Worst Cruise Packing Mistakes

[Chyna3032]

I forgot my make up bag once. Left it right there on the ed. But since we flew in the night before, I had a chance to pick up a few basic necessities at the grocery store that morning before we sailed.

[crusinpsychRN]

I forgot my make up bag once. Left it right there on the ed. But since we flew in the night before, I had a chance to pick up a few basic necessities at the grocery store that morning before we sailed.

 

I did that too! Had to buy some in the shops onboard. Once forgot my contact lens case. Coming up with something to use wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. Medical office had no med bottles, they give pills in little envelopes. Finally found a replacement in the liquor store (!) on a rack of odds and ends w/a reasonable price.

 

Forgot my sneakers and we were going on an excursion where I'd need them. Also didn't have my watch. Went to Payless and Walgreens for the watch, a Timex. It's 14 years later, 2 batteries later and I still have the watch on! Works better than any I bought on cruises!

 

If going to the Steakhouse first night, they do not relax dress code, no shorts so take appropriate clothes in carry on if you don't get luggage soon enough.

Edited February 10, 2016 by crusinpsychRN

[crusinpsychRN]

after cruising for 12 yrs, I have it down pat (says me ha ha). I have a section in my closet with some things I only wear on a cruise - long black flowing pants - great for all dinner types - just add either a tank or a dressy top.

shoes - wear one pack 2

I have a list - print out at least 2 copies and tick off as packed always leave a copy on my computer - so if I should loose my luggage, I know $ to claim, and have proof.

I have a clear plastic container in the closet that holds travel stuff, add to it all the time - travel size stuff. They are so picky on flights now, I wash and refill small travel size bottles of most things after each trips so I am ready to go in a moments notice. I want my own shampoo, and it does not come in travel size. But, worried they would refuse it on a flight, I put a label on each bottle.

I take only clothes that can be hand laundered if needed - very easy to rinse things every night - only takes minutes.

Always travel with a clean outfit/swim suit in my "big" travel purse. know, I could spill on the airplane! And, that way, I can give my bag over at check in and still go sit at the pool.

The thing I used to forget was a warm sweater - going to carib - still nice to have to wear out on the balcony or after sometimes after a swim and a sun burn - now I have one dedicated to my suitcase - it gets washed and repacked every trip.

do not look at my sock or undies - I take mix of old and new - the old if worn get pitched!

I pack a month ahead, but, repack,repack,repack - etc until flight!

Cound not count the number of times I look in my purse to see if my passport still there both going and coming home! Cannot start the car until I recheck for that for me or anyone travelling with me!

 

I do a lot of this too. I leave all my clothes on hangars when I pack so unpacking takes about 5 minutes.

 

When kids were little I'd have them pick outfits for each day and roll up shirt, shorts, underwear, socks if needed. They didn't have to decide what to wear, just grab a roll and they were ready.

[danacline]

We took a cruise a month after 9/11. An odd issue caused me to need to fly home from the cruise, while the wife, daughters, and friend's wife drove. My wife asked if I could take some dirty clothes home in my luggage, and I agreed.

 

Flash forward to the airport. Since I bought the ticket one way, that morning, I was "suspicious". Right there in the airport, they opened my checked bag and proceeded to pull out my wife/daughters bras and panties. They looked at me real funny but let me fly with all my stuff.

 

That said, we have a policy of one checked bag <50# and one carry on per person. I usually have enough space in the checked bag to add some souvenirs (carefully packed rum, rum cakes, wine from Italy). I think on our Med cruise, I brought back about 8 separate bottles in the checked bag, all packed so well that none broke. That made me very happy.

[pink roses]

I still take each trip's packing, depending on flying and the perks of my cruise(on carnival I have free laundry), When flying I just do not take extras.. that being said I take about a third of what I took on my first trip 10 years ago. I think if I am going to be upset I do not have something I take it. My husband says make sure you have id, credit card and passport and the rest can be bought if forgotten or not taken and needed.

[Savlamara]

Hi everyone,

 

I just wanted to say a big thank you for the overwhelming response to this thread! Thank you for sharing all the mistakes, tips and suggestions -- it helped a lot and is much appreciated. The story is finished, and I will be sure to send around a link when it's up on the site.

 

Best,

 

~Brittany Chrusciel, Associate Editor, Cruise Critic

 

 

Whatever happened to the link for this? I'd like to read the article.

[CruisinCrow]

Whatever happened to the link for this? I'd like to read the article.

 

I think this is it: http://www.cruisecritic.com/v-2/articles.cfm?ID=2102

[Yellowbird75]

We actually like to have options so we definitely over pack. However' date=' I don't see the problem in doing that? We have 2 suitcases each that once they are dropped off with the porters aren't a problem at all. It's not like we have to lug them around or anything. We do dress up every night but that's what we like to do. We probably don't wear a third of what we bring but that's ok since we don't know which third that is going to be before we cruise! Unless you are flying I don't see the big deal about over packing. Just gives us more options while we are on the ship. That being said I know every one is different but if you are new to cruising don't worry about over packing is my take. Happy Cruising!!![/quote']

 

TRUTH! I pack 2-3 outfits a day but why not? We have a ton of luggage, yes, but it's vacation and I enjoy wearing new outfits and clothes that I don't normally wear and all of my party shoes have to come! And my DH is the same. I barely take up more room than him. :D We take a lot of convenience items too, like a bluetooth speaker, my blow dryer (can't stand the ones in the rooms), collapsible cooler for poolside drinks...we rarely say, nah...don't pack that! haha

 

It might be different if we had luggage restrictions but we have preferred status with our airline so free checked bags. And when we lived in GA we just drove to the cruise ports so that was great too! To me, vacation is not the time that I want to be planning "efficient" outfits and removing things out that I want to take. I cannot imagine an 8 day cruise with just a carry-on! I'm not knocking anyone that does, btw, to each their own and this works for us!

[Draka1]

You sound like me, but I have to fly. 1 free bag >50lbs. I make it every time

[DebJ14]

Seriously OVERPACKING!

Like bringing 6 pairs of shoes once!

 

I don't consider bringing 6 pairs of shoes overpacking. More like normal to me.

[DebJ14]

Once I let my husband pack his own stuff. He arrived without any shirts. It was a very costly mistake. He has never packed for a cruise since.

[mzloolue]

My DA acidently only packed one shoe of each pair 😉 shoes. I once had a bottle of sun lotion split in my case and ruined half my clothes. I always double bag any liquids now 😢

 

This has happened to our family twice but it was sunscreen both times.

 

The first time was my daughter had spray sunscreen burst in her suitcase, probably on the plane.

 

Several years later my son had a bottle of spray sunscreen empty itself in his suitcase after the bag was checked at the dock.

 

The stuff stains even after being rinsed in the sink, rubbed with soap and immediately taken to the self service laundry.

 

Triple bag that stuff!

[PAPERBKWRITER]

For some strange reason I go over my packing in my mind as we drive to the airport (175 miles) Once I remembered I forgot my swim suit so we stopped at Wal Mart.

[ShakyBeef]

I don't consider bringing 6 pairs of shoes overpacking. More like normal to me.

 

 

I could probably cut back my shoes packed to 6 pairs for a 5-day cruise, if I tried really hard. For my typical 7-day cruise, it's more like 13 pairs.:o

[Alabaster Cruiser]

Bumping this up for some friends to read.

[Savlamara]

I think this is it: http://www.cruisecritic.com/v-2/articles.cfm?ID=2102

 

Awesome, thanks CruisimCrow!

[cruiseonthebrain]

On one cruise I forgot to pack any shoes. On the next cruise, I forgot my DH's undergarments.

[sid_9169]

Some of these "packing mistakes" are pretty funny... I have my cruise packing down to a science, bringing only a carry-on roller bag and small backpack. I have a list of every item I need, and check off each item of as it goes in the bag. Works every time...

[beshears]

Someone mentioned mixing the "clean clothes with the dirty clothes, well I don't have that problem. I bring a large trash bag with me, and my luggage has so many (don't see luggage like this anymore) compartments, that I can put the dirty clothes in the bag in an "outside" zipper area, and have plenty of room in my luggage for the clean ones, etc. I still have.

[doxie2cruise]

I always over pack but feel thats ok you never know if something comes up.

Our last cruise in December we realized just before our cruise how important it is to pack your passports. Yep you guessed it I left the passports at home in Ohio:eek: we're at Port Canveral no passports no cruise. Called home son went to our house couldn't find Birth Certificates. While he was looking for them he had set the alarm off (forgot the code). Police came while he's rifiling through our things. He had a lot of explaning to do it's a good thing they knew it was ok for him to be there.

 

I did have copies of our passports packed but not good, we neeeded the real deal. No cruise for us.:( We had packed a copy of trip insurance so started the proccess that day for reinburstment. We also rented a car and hotel room for the week of cruise and just enjoyed the week. Then went to Disney World to enjoy our trip.

 

Rember to pack your passports.

Doxie

[patrice1]

Have a coupon flex file, letter size, I got at Office Max. Have compartments for every port, tips, boarding, insurance, casino, passports, hotel, rental car, etc. Have used for every cruise and DH laughs at my cruise "planner", but we've never forgotten anything. Also pack the night before & last minute items the morning of. Keep some 'cruise only' kits ready, like meds, cleaning stuff, and power bar and in suitcase. Can we leave tomorrow?:D

[sprint180]

I'm probably in the minority but I never take enough clothes. I always think I have enough but end up doing laundry.

[BigB0882]

Somehow managed to not pack my tooth brush or tooth paste once. Thank goodness for the store on the ship!

[PTAngel]

We went on a trip once & DH forgot razors & shaving gel. He said it gave him a good excuse not to shave. He packs his own kit bag & lays his clothes out for me to pack. I always check with him that he has everything in his kit bag. I now have a spreadsheet made for packing. I add a new tab for each trip &/or cruise so it is specific. I check off everything as I put it in the suitcase. I haven't cross packed yet but it looks like I need to start that.

 

My first cruise I paid attention to everything that was suggested so I brought binoculars (which sounded good but I couldn't seem to see anything so I don't bring them anymore) & duct tape (which I have used to make carrying 2 walking sticks off the ship much easier & for hemming a Halloween costume). I can't think of much else different. I use a small cosmetic bag for all my costume jewelry. I do bring a few snacks & a couple bottles of water.

[TexasRed]

On our first cruise, as we were getting off the ship, a young couple came behind us and brought out their luggage that was dripping booze. Rather than carry it off in their carry-on, they had packed it in their suitcase and left it in the hall. Somehow in the commotion of all the luggage being gathered, then sorted for retrieval, their bottles broke.

 

Once when we went on a land vacation, my son begged for the responsibility of packing his own suitcase, when he bathed the next morning he had no underwear. And for some reason he refused to wear his sisters, lol.

 

We left a garment bag hanging on the back of the bedroom door once, again it was a land vacation, it had all of the shirts and things that I had ironed, so we wound up shopping for a few things.

 

Nowadays, after we book a cruise, I start packing in my head, I sometimes write a list but usually don't. About a week before, I start gathering things from the laundry, then a couple days before I start laying things out on the loveseat in the living room. I generally take 5 or 6 pair of shoes, and they all get worn.