First time so what is a must to bring?

[crystalspin]

ncl pride of america 2/13/16 7 day hawaii

 

Ragsann --

 

Your rollcall is here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2168102

 

NCL's board is here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=107

 

If you were looking for packing lists, just read this thread and follow the suggestions! Hawaii is pretty much like the Caribbean...

Edited December 20, 2015 by crystalspin

[Hawka]

Head ache tablets as it costs way more if you go to the medical centre due to a headache then what a pack of panadol etc costs , sun screen .

[Slugsta]

There will always be snags and irritations, no matter how perfect the holiday. The difference in it being just an irritation and ruining your holiday is often down to nothing more (or less) than your attitude. Try to remain patient and courteous if things are not going the way they ought and remember that worse things happen at sea :D

[tubabob]

On any ship most electrical outlets are European-type, with one or two low-current American outlets. Bring a European adapter - two-prong European to American - and a short multi-outlet extension cord. Almost all phone/tablet/toothbrush chargers run on 110 and 220 volts, so you can plug all into one outlet.

[cruiseonthebrain]

Stay out of the casino. Don't buy souvenirs on the ship or on shore unless it is something you will really use later on. Eat meals in the included restaurants

on the ship.

 

Depending on the island, do your own excursion, take a public bus to nearby beaches, walk around. I would book an excursion for Jamaica because the vendors there are relentless.

 

As others have said, bring a small emergency kit with band aids, motion sickness tablets, ginger candy etc. Bring plenty of sunscreen from home.

 

I usually sit on my balcony with a book or e-reader. Some ships have a nice library, I don't know about yours. Relax, take it easy, enjoy!

 

I completely agree with this- I still remember how much costume jewelry I bought on my first cruise thinking it was such a great deal.

[Hawka]

If you get a multi plug board make sure no surge protector on it they don't want those the golden has us plug holes that I do know

[SMerritt]

1) Check on what proof of citizenship your cruise line recommends, and whether you need a passport. Order what you need immediately.

 

2) Check the dates on all your IDs, cards, etc to make sure they'll be current.

 

3) Check whether you will have medical coverage. (Medicare, for example, isn't usually active outside the U.S.) You can get trip medical coverage through the cruise line or an independent travel insurer.

 

4) Check what kind of insurance for cancellation, lost luggage, delayed flights, etc. that you can get through the card you booked with, your airline, your liability insurance, the cruise line, or an independent agent. Make up an emergency list just in case.

 

5) Check and double-check what time you're due back on the ship and leave a generous margin. So far as I can tell the biggest money drain besides needing a medical airlift is missing the ship and having to take an immediate flight to the next port.

 

Signed,

A Compulsive Planner

 

#1 and #2 plus pre-register and print out your Cruise Ticket(s)

 

Cruise Lines require a lot more "Red Tape" than checking into a Hilton

[cruznjan]

Insect repellent!

[Hawka]

Insect repellent!

 

I took this and didn't use it

[crystalspin]

I took this and didn't use it

 

Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

I have a tube the size of a Dri-Marker from REI, in my permanent 3-1-1 baggie.

[Hawka]

Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

I have a tube the size of a Dri-Marker from REI, in my permanent 3-1-1 baggie.

 

true , i took sun lotion i did use that

[Hawka]

did i say head ache tablets it is a must you take good chance if you don't you may get a head ache and wish you had

if you get some travel vacuum bags they help fit more clothes in bags and help when you need to put dirty clothes somewhere

[stuckinbuffalo]

Although I have been on several cruises, I always like to see what other's are bringing! I always bring the following:

 

*Highlighter to highlight things in the dailies.

*Coffee mug (for some reason I always like to have my own)

*Large baggies (hubby likes to have the pretzel rolls and we can keep them somewhat fresh in the baggies)

*At least one sweatshirt because it can get chilly at night

*a beach bag to throw everything in for the days by the pool

*Benadryl, ibuprofen, sunscreen etc. because like everyone says, it's much more expensive to buy that kind of stuff on the ship.

 

Hope this helps!!

[whataboutport]

You can get a lot of tiny sizes of OTC meds at the dollar stores. That is what I bring and I take them out of the boxes to save space.

 

If you have a shorter excursion and meals are not included, you can bring pre packaged food off the ship. They must be sealed, like boxes of single size cereal, granola bars from home, etc. It can tide you over until you get back on the ship to have a full meal. I used to think I wanted to eat the "local" food, but in reality, what you can get quickly near the ports is not authentic at all.

[xpanmanx]

I'm a first-timer, too. I've read that you might like to bring a power strip, because many staterooms have only one outlet.

 

Also, don't forget to inform your bank and credit card companies about your trip. Don't want those cards shut off in the middle of the fun!

Edited January 4, 2016 by xpanmanx

[Lard Greystoke]

Me and my soon to be wife will be taking the 7 day Caribbean Norwegian Jade. We are clueless what to bring and what not to bring. We upgraded to a balcony room and have the unlimited drinks included (Beer, wine, soda and ...). What other tips can you can your give to help our budget?:)

 

1) know exactly what documents you need and where they are: cruise documents, passport/ID, hotel reservations, car rental, everything. Making copies isn't a bad idea. Put an idea in your mind of where the important stuff needs to be and keep it there religiously.

 

2) meds, first aid, sunscreen, etc, same thing.

 

3) personal hygiene, same thing. Check out the TSA rules for what you can take in carry-on luggage, specifically as regards fluids.

 

4) camera, same thing. Phones/chargers. Maps, if any.

 

5) clothes/shoes: pack light. I wear a suit jacket down, but I wore it to formal dinners over cargo pants and dark sneakers. Nobody noticed. Nobody cares. It's a cruise.

[Livin4Real]

I'm not understanding the "no surge protector type powerstrips". The surge protection is for what is plugged into the strip not the outlet the strip is plugged into. If the surge protector pops it kills power to the strip not the outlet. We always bring them.

 

Some very helpful tips I've learned over the years.

 

Spread each others clothes out amongst ALL the luggage, that way if someones bag gets lost, they still have clothes.

 

Use bright colored zip-ties to lock your luggage bags before dropping off at the airport. This way you know if someone has gone through your bag.

 

Put a piece of paper inside each luggage bag with name, address, ship, room etc so God forbid if your tag falls off the outside they still know where its going.

 

Tip your porter at the dock WELL

 

We use water wallets while we are snorkeling, water sports etc so id's, cards etc are secure around our necks. And I always bring ziploc bags and plain dog biscuits (fish love them while snorkeling).

 

Scan copies of EVERYTHING, passport, credit cards, birth certificates, licenses, cruise docs then email them to yourself so you can access them anywhere in the world.

 

And like someone said earlier "patience and a sense of humor", too often people forget those working on cruise ships are people too and mistakes will be made. The ships crew work ungodly hours for little pay. Most spend months away from their families, dealing with a snotty, hateful passenger is the last thing the deserve. Treat them with some courtesy and respect and a friendly attitude and roll with the punches, it will make your vacation a whole lot better ;)

[Hawka]

Not sure why they don't want the ones with surge protectors on them maybe they trip their system if they have one ?

[crystalspin]

Our resident Ship's engineer explained it a while ago. I thought I saved it, but can't find it. Perhaps he'll be by soon.

[whataboutport]

I'm not understanding the "no surge protector type powerstrips". The surge protection is for what is plugged into the strip not the outlet the strip is plugged into. If the surge protector pops it kills power to the strip not the outlet. We always bring them.

 

Some very helpful tips I've learned over the years.

 

Spread each others clothes out amongst ALL the luggage, that way if someones bag gets lost, they still have clothes.

 

Use bright colored zip-ties to lock your luggage bags before dropping off at the airport. This way you know if someone has gone through your bag.

 

Put a piece of paper inside each luggage bag with name, address, ship, room etc so God forbid if your tag falls off the outside they still know where its going.

 

Tip your porter at the dock WELL

 

We use water wallets while we are snorkeling, water sports etc so id's, cards etc are secure around our necks. And I always bring ziploc bags and plain dog biscuits (fish love them while snorkeling).

 

Scan copies of EVERYTHING, passport, credit cards, birth certificates, licenses, cruise docs then email them to yourself so you can access them anywhere in the world.

 

And like someone said earlier "patience and a sense of humor", too often people forget those working on cruise ships are people too and mistakes will be made. The ships crew work ungodly hours for little pay. Most spend months away from their families, dealing with a snotty, hateful passenger is the last thing the deserve. Treat them with some courtesy and respect and a friendly attitude and roll with the punches, it will make your vacation a whole lot better ;)

 

Please don't feed the fish any non native foods to them. It's bad news. If you must feed the fish, sporting goods stores has fish food you can bring.

[crystalspin]

I found one thread about the prohibition of surge protectors. Post #3 is engineer Cheng's contribution, and has a link to a PDF document with the science behind it.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2237184

[Hawka]

http://www.uscg.mil/tvncoe/Documents/safetyalerts/SurgeProtectiveDevices.pdf

here is hid pdf link to why

[Livin4Real]

Please don't feed the fish any non native foods to them. It's bad news. If you must feed the fish, sporting goods stores has fish food you can bring.

 

It was the locals in the Caribbean that suggested it actually. Plain ones are basically wheat flour, oats, corn meal type ingredients. They are far less harmful to the fish than the chemicals (lotion, sunscreen, shampoo, soap, makeup etc) we wear on our bodies.

 

 

Good read on the power strips, I'll just stick to the plug in type extra outlet adapters.

[MVoelker]

I like to bring a card (library or store) with a strip on the back to use for the safe. I just prefer not to swipe one with credit card info on it. I like to bring a few magnets to put on the outside of my door because all of them look the same and you can easily spot yours. I always bring a lanyard with a pouch. You are often pulling out your card for drinks, door, on and off the ship and believe me almost everyone is wearing them. It is great when you are off the ship too. Also bring a bottle or mug for drinks. The one on board are so small

Edited January 11, 2016 by MVoelker

[beachbum53]

Lots of good suggestions on here, but here's one that hasn't been posted yet. In case you over-indulge with your eating and happen to gain a few pounds, you might to bring a pair of sweat pants (my brother likes to call them "fat man's pants":D) to wear home.