Duct Tape, Collapsible Water Bottles, Hi-lite Pens, Anything Else?

[Bond-JaneBond]

So many posters keep keep adding THINGS to these lists that I wonder how they pack it all! Before I leave, I Scotch-guard my clothes (reduces need to wash as much later), shoes, and luggage. All my clothes are packed neatly in stacks in those large colorful plastic shopping bags. I never bring t-shirts; I plan on buying a couple while on vacation that also serve as souveniers.

 

Can't have too many plastic and zip-loc bags in my opinion, plus some folded sheets of foil. I order extra room service items and take some food from the buffets to make picnics/snacks for days onshore. Plus I bring a few Crystal Light concentrated drink mix things and put some in a plastic water bottle for beverage variety.

 

During my trip, I wash small clothing items while I'm in the shower, simply using shampoo; it works fine. I ask my room steward to always leave extra towels and I use those to dry laundry, prepare snacks without leaving a mess, take on day trips, etc. Instead of extension cords or whatever, I just bring a small tri-multiplug. No need for a nightlight; we simply crack open the bathroom door at night and leave the light on in there. To the lists, though, I would add ear plugs, lightweight double-sided hand mirror, bandaids, and SuperGlue (fixes everything that duct tape won't).

 

If you plan on renting a car, bring a copy of your proof of insurance so if your credit card covers rental car insurance, you'll have the info.

[susi_q]

Thanks for all the suggestions ... my suitcase will be loaded.

 

I did just buy the 2 pack of floating mats at our Sam's Club today - they are clearancing for $25. They are kinda big (wide), but they fold flat, and will be great on the beach stops for a lazy day!

 

Now I just have to decide if I want a blender ... and a ...

 

And still 1 month to go before this trip!

[jerzzgirl]

Okay, just back from our cruise... things that I found I did NOT need that I took & things that I found invaluable:

 

 

Over the door clear shoe holder - DEFINITELY the BEST thing we took with us. We hung it over the closet door & put our cameras, suntan lotion, cell phones, clothes roller etc. in it. Pack it!

 

 

~Sharon~

I keep hearing about them - do they hold shoes too? :D

[DALSAL]

Im going to Alaska,so Im thinking cold weather...I plan on taking a few of those instant heat packages...since Im VERY cold natured,figure these would serve as a quick warm up for me! Also the heat wraps are good for any aches you might have.

[gfelspar]

For carrying your key: go to an office supply store and get a plastic badge holder as well as a retractable cord that attaches to your belt.

[Lauri32]

Can you stand one more use for duct tape? To keep from getting locked out on your balcony. The little button thingy on the inside of the sliding glass door was loose. If you hit it just right when you closed the door you were stuck. Luckily, we had an aft balcony and we able to call down to neighbors for assistance. Also as far as the room key thing goes for ladies there's nothing like stuffing it in your bra. Unless of course you've been as innovative as some and used duct tape for a strapless bra.

[juliejulz]

My doctor says duct tape is the most effective wart medicene. He said the acid in the goo breaks down warts. Each day cut out a new piece andreplace the old tape covering.

[DonnaKSMJ]

I am bringing my 4 kids....3,10,14,& 17.....

Any good ideas that would be a must for them.....:o

also, I would like to suggest stain stick, especially for messy kids! It works great.:)

[casperd2]

A suggestion for a way to carry your room key is in a leather Coach wristlet bag. It is maybe 2"x4" with a zip top and has a loop that can be worn around your wrist, hooked through a belt loop, or hooked inside your purse. I got one off Ebay for about $20 and use it throughout the year. Just an idea!

[awsmrn]

add to your list:

bubble wrap for the breakables you take home

 

8x10 or larger manilla envelope with cardboard insert to keep the pics you buy

from being torn or kinked.

[DebbieCruises]

We are Cruising on the NCL Spirit in October. The booklet they sent us with our tickets said that we needed to have all of our medicines carried in their original containers. I don't know if this is true for all cruises, but it might be worth checking before you leave.

 

Happy cruising everyone!!

[NancyC]

I take a combination lock or bike lock to use to lock my beach bag while I swim. You can lock it to a lounge or a tree limb. The type of lock depends on your beach bag. You've got to be sure it can't be opened.

[nitnyleo]

I've been wondering about how to protect my "stuff" when I go into the water or go to get something to drink or etc.....

 

I've been thinking about buying a battery-operated door alarm....anybody else try this?

 

I once was a professional beach bum; and, I never had anything taken while at the beach. Now, I'm a semi-professional cruiser and I find myself going with much more "baggage" (ie, I have stuff worth taking).

 

Any ideas would be helpful.

[akia29]

A couple of ideas for room key carrying

 

1) A small Business Card holder is nice and elegant and CHEAP

2) if you live in a metro area you can buy a "Metro Card/Subway pass" Holder

[akia29]

How about a metal business card holder?

[BeagleMommy]

This is BY FAR the most helpful thread I've seen!! I have now started my handydandy list in excel, and I've copied all the great idea into a "consolidated" email for friends (and myself). GREAT!

I think the cruise card ideas are very helpful. The lanyard/plastic id thing would be handy. Or for those who don't like those, the cords casinos give you for their players' cards could be handy.

For those who snorkel and/or dive, or just spend a lot of time at the pool, we LOVED the waterproof ID case things we got on Princess Cays. But I would imagine it would be cheaper to get at a dive shop ahead of time.

All these ideas make me even MORE excited! Can't wait for our 11/27 cruise!!!

 

[caitlyn20]

I take my own beach towel. When you are faced with a sea of towels on deck from the ship that all look the same, it's hard to find your spot. Not only that, but a lost towel will cost you $25 or so. I'd rather "lose" my $5 walmart towel, although that's never happened yet (knocking on wood). I then use the cruise line beach towels in my cabin as bath towels.

[Watersports]

I usually take a large zip lock baggie. Put my valuables (wallet, keys, etc) and bury it in the sand, under my beach towel slowly while lying there on my stomach. If someone needs a bag that bad. let them have it. But at least my valuables are still there.

 

To mark the spot, I put my suntan lotion and a can or something, in a strategic place so I know to dig a few feet or so from there. (If they take my towel too.

 

It has always been there.

[Celebritynewbie]

Hi,

(please exuse me if this is the wrong place to post, I'm new at this) This is my 1st cruise ever and many of you have suggested taking a cab to a beach rather than paying $$$$ for shore excursions. We think this is a great idea but were wondering what one does with their stuff (e.g. wallet, keys, towels, etc.) while swimming/snorkeling? Is it safe to leave belongs on the beach? Any ideas for something to bring that is waterproof and easy to take into the water? Thanks.

 

-"newbie"

[tucked]

This is the list we always use, possibly the one that this thread started about?

 

Thank God for Calgon!

 

http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/entropym/pages/packing_list.htm

[Lynndpi]

Anniecat,

 

We used a lanyard to clip on our cards. Our cards had a small hole punched in them and we simply clipped the lanyard on it. I could keep mine in my bag or my hubby could wear his around his neck and they were always easy to find. I found the lanyards at Old Navy in Texas.

 

Lynndpi

[nitnyleo]

I should have thought of that, Watersports.

 

In my beach bum days, I used to bury my six-packs because a cooler was too much of a hassle. (Now, where do I hide the shovel I need to dig that big hole I'm gonna need?:D )

[kluv2cruz]

For room key we use Lanyards you can buy in gift shop on ship that say the name of the cruise line. The pursers office will punch a hole in your room key. On RCCL we won a simple floating key chain that says RCCL - that helped find the key in the "bottom of the bag".

 

For families - be sure to take LOTS of zip lok bags for snacks on land and many other uses.

[xntric1]

We have just returned from our first cruise, and the nylon mesh tote bag ($1.50 at flea market) came in very handy. From carrying our towels, water bottles, lotion on excursions to packages of nick-knacks and assorted must have gifts to the heavy-hauling of the 6 lg bottles of liquor we bought off of the ship at the end of the cruise, it was a winner. I had been searching for a cotton one when I ran accross the nylon (small diameter braid that would contract and elongate when put under a load) and settled on it instead. Now I am happy I did not find the cotton.

Don't forget to take your own bottled water - and save a couple for debarkation!

[SimonaD]

new to the board, here, great info!

I'd like to add my cents to the packing list... I pack a handheld holepuncher (single hole), and immediately punch a hole in the room key cards, and attach to lanyards. I then hang them from the handles of my purse, bag, etc. I usually find myself sharing the holepuncher all around.

To the lady who said she compiled all the suggestions in an excel worksheet - I would love to get a copy! :)