Starting a cruise basket

[MrsPete]

Cant find a bottle of ginger tablets smaller than 100 (!), but I'll have to give in and buy that size, though all need is what, 21? The dosage on the bottle is 3 a day.

Candied ginger, which can be purchased at the grocery store -- I found it at Harris Teeter -- works great. I chopped it into little bits and stored it in a small Tupperware container.

 

We didn't have any trouble with seasickness (but we won't stop bringing seasickness treatments just in case), but it works GREAT for car sickness -- much faster than any medicine I've ever taken.

I bought a luggage scale to take with me. Makes me so nervous, trying to decide if my bags are too heavy.

There's a scale in the gym. Lots of people use it for weighing bags on the last day.

And I am not packing a Hotel bag and 2 sets of toiletries. Thank you very much :)

We're close enough to drive, but it's a full day in the car -- at the end of the day, it's very nice NOT to have to bring all the luggage into the hotel room.

 

We always pack everyone's stuff in one hotel bag -- actually, we use my extra-large LL Bean tote bag. It's big enough for one pair of PJs and one boarding outfit per person. Then the hotel bag stays in the car (with our dirty clothes -- no need to bring dirty things onboard).

 

We don't pack two toiletry bags though; we leave space in our cruise bag and transfer the toiletries over before we leave the hotel.

[Marian Paroo]

Candied ginger, which can be purchased at the grocery store -- I found it at Harris Teeter -- works great. I chopped it into little bits and stored it in a small Tupperware container.

 

 

 

Oh, Ilove candided ginger -- but can see that it might be confiscated at customs when I fly into port as an agricultural good.

 

Bought the tablets in their big bottle, what the heck.

 

Friend sent me the braclets and got script from Dr. for additional meds (not patch) so I am set to go.

[MrsPete]

Oh, Ilove candided ginger -- but can see that it might be confiscated at customs when I fly into port as an agricultural good.

If it's a processed food in a package (mine was Sweet Melissa's brand) it shouldn't be a problem.

 

Regardless, that's not a problem that'd affect many cruisers. Most don't come in from another country, and thus don't go through Customs.

[JelloSoup]

Reading over this thread for ideas. I have one for you. Since you have orthotic issues with your feet instead of just flip flops, I use Chaco Sandals. They have a fitted footbed, with a built in arch and you can adjust the straps to suit your foot and need. The straps go through the footbed so they don't adjust with big buckles or velcro on top. There are several different styles, so hopfully they'll have one for your situation. I have two different styles. One with the toe wrap, open back, the other open toe and the strap goes around the foot in the back. Just a thought. Hope this helps.

[Pearlygirl]

...I use Chaco Sandals. They have a fitted footbed, with a built in arch and you can adjust the straps to suit your foot and need. The straps go through the footbed so they don't adjust with big buckles or velcro on top. There are several different styles, so hopfully they'll have one for your situation. I have two different styles. One with the toe wrap, open back, the other open toe and the strap goes around the foot in the back. Just a thought. Hope this helps.

 

Thank you for this information. I'm looking for sandals with support and these may be just right. :)

[Swells1]

To the poster having trouble finding an over-the-door shoe organizer: try looking in the bath aisle. I have found that some of the organizers that were designed for the shower are basically the same thing with the (possible) advantage that the pockets vary in size. If there isn't one included, just pick up a $.50 "S" hook.

[travelingirl]

Items added to my basket

 

Triple Outlet Adapter

Make up Remover Clothes

Glow Necklaces for the kids

A cool bottle of Spray Hand Sanitizer

Mesh Laundry Bags

Two LARGE Plastic Wine Glasses

Cheap Sunglasses

Some Neat Packing Bags in size Large and XL

They have a handle and would be great for keeping shoes seperate from clothes.

A box of Dryer Sheets (to keep dirty laundry from smelling rank)

Plastic Rain Ponchos

Ear Buds for the kids DSi

Did I mention I have a rather large basket?:o

 

 

I bought new pillow cases recently and they came in very nice heavy plastic zippered bags/cubes. I almost tossed them out but found they make excellent packing cubes. One holds all the phone/camera charging cords, batteries, adapters etc. The other is filled with other small stray necessities like post it notes, travel sized toilet seat covers, eyeglass repair kit. You know, all that little stuff.

[EatPrayHike]

I also save those nifty clear packages from sheets, pillow cases, etc. for packing. Great for many uses.

[BratDet]

some bubble wrap for possible breakables...2 pices of 8 by 10 cardboard. The folder they put you photo in is kind of flimsy.

 

I also bring two magnetic clips.

The walls of the cabin ARE metal, so I hang up the daily list of happenings, and if we have found a frmal pic we like, I hang it up. :)

 

I have a packing list and it is pretty extensive...but I was able to get to Europe last summer with a suitcase 47.5 pounds...and a small carry on...hoping to skip the carry on this year.....

 

BUT I did bring lots of dresses and two lightweight long gowns.

 

I also bring a few Purex 3 in 1 detergent/fabric softener/dryer sheets....they have potent perfume...so they go in out pockets of my bag.

 

 

Bernadette

Edited March 29, 2013 by BratDet
add info

[CanWeGoYet?]

I also bring a few Purex 3 in 1 detergent/fabric softener/dryer sheets....they have potent perfume...so they go in out pockets of my bag.

 

 

Bernadette

I love the idea for the magnet, & a handy way to post the daily sheet.

 

If you love the purex sheets then stock up, they've been discontinued. I think amazon & few other stores online still may have them for a while.

[ChrisB123]

I have trouble sleeping both at home as well as on the ship, so I'm buying a

few bottles of Sleep Water. It seems to help. They're kind of expensive,but

if picked up one at a time it will avoid last minute shopping trips that get costly. In to the basket.

 

No one likes to think of disembarkation, but it can really ruin the cruise for you if you're a coffee drinker and have to get up and moving without it. (no room service on the final day.) So I start buying can's of Starbucks double shot's and in to the basket they go. ;)

[skoeper]

I have trouble sleeping both at home as well as on the ship, so I'm buying a

few bottles of Sleep Water. It seems to help. They're kind of expensive,but

if picked up one at a time it will avoid last minute shopping trips that get costly. In to the basket.

 

No one likes to think of disembarkation, but it can really ruin the cruise for you if you're a coffee drinker and have to get up and moving without it. (no room service on the final day.) So I start buying can's of Starbucks double shot's and in to the basket they go. ;)

 

Sleep water? Do you mean Dream Water? I've never heard of this and just googled it. Google brings up Dream Water. Do you have a link for this?

 

Thanks!

[ChrisB123]

Yes, I mean dream water. :o

[pmoniz]

I have trouble sleeping both at home as well as on the ship, so I'm buying a

few bottles of Sleep Water. It seems to help. They're kind of expensive,but

if picked up one at a time it will avoid last minute shopping trips that get costly. In to the basket.

 

No one likes to think of disembarkation, but it can really ruin the cruise for you if you're a coffee drinker and have to get up and moving without it. (no room service on the final day.) So I start buying can's of Starbucks double shot's and in to the basket they go. ;)

 

I purchased a Dream Water as well. Haven't tried it yet. I don't have a problem sleeping on a cruise, but at home forget it!! So it helped - that's good to know!! Now I just need to try it and see for myself!! LOL

[skoeper]

I purchased a Dream Water as well. Haven't tried it yet. I don't have a problem sleeping on a cruise, but at home forget it!! So it helped - that's good to know!! Now I just need to try it and see for myself!! LOL

 

Me too! I'm hoping this is something I can find at our local grocery store. I think I'd like to try it out before we leave so there are no surprises once we're onboard :)

[delily]

What a wonderful thread! I'm a first timer, too, and am trying to make some kind of packing list. I want to travel as light as possible, 1/2 filling my suitcase to have room for purchases!

 

May I ask how many pairs of shoes you all are taking? I figure on only three pairs myself (dressy, daily, excercise) + some kind of flip flop, but a little more sturdy than the average - got orthopedic issues - for shower/pool.

I haven't seen anyone say that they'd be bringing a moleskin/blister kit. I wouldn't leave home without it especially if my cruise is port intensive. If you start to feel like you might be getting a blister on your feet you apply a moleskin and it helps protect your skin. They work WAY better than trying to get band-aids to stick all day. And I always take TWO pair of walking shoes so that I can switch them out. I know they're heavy. But nothing will ruin a cruise faster than a blister on your foot.

[donaldsc]

. Oh - I'm also putting away $1 and $2 bills for tips and $5 for casino. :)

Cheryl

 

When you give the crew members your $2 bills, take a look at the way they look at you. While they may thank you for the tip, their real thoughts are "what in the world am I going to do with this worthless money that nobody overseas will accept."

 

You may think that you are being cute giving them $2 bills but you are just making their life difficult.

 

DON

[donaldsc]

deleted

Edited April 12, 2013 by donaldsc

[TNDeb]

I bought a clear over the door shoe organizer at Target about three weeks ago.

 

 

I love these things. I have one hanging on the inside of the pantry door as well as the back of the spare 'catch all' room. There's also one in my 'cruise basket.' :cool:

[misty57]

I love these things. I have one hanging on the inside of the pantry door as well as the back of the spare 'catch all' room. There's also one in my 'cruise basket.' :cool:

 

How do you use it in the pantry? What do you put in it?:confused:

[TNDeb]

How do you use it in the pantry? What do you put in it?:confused:

 

 

Cleaning supplies like pledge surface cleaner, soft scrub, carpet spot cleaner, air freshener spray. I also keep microwave popcorn packs in it as well as those small cans of beanie weanies. Basically it holds things that may get lost on the pantry shelves and items I use on a regular basis.

[Granny1]

Ya know folks, this thread is old as the hills but the information is priceless especially to new cruisers.

Keep the information coming, yes there is a lot if items mentioned and some will use all of the items and some won't use any of it but it is a personal choice thing and I would rather have it out in the middle of the ocean than to suffer because I didn't want to pack it. My choice.

Lots of good ideas.

Have a great day everyone, I sure am.;)

[stephanievrubio]

Great idea on the cruise basket! T-minus 60 days, and although I have most of the major "stuff," I need to get on the smaller things. Thanks again for all the tips!

[clr315]

Always great ideas! I have a cruise basket that I constantly add to. I never take a pop up hamper use a garbage bag instead! And never needed a over the door storage thing but we only have two in the cabin.

[cjnwildfire]

I always buy things that are out of season (sunscreen, water toys, etc..) at the end of summer (when they are on clearance) for our winter cruises. This way we don't pay premium prices. Throw them in our cruise basket in the closet and we have them when we need them!