Any tips on things to do right before you leave?

[cdngb]

I would agree with a lot of the above noted suggestions. The areas of concern should be your house, packing, getting to the ship and preparing for the trip.

The house sitter, usually a family member, should have a list of groceries that you would need on your return, ie. bread, milk and lunch items if there is work or school the day after you get back, as well a copy of your travel plans.

Be sure that your clothes fit and are clean before you start packing. This will also start you thinking of what to bring. Make a list of non- clothing needs such as medicines, toiletries, electronics and chargers, and others such as small flashlight for nightime trips to the can, a bungee cord for keeping a door open, a plug in air freshner for the cabin, a grocery list for the cabin, buy at the port of departure if possible so you do not have to fly with them. We bring copies of any drug and eye glass Rx, as well as a first aid kit that we made up especially if you travel with kids.

Get AAA Trip Ticks or Map Quest directions if needed, and parking info. Many hotels will let you park for the week with one nights stay, along with a ride to the ship. We usually rent a car for the day to get to and from the ship from the airport and there is always a drop off place near the pier.

We use the internet to research the ports beforehand, and we bring the details that we have found, including internet cafes in the ports due to the cost of the ship's.

We always keep the trips paperwork together in an old folder from a previous cruise, so that it is always handy.

And most important, bring your sense of humor and your ability to adjust as things do happen. Remember that most things can be fixed, and whatever happens it is better than work. All the best.

[kenziebaby]

We brought a collapsible hamper for each room -- and it was GREAT! worked well to tote laundry to the washers, if need be.

 

Karen

[Coastalbreezes]

Since I wear glasses, I always take an eyeglass repair kit -- it has come in handy several times!

I also take a small bottle of Purell hand sanitizer and use it constantly on board especially when I am in the casino.

At home, I leave a big calendar with my house sitter -- instructions regarding the dog, vet telephone number, when to mail bills, water plants, phone numbers to reach me, etc. It really comes handy.

TracyE

[suzequ]

Day before we leave my DD and I always get a manicure (and I get a pedicure; DD says her feet are too ticklish for one!).

 

I also organize all the papers in a small binder as well as cc's of our passports AND post a last minute check-off list at the garage door (this has saved us a return to home for... several times).

 

I try to remember to bring adresses of people we want to send postcards to.

 

I notify the neighbors we'll be gone, so they can keep their eyes on the house.

 

Nice to haves in the room -- several already mentioned esp the overdoor shoe storage thingie. Also, we bring post it notes to stick on the room mirror/door to communicate with each other where we are/when we expect to be back.

[Coastalbreezes]

One more thing -- I always bring a large travel coffee mug. Those little cups they give you for breakfast are way too small for me. I need the big waker-upper lol.;)

TracyE

[Kuffam]

Day before we leave my DD and I always get a manicure (and I get a pedicure; DD says her feet are too ticklish for one!).

 

I like that idea! Puts you in the cruise mood and should be cheaper:)

[Zeno]

Just before leaving the house - a final check for all documentation and any medication.

[lilant]

OMG... there was an article in the LA times sunday about hotels and germs, short, go NOW and buy a small pack of antibacterial wipes, and wipe the phone, alarm clock AND TV REMOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i wont tell you why, just do it.

[judyf]

OMG... there was an article in the LA times sunday about hotels and germs, short, go NOW and buy a small pack of antibacterial wipes, and wipe the phone, alarm clock AND TV REMOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i wont tell you why, just do it.

 

U always do this. That article has been out for years. I also bring a spray too.

 

You never know.

[Surfgirl]

Ha! You're talking to the all-time Germ Freak! Don't assume that your cabin is "clean" even if it looks that way. There is a lot of cross contamination with the cleaning tools. The rag that wiped your bathroom down may be used to wipe down your table in your cabin that you put food on... hello e-coli!

 

I bring along a big stack of those "Wash and Dry" alcohol wipe packets and containers for your hands (make sure it has alcohol in it-- there are two types.) The first thing I do is wipe down EVERYTHING. Make sure you wipe down the handles on all of your doors, the faucets on the sinks and the handle on the toilet every day. Wipe down the drawer handles, the remote control, the telephone.. everything.

 

Wash your hands and use these wipes on your hands frequently through the day. You just washed your hands in the public bathroom, you say? Ah, but did you touch the door handle going out? Keep in mind (I know this is gross) that some people who haven't washed their hands after going to the bathroom have just touched that same handle. Yes, there are a lot of "non-washers" in this world.

 

Bring rubber flip flops for the shower and in your cabin. Never go barefoot anywhere in your cabin. Carpets harbor all kinds of things.

 

And don't use the bedspreads as blankets... don't even sit on them. Trust me on this. I saw a Dateline report about hotel germs, and I'm not even going to tell you what they found on bedspreads. :rolleyes:

[quiltingandcruising]

I always make copies of all my documents - I carry the orginals and DH carries the copies - Just in case the bag with the docs get lost or stolen.

 

Two different credit cards with DH having one company and I have the other - again just in case lost or stolen.

 

Sunscreen from 48 (very pale DD) to 15 (very dark DS) and in-between for DH and me

 

Water bottles

 

at least 2 bathing suits each.

 

Also when I pack I never pack only one persons stuff in one suitcase - always half in one and half in the other - I have see one suitcase lost with only one member of the party without any clothes or stuff because everyone had their own suitcase.

 

sunglasses and hats

 

and I always run low on socks and white or light tee shirts so I tend to pack extra's of those and it works well.

 

layards - These are the best thing to use - just punch a hole in your room card and hang around your neck - you are never looking for it when you get your drinks or need in your room.

 

Have a great trip

Debbie

[mousey]

Ours is making sure we change the sheets on our bed. Nothing like having fresh sheets on the bed when you are tired and want to crash when you return home.:)

Dwrist:

 

We do the same thing! I love coming home to nice clean sheets and a nice clean house.:D The hanging shoe holder thingy is great! I bring 2 of them and one goes in the closet to hold my swimsuits and coverups and the other on the bathroom door for misc. stuff. I also found these little faux leather things that are totally flat, then you snap the 4 corners together and they turn into sml., med., and large trays. They are handy for the DH to put his change in and any thing else he might have in his pockets. Same for the DS as he is always collecting little things. I use them at night when I take off my earrings and rings. They are so handy and take up so very little room. I can't remember where I got them or I would definitely get a couple more!:) I agree with everyone who has said, "leave the stress behindand have a really great trip." Keep a big smile on your face and remember, "Don't worry, be happy":cool: Oh my, how corny am I?