What Extras Do You Pack?

[JamieLogical]

Over the years, I have learned to pack a few extra items to make cruise cabins more comfortable and convenient. When sailing on NCL specifically, these are the extras that I always pack:

 

Folding cubbies for the closet shelves since Breakaway and Breakaway Plus Class ships don't have drawers. Found them at the Dollar Tree.

 

 

Suction cup foot rest for the shower so I can shave my legs, since NCL doesn't have them built in like some other cruise lines. Found on Amazon.

 

 

Tiny, collapsible camp stool to use as a foot rest on my balcony, if the room steward can't/won't bring me a lounger. Found on Amazon.

 

 

Outlet adapter with extra plugs/USB ports to make an EU outlet actually useful. Found on Amazon.

 

 

Final Straw (collapsible, reusable straw), since NCL has phased out plastic straws. Found on Final Straw website.

 

 

As an added bonus, here are a couple of other things I have to make the travel experience a little easier:

 

Luggage tag holders with steel cables. They come in different sizes/shapes depending on which cruise line you are using. Found on Amazon.

 

Passport cover with pocket that perfectly fits CDC card in the back. Found on Amazon.

 

 

What extra items have you found to make your cruise/travel better?

[PTC DAWG]

Last two cruises, small USB fans..I need some air moving. Not sure why I waited so long for this. Fan in our bedroom at home is never off. 
 

Small LED flashlight whenever I travel. 
 

DRUGS.  The legal ones. 🙂
 

 

Edited October 25, 2022 by PTC DAWG

[ColeThornton]

Absolutely nothing "extra".  I just bring minimal clothes, toiletries and a good attitude.

[RocketMan275]

my own travel pillow and my own robe since Once Size Fits All Doesn't

[Laszlo]

These power adapters are excellent. The take advantage of the European plugs in the cabin.

 

https://www.amazon.com/European-VINTAR-International-American-Outlets/dp/B07SH4PKWJ?keywords=european+travel+plug+adapter&qid=1666705636&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI0Ljk2IiwicXNhIjoiNC4yMiIsInFzcCI6IjQuMTcifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=eur%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=laszlopbagi05-20&linkId=fec0ea3e9ab3f90504f13d5b7d3f0678&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

[jlacy1987]

The collapsible storage bins is brilliant! We have some at home already for dresser organization with our toddler's clothes. 

 

For me, I bring a toddler sized backpack of toys to keep our 2.5 year old entertained. There is entertainment on the ship, of course, but every time we travel, I always bring some small toys, plus some coloring supplies to keep her busy before everyone else is up and ready for the day.

 

We bring our favorite reusable cups, too, wherever we go. I will probably bring some small liquid creamer packets for the room because I hate powdered creamer and want decent creamer for when I make it in the room. 

 

I also bring motion sickness medicine with us now, for cruise ships. Our last cruise ship, we weren't prepared because I never get sea sick, but my stepson got seasick during some rough seas. I managed to snag the literal last box on the entire ship, so now we'll make sure to pack them ahead of time. 

[rxlowry]

Magnetic hooks.  Great for bathing suits, hats, papers. 

[Laszlo]

I also bring two Relief Bands, these work fantastic. Neither my wife or I really get sea sick, but we do sometimes get a little nauseated. The band starts working in 5 minutes, any OTC meds I tried just makes me sleepy

 

https://amzn.to/3FgNvvq

[JamieLogical]

I can't believe I forgot to mention my Rebound Patches and Liquid IV packets to accommodate all of my heavy drinking!

 

Edited October 25, 2022 by JamieLogical

[hallux]

8 minutes ago, Laszlo said:

I also bring two Relief Bands,

I had one or two of those, bought for my first cruise.  Never took it (them) out of the package (despite the "perfect storm"-type seas) and have since misplaced them, but never needed them anyway...

 

I bring refillable water bottles (one aluminum/vacuum-insulated, one Nalgene quart-size) for my water consumption.  I also bring a device charger, but it's an Anker PowerPortPD unit, sits on the desk and plugs into a 110 outlet.  I also usually carry a couple portable battery packs for device charging - one 15k mAh and one 5k mAh.

Edited October 25, 2022 by hallux

[trivimp]

I'm a lanyard person.  I realize this is controversial for some reason, but women's clothing rarely has adequate pockets.  I bring a pretty jewelry-style lanyard so I don't feel so workplace-chic.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06VW235P9/ 

[laudergayle]

Zofran (ondansetron).  This little pill is a HUGE lifesaver.  It’s prescription for nausea and diarrhea.  Prior to Covid the cruise virus du jour was Norovirus.  Trust me, it’s still around. We contracted it on the Bliss last May.  For some unknown reason I threw some into our mini med kit.  OMG, that is the only reason we didn’t rack up big $$ at the medical center.  We will never travel without it again. 

[PTC DAWG]

50 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

I can't believe I forgot to mention my Rebound Patches and Liquid IV packets to accommodate all of my heavy drinking!

 

I just assumed that part. 🙂

[j603]

I really like your ideas JaimeLogical!

[complawyer]

extension cords. i have a cpap machine and there is usually only one ac outlet near the bed. this way, we can plug in cell phones, kindles, and my wife's apple watch. 

[Laszlo]

1 hour ago, hallux said:

I had one or two of those, bought for my first cruise.  Never took it (them) out of the package (despite the "perfect storm"-type seas) and have since misplaced them, but never needed them anyway...

 

I bring refillable water bottles (one aluminum/vacuum-insulated, one Nalgene quart-size) for my water consumption.  I also bring a device charger, but it's an Anker PowerPortPD unit, sits on the desk and plugs into a 110 outlet.  I also usually carry a couple portable battery packs for device charging - one 15k mAh and one 5k mAh.

On our cruise in February I'll be bringing three action cameras, about 6 batteries for them and a small battery power bank. I'm also going to bring my underwater scooter that has three batteries. I wonder if NCL is going to send me a bill for the extra power Lol

 

I bring this power strip, its cheap and has worked well. Its a Non surge type....

 

https://amzn.to/3VXMOwO

Edited October 25, 2022 by Laszlo

[EvanBedar]

I bring one of these just to store laundry until I get around to figuring out how I'm going to launder it.   Not a necessity, it just keeps the underwear and socks off the floor, and a place to toss a damp swim trunks.

They collapse to about the thickness of about a half inch.

[NikiPinkston]

Packing cubes! Since there are no drawers, I just take them out of my suitcase and place them on the shelves & it's a great way to stay organized.

[cruiseny4life]

One cruise I brought a silicone cup to carry around with me. I forgot it on the second cruise and found out they have plastic cups at the bars so I don't have to carry glass around the ship with me. Yay! 

 

We brought something similar to the hamper @EvanBedar mentioned, but it was a bag, not a fold down hamper. Since our Sept. cruise my husband through it out, so we'll just be using the little NCL-supplied nylon laundry bags to bring our clothes home in. 

[JGmf]

Don't sleep anywhere overnight without a portable white noise machine.  This is a must-bring for me on a cruise.  Rather small, so not a hassle to bring along.

 

 

[EvanBedar]

3 minutes ago, JGmf said:

Don't sleep anywhere overnight without a portable white noise machine.  This is a must-bring for me on a cruise.  Rather small, so not a hassle to bring along.

 

 

I use a CPAP machine, so I'm good in the hissing department.  lol

 

[JamieLogical]

57 minutes ago, EvanBedar said:

I bring one of these just to store laundry until I get around to figuring out how I'm going to launder it.   Not a necessity, it just keeps the underwear and socks off the floor, and a place to toss a damp swim trunks.

They collapse to about the thickness of about a half inch.

 

 

Can't believe I forgot to mention my hamper! I have this one that has a removable divider in it so that when my husband and I are traveling together, we can keep our clothes separate. Found on Amazon.

[clubmember]

Great thread!  For some white noise, fan, allergy reduction and now covid, I use one of these:

 

https://pureenrichment.com/products/purezone™-mini-portable-air-purifier

 

 

Edited October 25, 2022 by clubmember

[JamieLogical]

17 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

 

Can't believe I forgot to mention my hamper! I have this one that has a removable divider in it so that when my husband and I are traveling together, we can keep our clothes separate. Found on Amazon.

 

Forgot to mention that this one fits perfectly in the bottom of a Breakaway and Breakaway Plus class balcony closet and still leaves some room for my long dresses to hang down on one side.

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

I always bring a first aid kit (after paying almost $200 for band aids and gauze in Canada!) that includes most OTC meds/seasickness bands/ace wraps.   Converter plugs, extension cord, portable battery.  Noise-cancelling headphones (for travel).  I have a travel folio to hold all my travel documents so I can easily access them.  A small flashlight, ziplock bags of various sizes ('cuz you never know!), and several books.  And finally, a couple of decks of cards, just in case I run out of $$ for the casino!