First time cruiser: do I need to take all this stuff???

[wework2play]

I know this has been talked about, but I'm asking again. Here are a few things that I'm not sure if I need to take or not, please help:

 

1. hair dryer. I have long hair but don't mind a low heat dryer if the one in the room works.

 

2. Power strip. The only thing electrical I'm taking is my little fan for by the bed. Do not need to charge anything. Is there an outlet by the bed?

 

3. case of soda? I know this is smuggling but my husband drinks a lot and late at night. with a pop card is there always something available?

 

4. jackets or sweatshirts? Does it get cold in the evening on the ship? I know it will be hot on the island.(cozumel on march 29)

 

5. Important one now: cash or credit on the island? I have no clue how much cash to take???

 

And anything other suggestions on what I should take would be helpful. Thanks!!!!

[kc320]

Not sure which ship you are on but will try to answer your questions based on my experience.

 

1. If you can get by with the hairdryer in the cabin, leave your's at home. I never use one so I can't say for sure how good they work.

 

2. The power strip is nice, the ships I've been on usually only have the 1 outlet right by the desk. The power strip just adds a little more "cord" to you fan & they really don't take up a lot of room.

 

3. Soda's I really wouldn't bother, especially if you plan on buying the soda card. There are also sodas in your room & bottled water (for sale of course) if you need something for late at night and don't want to go out.

 

4. A light jacket or sweater for sure! Some of the lounges can get rather chilly and the breeze from the ocean can be cool as well.

 

5. This is a tougher one, I usually carry 1 credit card for my onboard charge account & for use on the islands. I don't carry much cash, maybe $200 max, depending on the length of the cruise. You will want some cash, small bills especially, for taxi's, food or drinks while in Cozumel.

 

Enjoy your cruise, there is nothing like the 1st time!!!:D

[mrgabriel]

1. I have long hair and the blow dryer in the cabin worked well for me. It's small, but has a lot of power.

 

2. I took a power strip and didn't use it at all. There is an outlet on the vanity, and a shaver outlet in the bathroom.

 

3. We just bought sodas out of the mini bar ($1.50 each plus 15%). There are bars open all night (Cafe Promenade), and you can use your soda plan there.

 

4. We live in Florida, so I'm used to being pretty warm. I wore my sweater on the first night out, when we were cruising around Florida. Another night I wore a twin set with a light sweater. I don't think you'd need much in late March. Cozumel was mid 80's this Friday.

 

5. You will probably want some cash for taxis, bottled water, etc. There is a safe in every stateroom, so you can lock up your extra cash. If you decide not to carry cash, there are ATMs around ($$$$ to use), and I have heard you can get cash from the Cashier in the casino. We used cash to tip the room service waters, for small purchases on the islands, and that was it.

 

I packed too much myself --- but unlike travelling to a different hotel every day, you only pack and unpack once.

[wework2play]

Thank you for the replies. That will save me a lot of trouble packing. I should have said: I'll be on the Splendour of the seas 4 night out of galveston. I'm really starting to get excited since I've never been. I'm trying to get stuff packed since the 3 days leading up to the cruise I will be out of town for work. Ship departs on the 27th, next Sunday. I'm so ready for a vacation!!! :D

[GoldenZoo]

I always take my own hair dryer. I admit it takes up room but my hair is long and the dryers in the cabins just don't have all that much power to do the job quickly.

 

We brought a power strip with us this past trip for the first time. We needed it because of my hair dryer and hot rollers and our camcorder and digital camera dock. And I charged the cell phone the night before disembarking. If you don't use any of the stuff the strip makes a good extension cord. The outlet is usually on the desk.

 

If you are getting the soda card (which we always do) then there's no need to "smuggle" soda on board.

 

A sweater is a good idea. It can get cool if the air-conditioning is cranked up.

 

We use a credit card in the ports of call whenever possible. It depends on what you're planning on doing - some places take only cash (taxis, local restaurants, small souvenir shops). And I still like to give cash tips in the envelopes on the last evening rather than doing vouchers.

 

The important items are your passport and documents.

 

Enjoy the anticipation.

 

Joan

[retiredldo]

I agree with everything except the soda card, here is why card cost 45 bucks with tip, lets say you pay 5.00 per 12 pack, that is 9 12 packs or 81 cans of soda or 972 oz of soda, the cup they give you holds 6-8 oz of soda, but for this lets say 10 do the math you have to drink 97 glasses of soda just to break even, that is about 12 glasses a day. I think it is cheaper to bring your own soda on but then again that is my view of the world

 

Pete

[retiredldo]

Whooops 12 * 9 108 cans of soda and 1296 oz of soda sorry about that

[LarryF]

I take one credit card for emergencies only. I bring enough cash (traverlers checks) to pay off the onboard account and pay cash for all gifts, taxis, meals off the boat, etc.....cannot stand to get the big credit card bill a month after the cruise is over!!

[OliverTheCat]

1. Hairdryer on my ship was 1600 watts, plenty for even my thick long hair. Dont bring your own.

 

2. I didnt see any outlets by bed, only on vanity dresser and in bathroom. Bring it if you need it.

 

3. Skip the case of soda. Too heavy and the coke products are available at all bars all day and night.

 

4. I wish I would have brought a heavier sweatshirt on last cruise. Wind was very cold at night and very strong most nights. Ripped right through my little hoodie I brought. Brrr. Bring it in case!

 

5. Always cash on island. I would never trust my credit card in a foreign country!! We bring about $200 each island..but that depends on what you are doing. We arent big spenders at all.

 

Bring air freshener for bathroom! A must! Bring over the door organizer if you are a woman that travels with lots of accessories and hair products/makeup. Comes in handy when you are limited on space!

[OliverTheCat]

oops double post!!

[Amink]

we were glad for the power strip last time, we could recharge batteris for both the cameras, and still have my small fan on, and be curling my hair at the same time :)

 

we bring cash, and pay all of our tips in cash and pay off our bakance at the end of the cruise with cash.

 

the soda card worked great for DH, it was $38 something, and I think he drank to make it worth it...