What do you take with you into ports?

[karscott]

Fifty days before our cruise and questions are popping into our heads daily...

What do you take with you when you disembark at a port? My husband thinks we would take a backpack with bottled water, camera, some cash, etc. but I can't imagine lugging a backpack and was thinking a small waistpack would be better.

What do we need to take, and in what type of carrier?

Karen

[uppitycats]

Originally Posted by karscott

Fifty days before our cruise and questions are popping into our heads daily...

What do you take with you when you disembark at a port? My husband thinks we would take a backpack with bottled water, camera, some cash, etc. but I can't imagine lugging a backpack and was thinking a small waistpack would be better.

What do we need to take, and in what type of carrier?

Karen

You're going to the Caribbean? Your husband's list seems reasonable. I'd add sunscreen, maybe some headache medicine (the sun can give me a killer headache, sometimes!). I always take my passport (yes, some folks here will tell you otherwise, but I feel more confident with passport in hand than left in my cabin safe, somewhere.)

Just how small your waistpack is might determine what you carry. You can always put your overflow into his backpack!

[karscott]

Yes, it's a Western Caribbean cruise. Thanks for the tips on what to take ashore. When you go on a shore excursion like snorkeling, is there somewhere to safely store the backpack while you're under water??

Karen

[travelingtriumphess]

Originally Posted by uppitycats

You're going to the Caribbean? Your husband's list seems reasonable. I'd add sunscreen, maybe some headache medicine (the sun can give me a killer headache, sometimes!). I always take my passport (yes, some folks here will tell you otherwise, but I feel more confident with passport in hand than left in my cabin safe, somewhere.)

Just how small your waistpack is might determine what you carry. You can always put your overflow into his backpack!

Just something I learned while I was in Costa Rica. Instead of taking your actual passport with you, which could get lost, take a color copy of your pass port. This is usually enough for most situations. Keep your actual passport locked up on the ship. Probably these situations won't arise, but it's good to make sure.

[cb at sea]

I carry my purse---nothing too big, or I end up being the "pack mule" for everyone! I've become a firm believer in this: If you want to bring it, YOU carry it!

I bring my wallet, with only 1 credit card (not the one linked to my ship's account) a bit of cash....depending on where we are, we may bring water...but usually don't...it's not like we're running a marathon, or anything! Most ports (not Mexico!!) have fine water, and bottled drinks are readily available! I'm not carrying heavy water (and it will weigh you down!)
If hubby wants a camera, he can carry it...I refuse to! I figure, if I can't remember the vacation, it wasn't worth spending the money on! I don't need to take pictures of everything!

[BroncosFan2010]

If I will be snorkeling or doing some kind of water/beach activity, I will bring a backpack with our equipment and towels, sunscreen, camera, and water. DH carries our seapass cards, credit cards, cash, and ID's in a sealed waterproof wallet that is ZIPPED into his bathing suite shorts.

If we are just shopping, we just have the money, seapass cards, Credit Cards, and ID's in DH's zipped cargo pants pockets. REALLY hard to steal! I usually carry the camera and a bottled water in a small tote bag. I make sure there are no valuables (besides the camera) in my bag, in case something happens.

[startraveler]

I usually put my camera (a point and shoot) in my waistpack, to make it easier to get at it to take photos. The backpack we also carry, not only for water bottles, but also to put any shopping purchases.

[G'ma]

I take my shipboard card, passport and some cash to spend....in my pocket....and my digital camera.

If I'm going to a beach, I wear my swimsuit under my clothes and take a towel.

[lnw]

Backpacks are good and don't take a bunch of stuff with you:
In the backpack:
-a bottle of water
-aspirins
-sunglasses
-sunscreen (if needed for the day)
-map of the area
-great to put purchases in so you don't lay them down somewhere and forgot you had them with you.

Secured on you and NOT in a back pack:
-sea pass
-photo id (drivers license or color copy of passport)
-small amount of local currency (enough to cover a taxi at least should you need one)
-credit card (not the same one used for the ship balance)
-cell phone with the local port number in case you need to call for an emergency (see the ship personel if you don't know how or where to get the number prior to leaving the ship)

Do NOT take your original passport with you. If lost or stolen, you have major problems. It belongs in the ship safe till you get ready to leave for home. Also, leave your extra cash and jewelry in the safe on board.

We had a number of people on the last cruise that got pick pocketed and lost $$, cameras, CC's as well as SS cards and Medicad cards. Never carry your SS card with you and leave all but one CC in the ship safe in the room.

[startraveler]

It's been well debated on whether or not take your passport with you into ports, so I won't comment on that. But I do agree on not carrying your SS card (which is a major headache in terms of identity theft!). There's almost no need to carry a SS card (unless one is thinking of applying for a job with the cruise ship.... )

Before I leave, I go through my wallet and empty out everything I don't need - receipts, supermarket cards, library cards. I usually wind up with a wallet with cash, local currency, driver's license, debit/credit card (no more than two) and medical cards (in case I have to go to the hospital.)