GRRRRR.....I wish I had packed....

[teddybarehead]

LMAO, I have been married nearly 20 years, I need to do that, just so that people think I am getting some.:p;)

 

Hahaha ya, well no offense but i think it's funnier for people to tease younger cruisers but sure, totally buy them in the shop. :D

[hellomillie]

Well, I just returned from my second cruise..first one being 32 years ago! I read and read the boards and this is what I found did and did not work for me: I brought a watch but no clock and the stateroom was pitch black (as stated before) could not see the watch in the dark so next time a flashlight or a travel clock. Also, I brought the suction cup holder to put stuff in in the shower...did not stick...threw it away! Brought both febreeze and downy wrinkle release and used both. Wish I had packed more warmer clothes as it was chilly and more work-out clothes as they were comfortable (as you can guess used the febreeze on the two I did bring!). Though I had extra clean clothes at the end I would not change the amount I packed. Definitely used the power strip with only one plug. Other than the clock, I think we did really well seeing as I had gotten great advice from these boards-in fact everytime I read something interesting I passed it along to our group. One funny thing -we tease my oldest daughter that she has the "Mary Poppins bag" as a purse, but as we stood in an excruciating long and hot line in the sun waiting for the hop and stop bus in Jamaica, she popped out a mini umbrella and was the most popular young lady!

[redneony]

This is the FIRST thing I pack and the 1 thing I check my carry on for about 100 times...I don't need any souvenirs coming home with us!:p

 

I'm hoping to bring home my free souvenir next year. :D

[Mizzouaholic]

Goota have the alarm clock for those pitch black interior rooms especially!

[ssolomon56]

I'm another one of those folks that keep track with a detailed list, but it took a LOT of "forgetting things" before we finally figured this out.

 

Most of the typical things have already been mentioned - but I always pack a collapsable mesh hamper to store dirty clothes in. It takes no room at all in your luggage, but it's a god send! I also take a tiny wallet on a long strap that I wear around my neck - in leiu of a purse. It's just big enough to carry my card key, a couple $20s for the casino and chap stick. Who wants to cart a purse around all the time? Also...I always bring a couple large travel mugs. We enjoy a cup of herbal tea in the afternoon - and the cups from the Lido are pretty tiny.

 

Once on a trip to Alaska, my DH realized he forgot to bring any black dress socks. All he had were white ones to wear with tennies and nothing to wear to dinner. At every port our mission was to find dress socks. We finally paid $12.00 for a pair on the ship and we rinsed them out every day.

[Martini Mom]

On a recent trip (not a cruise) I left my flat iron behind. I used it that morning and needed to cool it down quickly so I could pack it at the last minute, so I stuck it in the fridge. Yep, forgot allllll about it. :)

[ahoys]

After getting the flu on a cruise and finding that none of the flu medicine on the ship would work for me (acetaminophen doesn't work for me), I now bring my own cold/flu daytime/nighttime medicine. Along with that are the other "just in case" meds like gas x, pepto, etc. for stomach things.

 

DH had an issue with his earbuds for his ipod on one cruise, and I thought that getting him a replacement would be easy. Only one set of earphones available onboard, and they were not easy to deal with (they were retractable and didn't work well). I thought getting some in Cozumel would be easy as well--no, I couldn't find any at all. So now we make sure to pack an extra pair of cheap earphones.

 

I have a flashlight that I bought at Target that I don't cruise without. I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Man, do I hate turning on that bright light and then leaving the bathroom and stumble around in the darkness! This flashlight has a lantern feature that has an amber light. It sits upright on the sink and the light is nice and dim. Then I can use the flashlight feature to get myself into bed without tripping over anything.

[sjn911]

I forgot nail polish and had a chip on my toe the first day on the ship. They do not sell nail polish on the spirit. Couldn't find any until our second port of call.

 

Just brings memories of going to DC on a high school trip..great program for kids..and one of my room mates polish had broken and leaked on all her clothes..tripple bag it OP!!

 

If I just do a carrey on with the little bag which I plan to try next time..oooh.maybe just clear is way I will go....hmmmm.

 

A foldable bag that can go to the beach..carrey stuff around ship. An evening wrap of some sort..I want to look nice on dress nights and I want to wear dressy stuff to the show and around..bought a 10 dollar lovely grreen scarf..called a Pashima in Formalities for said purpose last time...the most comfortable dressy shoes, sandals and walking shoes possible ... utilitarian trumps beauty (a little) for sure footing on a ship...slippers for cabin and hotel rooms, spare pairs of panty hose and comfy socks for tennis shoes..and a tiny evening bag..too fun to be dressy, mine is a black mesh Whiting Davis one..really a purse organizer, but useable as a mini clutch bag for 2 tissues, lipstick, collapsable brush and cabin card and any cash I may carrey before or after cruise at meals. 2 weekly Rx organizers...one for vitamins and Rx's for the week, one for the remedies you may need and a few days extra Rx's if there is a problem. A stupid ugly around my neck ticket ID and Passport holder..only used for boarding planes and ship because I am always too excited etc. and then I do not drop it carreying and rolling my stuff to the plane..:):o:).

 

Bon Voyage!!!

[USC-UVIC]

you can quickly google packing lists for cruise to see if anything applies

 

This time we are bringing our own snorkel equipment! guaranteed fit and sanitary!

I am doing that too! Don't like the idea of putting my mouth to the mouth piece that has travelled to a thousand mouths! YUK!

[Conwaycruiser]

I'll second that "cold/flu" medicine. I always take Benadryl in case I have sinus issues (which I rarely do). Well, the one time I didn't bring it was the only time I needed it. The gift shop had some (a triple the normal price). And of course Aloe, cause I never plan on getting burned but of course I did on the last trip because I couldn't stay out of the beautiful waters of St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Also along with the sunburn-I needed chap stick/aloe for lips which was surprisingly hard to find in port!

[cruzlovr75]

I wish I had taken our own water bottles and pop on board. I think it's ridiculous the price they charge for that it should be included!

Also, I wish I had packed a few comfy down time clothes. I just had dress clothes and shorts, I could have used some comfy yoga pants around the ship for the mornings or evenings.

[broberts]

I notice a lot of suggestions for flashlights. My new cell phone, a smart phone, has an app (it was free) which turns on the phone's camera flash - very nice. When I had my old phone I simply used the screen, it usually provided sufficient light.

 

I buy sample / travel size toiletries and discard any remainder for the trip home.

 

Another vote for ziploc bags. I use them to pack shoes and anything that might conceivably leak. Toss in a couple of freezer size ones for dirty socks etc. coming home.

[sandij]

I always pack a mini drugstore, hate to not have something if I needed it, just shop those little bottle areas of the big stores and it doesn't cost much. Don't forget extra batteries, can't believe what I had to pay for one for my camera one year. Comfy clothes, it is a vacation after all, and take a lot of patience.

[LuckyZ]

Gum. Couldn't buy any on the ship.

 

I think you can't buy gum because it's a way to avoid having people stick it carelessly to railings and hence having something else to clean up.

[Texarribean Chick]

I - like others, would rather have too many choices in clothing than not enough. Once thing I did find, was a shorts/shirt outfit for everyday was not necessary. I tend to dress in the mornings in a bathing suit and cover up and spend the remainder of the day in those clothes.

 

The travel clock is a must for me -

 

Maalox tabs for indigestion. It's typically me; but so many in my party either eat something that does not agree with them or have too many cerveza and heartburn on a cruise is the worst!

 

I do not bring a power strip; but a plug adapter. It has 3 outlets which allows for all of the electrical outlets I need.

[smplyblessed619]

I bring one yellow and one blue and only pay attention to the items that are green that both of us want to do.

 

Also I bring suction cup hooks to put up in the shower so that swim suits and whatnot have an extra place to hang and dry overnight.

 

 

 

The suction cup hooks is a GREAT idea!!! Adding it to my list for sure :)

[LesPaul]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Sent me out shopping again. Hit up Target for the over the door shoe holder and the travel alarm clock. And the Crystal Light margarita and mojito flavors for all that Bon Voyage booze I bought yesterday. Only 3 more days for me!!

 

Leslie

[mamawsnest]

Bought a new travel clock-darn thing kept going off at 6:00am. I never set the alarm. Don't know if it will ever travel again. Last trip I left my drivers license at home. Argh-h-h!:o

[momof2cruiser]

1. A nightlight for the bathroom.

2. Antibacterial wipes for the countertops/bathroom, if needed.

3. The wristbands for motion sickness (find at your local drug store).

4. Ginger gum for motion sickness...just in case.

[skewsus]

Lots of eye wetting-lubricant drops. I suffer the red eye syndrome whenever I am on a cruise. I spend a lot of time on deck and think it's from the salt in the wind.

 

I always pack a case of bottled water. I hear everyone who believes the filtration system is wonderful but I do not like ship water.

 

I take pre-printed address labels so that I can slap one on a post card to send to the kiddies in my life. Makes the whole process easier, no need for an address book. I keep a template on my computer and just print a sheet out before each cruise.

 

I pack twice as much sun screen for a cruise then I think I would need.

 

I always take a raft. It packs flat, cost 1 buck and I use it at the beach. Beats paying 10 bucks to rent one and there's no one's sun tan oil all over it. I always leave it at the last beach.

 

We always use a credit card to lock our safe but I read on CC that many people use an old hotel key or expired credit card. I may try that my next cruise.

 

A good attitude. "It'll get you through anything!

[CharmedMom]

I took Febreeze on our first cruise and was glad I took it. I forgot to take it when we went on our second cruise, and when the bathroom was used, it really would stink up the rest of the cabin. I will be taking a can of it with me for our upcoming cruise in June.

[lds26]

My must packs for next trip:

• travel plug in clock
  
• over the door shoe holder
  
• 3M Command Hooks 2 sizes
  
• Sticky Tack
  
• Pop up hamper
  
• Door decorations
   
  

I told my bff about this site and gave her a list to go over when she packed and she remembered the clock and hamper and I realized I really needed to bring those 2 items on my next trip. My last trip I brought the 3M hooks and the shoe holder and instead of putting it 'over the door' we stuck one to the connecting door and put the other one in the bathroom. The hooks were very strong and very reusable!

I grabbed some cheap xmas bows from dollar store threw into my bag and put them on my door with sticky tack and it came in very handy for myself, my son, my bff and our neighbors as it provided a 'landmark' for all of us.

 

One more thing I always remember to bring is one of those tiny spray tubes of air freshener from Bath and Body that can be thrown into a purse, carry on or just brought along. Its so concentrated that you never have to be concerned of any 'after scent' post-bathroom.

[sand33647]

I got a small tap light from Wally world to put in the bathroom. The switch is outside the door and the light is very bright opening and closing the door at night. Will also take Halls next cruise. Got a nasty sore throat last cruise. DH bought small 10 lozenge pack in gift shop for about 3.50. Would have paid 5 times as much. Won't forget those again.

[firefly333]

My phone charger cord. I couldnt call home to tell my folks I was ok or talk to them until I got all the way home.

[musik07]

I brought 2 flip flops for my right foot on my last cruise ( I have two identical pairs and we were cruising in January so when I dug through my flip flop box I grabbed 2 rights and never checked!) Luckily they were selling cheap (and horrible) flip flops in the gift shop. My dressier sandals ended up getting worn to the beach and the pool most of the week!