What items are "must takes" for a cruise just so you'll "always be prepared?"

[cfk2439]

What I found to be a great help was that I put everything on hangers and purchased plastic bags from the dry cleaners. I put the bags over everything and when I unpacked, I was able to hang all garments up on their hangers. The best part was they had no wrinkles because of the plastic bags!!

[LovetheSea]

Another thing I use my little flashlight for, is looking under the bed, under the couch and on the top of the closet to check if we left anything before we depart the cabin at the end of the cruise. I have found a few interesting things others have left as well. Always pull out the little table next to the bed and look under them too. I would have left a few things without knowing if I didn't.

Once I packed an "all in one" tool that included plyers. My hubby gave me a hard time about it. Well, one of the handles on our suitcases was damaged at the airport or on the plane. The ring was bent. I just took out my trusty plyers, and Wa La!

[L11]

Last trip, my DH found a travel size roll of duct tape, of all things. It was pretty cute--it didn't have a cardbord core, so it was almost flat and it was yellow! It was at our local pharmacy with the other travel sizes. Thankfully, we didn't need it, but it came in handy to identify our suitcases (we taped a big yellow triangle on the side of our black suitcases).

 

The insulated cup idea is a good one too. you can stuff your clean socks in it when you pack, so it does not take that much room.

 

In terms of clothing, let's hear it for washable coordinating separates!

 

Linda

 

Linda

[gracecarmo]

One thing I find very useful is the shoe bag that you can hang on your bathroom door hook. Put all your cosmetics in the see through pockets. I bought a long bag and cut it in half. I find that I just need 8 pouches to fit my needs.

 

Grace

[newtocc]

I normally pack the Kidsters, not only do I save on the additional cruise fare, but I don’t have to chase those cute little guys around during embarkation!

 

This ship 10/91

That ship 11/95

Whatever ship 12/98

here a ship 13/99

there a ship 14/00

everywhere

a

ship ship 15/05

 

<font size="3" color=red>Over 1 year</font> into my LMBO cruise

[LovetheSea]

newtocc.. That is another good use for duct tape!

[Silverfox]

Sometimes there aren't enough drawers in the cabin so I bring along a few of the very small shopping or gift bags (think size about 8x10 at the most). They are very handy to store hose, lingerie, etc. in and fit on the floor of the closet.

[LovetheSea]

We leave in the morning to go on the Infinity! We have been told all along by customer service, that we will have one formal night (it is only a two night cruise) Now I found out yesterday, that there will only be an informal and casual. AND it will be raining most of the time. So yesterday, I completely changed what I will be bringing to wear. I took a bigger suitcase out and transferred everything to it. I am bringing a formal AND an informal outfit. At this point I won't believe anyone and I want to take the right thing. I also have added a few things that you all have talked about. Thanks!

Now the BIG decision time . Which Martini should I try first?

[buffett010]

Besides the OTC medications already mentioned (tylenol, aspirin, Tums, Burgoon's, etc.), we also try to remember to pack an extra tote bag that zips for carry-on souvenirs. Also, we bring bubble wrap baggies that fit our alcohol just perfectly for when we carry those on, too!

 

-----------------

"When you see the Southern Cross for the first time, you'll understand just why you came this way."

[tuggers]

Try the Limon' (quite refreshing) or the Delight first. Then move on to a French before dinner and have a Chocolate Creme as an after dinner drink. Mmmm...

 

Until the Zenith! Second X Cruise In Two Months!

 

 

 

[LovetheSea]

tuggers.. sounds good to me!

 

buffett010... I forgot the bubblewrap! That is a really good idea! My mother always takes sheets of bubble wrap.

[stephy1]

Lovethesea,

 

Do the Martini tasting, you usually get five "small" martini's to try.

 

Stephanie

 

1986 Southward, NCL;1987 Holiday, Carnival;1988 Seaward, NCL; 1989 SS Norway, NCL;1990 Starward, NCL;1991 Skyward, NCL;1993 & 1994 Viking Serande, RCL; 1996 & 1997 Westerdam, HAL;1998 Noordam, HAL;1999 Veendam, HAL; 2000 Galaxy, Celebrity; 2001 Ryndam, HAL; 2001 Horizon, Celebrity;2002 Zaandam, HAL;2002 Horizon, Celebrity;2003 Constellation, Celebrity;2004 Mercury, Celebrity

[debjac]

Last month I got a very bad sunburn on the tops of my feet - they were swollen for 3 days so I'm really glad I brought a very cute pair of flip flops - I lived in them those days

[goofynewfymom]

This may seem silly, but we like to have white noise when we sleep, so we always bring along a travel fan (small) or sound machine...did anyone mention binoculars yet? Oh, and walkie talkies...especially if traveling with kids or a large group...they help out a LOT! Have fun!

[shipcruise]

Post it notes are great to leave your travel partner, or the kids a note. I especially use them when we have the kids, I leave them a message on the door or mirror-be ready for dinner at ---! that kind of thing.

[CaribbeanBound]

Most of the above, plus... small battery-powered travel alarm clock that lights up when you press a button, insulated mugs for drinks, bungee cord to keep the veranda door open at night, ballons to tie on the veranda to make it easy to pick out the cabin in our pictures, daily door poster announcements: "If it's Friday, it must be San Juan"..., a rollup shoe tree that hangs on the back of a door --- it has lots of pockets to keep things in, among lots of other things.

[nealberk]

Doesn't the ship have tylenol and ibuprofin that they freely hand out at the main desk?

[high seas gal]

Wow! After four cruises I thought I was a pretty good packer, but thanks to all of you, I now have some great suggestions. Thank you!

Newt ... good to see you back on the boards. I have missed you. I do think your thought on packing the kidsters was fairly good, however can't quite figure how to pack a 30 year old into a suitcase. And if he fit, then his sister would complain that she wanted to go, and I'd have to pack her too. Truthfully, DH and I are looking forward to a time ... [I]away[/I]! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Now I need to re-read this thread, and jot down all the things I want to remember to pack!

And, one more day has disappeared from my countdown clock!

High Seas Gal
Northern California

Celebrity Mercury - October 13, 2004 - Mexico!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;10;13;20;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

NCL Sky Jun. 2000 (ALASKA)
NCL Sky Aug. 2001 (ALASKA)
Princess Regal Princess Jul. 2002 (ALASKA)
NCL Sun Sep. 2003 (ALASKA)

[Shirley & Gil]

How about a "Wizard" or other brand room deodorizer that you plug in. Some of them have night lights built in and it makes the room smell good when you open the door.

Also, we take an ID badge holder to wear around your neck (put it under your shirt) when getting off the ship. It holds your room key, ID, charge card and/or money. You can buy them at Walmart, Office Depot, etc.

Shirley & Gil

Song of Norway 1/1982
Noordam 1/1984
Nieu Amsterdam 1/1985
Westerdam 2/1988
Star Princess 2/1990, 2/1997
Regal Princess 2/1992
Crown Princess 2/1994
Dreamward 2/1995
Century 2/1999
Mercury 2/2000
Costa Atlantica 2/2001
Ocean Princess 2/2002
Brilliance of the Seas 1/2003
Summit 2/2004
Summit 2/2005

[Host Karen]

Don't forget the Immodium and Pepto Bismol. Since the Norwalk outbreaks, you can't buy these items onboard. Great way to avoid seeing the ship's doctor in case of minor stomach problems. A travel umbrella. An extra set of rechargeable batteries for the digital camera so you always have a set ready. Plenty of film for regular cameras so you don't have to pay big bucks in port. A positive attitude and plenty of smiles.

Karen

6/5/05 Brilliance Mediterranean [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=75010536"]roll call[/url]

Infinity in... [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;12;5;21;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

Brilliance 6/05, Infinity 12/04, Brilliance 2/04, Adventure 11/03, Brilliance 2/03, Grand Princess 3/02, Dawn Princess 11/01, Ocean Princess 5/00

[tuggers]

Just reread this thread prior to starting packing and found a couple of things I had forgotten about. No matter how many times we've cruised, we can still learn from each other! Thanks everyone!

Going on CENTURY! Third X Cruise In Four Months!
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[Guest]

A large travel coffee mug since on the ship the coffee cups hold about three ounces.

Below is the definitive Duct Tape web site.

Don

[url="http://www.ducttapeguys.com/"]http://www.ducttapeguys.com/[/url]

[DUCK33]

again with the duck tape!!!! why are you people so insistant on taping ducks?

[Rustynail]

Duck tape??? is that for using on your wife when she's quacking too loud??

Rusty

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Until we sail the Carribean Princess<BR


CARRIBEAN PRINCESS JAN 2005
<IMG
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CARNIVAL'S LEGEND JAN 2003
CELEBRITY'S CENTURY DEC 2003

[tuggers]

A space bag that you can roll to flatten. I pack with it unused and then fill it with dirty clothes which makes room for some of the souviniers (sp). Also use one for my down pillow that I HAVE to have!

Going on CENTURY! Third X Cruise In Four Months!
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