"If only I'd brought..."

So this will be my first cruise (cruising on Carnival Dream) and while we are planning on enjoying the ports, we are trying to vacation on the cheap and do not plan on doing any excursions. I do not want to have to purchase food in the ports so I am thinking about bringing some Ziploc bags to bag up some snacks or sandwiches or something from the buffet and bring ashore with us to hold us over while we are in port. Is this frowned upon? Are there foods available at the buffet that would make good snacks? I always bring some ziplocs with me any time we travel as they always seem to come in handy, and I have done something similar to this when I stay at hotels with continental breakfasts. Thoughts would be appreciated!

I absolutely cannot imagine travelling without my Kindle now that I have one.

 

I still have an iPod

I still travel with my Kindle and my iPod touch for the very reasons you listed.

I still travel with my Kindle and my iPod touch for the very reasons you listed.

Aren't they great? :D Admittedly the iPod is getting less usage now that I have an unlimited mobile data plan, since I can pull up pretty much any song on Google Play Music. That's also been indispensable since it has a huge library + you can upload your own music to make playlists. Plus it has podcasts (not a huge number compared to iTunes, but easily 90% of my faves) and the subscription includes ad-free viewing for your YouTube account. It's probably the most worthwhile subscription I have other than Amazon Prime.

Aren't they great? :D Admittedly the iPod is getting less usage now that I have an unlimited mobile data plan, since I can pull up pretty much any song on Google Play Music. That's also been indispensable since it has a huge library + you can upload your own music to make playlists. Plus it has podcasts (not a huge number compared to iTunes, but easily 90% of my faves) and the subscription includes ad-free viewing for your YouTube account. It's probably the most worthwhile subscription I have other than Amazon Prime.

Absolutely. The battery life of the Kindle was the reason I had not interest in an iPad. I travel by air several times a month which is the main reason for the iPod so I am not dependent on the airline to provide a selection for listening.

So this will be my first cruise (cruising on Carnival Dream) and while we are planning on enjoying the ports, we are trying to vacation on the cheap and do not plan on doing any excursions. I do not want to have to purchase food in the ports so I am thinking about bringing some Ziploc bags to bag up some snacks or sandwiches or something from the buffet and bring ashore with us to hold us over while we are in port. Is this frowned upon? Are there foods available at the buffet that would make good snacks? I always bring some ziplocs with me any time we travel as they always seem to come in handy, and I have done something similar to this when I stay at hotels with continental breakfasts. Thoughts would be appreciated!

Things are pretty relaxed in the islands, but bringing in fruit and meats ashore may be a no no.

Why not have lunch on the ship? Even in tender ports that is fairly easy to do.

So this will be my first cruise (cruising on Carnival Dream) and while we are planning on enjoying the ports, we are trying to vacation on the cheap and do not plan on doing any excursions. I do not want to have to purchase food in the ports so I am thinking about bringing some Ziploc bags to bag up some snacks or sandwiches or something from the buffet and bring ashore with us to hold us over while we are in port. Is this frowned upon? Are there foods available at the buffet that would make good snacks? I always bring some ziplocs with me any time we travel as they always seem to come in handy, and I have done something similar to this when I stay at hotels with continental breakfasts. Thoughts would be appreciated!

If you're not going to be going on any excursions, you could always have lunch before you go, and then pop back to the ship quickly for a meal if you get hungry again. You can take a plate of food from the buffet back to your room, and from there you could load up your ziplock bags, but it might not be worth the trouble when you can get a fresh meal in a local restaurant for $5-10.

We slide an open piece of luggage under the bed on each side. We bring along several 2 gallon ziploc heavy duty bags. We simply pull out a corner of the luggage and toss in our dirty clothes. After a few days, casually fold dirties and fill a bag. Zip almost shut, sit on the bag and finish closing. Toss in the open piece of luggage under the bed. Repeat every few days depending on the length of the cruise. By the time the cruise is over you are mostly packed!

We slide an open piece of luggage under the bed on each side. We bring along several 2 gallon ziploc heavy duty bags. We simply pull out a corner of the luggage and toss in our dirty clothes. After a few days, casually fold dirties and fill a bag. Zip almost shut, sit on the bag and finish closing. Toss in the open piece of luggage under the bed. Repeat every few days depending on the length of the cruise. By the time the cruise is over you are mostly packed!

This is why I only bring disposable clothing when I cruise. That way I can fill my luggage up with all those duty-free souvenirs!

Straws. When you're in port and you want a can of soda, don't put your mouth on it. You don't know if the ice it's been sitting in is good. I got sick once by drinking a can of soda in Mexico. Didn't think about the ice having germs.

So this will be my first cruise (cruising on Carnival Dream) and while we are planning on enjoying the ports, we are trying to vacation on the cheap and do not plan on doing any excursions. I do not want to have to purchase food in the ports so I am thinking about bringing some Ziploc bags to bag up some snacks or sandwiches or something from the buffet and bring ashore with us to hold us over while we are in port. Is this frowned upon? Are there foods available at the buffet that would make good snacks? I always bring some ziplocs with me any time we travel as they always seem to come in handy, and I have done something similar to this when I stay at hotels with continental breakfasts. Thoughts would be appreciated!

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Straws. When you're in port and you want a can of soda, don't put your mouth on it. You don't know if the ice it's been sitting in is good. I got sick once by drinking a can of soda in Mexico. Didn't think about the ice having germs.

Princess ships have straws, I know that for sure, since our kid prefers to drink through a straw. No reason to haul it from home.

If you're not going to be going on any excursions, you could always have lunch before you go, and then pop back to the ship quickly for a meal if you get hungry again. You can take a plate of food from the buffet back to your room, and from there you could load up your ziplock bags, but it might not be worth the trouble when you can get a fresh meal in a local restaurant for $5-10.

we personally don't trust local restaurants, especially when traveling with a kid.

So, we fill up ziplock bags with breakfast pastries and bring small boxes of Fruit Loops from the buffet. Plus, bottled water.

1) Power strip - you would think in 2017 there would be more than one outlet in a cabin. You might be right, but it's more likely you are wrong. I have a power strip that lives in my suitcase now for that very reason.

2) Go to the pharmacy and walk up and down the OTC aisles. Grab whatever you could possibly need to treat a minor malady. After I paid $15 for 5 doses of DayQuil on my first cruise, I started doing this. I bring cold meds, something for headaches, high SPF sunscreen (I burn BADLY), aloe, Benadryl (or generic), Pepto, Dramamine, antacids, Gas X....you name it, I've got it. Everyone thinks it's crazy...until I have something for their upset stomach or headache. If you don't use it on the cruise, it's good to keep around the house anyway.

Earplugs

A vacation can literally be ruined by loud neighbors or less than ideal cabin locations. Don't risk it.

I am putting my vote in for the earplugs also. I don't travel by land or sea without them.

I also take Chlorox wipes in a ziplock bag to wipe everything down in my cabin when I get there.

I take extra ziplock bags to gather a small amount of sand at each beach we visit. I use a small glass bottle with a cork and embellishments to make a Christmas ornament . I take a permanent marker to write the beach name on the bag. I used to try and find a Christmas ornament whenever we traveled but I enjoy my DIY ones better.

...I take extra ziplock bags to gather a small amount of sand at each beach we visit. I use a small glass bottle with a cork and embellishments to make a Christmas ornament . I take a permanent marker to write the beach name on the bag. I used to try and find a Christmas ornament whenever we traveled but I enjoy my DIY ones better.

You might want to consider the cumulative effect of visitors removing a tiny bit of beach.

I am putting my vote in for the earplugs also. I don't travel by land or sea without them.

 

 

 

I also take Chlorox wipes in a ziplock bag to wipe everything down in my cabin when I get there.

 

 

 

I take extra ziplock bags to gather a small amount of sand at each beach we visit. I use a small glass bottle with a cork and embellishments to make a Christmas ornament . I take a permanent marker to write the beach name on the bag. I used to try and find a Christmas ornament whenever we traveled but I enjoy my DIY ones better.

They always made me dump the sand out upon entering the ship ☹️

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Small first aid kit is a must for us, it's so nice to have cold medication or ibuprofen on hand rather than trying to purchase it on a ship or port.

 

For night lights I like these motion sensitive, battery operated ones. I bought them for my interior bathroom at home (no outlets) and it's just the right amount of light when I go into the bathroom: https://www.amazon.com/Cordless-Battery-Powered-Stick-anywhere-Hallway-Bathroom/dp/B00T1O1DXY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1497973024&sr=8-5&keywords=battery+night+light

 

In 10 cruises I've never used magnets, etc. I've honestly just stored all the papers in the night stand drawer and been fine. I don't like clutter on my walls, but that's just a personal preference.

 

I will say, I never feel like I have enough hooks when traveling, especially when traveling with my kids. Between towels and bathing suits there just aren't enough places to hang wet things. For hotels I've started traveling with some over the door hooks, but need to evaluated what I can do in a cruise cabin.

 

Finally, I pack roll up soft-sided tote bags to use as laundry bags. I hang one from a hanger in the closet and as I finish with items they go into the tote bags. When I'm ready to pack, I just tuck my tote bags into my luggage and DONE!

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Many thanks everyone for the advice. I would probably have wildly over-packed but I feel re-assured by everyone's advice and comments.

 

Whilst I'm usually prepared for most things and plan well... when packing for vacations I always manage to miss something!

 

Usually it is something fairly essential like a hairbrush, no idea why! So if you're on the Arcadia going to Norway in 9 days time and see someone wandering around for the first few hours with terrible hair... that'll be me!

 

Sent from a mobile device... yep, I could be anywhere right now!

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I take those new metal bottles that keeps cold drinks cold for 12 hours.

I take juice that's served at breakfast with me to shore. Stays cold all day.

I am a frequent cruiser and that is such a great idea. We usually use one of the shelves for dirty clothes. We leave Dec 3 rd again so I will be getting one for sure..thanks for the awesome tip

 

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We are also sailing December 3rd. Are you by any chance on the Oasis?

We are also sailing December 3rd. Are you by any chance on the Oasis?

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Gingersvp are you on the roll call for meet N mingle?

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Gingersvp are you on the roll call for meet N mingle?

 

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Yes I am! We're traveling with a group for my cousin's wedding. I'll have my two year old with us for this trip, but leaving my older kids behind due to midterms.

We did the wedding group thing on Enchantment of the Seas in 2015 for my step daughters wedding. I am ready for this cruise to be here. My husband just reminded me about the gift exchange at M N M

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