"I wish I knew before..."

[MicCanberra]

Some wonderful information on this thread, even for those of us that have cruised a bit.:D

[TNShadyLady]

The bathroom outlet of which you are referring is for electric shavers only. It cannot handle any other power load. Also, all the these sockets, I have seen, are non-plug specific and they loose power when the light is turned off. Please do not use this outlet for anything other than a shaver as doing so could lead to a dire outcome.

 

Thanks for clarifying that. All I knew was that there was another outlet in the bathroom.

[griffy116]

An iron (for clothing) will not make it to your cabin. They will confiscate it. You can carry a flat iron (for hair) or curling iron, but steamers and irons are not permitted. There's a flat swivel outlet that is permissible to use instead of the power strips. It makes it possible to plug 3 things into the one plug and takes up less space in your luggage than a power strip. They're very handy. The bathroom plug is virtually useless unless you want to use it for an electric shaver. If there aren't more than the two of you in a room, the over-the-door organizer isn't necessary. You'll be surprised at all the nooks and crannies for storage there are in the cabin. ZIP-LOCK baggies in every size are the best tip I've ever gotten here...years ago. I get the 3-gal size (at the dollar store). I can put an entire outfit in them. Packing and unpacking is a breeze. I take extra ones. I can put a snack on a plate, with a zip lock in the fridge in the room and it stays fresh (also germ free when traveling from the promenade cafe to the cabin). Take a few clothes pins to hang up wet items to dry, after using a clean towel to roll and squeeze out excess water. They also work great to keep your towel from blowing away on the loungers. We get the big ones at the dollar store. Get a magnetic hook and you can put your lanyard on it on the wall by the door so that it doesn't get lost and is always handy. Put your passport and any jewelry and your medicine in the safe in a zip lock baggie. The safe is dark and if your things are in the zip locks it's easy to grab them and not forget and leave them behind on the ship. Also, if you get left at a port, the ship will go get your passport our of your safe (and your medicine) and leave it with the port authority for you to pick up so you won't be without it.

[MicCanberra]

An iron (for clothing) will not make it to your cabin. They will confiscate it. You can carry a flat iron (for hair) or curling iron, but steamers and irons are not permitted. There's a flat swivel outlet that is permissible to use instead of the power strips. It makes it possible to plug 3 things into the one plug and takes up less space in your luggage than a power strip. They're very handy. The bathroom plug is virtually useless unless you want to use it for an electric shaver. If there aren't more than the two of you in a room, the over-the-door organizer isn't necessary. You'll be surprised at all the nooks and crannies for storage there are in the cabin. ZIP-LOCK baggies in every size are the best tip I've ever gotten here...years ago. I get the 3-gal size (at the dollar store). I can put an entire outfit in them. Packing and unpacking is a breeze. I take extra ones. I can put a snack on a plate, with a zip lock in the fridge in the room and it stays fresh (also germ free when traveling from the promenade cafe to the cabin). Take a few clothes pins to hang up wet items to dry, after using a clean towel to roll and squeeze out excess water. They also work great to keep your towel from blowing away on the loungers. We get the big ones at the dollar store. Get a magnetic hook and you can put your lanyard on it on the wall by the door so that it doesn't get lost and is always handy. Put your passport and any jewelry and your medicine in the safe in a zip lock baggie. The safe is dark and if your things are in the zip locks it's easy to grab them and not forget and leave them behind on the ship. Also, if you get left at a port, the ship will go get your passport our of your safe (and your medicine) and leave it with the port authority for you to pick up so you won't be without it.

 

Excellent advice, also helps with keeping them dry if you get caught in the rain :)

or fall off a tender into the water.:eek:

[WupperAV]

We know about 1/2 the people disapprove but we carry our IDs on lanyards and we go on music cruises where you need an id for the shows. We hang them on a suction cup or mag hook to the left of the door so the last thing you see is your id as you leave.About half the time I slam the door and say oops, now I'm locked out but it works well for my wife.

[MicCanberra]

We know about 1/2 the people disapprove but we carry our IDs on lanyards and we go on music cruises where you need an id for the shows. We hang them on a suction cup or mag hook to the left of the door so the last thing you see is your id as you leave.About half the time I slam the door and say oops, now I'm locked out but it works well for my wife.

 

We also utilise lanyards during the day when we are most likely to not have a top pocket.

Edited September 3, 2016 by MicCanberra

[Starchaser]

Really interesting advice, thanks for all the tips!

[PattiRedRabbit]

Can you punch a hole in the card and put it on a coil wrist key chain like pictured?

 

 

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[Bernie by the sea]

Yes. It works on those too. B

 

 

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[PattiRedRabbit]

Yes. It works on those too. B

 

 

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Thanks! To me that seems to be an easy way to keep up with it. I don't usually have pockets and I don't carry a purse.

 

 

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[sandimom]

Lots of great tips on here. Still pondering if I should take a Kindle on my trip, because, ya know, isn't there supposed to be "relaxing time" on a cruise? *eyeroll* I am thinking between the excursions, the on board entertainment, and whatnot, I'm never going to read! (Alaska, Celebrity Millennium, first time cruising)

 

Of course take the Kindle! There is nothing like sitting out on a beach chair, looking at the sea, drinking your fav tipple and reading!

 

I used to be a prolific reader. Now, I seem to jump on the computer in my spare time instead. Last year I joined Kindle Unlimited just before my first (in many, many years) cruise and I read SEVEN BOOKS. It was actually one of the things I enjoyed most about the cruise. I went every day and read in the solarium, spa or on our balcony (no balcony this time, will have to find more reading nooks!). SO relaxing! And with my drink package, it was also mimosa time! :D

[sandimom]

I can't remember which cruise line it is, but one of them(maybe more)are starting to charge/fine people that have over the door hangers that cause damage to the doors/interiors. What I would suggest are the command strip hooks to hang this type of thing, and not going over the door to minimize possibility of damage. ;) Extra hooks my be useful to hang swimsuits, coverups, or hoodies for drying/easy access.

 

I use the "power hook" style of suction cup hooks. They are similar to what mounts my garmin to my windshield. (I got mine at the Big Blue Box retailer who starts with W - they are in the hardware aisle where the bathroom shelves/soap dishes are. They also have bathroom specific Command hooks there. I travel with 4 of the suction cups. I think they were about $5 for all 4.) The alternative is to find some alcohol wipes (if you know anyone in the medical field, these are often used before injections) which will clean up most adhesive residue. And for balcony curtains, if you are a lady with long hair, a banana clip can double as a curtain holder.

[sandimom]

One of my favourite was the one about the window clings to use on doors.

 

On one of our last cruises, I was forever trying to put my card into the card-slot of the cabin next door.

 

One morning I stood outside the door and asked if "the sexy man inside was ready". (Had left my cruise card in the cabin) Imagine my surprise when another gentleman answered the door and said that he could be ready in a minute or so.

 

It was a great way to meet the next door neighbour, perhaps not the way he had envisaged.

 

:)

 

Truly awesome. And totally something that would happen to me. The other thing you can bring to "mark" your door is painters tape or (if you're crafty) washi tape. Washi tape is now available at Staples and Target in the scrapbooking area. It has a post-it like adhesive that removes cleanly, even from paper.

[sandimom]

My next tip is cheap, I know, but again, I don't care. I take my GF's digital camera when I look at the Ship Photos and take a picture of the picture. Same great quality and easier to send to family and friends since already digitized. If I do want a hard copy, I take the camera to our office supply store or drug store and they print it out for me.

 

We were not allowed to do this, and, until I showed them that I had pre-purchased the all inclusive photo package, they demanded to watch me delete the photo from my phone. This was on Royal last summer.

[denatravels]

We were not allowed to do this, and, until I showed them that I had pre-purchased the all inclusive photo package, they demanded to watch me delete the photo from my phone. This was on Royal last summer.

 

 

On every ship I've been on, they do not allow it. There are cameras EVERYWHERE.

 

 

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[cruise_mojo]

better to avoid all instances of them taking your pic

 

and any instance where you might be tempted to walk thru the photo gallery!:)

[luckyinpa]

We were not allowed to do this, and, until I showed them that I had pre-purchased the all inclusive photo package, they demanded to watch me delete the photo from my phone. This was on Royal last summer.

 

sooo what would they do. forcibly take the phone and do it themselves. sounds like a PR nightmare waiting to happen. "i took a picture of a picture of myself and they wrestled me to the ground'

 

or

 

"what are you in jail for man,"... i took a picture.

[denatravels]

sooo what would they do. forcibly take the phone and do it themselves. sounds like a PR nightmare waiting to happen. "i took a picture of a picture of myself and they wrestled me to the ground'

 

 

 

or

 

 

 

"what are you in jail for man,"... i took a picture.

 

 

There have been signs that I've seen in the photo gallery-- if they see you taking a picture of a picture, you WILL be charged for it. Don't think there would be any way to get out of that, as you can't get off the ship without paying your bill.

 

 

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[dancernl]

So much helpful information, thank you everyone! I have learned so much already. My first cruise will be next year in the Mediterranean in late fall (Last week of October into early November) from Venice to Barcelona. A lot of the advice here is focused on Caribbean/Topical cruises. What advice is out there for a fall time cruise? We may not use the pool, or even bring swim wear, and we have a port-intensive itinerary. What have you learned about currency, languages, and touring in the Med?

 

Thanks!

Edited September 22, 2016 by dancernl

[kruzkween]

Absolutely take your Kindle! I always take my NOOK and enjoy reading often while on a cruise. And it sure beats the hassle & weight of packing paperbacks.

 

Also, remember the walls in a cruise ship cabin are metal and you can use magnets to hang/attach things. And the door is metal also. We love to put an 8x10 magnetic sign on our door...can have a custom one made from on-line sites. It's a great way to distinguish your door so it's easily identifiable as you walk down your hall.

 

Great tips on this thread; even highly experienced cruiser can still learn from others!!!

 

Blessings,

kruzkween

[annawanX2]

Can you punch a hole in the card and put it on a coil wrist key chain like pictured?

 

 

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If you take your card to the casino, they will punch a hole in your card so you don't have to take a hole punch with you.

[elesay]

All of the clothing suggestions I see are for Caribbean/hot weather cruises (swimsuit, shorts, sun dress). We'll be cruising the Baltic in early June. I know that's considered warm weather for some, but I live in Orlando for a reason and have a tough time with weather colder than 75° Fahrenheit.

 

What type of clothes do you recommend for me (female) to keep the packing light?

[dupe1_Risteilijä]

I live in Southern Finland, so I'd advice you to pack some jeans and a jacket, maybe something like this, warm but light:

 

The temperature could be anything from +4-25 C, so you should pack summer clothes as well. It can also be rainy and windy.

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

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[elesay]

I live in Southern Finland, so I'd advice you to pack some jeans and a jacket, maybe something like this, warm but light:

 

The temperature could be anything from +4-25 C, so you should pack summer clothes as well. It can also be rainy and windy.

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

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It does. Thank you!

[TravelinGert]

So many posts! So many great ideas!

 

I must have read this entire threat - or one just like it - prior to my first cruise.

 

I've decided to post now because I accidentally discovered something that was awesome for us on our last cruise.

 

9 pound magnetic hooks!

 

We got them off Amazon here. Initially purchased them to hang battery operated lights in the window over the promenade in our promenade cabin on Adventure of the Seas. Don't bother with the lights or other decoration on those windows. Thanks to the lights in the promenade you can hardly even spot them if you identify the window. What they were useful for was keeping down clutter. Great for hanging wet bathing suits out of the way in the bathroom, hanging a line to hang hand washed delicate items, hanging up a tote pre-packed for the next day's excursion, and even worked for for hanging small easily misplaced items like our flashlight and umbrella in an out-of-the-way location over the end table. These will definitely be cruising with us again!