TOP 10 THINGS newbies forget to bring on their 1st Cruise...

[eyzwdeshut]

I haven't seen this mentioned, but found it somewhere else when I was looking up packing lists -- ShamWow!

Yes, that's right, like from the infomercials. Once it's wet, you just squeeze it dry. There were a couple of specific uses mentioned - as a towel when you get out of the water (that way your beach towel, that you might also sit on, isn't soaking wet); help absorb water from clothes/bathing suit. Specifically, those without balconies know that suits can take a while to dry without a breeze/sun to help!

I tried this on my trip to Puerto Rico last month & it was great! It really did help in both those situations!

For the ladies, I also bring sarongs & use them as beach cover-up and theater wrap.

[BarbRN]

Some of them also come with little over the door hooks to put in the grommets or you can buy suction cups for them.

 

Where in the cabin would the suction cups work? Good idea however.:confused:

[NMLady]

I haven't seen this mentioned, but found it somewhere else when I was looking up packing lists -- ShamWow!

 

Yes, that's right, like from the infomercials. Once it's wet, you just squeeze it dry. There were a couple of specific uses mentioned - as a towel when you get out of the water (that way your beach towel, that you might also sit on, isn't soaking wet); help absorb water from clothes/bathing suit. Specifically, those without balconies know that suits can take a while to dry without a breeze/sun to help!

 

I tried this on my trip to Puerto Rico last month & it was great! It really did help in both those situations!

 

For the ladies, I also bring sarongs & use them as beach cover-up and theater wrap.

 

THANKS for idea about the ShamWow. We have some but I hadn't thought about using them aboard ship for squeezing water out of handwashed clothes. That's great. I'm adding them to my packing list for our 33 days of cruising.

[annecolorgreen]

...and I think I'm getting one for my hot yoga class!!! :D

[sebas030]

Why pack a towel to do that? Just use one from the pool area. Most cruise ships provide pool towels. You're either given one in your cabin or given one at the pool, to return and get another one another day. No reason to take up suitcase room with a towel.

 

 

Yep, next cruise I will bring a cheap 2$ towel from K-Mart, wife and I were stressed out last cruise because of the possibility that someone would steel our towel and we would be charged 25$ :mad: for that ugly towel.

 

On the ship not so worried, but on the beach like GSC, once in the water who knows who will take your towel and BAMM :mad: -25$

[hoffhack]

1) SEWING KIT: AT HOME 2 BUCKS ON SHIP 14

2) EXTENSION CORD WITH POWER STRIP (DON'T CARE WHAT THEY SAY) YOU NEED IT, PUT IN CHECKED BAG.

3) EXTRA HANGARS, 10 FOR A BUCK IN THE DOLLAR STORE

4) 2 MEDIUM SIZE BUNGIE CORDS, SMALL ROLL OF DUCK TAPE

5) DO NOT TRY TO BRING WINE OR LIQUOR IN CARRY ON LUGGAGE, THEY WILL CONFISCATE IT EVERY TIME (NUMBER 2)

6) MEDIUM SWISS ARMY KNIFE (IT IS OK) I USE IT EVERY TIME OFTEN.

7) COMPACT BINOCULARS,

8) 2 SMALL FLASH LIGHTS AS THEY DO OCCASSIONALLY HAVE POWER FAILURES AND I CAN GET AWFUL DARK IN A CABIN. (NEWLYWEDS DISREGUARD)

9) SCREW ON TYPE SHOWER FILTER. THE SHIP WATER IS "loaded" with clorine. TAKES 1 MINUTE TO INSTALL AND (SMALL PLIERS IS HELPFUL) AND YOUR SKIN WON'T BE DRY AND ITCHY!!

10) SMALL FIRST AID KIT

11) BATTERIES, IF YOUR STUFF USES THEM.

12) MEDIUM FOLDING UMBRELLA (FOR SUN AS WELL AS RAIN)

USUALLY, THERE IS ONLY ONE OUTLET IN THE CABIN (AT LEAST ON CARNIVAL SHIPS) THEY SAY THERE IS ONE IN THE BATHROOM TOO, BUT I NEVER MANAGED TO FIND IT. THE HAIR DRYER PROVIDED ON THE CARNIVAL SHIPS I HAVE BEEN ON WILL GET THE JOB DONE, BUT WITH CAMERAS AND CELL PHONES AND WHAT ALL TO RE-CHARGE, YOU NEED A 6 FT. POWER STRIP, I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY SAY, THAT KIND OF STUFF DOES NOT DRAW ENOUGH POWER TO BE A DANGER. IRONS AND HAIR DRYERS MAYBE, BUT NOT A CAMERA OR CELL PHONE OR IPOD. OH, A SMALL BOTTLE OF DISH WASHING LIQUID. SINCE THEY CHARGE YOU $2.00 TO WASH A PAIR OF SOX, A SHIRT IS $5.00 AND THE LINE FOR THE WASHING MACHINES IS ALWAY LONG, SO YOU CAN RINSE A FEW THINGS IN THE SINK IF NEED BE. WE JUST FINISHED OUR 10TH CRUISE ON CARNIVAL AND ARE NOW "PLATINUM" THE BIGGEST PERK IS: FREE WASH AND FOLD SERVICE!!! THAT NOW ENABLES US TO PACK HALF OF WHAT WE USED TO PACK!!!

[springersx2dal1]

Most ships with lauderettes have irons there

[ccruisequeen]

power strip/extension cord

some cruise lines are pulling these.

Sore throat lozenges for dry throats-I forgot these & ended up sipping cold water & eating ice-cream for 2 days!

[starwhite2]

mouthguard - I wear it at night and have forgotten it in the past.

[coffeebean]

duct tape (you just never know)

night light (if an inside cabin)

if briniging an alarm clock...it should be battery operated

spare set of eyeglasses if you wear them

I always bring a night light to use in the bathroom. It doesn't matter what type of cabin we are in. The overhead light is too bright for those middle of the night trips.

[FantasyIsland]

Generally we bring some laundry tablets and a couple dryer sheets but this year we are going to try the Purex all-in-one sheets.

[ncpiggie]

NCL adds the tip on beverages so no need to tip bar staff unless you want to

[I.Like.Beer]

Mosquito spray for land excursions in Alaska. Who would believe we'd be eaten alive in Fairbanks? Also, take half the clothes you think you'll need.

 

I am not headed to Alaska but was just there a few months ago.

And you are right....I have been to almost EVERY Caribbean island but have never, ever, ever been eaten alive by mosquitoes as I was when on vacation in Alaska. Those pesky things are everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!:eek:

[Cruisergal1208]

no need to bring extra hangers!! Just ask for them.

[Linzy]

I suggest batteries...camera, etc., a roll or 2 of quarters for washer/dryer which came in handy b/c I washed my dirty clothes before returning, less work wen i got home. Oh an extra memory card for your camera, video cam. also. I learned hard way. had to purchase one onboard. wasnt cheap.

[seekoHoG]

Small travel-size steam iron. I didn't think to bring one on my first cruise. I thought there would be one in the cabin (like a hotel room). No iron, had to send things to be pressed, very pricey. Now, I always pack it. Our friends went with us after Thanksgiving and borrowed it. They didn't think to pack one either.

 

Have fun!

 

Please do not bring irons on your cruise. Irons are not allowed in cabins on cruise ships. They are considered fire hazards.

I know for a fact that Carnival security will confiscate travel irons if they are found in your luggage (or in your cabin) and they don't give them back at the end of the cruise.

[fraidknot]

Birth control.

 

We have 3 cruise souvenirs at our house ages 19, 17 an 17

 

:eek::D - ROTFLOL

[EileenN]

Empty water bottle and Crystal light single serve packs. Great to use on or off the ship with an insulated mug.

Zip lock bags of different sizes to bring cheese/fruit or other snacks back to the room.

Be sure to place the wine opener in the suitcase as it will be confiiscated from a carryon.

Over the door hangers made of metal, to hang clothes on to air/refresh before putting into closet after a night at the casino.

Suction cup hook to attach to mirror or other flat surface to dry bathing suits.

Rain poncho from the dollar store.

[tbmrt]

The shoe bag I got in the $1 store has a hanger built into it, but was red/white flowered plastic that wasn't transparent.

 

Next time we travelled I used magic marker to mark pockets with contents. When I unpacked I left quite a few things right in the shoe bag for future travels.

 

 

Barbara

[tbmrt]

On a recent cruise, the room steward looked at me like I had 2 heads when I very nicely asked him to empty the mini-fridge. I ended up doing it myself. Is this something new or was this guy just being lazy?

Barb

[claudiabeach]

:cool: We have cruised more than 400 days since 2000 all over the world mostly on longer cruises. The suggestions so far have been great. Here are a few more:

 

(1) net folding hamper, great for dirty clothes and fits into suitcase easily, perfect for hauling laundry to and from the laundry rooms until you get enough status for the free laundry!

 

(2) large, light, folding tote bag for shore excursion stuff to take ashore or to bring back souveniers and very small with long strapped, lightweight purse/wallet to take money, cruise card and minimum stuff with you on excursions that can easily keep you hands free and not be too heavy to wear you out (small enough to tuck away in areas where pickpockets might be a problem). Waterproof one is great if you are planning water activities (or ziploc bag).

 

(3) lanyard or clothes with pockets for cruise card and a pen.

 

(4) covered travel cup/mug in larger size to transport beverages all over the ship at any time. It is also a great place to pack small, loose stuff in your suitcase.

 

(5) fun items like glow in the dark necklaces, balloons, stickers, scissors, tape, safety pins, paper clips, rubber bands, a little yarn or string (great for crafting makeshift outfits for the speciality nights out of all the paper your steward delivers everyday or for having fun at your dinner table)

 

(6) thank you notes for all the great people who help you while onboard (and for putting in a little extra tip for the ones who were really wonderful).

Edited September 23, 2010 by claudiabeach
add more stuff

[Cat_Lover3]

What about those hooks by 3M. They are very sturdy and can be removed cleanly. Would the cruise line get upset if you put a couple of those up to hang things on? They have all sizes. I use them here at home and really like them.

[CRZCRAZY]

On a recent cruise, the room steward looked at me like I had 2 heads when I very nicely asked him to empty the mini-fridge. I ended up doing it myself. Is this something new or was this guy just being lazy?

Barb

 

Every time I've mentioned it, they told me to just put everything in the compartment to the side and back in the fridge the last night.

[maja]

Birth control.

 

We have 3 cruise souvenirs at our house ages 19, 17 an 17

 

:p:p:p VERY FUNNY but I'm guessing they are the best souvenirs ever for you!

[pilotwifeinTN]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....sounds like cruising is not the vacation for you.

 

IMHO, a cruise is a Mom's best vacation EVER!! All kids can choose when/what to eat, tons of family friendly activities, no planning/clean-up mess. That being said, the OP should not take a cruise. I have met those types before and they can make everyone miserable. A cruise is a very economical vacation as well if you take care not to swipe your way to a large bill as you leave (skip the gold by the inch, drink of the day, etc).

 

One must have item we always take that I have not seen mentioned is baby powder/talc. In steamy environments these can prevent some nasty chafing, soothe hot/tired feet and helps remove sticky sand (such as we found in the Med).

 

We, too brought back a "souvenir" who is now 3 from our Celebrity Med cruise!!:cool:

 

RCCL 2000

Disney Magic 2002

Disney Magic 2003

Disney Magic 2004

Disney Wonder 2004

RCCL Mariner 2004

RCCL 2005

Celebrity Millenium 2006

RCCL Navigator 2009

Disney Magic 2010

Disney Magic 2011

RCCL Oasis 2011