One more cruise question
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One more cruise question
We are leaving Sunday and I am starting to get things gathered and bought for the trip. On the ship, they give you beach towels to use for swimming don't they? Please don't tell me I have to pack those. LOL I am sure I won't have enough room as it is! Also, for you experienced cruisers, what should I take that I might not think of? Any tips???
Yes, they will have towels by the pool that you use and return each day. You also will get towels for excursions.
I think the ships get cold so I always bring a shawl. Are you taking your kids? Get a lanyard so they can wear their seapass card on it.
Relax and be ready to have the time of your life!
Yes, dd is going. We are taking the Disney land and sea vacation!
You will have so much fun! Be sure to bring her ID. The lanyard for the seapass was really helpful with my kids. They never lost them.
Plenty of sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes and caps/hats and sunglasses to protect from the sun! Also, any OTC meds or Rx meds you *might* need!
They left us fresh beach towels in our room each night. You could also get a towel at the pool areas--You just signed it out. On our cruise, they charge you if you lose a towel. I think everyone was taking that as a souvenir.
A good tip I got that was helpful was the bring an accordian style little organizer. I put our tickets in them. All of our travel info. and birth certificates. Then, for each leg of the trip, I could pull everything out as needed. I didn't have to dig around. It was also nice to put our receipts in. It's always good to just glace over them and get an idea of how much you are spending. We were pleased to see we were spending LESS than we thought!
Downy Wrinkle Release or a steamer/travel iron was also helpful.
An extra duffle/tote bag to bring home extra items you purchase. Also, you usually pack the night before and put your luggage outside your door. So, you need something to keep your toiletries and pj's in until you meet up with your luggage! Some cruise lines (like Holland America) give you tote bags for free.
Any medication for your DD. They should have anything that you may need in the gift shop. My DH had to go to the infirmary to get some Benadryl. He broke out from the beach towels. LOL! One dose and he didn't have a problem again.
Yes, a cardigan/poncho/shawl! Nights out on deck and in the a/c are chilly!
Have fun! Have a drink of the day for me!
Great tips Eve!! Don't they have irons in the rooms?? I would have never thought about an iron or wrinkle releaser. The accordian organizer is a great idea also!!
Things I never cruise without:
Hooks (the plastic suction kind) to put in shower to hang swimsuits to dry
wrinkle releaser--depending on cruiseline most do not have irons
sunscreen AND aloe for burns
complete first aid kit---simple things cost a small fortune or worse are not readily available so better to be prepared (this lesson we learned the hard way when I stepped on a sea urchin in Cozumel!)
A badge holder for your neck to put seapass in when you do not have pockets or want to carry a bag
sunglasses, hats
extra swimsuits!
plastic bags ziplock all sizes. Great for wet clothes, extra food to take back to room, pictures you buy, etc.
PS... a good idea would be to put 1 piece cardboard in a large ziplock so if you buy pictures they do not get bent on way home.
books to read on sea days
Lots of $1 bills to tip room service etc... Plus in some countries the people will say they can't make change (trying to make you pay more)
Yvonne
What cruise ship are you cruising on? We cruise alot - this summer will be my kid's 4th cruise.
No irons in cabins - they frown upon irons although I do bring along a travel iron.
Yes, they do give you beach towels for pool deck and for excursions.
ziplock bags - a good idea.
duct tape - just in case suitcase breaks (ours did one time - too many clothes).
Have fun - you will have a great time.
My cousin told me the one about irons not being allowed on board some cruise ships. I never would have known that one.
I would not have known about irons either! Thanks so much for that information and all the tips. I guess I have a little more shopping to do!! LOL
Yes, no irons in the staterooms......
The large ziplock bags will also help protect your camera if you get caught in the rain...
A fanny pack, or preferably a backpack for shore trips....
A collapsible tote for sunscreens or stuff you take to pool areas with you....(most cruise lines give you something like that a a souvenir when you book anyway)
True, many people keep the beach towels for souvenirs, but on the cruises we went on, if you *lost* them, you were charged an outrageous price - I believe it was $45. I made sure ours came back to the boat with us!
Dramamine (Just in case)I get VERY motion sick and I didn't have a problem. I just took one in the morning when I woke up.
Also, if you have a balcony, bring along a bungee cord to keep it opened. I think they automatically swing shut. So, you can listen to the waves.
Take out your cash before you get on the ship. They do have ATM's, but the fee is $5. I believe you can cash traveler's checks at the Purser's desk too.
My best advice is roll with the punches. I don't see how anyone can complain! Enjoy every moment of not having to make your bed, cook your meals, and worrying about anything! Enjoy!
Maybe a night light? (I'm not sure what kind of cabin you have) The inside cabins get pitch black and you could sleep the day away.
Oh I forgot a very important item...water shoes for everyone! Wear water shoes on excursions to beach, etc. I stepped on a sea urchin one year and if I had my shoes on it would have not been as bad. Some of the beaches we have been on have had broken glass, etc. The shoes will protect you a great deal! Some of the excursions you can "rent" them but wearing shoes someone else has worn just grosses me out.
Enjoy your cruise! we are going on the panama canal one next year. I can't wait!
Yvonne
But a pair of crocs! these are the best shoes ever!
www.crocs.com
The crocs look interesting but I wonder if they would fit into snorkle flippers? The wet shoes do. Are the crocs rubber? Do they feel strange when wet or do they dry really fast? More info Kaye What is it about them that you like so much?
I like to bring my own snorkling gear. I hate to use anyone's fins mask or snorkle. Binoculars, insect spray, Imodium and laxative.
I agree Bea! We bring all our own gear. The idea of using something that someone else had their mouth on is disgusting to me. We snorkle a lot though so it jusifys the cost. A one time snorkler may not want to haul gear--maybe just something to steralize the rentals?
Binoculars are great too! Last cruise we actually spotted dolphins swimming by the cruise ship.
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