cxxviii Posted March 6, 2010 #1 Share Posted March 6, 2010 OK, we're down to a few weeks before our first-ever cruise (2 adults, 2 kids 10 and 7), and we're starting to think about packing. So my question - what are the things that first-time cruisers would never think to bring, and that I'll be kicking myself about all week? Not the obvious - wine opener, passport, etc. - looking for stuff I'd NEVER think of. Thanks in advance - and I will compile a Top 10 list and post it (based on my own assessment, of course...) if I get enough responses (and then we can argue about my rankings). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zimomiller Posted March 6, 2010 #2 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Birth control. We have 3 cruise souvenirs at our house ages 19, 17 an 17 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luddite Posted March 6, 2010 #3 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Birth control. We have 3 cruise souvenirs at our house ages 19, 17 an 17 Oh thanks! Now I hafta clean spewed beer from my screen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepnite10 Posted March 6, 2010 #4 Share Posted March 6, 2010 usually the small things like..a razor, nail clippers, sometimes some OTC drugs.. irritating things that just nickle and dime you to death..:mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM9953 Posted March 6, 2010 #5 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Small travel-size steam iron. I didn't think to bring one on my first cruise. I thought there would be one in the cabin (like a hotel room). No iron, had to send things to be pressed, very pricey. Now, I always pack it. Our friends went with us after Thanksgiving and borrowed it. They didn't think to pack one either. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pebbs48 Posted March 6, 2010 #6 Share Posted March 6, 2010 (edited) power strip/extension cord Edited March 6, 2010 by Pebbs48 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coka Posted March 6, 2010 #7 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Post It Notes (or notepad of paper) and pens. Useful for leaving notes to each other, or a request for your steward. The pen will come in handy when you fill out the health questionaire for your family as you wait at embarkation. Some also bring a highlighter for the Freestyle Daily. Have a great first cruise! coka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerintn Posted March 6, 2010 #8 Share Posted March 6, 2010 duct tape (you just never know) night light (if an inside cabin) if briniging an alarm clock...it should be battery operated spare set of eyeglasses if you wear them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamilleandNick Posted March 6, 2010 #9 Share Posted March 6, 2010 hangers (We bring extras because we are not light packers. ) Motion SIckness meds (Meclizine Hydrochloride???) Travel Mug(s) for coffee or other beverage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catnanny Posted March 6, 2010 #10 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Bubbles!!! So your kids (and yourselves) can enjoy blowing them off your balcony or off one of the decks at the sail-aways. My cruising friend and I are retired elementary teachers and we enjoy blowing bubbles, since we can't throw confetti off the ship any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrLee Posted March 6, 2010 #11 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Small travel-size steam iron. I didn't think to bring one on my first cruise. I thought there would be one in the cabin (like a hotel room). No iron, had to send things to be pressed, very pricey. Now, I always pack it. Our friends went with us after Thanksgiving and borrowed it. They didn't think to pack one either. Have fun! I don't know from personal experience but some on here have reported that they could borrow an iron from the front desk. Ask your steward. As I said though, I'm only repeating what others have said. Have a great cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Got Tequila? Posted March 6, 2010 #12 Share Posted March 6, 2010 camera extra batteries/charger small bills for tipping luggage porter, cabbies, room service book to read air freshner for the bathroom laynard to put room card on (for kids) good walking shoes suntan lotion sunglasses binocculars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckles_51 Posted March 6, 2010 #13 Share Posted March 6, 2010 If your hair is not short but not long enough to tie back, you might consider Detangle spray for your hair, sea days can be windy! Over-door shoe holder - hang on bathroom door for all your odds 'n' bobs, which will always be at your fingertips, and keeps the room tidy Water shoes or rubber flip-flops to wear around the pool and to go up to the water slide (if the ship has one) - the deck can be HOT!! Leave the body lotion at home - your skin will be wonderful after a few days of sunscreen, aloe gel and salt water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterjackson Posted March 6, 2010 #14 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Someone already mentioned otc meds, but more specifically Aloe gel. If you get sunburned, it is $12 on the ship for a little thing of it. Ibuprofen is $12 for 24 pills, so bring your own! We always bring a usb converter to plug in to charge those ipods, cell phones, cameras, anything else that charges via usb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asand5554 Posted March 6, 2010 #15 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Soda or bottled water if you consume alot or prefer a particular brand (I believe NCL now serves Pepsi products). We usually check ours with the luggage (being certain to attach luggage tags) and it's delivered right to our cabin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GigCrusier Posted March 6, 2010 #16 Share Posted March 6, 2010 A good sense of Humor and a dose of patience. People have fun in lots of different ways. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine nana Posted March 6, 2010 #17 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Mosquito spray for land excursions in Alaska. Who would believe we'd be eaten alive in Fairbanks? Also, take half the clothes you think you'll need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luddite Posted March 6, 2010 #18 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Don't bring an iron. It's a safety hazard. Do bring Post-Its. Most important.... bring your tickets,documents,passports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noreddye Posted March 6, 2010 #19 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Birth control. We have 3 cruise souvenirs at our house ages 19, 17 an 17 That was the best comment I have ever read! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchdiva Posted March 6, 2010 #20 Share Posted March 6, 2010 Lots of singles ($1 bills) to tip room service staff, bartenders, pool servers, etc. Bring along a positive attitude that you're going to have a great time and odds are that you will! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luddite Posted March 6, 2010 #21 Share Posted March 6, 2010 I'll second the bundle of dollar bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geegee1 Posted March 6, 2010 #22 Share Posted March 6, 2010 The power strip is huge. Especially if your kids are bringing items that need to be plugged in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbjohnston Posted March 6, 2010 #23 Share Posted March 6, 2010 I read about the over the door shoe holder before my last cruise. It is great. You put all of those small things in the pockets that always seem to get lost. It is amazing how much you can get in there. Hang it on the bathroom door and everything is at your fingertips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pengu1n Posted March 6, 2010 #24 Share Posted March 6, 2010 I bring a little basket to keep my bathroom stuff in; there's not much counter space, but there's usually a small shelf under the sink. If you like to take pictures, get some extra memory cards. Memory is cheap now, a whole lot less than another cruise!:D The pictures are a great remembrance of your trip & when you get home, you'll wish you had taken more. (If you're taking a laptop or other photo storage device, never mind!) Downy Wrinkle Release works pretty well, if you're not too picky. Some people with kids like to take walkie-talkies. I have dry erase marker sheets (kind of like contact paper) that I put on our doors & velcro a marker to it. This is esp. helpful if you have 2 cabins, but is a good way to pass on information when you've split up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM9953 Posted March 6, 2010 #25 Share Posted March 6, 2010 My travel steam iron turns itself off automatically after no movement. If its down in the ironing position and isn't moved, it turns off after 20 or 30 seconds. If its upright, it turns off after 2 minutes. I wouldn't bring it otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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