz it's not good anymore!! :)

[Wolfie48]

One more item(s) for you. I bring six small plastic clothes pins, with small fishing sinkers glued to them. I hang these on the bottom of the shower curtain so it doesn't suck in and stick to your, uh, "self"!;)

 

I bring bag clips for this DW hates when the shower curtain gets friendly :D

[Socref124]

Some of the ships' room safes lock and unlock with a push-button code you set yourself. But others work by sliding any card with a magnetic strip. They warn you to not use your S & S card because it could mess it up. Rather than risk messing up our credit or debit card, we always take a gift card (doesn't have to have any credit on it) like a Walmart or Starbucks giftcard to use as our key.

 

Great idea. Never thought of that. Thanks:D

[dna515]

On my last vacation in the Bahamas- we ran out of sunscreen. Ended up paying $15 for a tiny bottle!

[dna515]

Also forgot about a flask!

[G'ma]

I don't take anything "just in case" except for a small flashlight...that goes with me everywhere.

 

I pack in a 22" roll-on-board, carefully packed with only the things I know I'll use--it rarely exceeds 40 pounds and usually comes in about 35. All of my lotions, shampoos, etc., are put in small ltravel size plastic containers...I buy sun screen upon arrival---and toss what I don't use at the end of the cruise.

 

My "medical" kit consists of a couple of bandaids and a small tube of Neosporin, a dozen or so q-tips and a few small alcohol swabs in foil packets. Anything else I might need can be easily purchased on board, ashore or obtained from the Purser's desk.

 

I've been cruising for 35 years on a regular basis and have never found the need for 99% of the extra "stuff" people take along such as bungy cords, power strips, etc. Once, I needed duct tape for a broken zipper on a suitcase...and the Guest services desk loaned me theirs...which was returned to them.

 

Pack very, very light. You will not use much of what you pack anyway...

[amybeth4]

I don't take anything "just in case" except for a small flashlight...that goes with me everywhere.

 

I pack in a 22" roll-on-board' date=' carefully packed with only the things I know I'll use--it rarely exceeds 40 pounds and usually comes in about 35. All of my lotions, shampoos, etc., are put in small ltravel size plastic containers...I buy sun screen upon arrival---and toss what I don't use at the end of the cruise.

 

My "medical" kit consists of a couple of bandaids and a small tube of Neosporin, a dozen or so q-tips and a few small alcohol swabs in foil packets. Anything else I might need can be easily purchased on board, ashore or obtained from the Purser's desk.

 

I've been cruising for 35 years on a regular basis and have never found the need for 99% of the extra "stuff" people take along such as bungy cords, power strips, etc. Once, I needed duct tape for a broken zipper on a suitcase...and the Guest services desk loaned me theirs...which was returned to them.

 

Pack very, very light. You will not use much of what you pack anyway...[/quote']

 

I'm with you. I can pack for a cruise in a big carry-on. Sure I'd LOVE to take six pairs of shoes, but you have to "Sophie's Choice" it and re-wear shoes and clothes. I just read a post from someone yesterday who brings FOUR (count 'em, four) sports jackets on a seven-night cruise! I said I'm lucky if I bring THREE pairs of SHORTS! :)

 

The ONLY thing I've ever brought from all the suggestions on these boards (and it's something I learned here and LOVE) is a highlighter. I canNOT imagine packing a roll of duct tape, a lanyard (who wants their seapass card blocking a pretty necklace, lol), shoe racks, hampers, etc!

 

But...alas...to each his own. :)

[YayGirlsTrip]

A hat of any kind (my scalp burned)

Nail clip for sure

Underwater camera for sure (I saw them for 19.99 in one port!:eek:)

My favorite thing....a pop up hamper. We would have been serious slobs without one!

Booze

Ziplocks...gallon and small ones (used them for sooooo many things!!)

 

Ditto on all of the above items! I had to pay $18 for an underwater camera on the ship. :eek: And then of course I paid $10 for processing when we got home!

 

I had seen a lot of people mention the over-the-door shoe organizer for holding toiletries, etc. Worked out great!!! Even for shoes. :D

[sillysailor 1955]

Just change the batteries in the camera before you go, no need to carry more with you. If you use them up you can always buy more in port. As for sunscreen, I forgot to buy some for my first cruise and had to buy a bottle on the ship. If I recall correctly it cost $10+ in 1999. I still have the bottle somewhere in the house. Well, the next time I cruised I forgot to bring the sunscreen, so now I have two bottle of the same brand of sunscreen (somewhere in the house). For our last cruise we bought the spray on type of sunscreen for us and a different type for our DS. Somewhere in the house there are four bottles of sunscreen. So don't forget the sunscreen. Also, If your going to snorkeling, stop by a Target or Wal-mart for a disposable underwater camera with flash if you can find one. Bring lots of money as well, all inclusive doesn't cover casino, ports and any extra tipping you might want to do. A clock radio with CD player or ipod with speakers. ;)

 

I have to respectfully disagree about the batteries for the camera - we went thru so many (so did our traveling companions) and they are expensive in many of the ports (forget about buying them on the ship $$$):)

[JaniceB]

The ONLY thing I've ever brought from all the suggestions on these boards (and it's something I learned here and LOVE) is a highlighter. I canNOT imagine packing a roll of duct tape, a lanyard (who wants their seapass card blocking a pretty necklace, lol), shoe racks, hampers, etc!

 

But...alas...to each his own. :)

 

Lanyard is great for the S&S card, where do you put yours? I do agree that it could block a pretty necklace but when DH is not with me I need to put it somewhere and I hate carrying a purse onboard.

 

Janice

[amybeth4]

Lanyard is great for the S&S card, where do you put yours? I do agree that it could block a pretty necklace but when DH is not with me I need to put it somewhere and I hate carrying a purse onboard.

 

Janice

 

I always carry some sort of purse or small tote bag since I'm really not walking around that much to make it annoying. You never know when you're gonna wanna plop down somewhere, so I usually have to carry a magazine or book. I also always need sun screen. And sucking candy. And cigarettes. And my Cruise Compass! (Haven't done Carnival yet.) So the sea pass gets chucked in there as well. :)

[JaniceB]

I agree about the small bag, but I don't like my S&S card in my bag, I prefer to have it on my person. I guess I am not very trusting.

[Fungusgnat]

I have to respectfully disagree about the batteries for the camera - we went thru so many (so did our traveling companions) and they are expensive in many of the ports (forget about buying them on the ship $$$):)

 

This is why none of my digital cameras have disposable batteries. Lithium rechargeable is the ONLY way to fly - IMHO. That is a decision you make when you BUY the camera! You purchase a second battery, so that you are never without energy. Chargers have now become wonderfully small and light weight. It wasn't always that way.

[Green4me]

One of the best ways we have found to keep track of S&S cards, especially with kids is to go to a staples or ofice depot and buy a different color plastic spring coil band for each person in your group. They can be worn on wrist or ankle when swiming. The purser desk will punch the hole if you do not want to bother bringing your own punch. As note above some like to bring it all some don't, I like to bring it. Can't tell you how much we have helped out others in need with differnt stuff. One thing I hate to but have to mention becasue it caught us off guard last time, is presonal hygene for ladies. My DW miscalculated and guess who went to the ships store bright and early one morning, yep dedicated DH, yours truly. :o Takes up little space, so bring some. I know we will from now on.

 

Cheers:)

[craigandjessica]

I read on another post like this to go to the post office and get one of the free sturdy cardboard mailing envelopes and stick it in your luggage. If you buy any photos on board you can stick them in the envelope so they don't get beat up in your luggage on your flight home!!! Seemed like a good suggestion to me:rolleyes:

[EydieG]

If you don't like the small bars of soap, be sure to take your own because they don't sell soap on the ship. At least not on the Legend.

[jenniferop]

I didn't read all of the posts so if someone has mentioned these already...I apologize for the repeat...I have recently found the easiest thing for laundry. the new purex 3-n-1 sheets...they are great for portion control...the sopa, fabric softener and sttic guard are all on one sheet...no measuring, no spilling, and easy to pack in a quart size ziplock bag. I have been using them for about 2 weeks and I love them, you can even go to Purex.com and print a coupon...so 24 loads will only cost about $5.00 (.20cents per load soap, fabic softener included)...great deal and takes up to space...just thought I would share this great find and save you some space in your suitcase...

[sillysailor 1955]

This is why none of my digital cameras have disposable batteries. Lithium rechargeable is the ONLY way to fly - IMHO. That is a decision you make when you BUY the camera! You purchase a second battery, so that you are never without energy. Chargers have now become wonderfully small and light weight. It wasn't always that way.

 

Will have to check that out.... we went thru a ridiculous amount of batteries on our Mediterrean Cruise last year - Thanks:)

[toolgrl919]

Some of these may be repeats but its what i need.

-I get a travel body wash, shampoo & conditioner, plenty for a 7 day cruise. They are $1 each at walmart & target. They do provide that stuff in the shower, but I have sensitive skin so I am more comfortable using my own stuff.

-SUNBLOCK!

-I did find the powerstrip to be useful.

-Shout wipes incase you spill.

-Downy Wrinkle Releaser. If i don't iron at home, I'm certainly not doing it on vacation ;)

-Tylenol/Ibprofen, Benedryl, Rolaids since I eat way too much

-Immodium or something like it because if you get "sick" you're going to be quarantined to your room until it passes.

-Antibacterial gel/wipes

-Post its & highlighter

-I don't use a lanyard for my S&S Card, but I do have a small bag/backpack that i carry with me during the day on/off the boat for my S&S Card, sunblock, chapstick, water, anti bac gel, cash, book, camera... Then at night i use a wristlet that i put my S&S card, lip gloss & stuff.

-Thermos mug, so you dont have to keep going back for water ever 5 min... comes in handy if you also make your own drinks in your room... you can bring them with you.

[TexasOC]

A sweater or sweatshirt...the evenings can be cool on the open decks and also in the dining rooms and at the shows

 

gum, mints or candy - very expensive on the ship if even available.

[*CruiseFan*]

Ziploc baggies! I put all our cash and such in them and then we put them in our waterproof case or zipped in my DH's bathing suit shorts.

[ylcruiser1]

Don't forget a bungee cord to keep balcony door open ... also solid room freshener is a nice idea to freshen your cabin (especially OV and Inside) ... packets of hand wpes, as it's impossible to avoid handling the railings ...

 

Pam;)