crsrock

Happy Ks writes some very important, yet pertinent points. Every one has different needs and/or wants on a cruise. Over the door hanger? I LOVE using mine, as sit keeps the bath room neat. Hi-liter? Works for me! Post it notes? sometimes.

Find what works for you. I'm sure we would all get a big laugh if we could see inside other folks' suitcases to see what they bring! Maybe even get some ideas for ourselves!

Happy sailing everyone!

Chris is a fun director!

Rico DuBriel! Outstanding Director, and a truly great person.

Rowdys: the gum thing is TRUE! I never thought of bringing my own (I don't chew gum much, but occasionally need a piece), and I remember paying way too much for a pack. So, that's just another thing to put in my already-overloaded-with-all-those-odd-ball-you-never-know-when-you-will-need-it-things-suitcase. But AHA!!! I brought an eyeglass repair kit onced and actually had to use it! I lost a nosepad, and the kit saved the day. And even odder than that is that another passenger had the same problem, so I fixed her glasses, too.

christine

Boozebabe: that idea about the detergent is great! I'd never thought of that, but you are right, the crew does 'shop' for their own sundries, and they sure can use laundry stuff!

I used the over-the-door shoe/storage holder. Probably THE best organizer you can use in the cabin. There were four adults in the cabin on my last cruise, and that organizer held everything we needed in the bathroom Since it had 24 compartments, each person got '6'. There was NOTHING on the shelves in the bathroom. Keeps the area real neat and clean AND the cabin steward appreciates it!!!!

Eyeglass repair kit! Believe it or not, on my last cruise, MY glasses lost a nose pad, my husband's glasses lost a screw, and a tablemate's glasses lost a screw. That has NEVER happened before on any of my cruises. My husband bought a pair of sunglasses from the ship's store and used the 'part's to fix the other glasses. SO, we now pack a little repair kit.

The over-the-door hanging bag is one of the best things I ever did. With four folks in the cabin, each person had a 'row' of pockets (the bag had 24 sections). It held every sundry item that we brought, and kept the bathroom completely empty of stuff on the counter. We had purchased alot of the travel sized items (toothpaste, lotions) and they take up very little space. The cabin attendant was VERY appreciative of not having to clean up around all that stuff on the shelves!

I love to read what people pack and use on the cruises. I've tried many things! But you really DO need an extra case to bring all the extra stuff! Just when you think you aren't going to need some thing, you'll be sayin' "I shoulda brought that with me".................

JAKT- I, too, want to see those photos! That gives me a great idea for my next cruise.........

One of the crazy things I did on the Sovereign: in the dining room there is a small table in the back of the room in an alcove. It's a great table for 6, but my husband and I were the only ones there on our cruise in Sept. Adjacent to the alcove is a linen closet where the waiters get their tablecloths/linens for the room. As I sat and watched the waiters go in and out of there, my husband told me to go hide in there, and turn the light off. Well, when the waiter(s) opened the door I said "BOO" and really scared 'em! One guy sat down and told the next waiter that "there's someone in there!", and of course waiter #2 just had to open the door. I simply stretched out my arm, tablecloth in hand (remember, it's dark in there), and HE got surprised. I've don't this routine on three separate cruises, and it always gets a laugh.

to LynnAB: I lived in Puerto Rico during hurricane David AND Frederick! I was stationed in the Navy there, and I remember VIVIDLY both of those storms. Lots of damage on base and to my off-base home. We were without water/electric for weeks. I remember collecting rain water just to wash up. You go outside in your bathing suit, stand under the gutters, and take a 'shower' with your soap and shampoo!

As you can see from my signature, I sailed on the Song, too. That is what sold ME on being stationed down in the Caribbean. I was stationed in Maine from 77-79, (went on the Caribbean cruises in winters!), and then I got stationed in Puerto Rico from 79-81.

I surely remember the Bon Voyage parties at departure, and the skeet shooting on board.

I remember Tea Time in the afternoon, Ice Cream Socials, and the strolling musicians in the Dining Room. Also, they had a sommelier (wine steward) who came through the Dining Room with after dinner drinks! The Baked Alaska with real blazes on the heads of the waiters!

oh boy! What great memories! I sailed on the Song, AND the Nordic Prince AND the Sun Viking AND the Sovereign. Hard to believe it was 30 years ago.......(not the Sovereign, only 17 years). And my photos are hilarious! I can't scan them either because they're glued in the scrapbook. The photos of those staterooms are right on! My folks and I were in a pull-down bunk room. Must have been somewhere on the 3rd deck (Mom and Dad always went for the cheap rooms). My first cruise was a 14 nighter: great Caribbean adventure. And they DID give out Night Owl badges if you stayed up past 2am.....I had 14 of them! I never missed a party or a show or a game. My folks couldn't believe I could stay up every night like that. Met a great young man on board; we corresponded for several years and he just kinda faded away. I still know his name and tried to find him. He may have returned to his native Sweden. Anyway, My second cruise was also a 14 nighter. Subsequent cruises were one week. Never had a bad time. You make your own fun!

Did three cruises on the Legend in the last 15 months. She was ported here in Tampa Bay, and it was very convenient to just get on and go! She won't be back, but Grandeur taking her place in November.

I remember on the two week cruises: Talent Night, Easter Bonnet Parade, Masquerade Party (I went as the Kansas City Bomber Roller Derby Queen....complete with blond wig, knee pads, helmet and roller skates.....yep, skating on a moving ship!!!!) Horse Racing at the PoolSide,

movies, you name it. It was a great time.

Hope everyone has happy cruises and great memories! Bon Voyageeeee!!!

Christine

Compile and Amuse. Sounds like a 70's folk duo!

Happy cruisin' y'all!!!

Steamboatin', you are right!!! I think we are moving with all of the incidentals in the suitcase........

(Excluding this cruise) if I need something when I am traveling, I just head to the Wal-Mart! My theory on traveling is: Bring half as many clothes and twice as much money.

Also, what I do for my lists: I tape the list TO the suitcase! Makes doing the packing check-off easy!