Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Things I've learned....

mlpreston

By mlpreston,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

Recommended Posts

mlpreston

mlpreston

Posted
Posted

Things I've Learned....

 

After one cruise I have learned so much from people on these forums about what to pack/bring and things to do/look for.

Thanks to all of you I brought the duct tape, the power strip, the highlighter, the hanging organizer and the post-it notes - each thing came in very useful.

Things I learned for myself which I'd like to share, include:

 

Pack an XXL ziploc bag -or two- (can be bought at wal-mart) these bags are enormous and are perfect for packing your dirty laundry throughout your cruise. Not only does it eliminate the dirty laundry smell that is left lingering in your suitcase, you can squeeze all of the air out of the bag and compress all of the clothing to make more room in your suitcase for souvenirs. Also, use an XL bag for all of your towels or swimsuits that may still be wet coming home.

 

Don't let your husband pack the souvenirs. Chances are, they will return home in more pieces than they left in.

 

When travelling with an infant, don't bring a tin of powered formula - single serve packets (which sadly are only available in the US) are perfect! A tin of powered formula will explode in your suitcase all over your ship on a stick and Funship Freddy doll.

 

If you purchase a bottle of the Mayan-man shaped Kahlua on the ship, expect your luggage to be searched in the airport. Mayan-men bearing liquid seem to be a good cause for suspicion in airports.

 

If you pack infant sunscreen for your infant in your diaper bag, expect the airport to throw it in the garbage because it just could be liquid explosives (babies don't need sunscreen, they look like cute little tomatoes when they burn). However, the aerosol sunscreen sitting next to it in the same bag will be of no concern.

 

When declaring the liquor you purchased on board, declare half of what you actually purchased and the customs agent will be more likely to believe you. They will thank you for your honesty and will overlook the duty on the additional bottles.

 

Don't play blackjack in the casino when you're on rough seas and suffering from motion sickness. It's the equivelent to being drunk and you're more likely to make foolish bets.

 

Have the video camera out during rough seas as you walk along the promenade - it is terribly amusing to watch everyone walking through all swaying in unison.

 

If someone asks to take a chair so they can sit and have a smoke - let them. You weren't using that chair and it's easy to share an ashtray. Chances are you can make a great friend! AND chances are, the next time you're short a chair for your table, they'll give you theirs!

 

Zip ties are much better to use than TSA locks. TSA can open your bag as they choose without your knowledge. With a ziptie, they have to cut it, so you would know if someone has been into your luggage.

 

 

Everyone feel free to add your own cruise ship/travels learnings...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
lynyrd

lynyrd

Posted
Posted
Things I've Learned....

 

After one cruise I have learned so much from people on these forums about what to pack/bring and things to do/look for.

Thanks to all of you I brought the duct tape, the power strip, the highlighter, the hanging organizer and the post-it notes - each thing came in very useful.

Things I learned for myself which I'd like to share, include:

 

Pack an XXL ziploc bag -or two- (can be bought at wal-mart) these bags are enormous and are perfect for packing your dirty laundry throughout your cruise. Not only does it eliminate the dirty laundry smell that is left lingering in your suitcase, you can squeeze all of the air out of the bag and compress all of the clothing to make more room in your suitcase for souvenirs. Also, use an XL bag for all of your towels or swimsuits that may still be wet coming home.

 

Don't let your husband pack the souvenirs. Chances are, they will return home in more pieces than they left in.

 

When travelling with an infant, don't bring a tin of powered formula - single serve packets (which sadly are only available in the US) are perfect! A tin of powered formula will explode in your suitcase all over your ship on a stick and Funship Freddy doll.

 

If you purchase a bottle of the Mayan-man shaped Kahlua on the ship, expect your luggage to be searched in the airport. Mayan-men bearing liquid seem to be a good cause for suspicion in airports.

 

If you pack infant sunscreen for your infant in your diaper bag, expect the airport to throw it in the garbage because it just could be liquid explosives (babies don't need sunscreen, they look like cute little tomatoes when they burn). However, the aerosol sunscreen sitting next to it in the same bag will be of no concern.

 

When declaring the liquor you purchased on board, declare half of what you actually purchased and the customs agent will be more likely to believe you. They will thank you for your honesty and will overlook the duty on the additional bottles.

 

Don't play blackjack in the casino when you're on rough seas and suffering from motion sickness. It's the equivelent to being drunk and you're more likely to make foolish bets.

 

Have the video camera out during rough seas as you walk along the promenade - it is terribly amusing to watch everyone walking through all swaying in unison.

 

If someone asks to take a chair so they can sit and have a smoke - let them. You weren't using that chair and it's easy to share an ashtray. Chances are you can make a great friend! AND chances are, the next time you're short a chair for your table, they'll give you theirs!

 

Zip ties are much better to use than TSA locks. TSA can open your bag as they choose without your knowledge. With a ziptie, they have to cut it, so you would know if someone has been into your luggage.

 

 

Everyone feel free to add your own cruise ship/travels learnings...

 

Cute post, but I must disagree with one thing.

 

We always use zipties. On our January cruise, right after we dropped off our checked luggage, which was ziptied, we turned around and saw them checking our luggage. They had some sort of tool that popped the zipper. When we got to our destination our bag was still ziptied and had the inspection notice in it. There was no damage to the zipper at all. :confused:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mlpreston

mlpreston

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Cute post, but I must disagree with one thing.

 

We always use zipties. On our January cruise, right after we dropped off our checked luggage, which was ziptied, we turned around and saw them checking our luggage. They had some sort of tool that popped the zipper. When we got to our destination our bag was still ziptied and had the inspection notice in it. There was no damage to the zipper at all. :confused:

 

 

Wow. They only checked one of our bags, the one with the funny shaped Kahlua bottles. They just cut the zip ties and left the TSA note inside.

 

Hoped they liked my dirty laundry ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
GayleR

GayleR

Posted
Posted
We always use zipties. On our January cruise, right after we dropped off our checked luggage, which was ziptied, we turned around and saw them checking our luggage. They had some sort of tool that popped the zipper. When we got to our destination our bag was still ziptied and had the inspection notice in it. There was no damage to the zipper at all. :confused:

 

How'd they do that?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
golf43

golf43

Posted
Posted

We took a power strip with us. Only problem was that it would not fit in the outlet in our room. We thought that maybe something was missing and that was why it would not fit. However it did come in handy when we stayed at a hotel the night before the cruise. Next time we cruise we will still bring one though. Its so nice and handy when charging everybodys cell phones, etc.

 

Also someone had suggested to bring a few suction hooks to put on the mirror for sunglasses to hang on. That was great. We used them. Always knew where our sunglasses were.

 

Thanks for telling us about the big ziplocks. I'm sure they came in handy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mlpreston

mlpreston

Posted
  • Author
Posted

The power strip was so handy for the blow dryer and cell phone chargers. And yes it was very handy for the crockpot! (We brought one to warm up baby bottles.)

 

So next time someone jokes about crockpots - We actually brought one!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BeachTeach

BeachTeach

Posted
Posted

 

Also someone had suggested to bring a few suction hooks to put on the mirror for sunglasses to hang on. That was great. We used them. Always knew where our sunglasses were.

.

 

The suction cups are great to hang necklaces on too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
5forcruise

5forcruise

Posted
Posted

The XXL ziploc bags came in handy for us more than anything else we learned from these boards. Getting on the ship we used them for our smuggled wine, which was wrapped in bubble wrap then put in the ziploc for extra security. ;) Then they became the dirty clothes bag for the trip home.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mylo&otis

mylo&otis

Posted
Posted

lol, these were great.

 

...and I always bring highlighters and post-it notes with me on a cruise / vacation. I try really hard to get through a textbook every cruise, so I bring grid paper and notecards as well. plus, if you have pens and pencils in seven different pockets of your stuff, you're never really stuck looking for one

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CeleBrat

CeleBrat

Posted
Posted

My learning:

 

Within moments of boarding the ship, there will be a person or family that you encounter that is completely ridiculous. It is absolutely guaranteed that you will continue to encounter this silly group on every single day of your cruise, despite being on a ship with 2000 other people!

 

CeleBrat

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MJ25

MJ25

Posted
Posted
How'd they do that?

 

If you are refering to opening the zip tie and replacing it with no damage, anyone with a pocket knife can do it with no trouble. We open and reuse zip ties every day where I work.

I still will use the TSA locks. Yes, they can be opened, just not by every Tom , Dick or Harry that happens by your bag. (As zip ties can!) My TSA locks have a button that changes color if they are opened anyway besides with the combination. So whether there is a not inside or not, I know if someone was in my bag! That can't be said for a zip tie!

Fins Up! :cool:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
johnaricka

johnaricka

Posted
Posted
Things I've Learned....

Zip ties are much better to use than TSA locks. TSA can open your bag as they choose without your knowledge. With a ziptie, they have to cut it, so you would know if someone has been into your luggage.

 

Especially if you use a bright colored pink zip tie. I am paranoid and figure they will buy the clear ones to reclose your bag but wont find the pretty pink ones that I bought from Walmart :p

Plus the pink zip ties will help you find your luggage. I also pack ribbons to put on the handles of my bags for when we get off the boat. You can find a black suitcase with pink ribbons faster than without!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
PACURN

PACURN

Posted
Posted
The power strip was so handy for the blow dryer and cell phone chargers. And yes it was very handy for the crockpot! (We brought one to warm up baby bottles.)

 

So next time someone jokes about crockpots - We actually brought one!

 

I can't believe my eyes. It's true

There is a thread about crock pots that I responded to earlier today. I never heard of bringing a crock pot. I was thinking of bringing my Jacuzzi so I don't have to share with anyone else. HeHeHe

Link to comment
Share on other sites
redlef

redlef

Posted
Posted
Things I've Learned....

 

. . . . . When declaring the liquor you purchased on board, declare half of what you actually purchased and the customs agent will be more likely to believe you. They will thank you for your honesty and will overlook the duty on the additional bottles.

...

 

 

I'd play it carefully there. At $1.50 duty on a bottle of booze, I bet that the federal penalty for smuggling is worse than the duty.

 

Just my 2 cents . . .

Link to comment
Share on other sites
LovetheSea

LovetheSea

Posted
Posted
We took a power strip with us. Only problem was that it would not fit in the outlet in our room. We thought that maybe something was missing and that was why it would not fit. However it did come in handy when we stayed at a hotel the night before the cruise. Next time we cruise we will still bring one though. Its so nice and handy when charging everybodys cell phones, etc.

 

Also someone had suggested to bring a few suction hooks to put on the mirror for sunglasses to hang on. That was great. We used them. Always knew where our sunglasses were.

 

Thanks for telling us about the big ziplocks. I'm sure they came in handy.

We always take a regular extension cord. I like it when I am blowing my hair dry and it will reach for me to look into the mirror. (Can't use those wimpy ones they provide for you. I have long hair. it would take forever.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
FlorenceItaly

FlorenceItaly

Posted
Posted
My learning:

 

Within moments of boarding the ship, there will be a person or family that you encounter that is completely ridiculous. It is absolutely guaranteed that you will continue to encounter this silly group on every single day of your cruise, despite being on a ship with 2000 other people!

 

CeleBrat

 

 

Soooooooooooo TRUE!

 

 

 

Marie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail on Sun Princess®
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • 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...