Pre-cruise Rituals

Hi Everyone,

I have 166 days until embarkation.

Being a bit OCD, I am planner. Things I have to have ready are

-the packing list

-appointments with my barber planned so I have a cut right before I leave

-spa appointments ready for the day before I leave, all that manscaping stuff :o

Anyone else have pre-cruise rituals?

An a different topic, I have been reading the RCI boards, first time cruise boards, etc. A lot of posts about what to pack and not to pack. I can say there are things I do not take, such as

1. Duct tape

2. Over the door shoe holders for toiletries

3. Bungie cord to use to hold doors open

Are there any items you would definitely not take on a cruise?

Chris

Hi Everyone,

 

I have 166 days until embarkation.

 

Being a bit OCD, I am planner. Things I have to have ready are

-the packing list

-appointments with my barber planned so I have a cut right before I leave

-spa appointments ready for the day before I leave, all that manscaping stuff :o

 

Anyone else have pre-cruise rituals?

 

An a different topic, I have been reading the RCI boards, first time cruise boards, etc. A lot of posts about what to pack and not to pack. I can say there are things I do not take, such as

 

1. Duct tape

2. Over the door shoe holders for toiletries

3. Bungie cord to use to hold doors open

 

Are there any items you would definitely not take on a cruise?

 

Chris

NOT to take ...

a bad attitude ... :D;):cool:

Hi Everyone,

 

 

 

An a different topic, I have been reading the RCI boards, first time cruise boards, etc. A lot of posts about what to pack and not to pack. I can say there are things I do not take, such as

 

1. Duct tape

2. Over the door shoe holders for toiletries

3. Bungie cord to use to hold doors open

 

Are there any items you would definitely not take on a cruise?

Chris

Almost any item that is on any must take list.

DON

1. Duct tape

Can be handy for emergencies e.g. ripped luggage or keeping drawers closed during rough seas.

2. Over the door shoe holders for toiletries

I have never had a need for one and have never taken one.

3. Bungie cord to use to hold doors open

On some ships keeping balcony doors open can screw up the air conditioning of other cabins on the same line.

1. Duct tape

Can be handy for emergencies e.g. ripped luggage or keeping drawers closed during rough seas.

2. Over the door shoe holders for toiletries

I have never had a need for one and have never taken one.

3. Bungie cord to use to hold doors open

On some ships keeping balcony doors open can screw up the air conditioning of other cabins on the same line.

Thanks for the info on the duct tape. Never considered its use during rough seas.

duck tape just sounds like a bulky hassle. I can't imagine the ships not having them or some sorta equivalent...

duck tape just sounds like a bulky hassle. I can't imagine the ships not having them or some sorta equivalent...

No need to take a big roll; some places sell small versions or just take a strip of duct tape and roll it around something (like a pencil).

I have also read on CC that people will used Band-aids as emergency drawer tape. :)

We have used duct tape to fix someone's luggage that got ripped, for emergency trouser hemming and of course decorating or costume repairs on RSVP charters. :D

Another vote for duct tape. I mostly carry it to repair baggage damage by the airline. It can be a lifesaver. The other junk people want to bring, door signs, shoe hangers, all that, I agree, useless.

i actually had the zipper on my suitcase break on a cruise. called housekeeping, in a few minutes a nice man showed up with a big roll of duct tape. no problem. the only thing i have ever packed other than clothes, toiletries and a good attitude is a power strip....so many things to charge.

My mother-in-law

Hi Everyone,

 

I have 166 days until embarkation.

 

Being a bit OCD, I am planner. Things I have to have ready are

-the packing list

-appointments with my barber planned so I have a cut right before I leave

-spa appointments ready for the day before I leave, all that manscaping stuff :o

 

Anyone else have pre-cruise rituals?

 

An a different topic, I have been reading the RCI boards, first time cruise boards, etc. A lot of posts about what to pack and not to pack. I can say there are things I do not take, such as

<>

 

1. Duct tape

2. Over the door shoe holders for toiletries

3. Bungie cord to use to hold doors open

 

Are there any items you would definitely not take on a cruise?

 

Chris

hmmm - duct tape and bungie cord would definately make my list if it was an Atlantis cruise! ;)

- Have mail saved at depot

- Stop newspapers

- Arrange friends to do drive bys

- Dogs to spa

- Secure the home

- Unplug any non-essential electrical hookups

- Water heater to vacation

I usually will take a power strip due to limited outlets in the cabin.

A few gallon sized ziploc bags for wet swim suits and sandy water shoes.

A nightlight to help me find my way to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

You can buy small, travel size rolls of duct tape at places like REI and other camping stores, they are not much to take along at all. Duct tape has a zillion uses.

Last October, on our last night of a Bermuda cruise, returning to NY, we hit a huge Nor'easter. The ship was really rocking and rolling. And in the middle of the night, our locked balcony door suddenly wouldn't stay locked any longer, that's how much the ship was moving. If it hadn't been for duct tape...

i actually had the zipper on my suitcase break on a cruise. called housekeeping, in a few minutes a nice man showed up with a big roll of duct tape. no problem. the only thing i have ever packed other than clothes, toiletries and a good attitude is a power strip....so many things to charge.

Careful, some cruise lines will confiscate power strips. You don't want to go to the naughty room.

hmmm - duct tape and bungie cord would definately make my list if it was an Atlantis cruise! ;)

Just don't end up dead like David Carradine.

I must be the lone queen who thinks the over the door holder is important - not for toiletries, but we hang it on the outside of the bathroom door and it holds our camera, sunscreen, sunglasses, room card - all the stuff we need to grab just as we are leaving the room. Lots easier for us than piling it on the desk or shelves. We bought ours at the dollar store - its made of some sort of felt feeling really thin fabric - don't really think it could hold shoes but works great for us.

The other don't leave home without it item for us, is a big cup - can't stand those minuscule glasses they have on the buffet. We usually fill the cup with ice and water or tea for pool time....unless of course someone in another cabin has been brave and smuggled on some illicit adult beverage in which case they have been known to be used to hold a cocktail!

Fun thread here...

Start doing some "staging" (nothing dramatic) a couple of weeks before, making sure we have the right dinner ensemble. Although on our upcoming cruise, it's going to be caz mostly all the way. Clean the suitcases, make sure zips and locks work. Line up the house / dog sitter, water and soak all of our plants. Exchange some currency. Load up the iPads with a few books each. Call our cell carrier to add international roaming plan to the smart phones.

Items to bring-

RumRunners (yeah Baby!):eek:

Jumbo Ziplocs (and some gallon size)

Electric outlet converters

Some healthy snacks

Couple of small flameless candles...gotta have "mood"

I always pack a coffee mug with a lid...those cupettes in the lido are pathetic...plus, it's good to put a cocktail in!

Late to the party, here.

I don't bring anything that will interfere with shoe/blazer space. :D

Books come from the ship's library, and toiletries that won't fit in my small kit are purchased on board or in port. I don't do any electronics except my phone. I don't bring gifts for people- rather treat them to a drink/meal/port experience.

As for what is essential:

Blazer

Loafers

Passport

Cruise tickets

Credit cards

The rest is optional;)

Andrew

I always bring lots of money for the casino because it seems to get more expensive each time I go.

I also bring a small tote bag to carry things around the ship like a book, sunglasses, sun screen, towel, etc. The ones I got years ago on the Voyager/Explorer as a Crown & Anchor gift work great.

Dont forget to bring the Carnival Splendor memorial flashlight. NO lights in room if power goes out!

Dont forget to bring the Carnival Splendor memorial flashlight. NO lights in room if power goes out!

Not to mention a big box of Pop-Tarts.

And when you have completed your packing take out half the clothes and take twice the money you had planned.:D

Mike:)

And when you have completed your packing take out half the clothes and take twice the money you had planned.:D

Take out half the clothes? Are you sure you're gay? :D