Must haves for long cruises.

[janina]

Our longest to date was 18 days now preparing for 28 days plus an extra week after. Great ideals, putting a new updated list together.:)

[Colo Cruiser]

Out longest cruise so far has been 51 days. We are doing the 2016 World cruise so we are already working on the necessary items. The first port is Honolulu, so we may hit Walmart there and stock up rather than flying with it all.

 

The must haves we bring are

 

strong magnets to hold papers, pictures.

magnetized student locker pencil cups, to make a place for glasses nextto the bed, over the night stand.

very strong hooks to hang a sheet or shower curtain over the closet area to create a dressing area for when I get up earlier than hubs. It can also double as a screen for when we project movies.

 

battery operated votive candles, both night light and romantic ambiance

 

a big calendar, world map, to keep track of what day it is and where we are

 

plenty of lace weight or sock yarn for knitting

 

Hubs brings a small 8 shaft loom and an extra suitcase of weaving fiber.

 

Plenty of toiletries. Sunblock is the most important thing because the stuff on the ship I am allergic to. Shampoo and Conditioner are second because the Princess stuff is awful.

 

Tide pods and laundry sheets for the laundry

 

Stuff for repairs -- sewing kit, duck tape, packing tape, super glue, glasses kit

 

Extra glasses (my Rx is never one you can get in an hour...)

 

extra bathing suits. The Thalasso pool on the Pacific Princess eats Lycra, and the bathing suits sold in the shops on board do not fit anyone we have ever seen on board. Nothing for somebody shaped like an egg.

 

gin gins ginger candy, and sea band ginger gum. Crossing the Tasman Sea was so rough that I was breaking through the Bonine. Ginger gum is available on Amazon.

 

Photos of adorable grandchildren to decorate your walls

 

Address labels already completed so you can easily send postcards to friends and family in different ports.

 

Half the clothes and twice the money. Some people on the 51 day cruise came onboard with just a carry on. Nobody cares about you wearing the same dress for all the formal nights.

 

I am planning on journaling as I go, so the supplies I want to use for that, including a small blue tooth printer with supplies for it.

 

camera with extra battery and cards. underwater camera.

 

couple boxes of protein bars, snacks. I have had problems in some areas eating the local food. So I carry wrapped snacks with me. That way I don't get hangry if there is nothing I can eat.

 

copies of passport, contact numbers for credit cards and banks, and multiple ways of paying for things. Cash, credit cards, checkbook. Keep everything in the safe except when you take a card out to go on shore.

 

Ipad and Kindle paperwhite, loaded with ebooks. Ipod loaded with audio books for during walking on the track or sunbathing.

 

Snorkle gear and rash guards if you will have an opportunity for that. Watershoes as well.

 

 

Would that be the foldable loom?

[WupperAV]

Nothing! They have laundry's, you can carry a small bottle of laundry det. We travel light because there's nothing worse than paying $75. for extra luggage you won't use. I wear shorts and T's , take 1 pair of pants and 1 collared shirt. Think about what you use at home, pack, then throw it all out.

[Mommypig]

Would that be the foldable loom?

 

 

Yes, it is an Ashford Katie, it folds and fits in a suitcase. We will be shipping his fiber to my daughter's in Costa Mesa and bringing the loom in a hard side suitcase.

[Jay Sam]

A multiple outlet plug. Not necessarily a power strip, just a plug with 3 or so outlets on it.

 

Extra batteries.

 

On my past 3 cruises I bring along my electric alarm clock with the digital display, a nice touch from home, and you don't have to figure out how to work the alarm on the clock in the room.

 

A night light.

 

Small bills for tipping. A lot of them, 5s and 10s, plus many of the port establishments don't take credit cards or large bills.

 

Lot's of pens and note-pads and personal cards to pass out to the folks you meet.

 

A cork-screw/bottle opener, just in case.

 

A diary sort of book to keep track of daily things you have done.

 

Address book.

 

A large break proof drinking mug/cup. Maybe a smaller one too.

 

For the smokers, a pocket sized/purse sized ash tray. Lots of smokes too.

 

Cords for charging things.

Edited August 7, 2015 by Jay Sam
correction

[Mommypig]

Just picked up something at target that is going in my cruise stash for short or long cruises. My dad is very low vision and he has a hard time finding his stateroom. I found sheets of magnet "wallpaper" for lockers in the back to school section. I will stick a couple of sheets on his door and hopefully he will be able to find it without too much problem.

[shredie]

Just picked up something at target that is going in my cruise stash for short or long cruises. My dad is very low vision and he has a hard time finding his stateroom. I found sheets of magnet "wallpaper" for lockers in the back to school section. I will stick a couple of sheets on his door and hopefully he will be able to find it without too much problem.

 

What a good idea. I have never seen something like that. I hope you don't have problems with anyone removing it.

[tml1230]

really great ideas in above posts…i may have missed it above but nobody should be without a small flashlight and a small roll of duct tape on a long cruise, or short ones for that matter.

 

PS: in the south pacific, Patricks tour is the best of the best…EVER! don't miss it.

[Kristal Blade]

In the laundry I throw in a sheet of "colour catcher" so I can throw in a load of everything together. I'd rather do one load than maybe have to wait for a second machine to be free for my coloured wash!

[Mommypig]

In the laundry I throw in a sheet of "colour catcher" so I can throw in a load of everything together. I'd rather do one load than maybe have to wait for a second machine to be free for my coloured wash!

 

 

great idea. I have learned not to let my husband take any red t-shirts after that nasty pink shorts and underwear episode. A color catcher would have saved the day..

[Thrak]

The only really and truly "must have" for me on any cruise is my wife. :)

[shredie]

The only really and truly "must have" for me on any cruise is my wife. :)

 

Aww. Aren't you sweet? (And smart, too.;))

[LuckyStar]

Show them your cruise documentation verifying that you'll be away, and explain that you wish to organise that particular refill early so you have adequate supplies with you.

 

I'm lucky in that I can get 5 repeats on the original script, so I get them dispensed every 3 weeks, and store them in my "First Aid Cupboard" with the date I must start them written on each packet/bottle. I seem to have more trouble keeping an adequate supply of the Over-The-Counter stuff, been caught running out of vitamins taken under Dr's orders but purchased when on special to save a few $$$$. The Cancer Specialist told me to do that with Caltrate-we'd just found out I had Osteo-porosis, and needed to supplement Calcium, as that brand of supplement is regularly on special. Check the regular price, so you know when to buy up! My pain medication I get on prescription as 2 boxes for me are cheaper than buying 1 box over the counter!

When we took our long trip, our pharmacy had no problem with early refills, but I had to call my insurance company and that took a few days, so that might be a consideration. We just returned from 28 days around Europe, so I envy you.

 

Jenny[emoji2]

 

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[sue2go]

The only really and truly "must have" for me on any cruise is my wife. :)

 

I wish Cruise Critic had a like button! :)

[kdeans1010]

Just picked up something at target that is going in my cruise stash for short or long cruises. My dad is very low vision and he has a hard time finding his stateroom. I found sheets of magnet "wallpaper" for lockers in the back to school section. I will stick a couple of sheets on his door and hopefully he will be able to find it without too much problem.

I do this on all my cruises (I'm going on my first Princess cruise, this was on Disney cruises) with pictures of my dogs. I went to Shutterfly and had the best pictures of my dog made into magnets. People loved it and I was able to find my room.

 

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[PescadoAmarillo]

When we took our long trip, our pharmacy had no problem with early refills, but I had to call my insurance company and that took a few days, so that might be a consideration.

Vacation waivers are fairly common when dealing with shorter prescription periods but mine are three month prescriptions that I get filled at a local military base. When we started cruising for well over 90 days in a row, I started having to get two 3-month refills at a time. The military is not known for being yielding or flexible, but by giving them a couple of days notice, I was able to get them. The larger issue is scheduling medical appointments so that the prescriptions are valid for the entire duration we'll be away.

[SadieN]

Just picked up something at target that is going in my cruise stash for short or long cruises. My dad is very low vision and he has a hard time finding his stateroom. I found sheets of magnet "wallpaper" for lockers in the back to school section. I will stick a couple of sheets on his door and hopefully he will be able to find it without too much problem.

 

They also make a vinyl wall 'cling' that will go on any wall. It's not magnetic. Comes in many shapes and sizes. In the decor area. Seen them at Target, Staples, and Walmart. Some of them are dry erase.

Edited August 9, 2015 by SadieN

[pcur]

just want to mention while thinking about e-books. I subscribe (free) to BookBub.com. You tell them what genre of reading you are interested in.

Every day they offer books from Free to $2.99. If you’re a reader, it’s a good bargain and allows you to store quite a few books at very low cost.

 

I get all my Kindle books from bookbub.com, and use my Kindle app on my ipad. Looooove bookbub!!

[pcur]

Not a fan of reading off screen, I find it hard on my eyes. but I do use book bub and find some great books, that I then try and get as real books.

 

I reverse the color on my ipad when reading books: black background with white print. Much less glare, and easier on the eyes.

[pcur]

We've cruised up to 50 days, so here's my suggestions:

 

The meds: take enough for 10 days past the end of the cruise. That way you can order more online or when you get home, and have a cushion for the delivery if yours come by mail.

 

Clothes: I pack for 2 weeks, making sure a lot of the tops and bottoms can be mixed and matched. I take white, black, and brown/tan bottoms. Take an extra pair of 1/2 size larger day sandals, and the same for evening. I sometimes have swelling in my feet, and I've had sandals or shoes break on cruises.

 

Two or three bathing suits.

 

Laundry: Purex 3-in-1 sheets. Love them!

 

Toiletries: I take an extra full size bottle of my body wash (can't live without my White Citrus), a new mascara, and shaver refills. Obviously, enough of my other toiletries and make-up to last the duration.

 

At home: if you are gone more than than 60 days, or go home and leave again for another trip within a few days so you are gone for at least 60 days, look into suspending your cable service. ATT Uverse will allow you to suspend your service twice in 12 months, with a minimum of 2 months each time. We have voice, internet, and TV for $25 suspended cost per month.

[Mommypig]

They also make a vinyl wall 'cling' that will go on any wall. It's not magnetic. Comes in many shapes and sizes. In the decor area. Seen them at Target, Staples, and Walmart. Some of them are dry erase.

 

 

actually picked up a few of those for the world cruise. Found one that is a globe so we can track our progress.

[Mommypig]

I reverse the color on my ipad when reading books: black background with white print. Much less glare, and easier on the eyes.

 

 

I have both an iPad and a kindle paperwhite. The paperwhite I can read in the bright sunlight, and it is a 3g Whispernet one so when in ports that have sprint cell service I can download new books. The iPad will come as full as possible with new books and a few old favorites. I will probably also bring some paperback books for times when I don't want to risk the technology. Those books will get put on the shelf in the library for bring a book, take a book.

[hollydog]

I get all my ebooks from the local library. They expire after 3 weeks, but then I usually have one paperback tucked away. Our library also offers free magazine downloads.

[hollydog]

I reverse the color on my ipad when reading books: black background with white print. Much less glare, and easier on the eyes.

 

Great idea. Thanks! I knew you could do this, but never think about actually doing it.

[#1Nanna]

The only really and truly "must have" for me on any cruise is my wife. :)

 

 

Awwwww! That's sooo awesome!!!!