Not sure what you need to take with you on your cruise?

[Boiler Cruiser]

Several years ago, when my wife and I prepared to go on our first cruise, we asked a number of people (many on CruiseCritic) what they suggested we take along.

This included things that we would not want to do without, things that would increase our creature comforts, and also items that we might wish we had, and would regret not taking when we had the chance.

I complied it all into a list. I have attached a copy of that list, but have also posted it below.

I hope you find it useful, and if you have any additional suggestions, please share!

SUGGESTIONS

FOR WHAT NOT TO FORGET TO TAKE WITH YOU ON YOUR CRUISE

CLOTHING, ETC.

Small tote umbrella
Extra pair of prescription glasses
Large metal paper clips for hanging up wet bathing suits
Sweater and/ or jacket for cool nights at sea or air conditioned areas that are quite cool
Over-the-door shoe holder
Cheap waterproof watch

LAUNDRY

Small containers of laundry detergent
Dryer sheets
Nylon mesh laundry bags
Pop-up laundry hamper
Stain remover pen

FOR STORING CLOTHING

A shoe rack which fits over the bathroom door
Extra hangers

AIR FRESHENERS, ETC.

Fabreeze air freshener (may be a problem if flying)
Airfreshener solid

TOILETRIES (PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS)

Shampoo
Hair conditioner
Disinfectant wipes
Travel roll of toilet paper
Purell or other waterless hand cleaner
Liquid hand soap
A small shower organizer to keep the soap and shampoo, razor, etc. (There is little enough room in the bathroom for storage)


FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Bug spray
Sunscreen
Waterproof (water resistant) shoes
Sunglasses
Suntan lotion
Plastic hair clips for holding down towels on your chair or holding wet things drying on the balcony

FOR ON-SHORE EXCURSIONS

A backpack or fammy pack for carrying things on shore excursions
Driver Licenses if needed
Your passports
Ship Cards
Credit Card
Cash
Tour Vouchers & Payment for Tours with tips
Waterproof Camera
Chair Clips
RainPonchos
Thermal Bag with drinks & ice

DRUGS, MEDICINES, ETC.

Headache medicine (aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, etc.)
Stomach ache medicine (Pepto Bismol tablets, etc)
Bonine or Dramamine
Band Aids
Antiseptic ointment
Extra prescription medications (extra 2-3 days’ supply
Benedryl
Neosporin
Calamine lotion

APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS

Nightlight (for the bathroom or elsewhere)
Alarm clock
Hair dryer
Flat Iron
Power bar/ power strip
Extra batteries for your digital camera
Rechargable batteries for your digital camera
Battery charger
Cell phone charger
Flashlight
Extra memory cards for your digital camera

CLEANERS

Clorox spray cleaner for disinfecting surfaces

LAUNDRY NEEDS

Fabric sheets
Pop-up hamper for dirty clothes
Trash bag for storing dirty clothes
Duffle bag for dirty laundry

SHOPPING

Empty duffle bag for carrying what you buy on shopping trips
Empty tote bag for carrying what you buy on shopping trips

IF YOU BRING A LAPTOP COMPUTER

Memory card reader and/ or cable to backup your photos to a flash drive or CD/ DVD


MISCELLANEOUS

A highlighter for the newspaper or Patters
Bottle opener
Jigger
Small cocktail shaker
Single $$ for tips and misc. spending
Sewing kit
Bottle opener (“Church-key”)
Guidebooks for your cruise desitnations
Small roll of duct tape
Post-It notes to leave messages for the porter or those traveling with you
Cork screw
Addresses of all those that you want to write postcards and letters to while on your cruise.
A small pair of scissors
A bungie cord to hold open the sliding door to the balcony and/or hold the drapes open
Small pair of binoculars
Eyeglasses repair kit
Thank you cards to leave for waiters and stewards. (They really appreciate them!)

[iheartbda]

Have never taken 90% of the things listed and was never sorry there was something I didn't have.

[Boiler Cruiser]

Of course, not everything on this list is something you need on every cruise, but my wife and I found it a very good planning tool for us, and found it useful.

Perhaps others will also.

[ferfoodle]

Chapstick. Don't forget chapstick - just as important as sunscreen.

[sparky-elpaso]

Some kind of sore throat drops. I had a good selection of OTC meds on our last cruise - except something for a sore throat. So, of course, I got a cold and sore throat - the ships store had 1 kind and they were expensive.

[paul929207]

I hope you are driving to the port. If you fly, the luggage charges will likely exceed the cost of the cruise

[lady_cruiser]

One thing I don't see listed on many lists is a journal to keep so you can remember which dishes (food) you enjoyed the most, which lounge had the best music/entertainment, etc.

[Keith1010]

Thanks for sharing your list.

Each person needs to figure out what works best for them but it's nice to start with a big list to work from.

Keith

[marisr]

I am a big planner and found a great app on the Android market that can put all of it on your phone. It was great for my last cruise and I will use it again. Look up the Ultimate Checklist or Cruise Checklist and it should come up. There are things that I don't hope to have to use but I would rather have them if I ever needed to. Happy Sailing!

[ettaterrell]

thanks for all the great ideas... And thanks to the original poster for taking the time to post your list. I think it's great and very nice of you to do so!

[BlueLadyBlue]

Thanks for posing your list. We can all decide what's on there we want and what we don't but it is a good reference.
I have to have my zip locks - never leave home without them plus many of the items on your list.

[myfuzzy]

This list reminds me of my first cruise 20 years ago, I packed like I was going to the outback. Folks, we are not leaving civiliazation (sp?) If you forget or need it immediately, you can find it somewhere, it might be more costly (ex: batteries), but you can get it, unless you are so fussy that you have to have the name brand or size. Since my first cruise I have extremely downsized. So happy packing everyone.

[salboz]

The main thing on the list that I learned to take with me to Europe is travel toilet tissue and, if staying in a hotel, shampoo and wash clothes.

[RayLin87]

I've used a list similar to yours for over 40 years. Leaving soon for 66th cruise and have packed almost everything you've listed. We take one suitcase each for 4 weeks at sea. Some folks just aren't planners but for those of us who are, this list is great.

Originally Posted by Boiler Cruiser

Several years ago, when my wife and I prepared to go on our first cruise, we asked a number of people (many on CruiseCritic) what they suggested we take along.

This included things that we would not want to do without, things that would increase our creature comforts, and also items that we might wish we had, and would regret not taking when we had the chance.

I complied it all into a list. I have attached a copy of that list, but have also posted it below.

I hope you find it useful, and if you have any additional suggestions, please share!

SUGGESTIONS

FOR WHAT NOT TO FORGET TO TAKE WITH YOU ON YOUR CRUISE

CLOTHING, ETC.

Small tote umbrella
Extra pair of prescription glasses
Large metal paper clips for hanging up wet bathing suits
Sweater and/ or jacket for cool nights at sea or air conditioned areas that are quite cool
Over-the-door shoe holder
Cheap waterproof watch

LAUNDRY

Small containers of laundry detergent
Dryer sheets
Nylon mesh laundry bags
Pop-up laundry hamper
Stain remover pen

FOR STORING CLOTHING

A shoe rack which fits over the bathroom door
Extra hangers

AIR FRESHENERS, ETC.

Fabreeze air freshener (may be a problem if flying)
Airfreshener solid

TOILETRIES (PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS)

Shampoo
Hair conditioner
Disinfectant wipes
Travel roll of toilet paper
Purell or other waterless hand cleaner
Liquid hand soap
A small shower organizer to keep the soap and shampoo, razor, etc. (There is little enough room in the bathroom for storage)


FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Bug spray
Sunscreen
Waterproof (water resistant) shoes
Sunglasses
Suntan lotion
Plastic hair clips for holding down towels on your chair or holding wet things drying on the balcony

FOR ON-SHORE EXCURSIONS

A backpack or fammy pack for carrying things on shore excursions
Driver Licenses if needed
Your passports
Ship Cards
Credit Card
Cash
Tour Vouchers & Payment for Tours with tips
Waterproof Camera
Chair Clips
RainPonchos
Thermal Bag with drinks & ice

DRUGS, MEDICINES, ETC.

Headache medicine (aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, etc.)
Stomach ache medicine (Pepto Bismol tablets, etc)
Bonine or Dramamine
Band Aids
Antiseptic ointment
Extra prescription medications (extra 2-3 days’ supply
Benedryl
Neosporin
Calamine lotion

APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS

Nightlight (for the bathroom or elsewhere)
Alarm clock
Hair dryer
Flat Iron
Power bar/ power strip
Extra batteries for your digital camera
Rechargable batteries for your digital camera
Battery charger
Cell phone charger
Flashlight
Extra memory cards for your digital camera

CLEANERS

Clorox spray cleaner for disinfecting surfaces

LAUNDRY NEEDS

Fabric sheets
Pop-up hamper for dirty clothes
Trash bag for storing dirty clothes
Duffle bag for dirty laundry

SHOPPING

Empty duffle bag for carrying what you buy on shopping trips
Empty tote bag for carrying what you buy on shopping trips

IF YOU BRING A LAPTOP COMPUTER

Memory card reader and/ or cable to backup your photos to a flash drive or CD/ DVD


MISCELLANEOUS

A highlighter for the newspaper or Patters
Bottle opener
Jigger
Small cocktail shaker
Single $$ for tips and misc. spending
Sewing kit
Bottle opener (“Church-key”)
Guidebooks for your cruise desitnations
Small roll of duct tape
Post-It notes to leave messages for the porter or those traveling with you
Cork screw
Addresses of all those that you want to write postcards and letters to while on your cruise.
A small pair of scissors
A bungie cord to hold open the sliding door to the balcony and/or hold the drapes open
Small pair of binoculars
Eyeglasses repair kit
Thank you cards to leave for waiters and stewards. (They really appreciate them!)

[JHU]

Great list. The power strip that I take has a short cord (2') which is great for the small desk; plug in cell phone charger and electric clock with large numbers that can be seen from across the room. After getting sick on the QM2 and having an expensive dispensery bill, I now take: antibiotic eye drops for pink eye and antibiotic for bronchitis; of course, Advil and Pepto. I'd rather not spend time looking for a pharmacy in port.

[spiffybebebaby]

this person posted a helpful list. those people that "only bring 10% of this list" or "do without 90%" or are discouraging it all because of weight or lack of space apparently need packing lessons. you can pack it very effectively and stuff like calamine lotion isnt there to be used on purpose, its more for just in case. and if you are in a situation where you need it you'll be that much less inconvenienced (or wont inconvenience others with your complaints about not having it). this stuff doesnt weigh that much and of course a group of guys isnt going to need a hair straightener but may pack their body weight in suntan lotion. remember to each his own. i go with the always be prepared motto but also know how to pack efficiently, so no extra baggage fees of over weight fees, etc. if you dont want to be bothered to pack it, dont bother others when you end up needing it. and for goodness sakes dont discourage others from bringing that stuff just because you dont know how to be prepared.

[CarnivalGirl3]

For us:

Pillow, blanket (I think I confused the room guy last week, he kept putting my blanket on dd's bed. No, she had her own!), kindle/books, nook, dvd player, movies, zune. (we didn't bring the dvd player/movies this time since we have dd. But always did in the past. Perfect for passing time during bingo before shows.) So the power strip is a must! Baggies-YES (for snacks at ports and for the way home) or during the shows.

My camera battery will last a week and my sd cards are 64 and 8 gigs. I'm not going to fill it up in a week (I haven't filled it up in a year), so no need to bring extra.

I do bring a first aid kit but that stays in the suitcase.

I also refuse to do laundry on vacation. However, a spilled beer on my suitcase landed me doing a load...$5.

I'm not sure why you'd need most of that stuff, but if you have a use for it, then go for it!

A backback/tote is a must for us! I do recommend a small bag/tote if traveling with short ones. Diaper, wipes, oral gel, sippy cup, room key, wave phone...

We also always pack extra under clothes/socks! dh takes 2-4 showers a day on the ship, me 2-3.

Also, toothbrush/paste, make up and jewelry, a folder to hold the funtimes/anything paper related you want to save/photos.

My worry is someone new to cruising would see this and think they need the stuff.

Funny story with the bottle opener. Dh doesn't really drink. While at port he bought a 6 pack of beer. He assumed they were pop tops. NOPE. He's thinking and looking. Finally, I give up. I use the belt clip on my bag. PERFECT!

"A bungie cord to hold open the sliding door to the balcony and/or hold the drapes open" NEVER needed this. The drapes have cords to pull them back and the doors stay open, no issues.

btw, you can use the cord from the drapes/curtains to 'child' proof the icebox...Otherwise dd wanted to play with the beer bottles.