Unusual things to pack

[SeaScout]

A few items I always bring.

 

Binoculars. You would be suprised how often you will find

yourself using them if you bring them.

 

My handheld Garmin Etrex GPS unit. Very interesting to know where exactly you are when at sea, and helpful for navigating our way around the different ports of call.

 

Small rubber suction cups with a small hook attached. These work perfectly for sticking to the side of the ship on the balcony. Hang the wet swimsuits off them and they are dry very quickly. Also can be used to hang swimsuits in the shower to dry.

 

My small Grundig AM/FM/shortwave radio. I have picked up some very interesting radio traffic while 300 miles out at sea. It keeps me amused and on the balcony late at night rather than in the casino losing money.

[CookieMonster]

Apple Airport ( Has a Modem to connect to

cybercabin service and give unlimited incabin

wireless for both of us )

Laptops ( send lots of photos home )

GPS ( Plot the ships progress on the Laptop )

Ham Radio ( or a scanner works well to listen

into ship and port operations as you come into

and leave ports )

[Nanatravel]

Lots ($100 for a week) of $1 bills for: porters; taxi drivers, room service, tour driver tips and small purchases like stamps on board and on shore. I only take about $20 in $1's on shore excursions for small purchases. It helps prevent getting local currency as change.

 

Clothes pins/clips, post-it notes, high lighters and plenty of film and suncreen. I like print film cameras. A large envelope to keep ship photo's, Compass' copies and all paper souvenirs for inclusion into a scrap book or photo album. I always buy the ships 4x6 photo album for shots that are almost impossible to get of the ships interior and exterior.

 

An insulated sports water bottle for on-shore and by the pool drinks. Ship's water is fine. No need to lug bottled water with you.

 

Bon Voyage

Nanatravel

[takeatrip]

I always travel with zip lock bags and clear package tape. Not sure why on the tape but I find some need most every trip. Clothes pins are great help to hang swim suits to dry. A tiny bottle of Woolite or such to rinse things out has been good.

[banderboo]

flavored coffee creamer (liquid not powdered) You can get the individual serving sizes in the coffee aisle.

[khm1]

Try this web site. Lots of great articles and tips:

http://***************/pack_it.htm

http://***************

 

Try the articles section;)

[DEElovesCruisin']

On our first cruise I got hung up about the disposible water camera we purchased. I was worried it would get ruined in the airport (To/From).

 

Solved this problem on next cruise, I purchased a water camera in P. Rico (same price as home in Walgreens) and I had the pictures developed on board (CD + hardcopy). Price was a couple of dollars more, but I didn't worry about having to hand-carry the camera.

 

I agree with trying to take as little as I can. My "dream" would be to take only a carry on, but the shoes, oh the glorious summer shoes, take up too much space. I do try and take my cosmetics in the smallest containers I can get. I also take 3/4 note cards to write notes to the staff when I give the gratuities, of course you could get some nice ones in port.

[YoungPlatinumGuy]

Started a very similar post to this back in August. Here is the link:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=388051

 

Best things I brought were 2 pop up collapseable hampers and 2 airwick air fresheners.

[WindinmySails]

I took a battery charger and rechargeable batteries--don't take up a lot of space. I also took a car freshener from yankee candle and put it on the shelf over the mirror. It weighs nothing.

 

Barbaragrace--I can't get seaside holiday anymore. It was my favorite scent!

[khm1]

Try this web site. Lots of great articles and tips:

http://***************/pack_it.htm

http://***************

 

Try the articles section;)

For some reason my link wouldn't show the website is called Cruise Diva, do a google search and it should come up. There are different packing lists on this site and tons of helpful hints.

[cfeeley]

We just got back from the Rhapsody, and here's stuff I was either glad to have packed or WISHED that I had:

- Conditioner (they only give you the shampoo/conditioner combo - hate it!)

- A light-up clock for your stateroom ... I hate waking up and not knowing what time it is!

- Retractable badge reel/ID holder with a hook ... the purser can punch your seapass card, adn the hook makes it great for holding both your card AND your mini-highlighters (they have 4-packs of mini-highlighters, all in different colors).

[skypilotks]

Hmmm!! I get strange looks from room attendent, but bring 2 small fans, power strip and extension cord, also duct tape and zip tyes!! We hang one fan from the ceiling near the air vent to help push the cool air around the room! The other, DW has on her night stand while she sleeps for the white noise and the air blowing over her! The duc tape is to tape the extension cord across the ceiling over to the bed area!

I also have one of those small HP photo printers (HP130) that i can slip my SD card into and print up our U/W photos when we get back from diving!! They are always great conversation pieces at the dining table.

A new thing we saw in our cabin last week, that somebody else had left was those 3m stick-up hooks that are easy to take down!!

[skypilotks]

sorry about double submit

[countchocula202]

Will be going on the Mariner soon, and I am thinking about packing. Every time I go on a cruise, I say "I wish I had brought ______". I was wondering if I can get some ideas of unusual but useful things you have brought on a cruise and couldn't live without on the next. I am already packing a power strip and Post Its!

 

If there is a link for another thread I can get ideas from, that would be welcome too.

 

Lots of great tips so far! In addition if you travel with kids (or even if you're not) take along a stain stick for when stains occur just treat before putting in hamper. I usually take an almost empty one so I can just throw it out before the trip home.

[blackbird71]

FYI, I keep a Excel Spreadsheet for packing and add and delete things on it. This works well for me. For example on my Seabourn cruise, they provide suntan lotion so that is a delete but they have Bose Wave CD radios so I had to add a connector from my iPod. ;)

 

By keeping it in a speadsheet it makes for easy packing from trip to trip. It also is easy to update counts for say a 14 day cruise over a 7 day cruise....

[Stella Darling]

An emergency dental crown repair kit! Found a tiny one at Eckard for only about $10. Nothing could be worse than having your crown fall off on the first day of the cruise with no dentist on board! It hasn't happened yet, knock wood, but if it does, I'm prepared. Also a few safety pins for making certain your wet clothes don't fly overboard.

[Shanafan]

I took a battery charger and rechargeable batteries--don't take up a lot of space. I also took a car freshener from yankee candle and put it on the shelf over the mirror. It weighs nothing.

 

Barbaragrace--I can't get seaside holiday anymore. It was my favorite scent!

Can you believe they discontinued it??? When I saw it was no longer going to be available I bought up all I could.

[madisonswims]

Do we need to bring beach towels? Or, are we able to take towels from the ship to the beach and on excursions with us? I would love to avoid packing bulky beach towels if at all possible.

 

Thanks much for all the ideas!!!

[rosie40]

Do we need to bring beach towels? Or, are we able to take towels from the ship to the beach and on excursions with us? I would love to avoid packing bulky beach towels if at all possible.

 

Thanks much for all the ideas!!!

 

You can use their towels. Saves a lot of space.

 

Another thing I have always taken everywhere I go, is my own pillow :D It always ensures a great nights sleep.

[kevin priestley]

i was reading this thread and it is great especially for beginners.I am planning on bring three electronic luggage locators that i purchased some time ago for when we travel.They are great when you get off the ship and your looking in the piles of suit cases for your luggage all I do is press my button on my key chain and the locators will illuminate and beep. Hence my luggage.

[Cruisin Dave]

A hand operated blender would be terrific for fixing you own margarita's on the balcony. It can be found here: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/03/lehmans_handcra.php

[dizzy205]

we always bring a fold up cooler, a power strip, extension cord.

this time we will be bringing a wisp air freshener.

I will also pack som big pins....good idea!

We got some really cool star shaped post-its too.

We also hang a laundry bag in the closet.

I always carry the stain stick remover, it is always in my purse...no problem there!

Remember to pack one comfy outfit for the trip home.....you will want comfort clothes by then....no one cares at that point, so be comfy!

Also, if you are coming from a distance away....pack warm weather clothes in your carry on to change after the long trip.

If you have time--send yourself a bottle of bubbly for you and whomever you ar traveling with for when you board......to toast your trip.

[mstea]

The best thing I can't forget to bring , is an over the door holder.. I guess it's really a shoe holder, but it works great for all those little things you need to keep handy, sun tan lotion, water camera's , medicine, etc... and it folds up really small.. I found one that's a material, netty instead of plastic...

[Mrsg324]

i was reading this thread and it is great especially for beginners.I am planning on bring three electronic luggage locators that i purchased some time ago for when we travel.They are great when you get off the ship and your looking in the piles of suit cases for your luggage all I do is press my button on my key chain and the locators will illuminate and beep. Hence my luggage.

 

where do you find thes locators at?

[samtig]

Bring a night light/air freshener combo for the restroom; 2 small flashlights; 2 cheap, light weight beach towels so don't have to lug heavy ship towels to the beach (and don't have to pay for them either if lost). Take 6-packs of water & cokes in a suitcase & use empty suitcase for souveniers on return trip.