Thread: Things to consider packing for your cruise

Feel free to add to this list. Hope it helps.

2-way radios - I can't emphasize enough how valuable these are to have. You can rent on board mobile phones, but they are expensive. Most 2-way radios have a range to cover the entire ship and the newer ones have so many channels that it's easy to avoid cross-talk with other people who have them.

Binoculars - If I had a nickel for all the times I wished I had a pair of binoculars....While you're sipping your drink on deck you can watch the dolphins, whales, etc. They'll also allow you to watch the people at the other end of the ship.

Lightweight back pack - Something with zippered pockets, easy to pack, and comfortable to carry all essentials when on the move

Bed bug spray - This is getting to be a big deal these days. You don't want to take those critters home with you or encounter them at all.

Plenty of memory cards for your digital camera - Unless you bring a laptop, stock up on memory cards. You'll pay a premium to buy more on the ship or at port.

Re-fillable Liquid Container - Whether it's water or something with a little more kick, a nice size leak proof container for drinking water or etc. is nice to have. A bottle of water bought on the ship is $3 to $4.

Waterproof enclosure - Those disposable underwater cameras are just okay and can only take pictures to a depth of about 12 ft. Most digital cameras has an optional waterproof enclosure available. The one I just bought for my Canon Digital Elf was $90, but it's well made and waterproof to 120 feet.

Hair Dryer - If you love your hair dryer, you'd better bring it; the one on the ship probably won't be as powerful.

Clear plastic over the door bag - You can hang it over the outside of the bathroom door.

Small flashlight or night light - Any light you turn on in the dark will be brighter than you want or need. if your room is small, a small flashlight or a little night light will help you to get around more easily and avoid breaking a toe or falling over someone.

Phone cards - you can give these as gifts to cruise employees. Some of the employees are from other countries and sometimes it's tough for them to spend their hard earned money just to call home.

Candy bars - you can wrap your dollar tips around the candy bars when tipping your stewards, waiters, assistants and other crew members. It's really fulfilling to see the smiles from them when they received this unexpected tip.

Duct tape - aside from using it to tape things, you can use it to mark your luggage, for repairing stuff and using it as a lint remover.

Suction Cup Hooks - Never enough hooks in the staterooms. You can use these to create places to hang things to keep them off the floor.

Swiss Army Knife/Small Pair of Scissors/Safety pins/travel sewing kit - These items could come in handy

Zip lock bags - Heavy duty quart or gallon size. Will help keep items free from sand, water, etc.

Medicine cabinet - Don't bring the actual cabinet, but pack an assortment of over-the counter remedies such as Imodium AD, Pepto Bismo, Ibuprofen, Ginger Pills (heard these work for sea sickness), cough syrup, etc. You'll pay a premium to buy any of these during the cruise.

Tortilla Chips - This may sound odd, but when we went on our last Caribbean cruise, we bought some hot sauce/salsa at port, but we couldn't find any chips to eat them with especially on the ship.

Bathroom size Ionic Breeze - For those sensitive to recycled air, one of these should help out very much.

Battery operated clock - Ship's power makes clocks run slow (don't know this for sure but I read it somewhere)

Post-it Notes - Cabins usually have notepads in there, but Post-its are good as you can stick them to things such as mirrors, items you want to claim as yours, etc.

Ear plugs - If you wake easily, these could come in handy especially if your cabin is near the elevators or a noisy area.

Telescoping monopod - take really steady pictures without a bulky tri-pod. I've seen monopod as small as 8-10 inches long when collapsed.

Small colorful windsock - For those with balcony cabins, hanging a small colorful windsock on your balcony can make it easy to spot it from the dock/port.

Laundry detergent - Not only can you use this for yourself to wash clothes, but if you buy the little boxes, you can give those to some of your favorite crew members. They will appreciate it.

Swim Ear Solution - This can help anyone who spends a lot of time in the water to avoid swimmer's ear.

Glowing/Flashing/Fun Wear - Bringing along an assortment of glow necklaces, LED flashing gizmos, and other fun wear adds to the fun and could definitely increase your chance of being covered by the ship's video crew. Spencers Gifts or dollar stores have all sort of cool stuff.

Extension cord or outlet expander - Never enough outlets in cabins

Disposable rain ponchos - Dollar stores usually stock these

Info on the cruise you will book onboard - The future cruise consultant/loyalty ambassador/similar title will have some brochures, and you can access your cruiseline's website for free while onboard, but it always pays to come prepared.

Travel Insurance Paperwork -Hope you'll never need it, but you should bring this with you just in case.

Hand Sanitizer - Just kidding!

For those who smoke ... an E-CIGARETTE a great thing to take!

Don't forget the Duct Tape! Seems it's a rule you MUST take that ... probably will never use it ... but it's a rule ....

Awesome list.

I found a great PDF file you can print out and have another great packing and preparation list.

Feel free to modify it if you're able.

Thanks!

That pdf is a real keeper. Will definitely print it out and use it as a checklist. The things I tried to list are not essentials for the most part, but are items that could be useful to have on hand. Thanks again.

Originally Posted by timwilloughby

Awesome list.

I found a great PDF file you can print out and have another great packing and preparation list.

Feel free to modify it if you're able.

Thanks!

Good list!

Just a thought....I wonder how many suitcases it would take to pack everything listed?

By the way, I saw a rolling ice chest mentioned---cruiselines are cracking down and some not allowing anything bigger than a 6 pack sized cooler. Carnival is the first one that I noticed...I wonder why?

From the Carnival web site:

LARGE COOLERS RESTRICTION:
Carnival Cruise Lines does not allow guests to bring large coolers on board its vessels. However small, personal-sized coolers, no larger than 12”H x 12”W x 12”L for the purpose of housing small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages and/or medications are permitted as carry-on luggage. Screening and movement of large coolers through embarkation is an impediment to the boarding and security screening process; therefore, large coolers are not permitted as carry-on or checked luggage.

bed bug spray ????????

Don't forget ponchos and thermal cups if you are going on excursions, I found having cold water and the poncho in the rain forests very good to have.

Originally Posted by kirkz

Don't forget ponchos and thermal cups if you are going on excursions, I found having cold water and the poncho in the rain forests very good to have.

Oh yes! We get those disposable ponchos from the dollar store---they come in a 2 pack so throwing them away after you use them is no biggie. Used them on 2 occasions and we don't leave home without them.

Originally Posted by tonylinsdell

bed bug spray ????????

Bed bugs are being carried around in luggage these days after picking them up either at home or away. It's become almost an epidemic on the East Coast these days. The thing you want to avoid is to encounter them since their bites are nasty. Worse than that is to bring em' home with you. They are very difficult to get rid of once they get into your house. Many folks, today, bring bed bug spray with them and spray around the bed and in areas where you keep your luggage and clothes such as closets. Haven't had a case of them, but wanted to mention things I've heard recently.

A news story about bedbugs had recommended is to unpack your luggage in the garage and wash all your clothes. Then clean out the luggage before putting them in storage.