Need Great Ideas of clever things to bring

[JillzyC]

I second the Bubba Kegs - we love them!

 

In addition to disinfectant wipes, I also bring Lysol spray - it's fast, easy, and especially great for trash cans and things you have to pick up to clean (like phones and remote controls). And, it doesn't make me feel like I have to start off our vacation cleaning. :D

Edited February 22, 2009 by JillzyC

[Citizen Jane]

Packing dryer sheets throughout your suitcases makes your clothes smell great. Then, when on the ship you can use them if your ship has a laundry (ours does not) or put them in drawers with clothes and then with dirty laundry when you re-pack. Saves your nose when you get home if nothing else!:p

[Madsofa]

What a great thread! Thanks for all of the tips. :)

[tkat]

Something I bring that I didn't see mentioned is peroxide. It is really cheap and can be used in many ways. I have used it to clean a cut and get the blood stain out of the shirt. I like to use it to rinse off my feet after being in the sand. I generally leave the bottle behind making room for a small souvenir.

[JudiDM]

Great Thread!! Have tried most of these, learned a few new ones!! I agree about the cell phones, but you can use a calling card and not be charged minutes. A lot of phones have free incoming, but charge by the minute, especially the phones that you have to replenish minutes. I always take 70 one dollar bills with me for a seven day cruise and make sure I give them out by the end of my cruise. I leave the room steward a min of $3 a day. They do appreciate the cash!:p

[honeymoon-cruisers]

I didn't understand that one either! I had to do a Google search. Well, now I know what a Bubba Keg is! :o

 

Bubba's are always a good thing. It's a canadian thing. Who else would think of making such a large insulated mugs to carry large amounts of alcohol.

[JenniLynn]

As a flight attendant I developed my own system for organizing all the documents and things we had to carry, and now I use it whenever we cruise too!

It is simply a plastic school report stlye folder with clasps (designed to hold papers like a book) as well as the pockets on the sides. I then bought a zippered "pencil bag" that was 3 hole punched and put it in the clasps. All of our printed flight, hotel, and cruise confirmations are put in the pockets in the order that we will need them. Then our passports and some cash go into the zip pouch along with a sharpie and a highlighter or two. The folder gets slipped into my carry-on tote bag that never leaves my hands till we are safely tucked into our cabin and I can put the passports in the safe.

It keeps all the critical stuff organized, and safe, while still being easily accessible!:)

[kescott98]

Here are my suggestions, we always take these with us. Don't forget to pack a door decoration (from the dollar store). Also, a small strand of Christmas lights with suction cups, we attach these to the mirror in the room so we don't have bring a flash light with us. (we only plug them in at night.)

[mama ladybug]

Tazmanaf, loved your idea about these for the steward and wait staff.

 

We checked them out at WalMart this afternoon, and they all say "For calls originating from the U.S.," dial this 800#. Even the AT&T Worldwide card doesn't give any directions or # to call if you're initiating the call from outside the U.S. (which the ship's staff would be). Also, nowhere does it say how many minutes you get for your $10 or $25 card. And of course nobody in the store knows a thing. So we went to the AT&T store - same thing. They said to go online, but all I could find was about gophones and stuff.

 

Can anyone provide information on what kind you buy, where you get them, and respond to my wonderings about what if the call is being initiated from outside the U.S.

 

Thanks in advance.

Try a liquor store in an ethnic area. I always see them @ there. It's also great for you to make a surprise call home for real cheap! Whenever I get a call from a friend on vacation I always feel like I had a 2 min one too!

[cruisingirl75]

A mini size bottle of Febreze. Great for taking care of any mystery odors in cabin and spritzing on the life jacket. (Ours smelled really funky on our last cruise.):p

[Jiminw]

I found the name brand "Bubba Kegs" at my local Wal-mart just this past weekend. There were about different sizes. SO, those interested might want to check their local Wal-mart store.

[casinovisitor]

Moleskin in case of blisters. A picture of our 2 dogs which goes on the mirror in the cabin because we always miss them. We always bring a folding suitcase. It folds to about 18 by 10 and has wheels that pop out...when extended it is about 2 ft high and we use it as a carry on, on the way back to store our souvenirs that may be fragile.

Edited March 14, 2009 by casinovisitor
added

[electro]

I haven't seen this mentioned, a soft collapsible cooler.

It folds flat so it is easy to pack.

The room stewart will keep if full of ice for your drinks that you bring on.:D

Especially usefull if your cabin does not have a fridge.

 

Also great when going to the beach in port. Stop at the local store and fill it with beer instead of paying high prices at the beach bars.

[Happy_Me]

As a flight attendant I developed my own system for organizing all the documents and things we had to carry, and now I use it whenever we cruise too!

 

It is simply a plastic school report stlye folder with clasps (designed to hold papers like a book) as well as the pockets on the sides. I then bought a zippered "pencil bag" that was 3 hole punched and put it in the clasps. All of our printed flight, hotel, and cruise confirmations are put in the pockets in the order that we will need them. Then our passports and some cash go into the zip pouch along with a sharpie and a highlighter or two. The folder gets slipped into my carry-on tote bag that never leaves my hands till we are safely tucked into our cabin and I can put the passports in the safe.

 

It keeps all the critical stuff organized, and safe, while still being easily accessible!:)

 

How clever... Really helpful. Thanks!

[mamalicious]

Great tips, can't thank you enough!!

[yalesmom]

Thanks, I've picked up lots of ideas. One good one for those of you visiting a beach. Bring an old sheet. It's so much smaller than a towel, and the sand shakes off it easily.

Lori

[klass2]

Thanks for all the great tips. I'm subscribing to this so I can reference it when I get closer to my cruise.

[crusingnut]

I've read some great ideas on here. Here's a packing tip - pack your clothes on hangers it makes unpacking really quick. Just pull out of the suitcase by the hangers and hang in the closet. It really does cut amount of time spent unpacking on the ship.

[quiddler]

Wow, what a great list. I already had some of the items you mentioned but have added the lanyard w/ plastic card holder for my boarding pass. I hate hunting thru everything in my already crowded bag for it. Also the visor idea I didn't think of. Was going to take a sun hat (straw) with a brim but don't know if I need to pack such a big bulky thing.

Quiddler

[jerseytomato]

I did learn a few new ones though - super glue (I should know this one as I have crowns and caps:D)

 

please don't EVER put super glue in your mouth! the super glue site itself says "When using Super Glue, work in a well ventilated area to avoid breathing the fumes." I'm pretty sure if you shouldn't breathe it in, you shouldn't put it in your mouth. also, webmd and my own dentist (I have several crowns myself) say to not do this.

I hope you don't think I'm picking on you.... this is the 2nd post I've read mentioning this so I felt I had to put in my own two cents.

 

happy cruising! :)

[ECC Director]

I always save our undies, pj's and socks that are ready to throw out and take them on trips. This way we throw them away as we use them, saving on laundry when you get home and also making room for souvenirs.

 

I also read recently to take some glow braclets or necklaces (bought a tube of 25 at Target at Halloween) then activate one at night and slip it over the bathroom door knob in your cabin so you can find the bathroom at night.

[Peddler_of_Petals]

1st time cruiser here...I just wanted to say thanks for all the great ideas,I am going to add them to my list of Items to bring or do.Thanks again,I will definitely be reading future post for more ideas.:)

[sherry26]

Think about the things you buy while on vacation and use those items instead of packing from home. Don't pack t-shirts. You're going to buy t-shirts in port - wear them.

Don't pack a big cup/mug. You're going to buy a big cup in port - use it.

In Alaska I bought socks, a jacket, a hoodie, etc., etc. Packed less and had room to take things home.

[Ah-ah]

Hi All.

 

One thing I have used most for my 27 days trip was Manila Folding or Sheet Protector:

-Those sheets hold may daily program of the cruise (I was pick up extra copy from the Purser and put them in next page, so I can see all pages by flipping holding plastic) and at the end of the day, I keep one set for home reference.

- I also used those sheets to hold all papers issued on the ship such as information about next port/country, visa, landing card...

- Place my passport in it with a small crocodile clip to prevent them fall out.

- Holding print out of my research about interesting places, activities, addresses about calling port/country.

- At calling port, get local maps and check with local people (officer, tour guide, driver) where the ship dock on the map and where they will take us (or drop us). Folding the map to show area which we are interested, place into the most front pocket and they are handy all the time without hassle to open the map under rainy and windy day at the corner of street.

 

At the end of the day, take all material out, put aside and set up for next day.

 

I did not bring a laptop with me last time but will be with me in the future: (I thought we can use free computer on ship, so I only brought USB). My intention uses are:

- I did a lot of research about ship, activities on ship, Port of Calls, local maps, local attractions and how to get there, local products... with the laptop I can save all of them even photo of shops, streets, satellite shot and I can save a lot... During sea days, we can read all of them, plan for next port of call. You can even put in all details and photos about foods you've heard and ask the chef to make for you!!!

- Will use the laptop to check all photos we take during the trip, recognise all bad photos so we can delete or have a chance to retake them and most of all download all photos into the laptop to free up space on the camera.

- With a big space on the laptop, we can use camera to film all the activities on ship (even on shore), transfer all of them into the laptop, so we can watch them again. (I was first time attended Western Line Dancing and Ball Room Dancing, I forget all thing we learned on the next day, and filming dancing lesson really help for practising)

 

A reasonable size of vacuum flask which is used for Port day. Fill it up with ice from the ship and with some can drink or bottle of water, drink won't be a problem for whole day trip, even in the hot day.

[HurleyD]

Wow! Many of you are so thoughtful about giving treats to the staff. I've never thought of it and I wish I did. Before we leave, I'm making sure I get a few goodie bags so they can enjoy it along with their tips.

 

Anyone have other suggestions on stuff to bring for the staff?