OK, NOW, what did we forget (Cont'd)?

FYI, I think the idea of a flashlight is a good one. I have a small LED flashlight in my toiletries bag that travels everywhere with me, and I keep it on my nightstand next to my room key. That small item could save your life in the case of a fire.

I wouldn't have bothered with the embassy notifications and STEP. The State Department thinks everywhere outside the US is a dangerous place and issues warnings if a Prime Minister sneezes… Sometimes I think the purpose of those warnings is to keep Americans scared enough to stay at home and spend their money in the US economy instead of a foreign country. The only time I've ever notified an Embassy was in 1998 in Israel. Our hotel told us we needed to advise the Embassy of our location so they could distribute gas masks if needed (while Saddam was lobbing Scud missiles). And, we needed to know the physical location of the Embassy in case of an emergency or evacuation. Each country was responsible for providing masks to it's own citizens, not the Israeli government.

Honestly, I don't think the immunizations are overkill - they are something that everyone should have, even if they don't travel.

You're going on a 7 day "Texaribbean" cruise - you aren't going backpacking in the wilds. Would you pack all of this for a land vacation at a hotel? Think of what you would do for your typical land vacation and then just add a few things that you want to keep comfy.

STEP issue was like, why not? Free and quick for whatever it may be worth.

Yes, flashlight is a must, and cell doubles as one in a pinch too. Anyway, sounds like I didn't forget much! ;)

I really don't see this as a lot of stuff, compared to what we have too take for a day of WW paddling/rafting. Most is small or in small quantity, hence only 3 suitcases. I've had GF's pack a suitcase full of just cosmetics/hair/nail/skin care several times. Here's a shot of our makeshift rigging, before putting in for a day of dam released sun and fun. :D

Gosh, our last three cruises were two-week cruises and we were driven to our port so no flights involved. But I don't think we brought along many of the items you've described. Seriously, just because someone has a "must take" list on this site doesn't mean you'll actually need the items listed.

My advice: get to your embarkation port a day ahead if not within easy driving distance. Don't overplan your ports (you won't want to be trying to rush from one excursion to another, and it's quite possible to not even do excursions in every port). Don't plan your on board time (this I'm serious about -- you'll get a newsletter every night that lists the ship's activities for the next day -- you and your significant other can look this over and see what you want to do or if you're just going to hang out at the pool).

And as others have said, put back about half of what you were thinking of taking -- clothing and items. I'll often start off putting a bin with sample sizes and other things such as guide books...and then put most back in the bathroom, office, etc. Same with clothing...I put items of clothing on a couch and then mix and match and most gets rehung in the closet. We've never taken items such as power strips, over the door containers, alarm clocks. This will leave room for extra batteries, memory cards, Sudafed, sunscreen....things that we'll definitely need and not want to try to buy on board or in port. Hubby will bring a couple of watches, I'll bring one. Many cabins on many ships will have a clock on the phones, and many of the in-cabin TVs have a channel with info such as current time, weather conditions, etc. I do bring a tiny flashlight but I try to keep one back at home nearby when I sleep (a product of living through a couple of major earthquakes that have hit early in the morning).

CChick,

Hey, thanks for the comments. Agreed, I have absolutely nothing planned on the ship, save for the Meet/Mingle, wanting to hit the FloRider, Pool, Hot Tub, Sauna, and eat. :) No suit, no sport jacket, only a tie.

Staying just outside of Galveston nite before, so plenty of time to get anything sorted out. Shud be finding ship (duh), paid parking spot, and just sightseeing by mid am.

Only one deal per port scheduled (no money down yet so still flexible), and will just have to go back again to do more.

I see that you notified your cc company. We also notify our bank. That way there won't be any problems using our ATM/debit cards.

I've heard that some people bring a blank check with them in case they win super big in the casino - its so they have the proper routing numbers for direct deposit of their winnings! Wouldn't that be a nice problem to have!

I see that you notified your cc company. We also notify our bank. That way there won't be any problems using our ATM/debit cards.

FYI, even when you do this it doesn't always work. We notified BoA that we would be in England for two weeks. I took enough pounds (exchanged through them) for the first few days then took an ATM withdrawal for a few hundred pounds. After we had been there a week we needed more cash and went to the ATM. Wouldn't work. Tried a different ATM, same problem. Called BoA and they had put a fraud alert in the account. We answered a few questions and it was lifted, but it was a 10 minute phone call on a business day.

Moral of my story is that you need to have a back up plan and a way to call your bank if needed.

This is why I always make sure I have enough local currency for the first few days when I leave home. Obviously if you are going to the typical ports in the Caribbean the U.S. Dollar is accepted everywhere and frankly how much does anyone spend there on booze and trinkets? Just bring what you need in the cruise, take off what you need for the day, and be done with it.

I've heard that some people bring a blank check with them in case they win super big in the casino - its so they have the proper routing numbers for direct deposit of their winnings! Wouldn't that be a nice problem to have!

If this is done, be sure to write void across it. I would probably just note the numbers on a slip of paper without my name and address in it for a little extra security.

I think it would great after you get back to come back in to this post to let us know how much you didn't need or use. It might help others just beginning their cruising addiction!

No matter what you pack or don't............remember to relax and have blast!

Where you are going is extreme tropical heat and weather. You will likely hit 90 degrees F and 85 to 90% humidity. If you have rain, it will be a warm rain and you will be sweaty already. If you wear rain gear you might overheat and have a problem. Just take an umbrella if you are concerned about getting wet.

We are from Oregon and moved to Thailand a year ago. We live on the gulf of Thailand and the heat and humidity even after a year is hard to deal with.

If we can't stay inside in the air conditioning in during the hottest part of the day we take an umbrella for shade, drink tons of bottled water and have a small hand towel to get wet or put ice in to put on our necks, wrists and face.

I'm sure you know heat is nothing to mess with. Especially if you stop sweating. It can be life threatening.

Drink the wine now and relax. You got plenty

We take a copy of the front and back of our credit cards/ATM just in case one or all get lost or stolen. Copies stay in the in-cabin safe. We also carry a credit card we don't intend to carry or use. It stays in the safe for the same reason...If our primary card(s) is lost or stolen, we are immediately back in business for the next port, after notifying anyone necessary about the theft. We had the same experience as another poster with our bank. We notified them of our travel plans and they put a hold on our card. We were in Rome and our card was saying "declined." It took 2 very expensive calls to get them to fix it. We take our first photo of a piece of paper with an alternate phone number (someone with us) and a way to contact us if our camera is lost. We lost it on the ship once and THEY located us. It had ship name and cabin number on the paper.

Thanks to all for the reply.

Taking two CCs, one is already checked-in for ship use, other is for emergency onshore use cause we plan on using all cash. Will give them another call, and hope for best if needed.

Important account/routing/other numbers are always in my wallet and cell, written in code.

First aid kit (including lidocaine/sutures when in kayak) will be with us.

Iin another life, I remember the guys from up north, arriving at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, SVN, withering on the hot tarmac at about 110 degrees.I was also in Thailand once, and I thought then it would be a beautiful place under different circumstances. We went in somewhere with caves and vines under a high bluff once.

I'll use the camera idea, maybe I'll get it back.

I will do a write up, maybe on what not to bring, lol. ;)

I've used that camera idea (first shot on each memory card is of my cell phone number and email address). Fortunately I've hadn't had to test it, but it seems the best way to get it back if lost.

I've used that camera idea (first shot on each memory card is of my cell phone number and email address). Fortunately I've hadn't had to test it' date=' but it seems the best way to get it back if lost.[/quote']

 

 

A pic of my ship's card becomes the lock screen image on my phone the few times I've let it out of the safe.

I will write a trip report elsewhere when I get to it. But, here's the packing list scoop in a nutshell. Thise list relates only to our excursions chosen, and cruising on RC Navigator of the Seas. Your list/needs could obviously vary. Thanks to all on here for your suggestions.

Items packed and would bring next time, regardless if used or not:

Cruise docs/pass, passports, drivers license, paper and digital copies stored of all, embassy/ship numbers, pre-printed luggage tags, cable ties for luggage, extra luggage tags, large and small sizes Witz passport holders (credit card/$/ID/PP), GPS cell phone with Wi-Fi locating software and country maps pre-downloaded, camera (waterproof), extra memory card, Nexus7 notebook, chargers for all, clock, watch, door caddy, plastic & magnetic clips, lanyard for ship card, small bills, gum, trail bars, snacks, thermal cups with tops, water bottles, bug spray, RX/OTC meds, motion sickness pills, vaccinations, sunscreen, lotion, sunglasses, sandals (our water shoes), cap/hat, hair clips, tote bag, hand sanitizer, Kleenex, small amount of toilet paper, garbage bags (dirty clothes), duct tape, rain ponchos, paper towels/wipes, highlighter, pen/pencil, 1 pair tennis shoes/sandals, dress shoes, ear plugs, Tide instant stain remover.

Brought, didn't use or didn't really need, won't bring again:

Binoculars, lens cleaners, dress tie

Somehow forgot and would bring next time:

Nightlight, my dress socks :o

Didn't bring and didn't miss:

Laundry detergent (maybe on 10+ day trips)

Umbrella (prefer ponchos)

Suit, sport jacket (not needed for formal night (good riddance)