hsaroya Posted September 22, 2013 #1 Share Posted September 22, 2013 There are dozens of threads on the boards with suggestions and lists of things newbies should bring on board, with some lists falling just short of the kitchen sink! Please suggest ONE, and only one, item that you've now religiously taken with you that was suggested on cruise critic and you have actually found useful. Please, no commentary, no bashing anyone's suggestion - just name one item. Thanks for playing along! Also, if you can, list one piece of useful port advice that you found on cruise critic. I'll start... 1. Take along a light wrap - it dresses up a top for the MDR, great for keeping warm during evening deck strolls, and can be used as a sarong over a bathing suit 2. Port advice- take the public bus to certain beaches in Antigua. At $1.25, saved our family $50 in taxi fare! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treven Posted September 22, 2013 #2 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Beyond the basics, clothes etc. I'd take my iPad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted September 22, 2013 #3 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Flashlight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy ks Posted September 22, 2013 #4 Share Posted September 22, 2013 1. Yikes, besides my makeup, clothing, camera and toiletries...the one item I always have to have along is my own blow dryer. I've never had one on a cruise ship or a hotel that I thought worked well for me. 2. Port, research and select one thing you really want to do...and shopping shouldn't be one of them. See something out of the ordinary. Avoid ship sponsored excursions if you can. 3. I just have to add this one even though the OP didn't ask. Don't try to stay together as a group if you're cruising with family or friends. You'll not only have more to talk about at dinner, you won't get sick of or frustrated by being together all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted September 22, 2013 #5 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Medicine. keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted September 22, 2013 #6 Share Posted September 22, 2013 1. I didn't see this on CC but I always take a journal with me and update it daily. It really brings back memories when I re-read it years later. I include descriptions of ports from ship's newsletter and sometimes include local postcards or receipts. 2. Port advice from CC. Read your roll call and you might be able to join a private tour with fellow CC members. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted September 22, 2013 #7 Share Posted September 22, 2013 1. Extra pair of glasses 2. Port Advice: The ship's daily newsletter w/the contact name and number of the ship's port agent. LuLu ~~~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnsmomkathy Posted September 22, 2013 #8 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Downey wrinkle release for your clothes, works great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamchops Posted September 22, 2013 #9 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Shipboard: our tablet for journaling, free wifi, photos In port: The #1 thing I do for every port research is use "Google Maps" directions. I "click" on the "bus" icon/tab and it will tell you what buses to take to the sites. You can then determine whether you want to take an excursion or not because of how complicated it may be to get there. I print the instructions and bring them with me. No more than 1 transfer is my criteria. Saves me a ton of cash!;) I have used this feature: Victoria station to most London sites including Windsor castle Lisbon port to Belem sites Bermuda to beaches Trevi fountain to forum and for my cruise next week::) Victoria Inner Harbor to Buchart Gardens Seattle port to Underground tour Santa Barbara port to Old Mission & Museum of Science https://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&tab=wl "click" get directions "type" cruise port or starting point in "A" "type" site name or address in "B" "click" get directions "click" bus icon choose a day & time that similiar to your arrival for bus schedule "click" on the route that you prefer based on ease, time, schedule "click" on reverse direction for return trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swsfrail Posted September 22, 2013 #10 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Most important thing to take - a positive attitude. Most important thing to leave behind - negativity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted September 22, 2013 #11 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Most important thing to take - a positive attitude. Most important thing to leave behind - negativity. You win!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted September 22, 2013 #12 Share Posted September 22, 2013 We had long been cruising when Cruise Critic came along. In fact there wasn't even any Internet when we started to cruise. So I developed my own lists -- learned from experience what to take and not to take. The lists I have seen here -- they work for some people but not completely for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calliopecruiser Posted September 22, 2013 #13 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Please suggest ONE, and only one, item that you've now religiously taken with you that was suggested on cruise critic and you have actually found useful. A outlet extender (or power strip) to extend the number of outlets in my cabin. I used an extender to turn a single outlet into a triple I didn't realize that I would need it until I did. Also, if you can, list one piece of useful port advice that you found on cruise critic Not from CC, but my single piece of port advice applicable to any port world wide would be to prepare with transit maps of where you're going, either having them on paper or your smartphone. That way you can do some investigation on your own, even if you've got a partial day tour planned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskanb Posted September 22, 2013 #14 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Binder clip to keep drapes closed. Research, research, research....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamessemaj Posted September 22, 2013 #15 Share Posted September 22, 2013 One, just one? You named two. Another interesting thread would be what is useless, name just one. I would have to decide between many which have been suggested. I was intrigued with the just one beginning, and lost interest with addition of another. The just one was interesting, but piling onto it ruined it. Edit: I now see that there are 2 parts, one item and port advise. Sorry if I violated the commentary part, but I would suggest sticking with either the one item or the port advise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weltek Posted September 22, 2013 #16 Share Posted September 22, 2013 1. Power strip 2. The cheap and reliable tours with Victor Bodden in Roatan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klfrodo Posted September 22, 2013 #17 Share Posted September 22, 2013 Ditto the power strip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted September 23, 2013 #18 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Ship:Pack less clothes hmm to put that in the context of the thread, bring a smaller suitcase :) Ports:Have a plan for the port but be open to change if something better comes along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted September 23, 2013 #19 Share Posted September 23, 2013 I would always bring my hubby....wouldn't be fun all alone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springfire Posted September 23, 2013 #20 Share Posted September 23, 2013 I would always bring my hubby....wouldn't be fun all alone! And for me, My Wife!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraftyEC Posted September 23, 2013 #21 Share Posted September 23, 2013 1. Spare card for my camera for if / when I get carriedvawaynwith the photos! 2. Follow the crew in port to find free WiFi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsaroya Posted September 23, 2013 Author #22 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Great advice, everyone! Keep it coming. The journal reminder is a good one for my next cruise - Royal Princess at Christmas time; seems like an eternity away, hence the need to start a thread to keep the excitement alive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afcruiser Posted September 23, 2013 #23 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Smaller bills for on board tipping.:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sipsey Posted September 23, 2013 #24 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Dramamine. Cheap, effective (for me, anyway), and who wants to be seasick when on vacation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseapril Posted September 23, 2013 #25 Share Posted September 23, 2013 Flashlight- for ships, trains, and hotels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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