Packing - Help!!!!

[salhop]

New to cruising and starting with a transatlantic! Could anyone send me a checklist of what they consider essential for a 14 day cruise across the atlantic and then 3 carribbean stops? Don't want to take too much but also don't want to have to buy stuff on board.

Thanks Salhop

[Nancyquilts]

There are quite a lot of sites with packing lists. I started with Cruise Diva and eliminated things I wouldn't use. Nancy

[Happy ks]

What is essential to me may not be to you. Decide what you absolutely have to have with you in the way of toiletries, pajamas, slippers, comfortable shoes to wear aboard the ship and on shore, comfortable clothes to hang out in all day. A small first aid kit is essential for the little mishaps or ailments that may occur, include a few bandaids.

 

You may find there will be a few cool days while crossing, so plan for that, light layers are usually best, a waterproof windbreaker would probably be nice to have along. Depending on the port stops, you want to bring along shorts or sundresses (I don't know if you're male or female, one of each or two of each, I don't want to presume or offend), T shirts and such.

 

I'd not pack clothing for the entire 14 days, I would take enough for 7 and use the laundry or dry cleaning facilities. RCI has no self serve laundry so you might take that into consideration. The same for the evenings, take things you would not mind wearing 2-3 times. No one will really notice that you are wearing the same clothes again, if they do it's their problem, not yours. I find that knits travel better than any other fabric, easier to pack, doesn't wrinkle and can be washed out easily in the sink if need be. I'm not crazy to do laundry on vacation, so we typically will use the service for a small charge.

 

We no longer take along electronics, but do take one cell phone, turned off, a good camera with more memory that we think we could possibly need and more cash than we think we will spend. We find that the ship provides everyuthing we need, other than what is listed above. We used to pack books to read, but find there is usually something in the ships library that's worth reading, it sure cuts out a lot of weight to not haul books along.

 

Your cruise/crossing sounds wonderful, have a great time planning for it!

[Happy ks]

There are quite a lot of sites with packing lists. I started with Cruise Diva and eliminated things I wouldn't use. Nancy

 

She does have a great packing list!

 

But, do make your own :) and one thing to remember, if you have to ask what it is used for , you probably don't need it.

[Sandel]

Here are a couple to try.

 

 

Calgon Warm Weather Packing List

 

 

Calgon Cool Weather Packing List

 

Sandy

[Happy ks]

Calgon is the list I can cross off over 50 items before I get out of the carry on list :) . Be careful not to pack too many unnecessary items!

[sdear]

I just returned from a 7 day Freedom cruise, and I wish I had listened to the people on here that said "lay out what you want to take, and put half of it back " !!

 

They were right !! :D

 

I used the ship's service for my husbands dress pants once, and it was wonderful and cheap ! I will definately pack much lighter on our next cruise, and use their service.

 

Have fun !

 

Sue

[salhop]

Thanks guys for swift replies and I am female! What is cruise Diva and how do I get there?

Will try Calgon sites#

Salhop:)

[salhop]

Just looked at the Calgon lists, they are awesome but I would need a pack mule to carry that lot.

[beej]

Salhop, are you going on the Legend this Oct 21? If you are, welcome aboard. Do sign up for the meet and mingle if you haven't. Free parties are good. We are taking a jog suit and slacks for the first couple of days. Since sailing is going south, it warms up fairly quickly so they tell me. Whatever cruise you are on have a wonderful time. if you are on the Legend, come on over to the roll call for the cruise. We love to add pond hoppers to the group. Beej

[salhop]

Hi Beej

Yes we are on the Legend on the 21st, at least we will be when I pay tomorrow as we have it on hold at the moment.! Would love to get in touch with fellow travellers, is the roll call the best way? This is our first time so we're going for the big one! Any tips would be welcome. Thanks

Salhop

[beej]

Hi Salhop and welcome aboard. Come on over to the rollcall: Legend of the Seas Westbound Transatlantic October 21, 2006. We are a small and growing group of pond hoppers. Come on down, tell us about yourself and ask anything you want. See you on the Rollcall and don't forget to join the meet and mingle. Just go up to the top of where you start to post and click on register ofr a M&M. Welcome again Barb