Best Things to Buy Before Cruise

[Tracey/Thom]

Only Lipton teabags on Carnival now, so if you're a tea drinker, bring your own (they charge $2 for good tea).

 

I bought a hanging rack from Walmart online. It helps when rinsing out swimsuits, undies etc and the retractable line in the shower is too small. We hook it on a closet door and air dry several items that have done most of their dripping in the shower.

 

We also bought 2 steel magnetic hooks that hold 5-10 lbs and stick them to the ceiling. Great for airing out shirts (on a hangar) that have been worn but don't need to be washed yet. We also hang a light cardigan near the door to grab on our way out as the public areas can get chilly. There's only so many things you can drape over the chair before the room starts getting disorganized. These were the MOST VALUABLE items - and took up next to no room in our suitcase.

 

We also loved a little magnet for the wall so we could leave each other notes about where we'd gone. Post it notes for the mirror was a useful thing too and helped to keep a tiny cabin organized.

[Colbycat]

I buy a couple of the super cheap inflatable rafts. They fit easily into a beach bag when we go ashore. We rarely take excursions, but seek out local beaches instead. I can quickly inflate the raft and use it all day. When we leave I give it to some local kids at the beach. They love it!

[lahlah57]

Life Jacket. It's best to wear it when you board since you don't know what time you will get your checked luggage.

 

Whaaaa:confused:

[Saint Greg]

Whaaaa:confused:

 

[FTLCruiseGal]

A couple of years ago I bought several collapsible papazan chairs. They store in the shape and size of a frisbee. They fit in the pocket of your luggage great and when you take them out they spring open to the size of a hula hoop with a mesh seat attached. For any beach or excursion they are great. I got mine at Target.

 

Ooh, I love this idea!!!! Can you provide more info? As you got them a few years ago, I am sure they are no longer at Target. However, if you provide a manufacturer name, I may find on eBay. Any info you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[travel33]

Ooh, I love this idea!!!! Can you provide more info? As you got them a few years ago, I am sure they are no longer at Target. However, if you provide a manufacturer name, I may find on eBay. Any info you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

I live in NC, and saw them in my local Target a few days ago.

Good luck :)

[queeniemi]

Ooh, I love this idea!!!! Can you provide more info? As you got them a few years ago, I am sure they are no longer at Target. However, if you provide a manufacturer name, I may find on eBay. Any info you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

CruiseGal-it's called a "spring float papasan". Still try Target, Walmart and Amazon. I could have paid for a cruise by the number of people that wanted to buy it! Best extra purchase ever!

[Zeta3]

Bonine/meclizine my one must have item

[Anyislandwilldo]

I found little plastic baggies at the dollar store. I put all the necessary meds in each baggie and write on the baggie which medicine is in which. For meds we don't take often, I cut the directions off the container and put them inside the baggie so we know the dosage. All the little baggies go inside a nice compact carrying case. This helps to save room by not packing all the containers of meds.

 

I'm also part of the lanyard geek club!

[beachbum53]

Life Jacket. It's best to wear it when you board since you don't know what time you will get your checked luggage.

 

I'm guessing you said this in jest. Life jackets are provided for everyone on the ship. There's no need to bring your own.

[beachbum53]

I am a new cruiser. Tell me the stuff you are glad to have bought prior to the cruise. I have read someone post a must buy is waterproof cameras as they are so expensive on board. I also plan on buying the Cheers package as I know this will save us money. So list your tips on must have purchases prior to cruising. :D

 

This might seem like a "Well, duh!" answer, but, if you're planning on doing a lot of walking while in port (on your own), or going on an excursion that involves a lot of walking, bring a comfortable pair of shoes, like sneakers, to wear. And, don't forget the sun block. Nothing will ruin a vacation like a sunburn.

[suzycruiser2]

Bonine/meclizine my one must have item

 

Totally agree...it is good for seasick and also great for overindulgence of adult beverages;)

 

I have always packed a lot of "just in case" items that I have never needed and I admit my packing has really gotten out of hand. I am going to really try to do better so that we can do self assist and save some time.

Edited June 6, 2016 by suzycruiser2

[Florings]

Meds for sure. Battery operated candle for bathroom nite light. Charger. Sunglasses and sunscreen. Febreeze. Few clothespins to hang wet swim suits on retractable shower line. Corkscrew if you bring your bottles of wine. Lint roller. Nail clippers. Downey Wrinkle Release. Tide Stain Pen. Little sewing kit. Earplugs.

[MJF0507]

FITBIT Charger.

[evandbob]

A carry on piece of luggage, to be used as your main piece.

 

You will need a truck to carry everything mentioned here, and I am of the school that less is more.

 

If you just use 1 small carry on, you will have all your essential items. Remember that this is a vacation, not a permanent move.

[Saint Greg]

I'm guessing you said this in jest. Life jackets are provided for everyone on the ship. There's no need to bring your own.

 

Those are one size fit all and not as comfortable to wear around.

[bar1068]

Booze...an adequate supply of booze....

Edited June 6, 2016 by bar1068

[DashOhQ]

I have a HUGE suitcase, I fill it. It's heavy but I don't really care. It's on wheels and rolls :)

 

I suppose that if you fly weight might be an issue but if driving (which we typically do all the way from Ontario, Canada because flying with four people is crazy expensive) the weight wouldn't matter. The suitcase may have to lay open under the bed instead closed if it is too bulky but this can also double as a laundry hamper.

 

Just my thoughts

[solesman]

I second the over-the-door shoe holder to organize stuff. We'd been on a few cruises before we gave it a try and ended up loving it.

[erinmarie424]

I found little plastic baggies at the dollar store. I put all the necessary meds in each baggie and write on the baggie which medicine is in which. For meds we don't take often, I cut the directions off the container and put them inside the baggie so we know the dosage. All the little baggies go inside a nice compact carrying case. This helps to save room by not packing all the containers of meds.

 

I'm also part of the lanyard geek club!

 

minimus.biz has individually wrapped doses of most OTCs - I bought many of these and an empty plastic soap dish which is the perfect size for carrying them all with some room to spare for bandages and my daily vitamins. Stays packed and ready to go and I take it any time I travel anywhere for any reason.

[angelsfort]

GINGER PILLS! they are small - pack enough for two a day (one in the morning and one at night) for each member of your party.

 

You never know when you'll be hit with motion sickness (I get it REALLY bad - cruise ship, car, doesn't matter what manner of transportation). Ginger pills work better than any of the meds for motion sickness or those silly bands that you wear on your wrists.

 

I swear by ginger. I start taking it a few days before the cruise to get a bit built up in my system and then take it throughout the cruise and I have NO problems whatsoever.

[angelsfort]

also bring a couple of EMPTY space bags (the kind you can roll up to get the air out - not the kind you need a vacuum for). Once the cruise is over, and you've added a couple of items to your belongings, it's a HUGE help to be able to pack some of your clothes into the space bag and roll out the air to compact it. VOILA! Now you've got more space in your luggage!

[ImaginationCruiseBride]

Cruise Critic needs to get a "Like" button! :p I also am a teacher that uses a lanyard & I totally get it! Geeks forever! :D

 

Me three....although technically I'm a retired teacher!

[meatloafsfan]

I take a weekly pill box (it has 14 compartments) and fill it with the various OTC drugs that we like to take - Tylenol, Aspirin, Advil, anti-diarrhea, stool softeners, Robax back pain medication, tums, acid reducer, gravol, ginger chews, Dayquil, Nyquil, cough drops (2 compartments). This way, I have pretty much everything we've ever needed.

 

I also pack:

 

Disposable, large size coffee cups and lids (sorry but the little tiny cups don't do it for me and I like the fact that I can take the disposable cups off the ship or throw them away instead of washing them out).

 

2 tide pods and 2 fabric softener sheets tucked into a Ziploc bag. You never know when you will need to do a load of laundry.

 

Minty gum - there's enough garlic used on the ship to beach a whale from bad breath. When going from dinner to the show (or in my case) the casino, it's night to have a chew and freshen the mouth before breathing on other people.

 

Books, crafts, hobbies (like colouring pages and markers). I'm not one to sit out in the sunshine all day, so I like something mindless to occupy me. We like to sit and colour, or do a simple craft kit (can be found at the dollar store) or read a book (or an electronic reading device).

[Denisomo]

The best thing I've taken for us is a small power strip to plug our cameras and my iPad into, there are never enough plugs, now I bring my own tea bags, not paying for flavored tea. I bring otc medicine for just in case and a sea sick band that in 16 cruise I've never used, knock on wood. We each bring a small flashlight to put on our night stand in case we get up at nite, also a small sewing kit, boy that's come in handy when that button pops off because the clothes shrink at the end of the cruise.