What should I take for carrying room key etc?

[britincanada]

Hi

 

I am taking my first cruise in 3 weeks, and am now starting to seriously plan what I should be packing!

 

I have seen some fantastic packing lists, but have one question:

 

What should I take to carry my room key & S&S card while on the ship? I don't want to carry a handbag (or purse!!). Few of my clothes have pockets.

 

Thank you for any replies!

[benjidog]

Buy a clear plastic thing for the card to slide into. I got mine at Office Depot, but had to buy a pack of 12. It's the kind people put their work ID cards in. Then either by a lanyard (I think that's what it's called) and wear it around your neck, or a springy thing that goes around your wrist, or a clip that goes on your clothes. The plastic thing will hook to any of these. I used the thing around my wrist, and found it the easiest. But for shore excursions, I switched to the lanyard with a water wallet and put it in there.

 

The plain lanyard and springy thing I found at Walmart by the jewelry department. I ordered the water wallet on line and it came with a lanyard.

 

Happy Cruising:) :) :)

[cherylandtk]

Without pockets, you are probably relegated to the lanyard around the neck. Lanyards with card holders are available on the ship. Nearly everyone seems to wear one. I like the wrist keychains as well, but the card does flop around somewhat.

[vikielynne]

My mom thinks I'm a bit strange but I slide my SS card in the side of my bra & my lipstick in the front of my bra - a little padding never hurt. It means I have to pop into the bathroom or find a very empty area of the ship when I need either but it works for me ;) During the day I just carry a smallish beach bag.

[Cruise Lover Kathy]

I've got a little "wallet pocket" that I got in Vegas that works great for the card, lipstick and a tissue or two. Kind of like what you can put your passport in when you travel except mine has a cord long enough to go across my body not just around my neck. Try a travel store or even Walmart has similar things.

 

Have a great time...I have 48 days before I leave.

[bibliobelle]

One of the best ideas I found on these boards prior to my first cruise last October was how to carry my S&S card. Someone suggested purchasing a fishing license holder found in the sporting goods department of Walmart. I immediately went to Walmart and found the item. It is a plastic card holder with black lanyard which can be used to carry both the S&S card and a $20 bill (in case I wandered by the casino during our at sea days). The plastic card holder has a press & seal closure which keeps the card and $ enclosed. Prior to this June's Alaska cruise, I went back to Walmart and purchased 6 more holders to give to all the women traveling in our group. They loved them!

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[cusyl]

I use a lanyard and have the Purser punch a hole in it. I never carry a purse on the ship.

Available here at the Cruise Critic store.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/store/product.cfm?ID=15

[rosegrower]

We tried the license holder from Wal-Mart for our cruise in January and found them to be very flimsy. My husband's ripped the first day. Luckily, I had also found at Wal-mart a small zippered pouch on a cord for hanging around the neck. There was a plastic window on one side that velcroed closed for the cruise card and then a zippered side that could hold cash , credit card for excursions, lipstick/ chapstick, a wet ones antibacterial wipe package, etc. It is made of a strong microfiber material and is 4 1/2 in. by 3 in. We used them every day and they are still in perfect condition to use on our next cruise. They cost $4.97 each and came in black and green. They were in the wallet section.

[CSloan]

I use a lanyard and have the Purser punch a hole in it. I never carry a purse on the ship.

Available here at the Cruise Critic store.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/store/product.cfm?ID=15

 

Same here.. the lanyard works great. I hate to carry a purse or anything else.

[cruisinbuddy]

Fanny Pack. We each take one. It'll hold S&S cards etc. Camera etc, and all the reciepts from your drink purchases.

[hillbilly cruiser]

On the Legend last June there were gals walking through the casino with the lanyards and a hole punch. They were free and were long springy type that worked fine.

[folashade]

Or you could take a ID clip. either have a hole punched in it by the purser or you can purchase a plastic sleeve and slide the key inside. (Or if you work in a office building like I do where we all have to wear our IDs to get around go to the security office and get an extra one) It hooks into your waistband and doesn't slide off and works on the thinest fabric and is also retractable. I carry mine around every day, with a metrocard and a few bills inside and it lasts over 6 months. below is a picture

 

http://www.allheart.com/pm13.html

[Cotton]

Brit, not knowing which cruiseline......

 

Carnival will give you a comp lanyard in the casino. I make sure all my shorts and capris, etc. have pockets - and in the evenings I take a small evening bag.

 

No, you really don't want to carry a purse around on the ship. You'd look like Sophia of the Golden Girls.:D

[born2travel]

Since S&S and room "keys" are often the same convenient plastic (and waterproof!) card, I use the bathing suit or bra trick, too. Tucked just below the strap, it's easy to reach with little fuss without anyone even realizing from where you've produced the card!

 

Beyond the ship, I love to use the nice little flat packs you sometimes get at conferences - designed to go around your neck and display your name tag. Some even have a pouch/compartment that can hold a few other things (like money, credit card, lipstick.) These are great and I always save mine for travelling. Being flat & light, they'll even fit discreetly under a golf shirt.

 

We love theme parks and make a habit of keeping less than $20 cash and "discount cards" only in our wallets. A credit card, Drivers license, park tickets and additional cash go in our packs, up close and out of sight!

 

If you don't have a chance to collect these for yourself, check with friends. Most people just tend to toss 'em in a desk or the garbage!

[britincanada]

You guys are full of great ideas!

 

Thank you!