Jump to content

What is your favorite cruise "hack"?


grillinchillin
 Share

Recommended Posts

On 11/12/2018 at 7:11 PM, stellarose said:

1. magnet hooks for the walls (hats, wet bathing suits, lanyard with ss card)- can always have more hooks

 

2.  swell bottle

 

3. USB mulit plug.

 

4. mini first aid kit - with advil, anti diarrhea , cold cough, etc. 

I bought a small red cube with the white cross on it for a first aid kit.  I have band aids, bacterial cream, cold medicine, diarrhea med, anti diarrhea meds, tylenol, tucks etc.  The prices on the ship are outrageous.  The prices in port are not much better. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/13/2018 at 6:46 PM, Chervil said:

A hack our good cruisin' buddies taught us is to take about $100 in $1 bills with you.

This makes it convenient to tip the people who need tipping on the ship and in port(porters, bartenders, cab drivers, etc) without having to try to break large bills.
It also is more convenient in ports to buy small items without flashing a lot of large bills around.
Generally I only take with me what I plan spending in port and leave the rest in the room safe.

 

Another hack is to bring any cards or photos with you if you are on a special occasion and decorate the room with them!

We were celebrating our anniversary on our cruise and put the cards we had received on the mirror and desk.
It reminded us of the loving thoughts from our family and friends, and they got a kick out of seeing "their" card in the photos we sent them! They don't take much room either!

 

 

A hack for frequent travelers is to have a "travel journal" that you use from one trip to the next and keep notes in.
We have a checklist in ours and make sure to add any items we realized we forgot to the list for next time (or to scratch off any we realize we aren't using!).
This has helped us to become more efficient in taking what makes our trip more enjoyable and what we really don't get the use out of.

bring lots of $100 bills.  You can break them down at the kiosk on the ship, guest services or the casino.  Put some $20's back in the safe and take what you need into port.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/11/2018 at 3:33 PM, crooooze said:

I take my Guys burger to the buffet salad bar to get other fresher toppings, such crispy unshredded lettuce.  Also get a nice heap of that chunky potato salad on the side.

 

I also make my own chilled coffee drink, by scooping a tablespoon of powdered cocoa from the top of the hot chocolate dispenser, stirring it into hot coffee, then pouring over a yellow or green plastic cup of ice... Make sure the Lido staff don’t see you doing this 🙂

Thanks for contaminating the hot chocolate. If lido staff doesn't want you to be doing something, there is a reason why!

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have to try this one yet, but my wife is mildly disabled, so we are bringing a couple of those suction cup shower handles and we'll attach them to the shower walls.  When we leave, we'll pull the handles off and take them back home.  Instant accessibility for her and we get to stay in our room (aft wrap) that is not designed as an accessible room.

 

 

  • Like 5
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, BTromboneFrack said:

Have to try this one yet, but my wife is mildly disabled, so we are bringing a couple of those suction cup shower handles and we'll attach them to the shower walls.  When we leave, we'll pull the handles off and take them back home.  Instant accessibility for her and we get to stay in our room (aft wrap) that is not designed as an accessible room.

 

 

Wow. That’s a great idea. Disabled or not, it’s nice to have something to grab. Especially for the ladies who have to stand one legged to shave. 😂 Any shower can be slippery so I’m going to consider doing this, too!

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Battery operated tea lights, magnet hooks, small surge protector, a hat that can lay flat in your suitcase, towel clips, coozies for port beers, a watch if you don't wear one to stay on ship's time when in port, a separate card to use for the safe, I use a Best Western or AAA card that's not a credit card and keep it with my sign and sail, a large mug to use instead of the tiny cups on lido.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I do not think the guy should scoop the hot chocolate BUT how's he contaminating it? I am assuming he is using a clean spoon? I don't know why he wouldn't just use hot chocolate and coffee and pour that over ice.

And someones hack was to take  shower in the spa. I thought you had to be in a spa cabin to do that. My husband does that often. He goes to the gym and works out or soaks and showers there, leaving the cabin bathroom all for me!

Always bring a large insulated cup with you. Great for big cups of coffee or keeping cocktails cold longer. and magnetic hooks are nice for the walls. They hold the daily, hats , wet bathing suits...whatever.

Those same magnets are great for privacy. You can hang a sheet from the ceiling with them to partition off the kids bed if you want to stay up.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 hours ago, BTromboneFrack said:

Have to try this one yet, but my wife is mildly disabled, so we are bringing a couple of those suction cup shower handles and we'll attach them to the shower walls.  When we leave, we'll pull the handles off and take them back home.  Instant accessibility for her and we get to stay in our room (aft wrap) that is not designed as an accessible room.

 

 

 

I take magnetic wall hooks.  To make sure I don’t forget them, I leave the original packaging in my empty luggage.  It would be a shame to forget shower handles, so you might want to set up something to remind you to pack them on the last morning.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, tinkr2 said:

I do not think the guy should scoop the hot chocolate BUT how's he contaminating it? I am assuming he is using a clean spoon? I don't know why he wouldn't just use hot chocolate and coffee and pour that over ice.

And someones hack was to take  shower in the spa. I thought you had to be in a spa cabin to do that. My husband does that often. He goes to the gym and works out or soaks and showers there, leaving the cabin bathroom all for me!

Always bring a large insulated cup with you. Great for big cups of coffee or keeping cocktails cold longer. and magnetic hooks are nice for the walls. They hold the daily, hats , wet bathing suits...whatever.

Those same magnets are great for privacy. You can hang a sheet from the ceiling with them to partition off the kids bed if you want to stay up.

 

 

For the hot chocolate: his spoon may or may not be clean, but he certainly isn't wearing approved gloves.  Did he wash his hands just before reaching in the dispenser, or did he already get food and touch handles that others touched?  Did he touch anything with gluten or nuts that could be a possible contaminate for those with allergies or sensitivities? 

 

Spa shower: our last Pride cruises had showers, sauna, and steam room near the locker rooms - I don't think it had spa cabins.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 hours ago, bluesman0711 said:

Battery operated tea lights, magnet hooks, small surge protector, a hat that can lay flat in your suitcase, towel clips, coozies for port beers, a watch if you don't wear one to stay on ship's time when in port, a separate card to use for the safe, I use a Best Western or AAA card that's not a credit card and keep it with my sign and sail, a large mug to use instead of the tiny cups on lido.

 

All good ideas, except the surge protector. Surge protectors are not safe on the ship because of the way the electrical system works and can actually cause a fire. They are on the list off things that Carnival (and other cruiser lines) prohibit.

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2822/~/electric-outlets

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, Ron_L said:

 

All good ideas, except the surge protector. Surge protectors are not safe on the ship because of the way the electrical system works and can actually cause a fire. They are on the list off things that Carnival (and other cruiser lines) prohibit.

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2822/~/electric-outlets

Some surge protectors are prohibited but there are several power strips that are allowed.  I have never had a problem with bringing one onboard.  They are absolutely on the must have list as the cabins have minimum power outlets.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I bring a couple of the Ziploc Space Bags - the kind that you roll up instead of using a vacuum on.  I don't use them when getting ready for our trip - but use them at the end. I use them on our clothes so that we now have the room in our suitcase to also pack our souvenirs and other purchases from our trip!   Works wonders!!

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 minutes ago, GB Chicago said:

Some surge protectors are prohibited but there are several power strips that are allowed.  I have never had a problem with bringing one onboard.  They are absolutely on the must have list as the cabins have minimum power outlets.

I agree that an outlet strip or multi-tap adapter is essential, but ones with surge protectors are prohibited for safety reasons.  Please bring one without a surge protector to be safe. There is a fairly long technical explanation at the link below. 

 

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 hours ago, BTromboneFrack said:

Have to try this one yet, but my wife is mildly disabled, so we are bringing a couple of those suction cup shower handles and we'll attach them to the shower walls.  When we leave, we'll pull the handles off and take them back home.  Instant accessibility for her and we get to stay in our room (aft wrap) that is not designed as an accessible room.

 

 

 

THANK YOU for reminding me of this!  I actually have one of these in my house - my mom is 84 (and still in good health bless her) but when my Mr. and I travel and she house-sits for us I got it for her to make it easier for her to get in/out of my shower.  I am going on a cruise with her in September and I'll remember to take it with me now for her use on the ship.  I never would have thought of it without your post - thanks!

Edited by WorkerBee74
  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, pacruise804 said:

 

For the hot chocolate: his spoon may or may not be clean, but he certainly isn't wearing approved gloves.  Did he wash his hands just before reaching in the dispenser, or did he already get food and touch handles that others touched?  Did he touch anything with gluten or nuts that could be a possible contaminate for those with allergies or sensitivities? 

 

This.  Food safety is actually something that is taught to restaurant workers, and that would DEFINITELY fail the test.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/8/2018 at 8:00 AM, grillinchillin said:

Think of a "hack" as a creative (and legal) way to make something better.

 

My favorite food hack is to take a Deli Sandwich over to Guys Burger Bar and add Bacon, Tomatoes and Chipotle Mayo to for a take on a BLT.

 

What's yours?

Gonna have to try that...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/8/2018 at 5:18 PM, Jerseygirl1416 said:

When drinking in the Red Frog Pub ask the bartender for some pigeon peas. They’re a nice little spicy crunchy snack that goes great with beer. They don’t keep them out, you have to ask for them.

Pigeon peas. Will do!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I also bring a few large/ gallon sized zip lock bags for the end of trip..i use them to put those not-quite-dry items, like perhaps swim suits from the previous day, or maybe extra smelly things like underwear so they don't stink up or dampen everything. 

 

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/28/2018 at 8:26 AM, pacruise804 said:

 

For the hot chocolate: his spoon may or may not be clean, but he certainly isn't wearing approved gloves.  Did he wash his hands just before reaching in the dispenser, or did he already get food and touch handles that others touched?  Did he touch anything with gluten or nuts that could be a possible contaminate for those with allergies or sensitivities? 

 

Spa shower: our last Pride cruises had showers, sauna, and steam room near the locker rooms - I don't think it had spa cabins.

Just so youre clear, assuming a clean spoon, staff do not wear gloves. I work in restaurants, touching the handle of a spoon does not affect the safety of the bowl of the spoon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/9/2018 at 3:34 PM, Bobbylah said:

Ask your MD server on the first night if you can have the non-vegetarian Indian entree. They usually check with the Maitre d'. I make that request every cruise and have it brought as an additional entree (Don't judge me....I pass on all the desserts). 

Do you do this only on the first night? #LoveSomeIndianFood

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...