Cruise Vets - What are some items to pack you would NEVER leave home without???

[joecool234]

It's been about 6 years since my last cruise and my ex-wife did most of the packing, so I'm pretty much a n00b. The only "can't leave home without" obscure items I can remember are:

 

1) a decent power strip (with no shortage of usb chargers)

2) a hanging over-the-door shoe organizer for toiletries and misc items

 

What else do you back that people generally would never even think of packing for a cruise????

 

Thanks everyone!!!!

[ldubs]

We honestly don't pack many special items.  I think the only thing might be our little box of different outlet adaptors.   Not that unique I'm afraid.   

 

On our last cruise, there was one 120V outlet.  With all of the electronics, a multi-plug would have been nice, but we managed.  

[Woody14]

18 hours ago, joecool234 said:

1) a decent power strip (with no shortage of usb chargers)

2) a hanging over-the-door shoe organizer for toiletries and misc items

I agree on number 1 but have never found the need for number 2

I think the biggest change in 6 years is now you need your smart phone.  it seems everyone is now using apps for everything.   The days of locking the phone in the safe seem to be gone, which is so sad.

[rkacruiser]

Duct tape, Scotch tape, manicure set, an extra battery and memory card for my camera, Traveler's Checks, and more cash than I think I will need.  

[Essiesmom]

I’m sort of a minimalist kind of gal, so I’ve never needed and over the door thingy.  Nor did my sister.  My aim is to pack everything. I would need for two days in a backpack.  This would be a change of clothes, all the electronics and chargers, all meds, docs, cards, etc.  the rest of my stuff is in a roll aboard, so I’m all set in case my rollaboard goes astray.  To pare it down further, it would be boarding docs, meds and phone.  EM

[rkacruiser]

Just thought of another item that I always take with me:  a small LED flashlight.  Electricity goes out on the ship?  I have light.  After dark excursion where there is poor/no lighting to see where one is walking?  I have light.  

[travelingman]

Does anybody even accept Traveler's Checks any more?

 

Stan

[Woody14]

18 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

... Traveler's Checks, 

can you even get these any more?

[rkacruiser]

18 hours ago, travelingman said:

Does anybody even accept Traveler's Checks any more?

 

Stan

 

5 hours ago, Woody14 said:

can you even get these any more?

 

AAA sells traveler's checks and some large banks may still do so.  It is not as easy to cash them as it once was, but, a large bank ought to do so and the Front Office on cruise ships will cash them.  

[navybankerteacher]

5 hours ago, Woody14 said:

can you even get these any more?

Yes, but some lines no longer accept them.

[TheOldBear]

41 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

 

AAA sells traveler's checks and some large banks may still do so.  It is not as easy to cash them as it once was, but, a large bank ought to do so and the Front Office on cruise ships will cash them.  

You will need to check this in advance - for example Cunard [and likely other Carnival Corp brands] no longer accepts Traveler's Checks - I think that change was some time ago [over five years]

Edited June 30, 2022 by TheOldBear
spelling

[hallux]

On 6/28/2022 at 4:56 PM, joecool234 said:

1) a decent power strip (with no shortage of usb chargers)

Rather than bringing a bundle of USB chargers, just bring a bundle of the CORDS and find one of these?

https://us.anker.com/collections/for-multi-device/products/a2046?variant=41268824932502

 

I have an older one with four USB-A ports and one USB-C, but it's the same idea.  That takes one outlet and charges four devices.

 

Here's one with three USB-A - 

https://us.anker.com/collections/for-multi-device/products/a2045?variant=37438397841558

 

Using this still leaves an open US plug for my OTHER "won't cruise without", the charger for my camera battery.

[rkacruiser]

23 hours ago, TheOldBear said:

You will need to check this in advance - for example Cunard [and likely other Carnival Corp brands] no longer accepts Traveler's Checks - I think that change was some time ago [over five years]

 

I have been able to cash traveler's checks on HAL within the last 5 years.  

[TheOldBear]

The last time I used traveler's checks was over 40 years ago - so I am not current on the places that may still accept them.

 

I did find this note on the 'my.cunard.com' site - for managing a booking, not the 'public site'

 

You may credit your account with any major currency, which will then be converted at the ship’s current exchange rates into USD; this will then be applied to your account in USD. We are unable to accept either personal cheques or traveller’s cheques. We are also unable to accept €500 notes at any time, this includes the Casino.

 

This says nothing about cashing the check and not putting it on the onboard account - perhaps it is still possible.

[WxNerd]

My packing list is not unique to cruising except for 1 thing. When we cruise I bring an extra toothbrush for everyone. In 2019 I dropped mine while reaching to put it back in its case, it bounced off the counter and fell down in the small space between the toilet lid and the back of the toilet. No toothbrushes on the ship and I ended up paying a ton for a crappy toothbrush in Juneau. 
 

Other than that I bring the same stuff on all vacations, non-surge protecting power strip, pop up laundry hamper, medication. 

[Slugsta]

The problem with this is that one person's 'must have' is another's 'waste of space'.

 

We did take an over-door shoe hanger once but didn't really need it, so haven't bothered since. We have never felt the lack of magnetic hooks etc either. However, I do take a small tube of laundry detergent whilst other people are horrified at the thought of washing clothes on holiday.

 

My essentials are medications, device chargers, travel documents and credit card/s. However, I don't travel light (we are within an hour of our nearest departure port) and tend to think 'put them both in' when wondering whether I should take A or B top/dress/shoes etc!

[rkacruiser]

22 hours ago, TheOldBear said:

The last time I used traveler's checks was over 40 years ago - so I am not current on the places that may still accept them.

 

I did find this note on the 'my.cunard.com' site - for managing a booking, not the 'public site'

 

You may credit your account with any major currency, which will then be converted at the ship’s current exchange rates into USD; this will then be applied to your account in USD. We are unable to accept either personal cheques or traveller’s cheques. We are also unable to accept €500 notes at any time, this includes the Casino.

 

This says nothing about cashing the check and not putting it on the onboard account - perhaps it is still possible.

 

Thank you for posting this.  The way I read it, it would be unwise to depend upon Cunard accepting and cashing a traveler's check.  Maybe they; maybe they won't.  Something for me to remember if I sail on Cunard again.  

[KKB]

On 6/28/2022 at 3:56 PM, joecool234 said:

It's been about 6 years since my last cruise and my ex-wife did most of the packing, so I'm pretty much a n00b. The only "can't leave home without" obscure items I can remember are:

 

1) a decent power strip (with no shortage of usb chargers)

2) a hanging over-the-door shoe organizer for toiletries and misc items

 

What else do you back that people generally would never even think of packing for a cruise????

 

Thanks everyone!!!!

Um...power strips r usually confiscated.

Over the door organizer--never needed it.

 

For us...NOTHING. 

We are minimalists. There is PLENTY of room for EVERYTHING in EVERY stateroom (even our 135 sq. ft. NCL interior room)

 

[Z'Loth]

Here is what I make sure to pack...

1. The passport. No passport, no cruise, no refund. And I make sure it on me when I board, not in my luggage. 
2. Spray-on sunscreen.
3. Power Splitter Cord. Surge-protected power strips are confiscated because they are fire hazards on ships because of the way the power is handled.
4. Multi-port USB Quick Charger (Multivoltage). That way, I can charge multiple devices at once.
5. Extra USB cables.
6. Bluetooth headset.
7. Water shoes. 

[shipgeeks]

Documents, incl passport, vax card, drivers license for returning to ship from ports

Clothing incl underwear and change of shoes

Basic meds such as aspirin

Cell phone for calling for ride home from return port

Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush

Sunscreen if going south

 

[ldubs]

My collection of baseball caps.  Speedos in several different colors.  Coffee pot.   Old books for reserving lounge chairs.  Boom box.  Bags full of candy bars and treats in case I get hungry.  Walkie Talkies.  Hair dryer.  Rivet gun for hanging hammocks and door decorations.   Extra luggage for all the towels I need to bring home.  Home made doilies with pictures of my pets for gifts to crew.  Little Fluffy's support dog vest that I bought on eBay.  And of course, old T-shirts that I've retrieved after Mrs Ldubs mistakenly them in the rag bin.   

Edited July 4, 2022 by ldubs

[Crew News]

Some $1 bills for Room Service and bartender tips.

[kelkel2]

4 hours ago, Crew News said:

Some $1 bills for Room Service and bartender tips.

Yes to this!! If it’s something like a bar drink that you get a receipt for you can add a tip on that, but last time I cruised there was no receipts that came with room service because you’re not paying for it, therefore no tip options. Cash is best for tips! 

[kelkel2]

The other thing I remember to do before going is notify your credit card company that you’ll be out of the country. I’m not sure if people still do this, but whatever card you plan on using make sure to tell the bank. Our bank flags any out of the country purchase and will call/text you and expect a reply if you don’t notify them. I don’t really want to to deal with that out of the country. 

[hallux]

1 hour ago, kelkel2 said:

I’m not sure if people still do this

I do.  Funny story on that.  I was in Mexico City for work a few years ago, 2 of the 3 of us that were there were on our first trip there.  We were getting cash from the ATM in the facility where we were working, so we could go on a weekend excursion (as we were there for a week, spanning across a weekend), the two of us that hadn't been there before had no trouble getting cash while the 'veteran' was getting declined.  Turns out WE had informed our banks, but HE had not.