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What am I forgetting to pack?


Travlin grrl
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This may sound ridiculous, but it really does solve a pet peeve of mine. If you are not in a suite with a bath tub, remember to take large binder clips to put on the bottom of the shower curtain. This keeps it from clinging to your body while you are showering.

 

 

 

Also, bring a few really heavy duty magnetic clips. Use them on the walls as hanging areas for clothes, etc.

MUCH easier is to just wet the sides of the shower stall and smooth the edges of the curtain against the wet part. This keeps the curtain from billowing.

 

I bring small magnetic dots to tack notices, tour tickets or information, etc. on the wall.

 

There are two outlets at the desk but they are very close together. This is true on Princess ships except for the Royal and Regal where they're on opposite sides of the desk.

 

Don't bother bringing quarters unless you're driving. It's so easy to get quarters onboard either in the laundry room or at the PSD. They're very heavy and it's unnecessary.

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Don't forget to pack medications, including Tums and Imodium. If you plan to do any washing on the ship, bring small detergent pods/packages and fabric softener sheets. Zip lock bags can come in handy as well. I'm not sure if hotels in London provide wash cloths, but I always pack a couple of old ones just in case and then toss them when we're done.

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Toilet seat covers. I think it's a CA thing. Can't leave home without them :)

 

Almost forgot, do you use a Kindle?

Yes I need toilet seat covers. Haha. I hate sitting on public toilet seats without those.

I don't use a kindle. I have an iPad but I do have a kindle app on it. Why?

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To go along with the medication tips, one thing we found on our British Isles cruise is that they don't have the exact same over the counter med brands as we do. If you have a specific brand that works for you (i.e. Excedrin is the only type of aspirin that helps my migraines), pack extra!

 

We cruised in the beginning of June with 4 days in London pre-cruise and while we lucked out with great weather in London, I was very surprised how cool and sometimes downright brisk in the evenings as we went up further north. I used a light jacket with a liner and hood that was like a rain slicker on the outside. Perfect for chilly days or random quick downpours like we experienced walking through Dublin.

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It goes very cool in the evenings anywhere in the UK, we can have a really hot day and then come 7pm it will feel really cold so I would bring a jacket.

 

We are due to have the hottest day of the year so far tomorrow, I am just outside of Southampton and it's supposed to be near 80 degrees. Awful when we don't have air conditioning in our offices! The weather is supposed to change at the weekend so all I would say is be prepared for any weather conditions, it's very unpredictable.

 

Your iphone/iPad will connect to the hotel wifi so they will work fine but you will need an adapter for our sockets and we work on different voltages.

 

London is really busy at the moment as it's the summer so be prepared to queue for tickets to the major attractions.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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If you pack everything people tell you, there'll be no room for clothes! :D

Still, will mention ... you will find it helpful to have a pen with you when you are getting on the ship. They'll make you fill out a short health form. Having your own pen keeps you from having to wait to use the ones provided that often only half work.

Have a wonderful trip and great cruise. :)

LuLu

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We have 2pre-cruise days in London prior to our cruise. I believe my electronics (cells, iPads) will work on the ship, but will they work in the hotel in London? If we need to purchase a converter any thoughts on where to purchase one? This is our first time out of the US and thoughts/suggestions from experienced travelers would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

If you have a Piece of Fruit, my 13-inch Apple Laptop worked in my London apartment without a converter; however, I needed an adapter for the round-holed plugs. My AirBnB Host gave me one.

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The tip on the wash cloths is a great one. We were in Rome last fall and I went looking for a wash cloth to freshen up upon our arrival only to find there were none. I had to use a hand towel, shame on me. Our traveling companions knew to pack washcloths, however failed to share that little tidbit of information.

 

Most of all, relax and have a wonderful time. British Isles is at the very top of my bucket list, please post your thoughts when you get home. Enjoy and safe travels to you.

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I always bring a little magnetic white board for my door. I usually travel with my parents and have found it's a great way to stay in contact during the trip.

 

I brought it on a solo voyage once and while I didn't get any messages I was able to entertain the cabin stewards with my Cute Overload calendar pages :)

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Dry erase marker - leave notes to each other on your vanity mirror - i.e. " I'm in the casino " " Spa appointment at 2:00 pm "

Clipboard - Clip your photo folio on it to keep them from bending in your suitcase.

Photocopies of ALL your prescriptions - Medications AND eyeglasses. Have your doctor prescribe generic ("name brands" will be different overseas).

List of contacts (address book?) - Include account numbers and corresponding phone numbers for each credit card. If they're stolen, or other wise lost, you'll need to call to put a hold on them and the number is on the back.

Small flashlight - Mini-Mag

Over-The-Door (pocket style) shoe holder - Use in bathroom to hold toiletries, medications, brushes, combs, etc. (limited space on bathroom counter or shelves).

 

Croakies - eyeglass guard (around neck chain or tubular foam style) to keep them from falling off.

Eyeglass Repair Kit - (99 cents, but invaluable if needed)

Small Traveler's Sewing Kit - Same thing. Very cheap and yet priceless if needed.

 

Super glue - Emergency repairs.

Last year's glasses - If you loose yours, they may not work as well, but will work till you get home.

Small roll of duct tape - one of the two 'essential' tools.

Leave itinerary and contact information with family (ship's phone number, your cabin number).

Have post office hold your mail.

Arrange for neighbor kid to mow the grass while you're gone.

If leaving fur baby with someone, give them a Veterinary Power of Attorney. Advise your vet of who is caring for Fluffy/Fido.

Copy of identification and itinerary in each piece of luggage.

Half the clothes and twice the money!

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It goes very cool in the evenings anywhere in the UK, we can have a really hot day and then come 7pm it will feel really cold so I would bring a jacket.

 

We are due to have the hottest day of the year so far tomorrow, I am just outside of Southampton and it's supposed to be near 80 degrees. Awful when we don't have air conditioning in our offices! The weather is supposed to change at the weekend so all I would say is be prepared for any weather conditions, it's very unpredictable.

 

Your iphone/iPad will connect to the hotel wifi so they will work fine but you will need an adapter for our sockets and we work on different voltages.

 

London is really busy at the moment as it's the summer so be prepared to queue for tickets to the major attractions.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We'll I guess I'm flying in on the day of "tour de France" not planned so it'll probably be extra busy. I've pre-bought most of my tickets online so hopefully miss some lines. I won't mind the rain as we never had a winter this year so kind of looking forward to some drizzle.

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If you pack everything people tell you, there'll be no room for clothes! :D

 

True, but you only need half the clothes you think you do... and twice as much money.

 

EDIT: Sorry Calgon1. I now see you 'beat me to it'... LOL.

Edited by Bill B
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Power strip for the cabin?

 

I've seen a few people mention to bring a power strip. How many outlets are typically in a cabin? 3 of us are sharing a mini-suite and I figure all 3 of us will need to charge our phones per day/night possibly ipads and or lap tops.

 

I expect there to be outlets in the bathroom for hairdryers (though I'm not beinging one) but I will be bringing a straightener.

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Figure on one outlet in the head (bathroom) for electric razor, one at the vanity/desk, and (if you're lucky) one behind the TV. So, a gang-plug/power strip would definately be in order. If you run an extension cord across the floor, tape it down with duct tape.

Edited by Calgon1
'cause I can't spell
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Take a picture of everything you packed, your passports and credit cards, Rxs. Serial numbers of laptops, tablets, and phones. Itinerary and boarding documents for travel.

 

Send the photos to your email. I now have a separate travel email that is never kept open on my iPad or computer. Must use the password every time to access it. My daughter has the password so she can access it in case of emergency.

 

As you purchase items on your trip, take a picture of the items and receipts. Send pictures to email account.

 

We arrived in Hawaii after 4 months of cruising and had 4 out of 7 suitcases stolen from our rental car in a mall parking lot. Building the claim for insurance has been a total nightmare.

 

Also, leave the good jewelry at home.

 

Linda

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

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Sorry to confuse you, I'm from California :)

 

I buy mine from Bed, Bath and Beyond. They sell for $.99 and they come in small packs of five.

 

Great idea and much better than "taking" them from the airplane.:eek::eek::eek:

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I've seen a few people mention to bring a power strip. How many outlets are typically in a cabin? 3 of us are sharing a mini-suite and I figure all 3 of us will need to charge our phones per day/night possibly ipads and or lap tops.

 

I expect there to be outlets in the bathroom for hairdryers (though I'm not beinging one) but I will be bringing a straightener.

 

You really shouldn't need to charge your phones. If you leave them on at all place them into airplane mode. Otherwise they will search for service and likely will connect to the ship's service. You can end up with a fee that is many hundreds of dollars that way...

 

Your bathroom outlet will NOT run a hair dryer, straightener, etc. It will only handle very small load items such as a nightlight or an electric razor.

 

A small (but high quality) power bar will serve you well for the rest of your needs. Don't get a cheap-o power strip. Only use a quality power strip on the ship.

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The tip on the wash cloths is a great one. We were in Rome last fall and I went looking for a wash cloth to freshen up upon our arrival only to find there were none. I had to use a hand towel, shame on me. Our traveling companions knew to pack washcloths, however failed to share that little tidbit of information.

 

Most of all, relax and have a wonderful time. British Isles is at the very top of my bucket list, please post your thoughts when you get home. Enjoy and safe travels to you.

 

Every time I travel to London, I now remember to bring facial wipes. It just gets so hot, humid and muggy in the summer, after I get on the tube, walk around town, whatever I'm doing that day - it feels like there's a layer of grime on my face. It's really nice to be able to freshen up without having to go back to the hotel or look for a public washroom.

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What you'll almost certainly need that you won't have on the ship is an alarm clock. There is a wake-up call service, but if you prefer to rely on your own alarm, you'll have to bring one. I swear by my L.L.Bean travel clock: nearly weightless and very compact.

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I always have documents that I want to put up on the wall and I purchased 4 refrigerator magnets from Walgreens and they are a real life saver. Remember that it's metal besides the wall.

 

I have a surge protector that I purchased from Amazon and it has 2 USB plugs plus other plugs for my other devices like my battery charger for my DSL camera. You can rotate the plug to best fit the socket. Here's what I bought. "Belkin 3-Outlet Mini Travel Swivel Charger Surge Protector with Dual USB Ports, 5 Charging Outlets Total (1 AMP / 5 Watt)". View it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015DYMVO/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.

 

Remember there is an extra plug behind the TV so I bring a small extension cord in case I need it. The plug in the bathroom is a non-polarized plug so I had a hardware store take an adapter and cut and file down one side and for $1.25 I have an adapter for my nightlight.

 

I also have a free app loaded canned "Pack the Bag" that I use for all of my trips.

 

As someone said make copies of any credit cards that you plan to take and write the number on it that you need to call incase you have any problems. Make sure that you copy both the front and back or each card.

 

Tom

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