Worst Cruise Packing Mistakes

[cruzn buckeye]

forgot a very important med. I wanted to get off the ship... we were very close to sailaway... actually the muster drill was about to start... was told it was too late... went to the infirmary... was charged $120.00 and 6 dollars for the med i needed to complete the cruise... that was an expensive mistake.:(

[beshears]

In regard to "forgetting your passport," as you know, that can be bad.:( A couple things I have done in regard to this. First I always make a copy along with my birth certificate, and put them away in a file at home. Then just before I leave for vacation, I have a "list" of everything I need to take/bring with me, and the passport/birth certificate (originals that is) I mark off the list as I put them into my purse. This way, I know I have them at all times. :)

[arkjeweler]

Not looking ahead. When we came back into New Orleans on our second cruise it was actually snowing, and we had no jacket of any kind. On our cruise out of LA we did not know that even in June the wind coming in off the Pacific was very cold. I had to buy a jacket on the ship.

[MAGNUM PI]

This is a no-brainer: packing too much clothing.

On our first cruise, we had no idea what to expect, or what we were doing. We packed three times as much items, that we ever needed.

[sjn911]

Would love to know what world cruise people do...how much they take and how they get it there.

[Doggielover68]

Overpacking is the biggest mistake in my opinion. I fixed that problem for our last cruise by saving my previous cruise packing list and crossing things off that we didn't need. Our most recent trip was a back to back with 14 nights and we only brought carry on luggage. It took a bit of planning but it is so much easier to not have to deal with so much stuff in your cabin.

 

One thing I continue to overpack on purpose though is over the counter medication/first aid supplies especially for a longer trip. Last year I needed Benadryl from the gift shop and it was $12. Never again!

 

 

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[MissyMac13]

Probably the biggest mistake we made was last February, when DH and I went on Carnival Miracle for 7 days. He didn't pack any socks, other than 1 pair of dress socks and the sport socks he was wearing. The gift shop only had dress socks. We did buy some socks at Walmart in Puerta Vallarta but he doesn't like wearing clothes until they are laundered, so we used one of our free Premium bags to have the socks laundered. Every time we leave on a trip now, I ask him if he packed his socks. He will never forget them again!

[beshears]

Yes, I have discovered that even in California, it can get cold at times, especially if the wind is up bad.

[smyliecruising]

That's a mistake?? Yikes! I always take at least 6 pairs. I cannot help myself.:)

 

 

I love overpacking and dressing up! I have one suitcase of shoes! Only time of the year we have no kids. We dress up every night:)

[ShakyBeef]

I love overpacking and dressing up! I have one suitcase of shoes! Only time of the year we have no kids. We dress up every night

 

Oh No! You pack all your shoes in one suitcase?:eek: You like to live more dangerously than I ever could. What if that suitcase got lost?:eek: The horror is almost too much to imagine! I would be heartbroken.:( I spread my 12-15 pairs through several of my suitcases, with my absolute favourites in my carry-on, just in case the unthinkable were to happen and I never saw my checked luggage again, I'd still have the most important 3 or 4 pairs.:o

 

:p:D

[joellebridgers]

In 2012 my husband and my stepson flew in the day of going on the Sensation. When we got to the airport at 6am to check in, I realized that my stepsons passport was missing...... I made copies at Staples the day before, and guess where it still was! Thank God I'm OCD and had his birth certificate and the copy of his passport with me. I had to wake up my best friend at 6 am to tell her to call Staples when they open and grab the passport.

[Photochick1]

Just leave it all behind...

 

Fortunately this wasn't us, but we were in the lounge by customer service before sail away. A frantic woman was over by the door demanding to be let off. It was already closed. She went over to customer service and demanded to be let off. She forgot all of their luggage in the car. They said there wouldn't be time for her to make it back. Crying, she said she would rather not come back. Too late!

 

We saw her, her husband and her 2 teenagers several times throughout the cruise wearing nothing but Carnival logo clothes.

 

Oh my! I can't even imagine this one. But two adults and two teenagers and NO ONE remembered the luggage????

[SadieN]

Always check the expiration dates of your credit cards. DH hasn't done this, twice! Happy I had mine with me.

[13cheermom]

I feel like this is the most important tip if flying, never know when one suitcase can go missing. But it does get more difficult when traveling with others, have to really think about it when trying to cross-pack for 4 different people. However, thankfully never had any luggage to get lost but think it's a good safeguard. Also have to make a list, have it saved on notes on iPhone & iPad that gets printed out each cruise and highlight once item is packed. Even down to the last minute items until it's in a suitcase or travel bag it doesn't get marked off the list. Never has failed us yet after 15 years of cruising. Of course over the years you tweet the list as things change but overall a cruise pretty much is the same each trip. This is a great thread though to hear the different horror stories and make you think a little more, thanks to the OP for this!:)

[ShakyBeef]

I feel like this is the most important tip if flying, never know when one suitcase can go missing. But it does get more difficult when traveling with others, have to really think about it when trying to cross-pack for 4 different people. However, thankfully never had any luggage to get lost but think it's a good safeguard. Also have to make a list, have it saved on notes on iPhone & iPad that gets printed out each cruise and highlight once item is packed. Even down to the last minute items until it's in a suitcase or travel bag it doesn't get marked off the list. Never has failed us yet after 15 years of cruising. Of course over the years you tweet the list as things change but overall a cruise pretty much is the same each trip. This is a great thread though to hear the different horror stories and make you think a little more, thanks to the OP for this!:)

 

 

All very good tips. I'll just add: take a picture of all of your luggage pieces, before you part with them, and keep the picture with you (on phone or camera), for your whole trip, so that if one is lost, it can be identified and recovered more easily.

[erinmarie424]

I feel like this is the most important tip if flying, never know when one suitcase can go missing. But it does get more difficult when traveling with others, have to really think about it when trying to cross-pack for 4 different people. However, thankfully never had any luggage to get lost but think it's a good safeguard. Also have to make a list, have it saved on notes on iPhone & iPad that gets printed out each cruise and highlight once item is packed. Even down to the last minute items until it's in a suitcase or travel bag it doesn't get marked off the list. Never has failed us yet after 15 years of cruising. Of course over the years you tweet the list as things change but overall a cruise pretty much is the same each trip. This is a great thread though to hear the different horror stories and make you think a little more, thanks to the OP for this!:)

 

When I have a connecting flight with more than a one hour layover I always check my main suitcase regardless of size (free on the two airlines i typically fly) so I "crosspack" my own bags on the way TO my destination. I put a complete change of clothes in my largish tote and an extra top and pair of undies, that way I'm good for at least a day and maybe two if something happens. And room for souvenirs on the way back.

[wanman]

I am a single guy so mine is usually the normal guy stuff with a couple of nice shirts and a nice pair of slacks for "going out." Well I get ready to dress to impress and realize that my impress clothes are actually my khaki's that are very religious now (sorry, I don't like people to see my undies unless I want them to ;) ) and the shirts were a size too small. Made a note to double check from then on!

[beshears]

Smyliecrusing, I am like you. I "dress up" every night real nice, but for the formal nights, I just dress up (if that is possible) a little more.

[cmptrwiz]

We had some friends who didn't take the batteries out of their adult "goodies" and they somehow got turned on (the goodies not the friends). Their luggage was making a lot of buzzing noises. They were called down to the naughty room to show and explain what happened. They were pretty embarssed.

[wanman]

We had some friends who didn't take the batteries out of their adult "goodies" and they somehow got turned on (the goodies not the friends). Their luggage was making a lot of buzzing noises. They were called down to the naughty room to show and explain what happened. They were pretty embarssed.

 

Now we know why it's called the Naughty room! LOL :eek:

[mrsdoc3]

Common Sense: When traveling, always keep your valuables including all cash in your possession (your carryon or personable item) at all times until you can put them in your stateroom safe. Remember to bring enough cash including small bills to tip porters, spend in the ports, etc.

 

Better Common Sense: When traveling, always keep your valuables including "paper money" in your possession... NOT a roll of quarters to do your laundry on board. Just go to the casino or guest services to get quarters from the paper bills you bring - trust me.

 

Who knew that going through TSA at the airport with a "dense, metallic object" - the roll of quarters in your carry on kept neatly with the zip-lock baggie of Tide detergent - would get one "selected" for the "thorough TSA screening". :eek: Oops! :o

 

I was selected for special screening out of Vancouver airport on return trip from Alaska cruise. They spotted little pieces of metal in my purse. I guess they don't use keys in Canada!

[jcorgidog]

Overpacking is still a challenge for me.

 

There are always things you want to bring but tend to forget to pack.

 

I tried something new and it worked out great. About 2 weeks prior I set out a laundry basket and called it the "forget me not basket". If some item randomly came to mind like camera, beach shoes, sun hat and such the family could put it in the basket as they thought of it. This worked great and added to the fun as anticipation for the our cruise grew.

[gobben]

Seriously OVERPACKING!

Like bringing 6 pairs of shoes once!

 

My wife would seriously disagree with you. She has one piece of luggage just for her shoes! She doesn't mind carrying all the extra stuff required for her 3-4 fashion changes throughout the day, but thanks for the fuel for my argument! :D

[SMSACE6]

I take way too many pairs of shoes! End up wearing only two pairs, so this one coming up, going to take the ones I wear on the plane, a pair of sandals, and maybe a third pair..... It is hard for me to restrict shoes, and they take up so much room in the suitcase. But I am learning over the years albeit slowly;)

[maldenmusic]

Too much clothing. I always end up wearing some things twice if I've only had it on for a few hours. My goal is to be able to only take what I can carry on.....someday.