If you've been on a cruise...

AliciaS1411

Anything I need to make sure I pack? I've not been on one and DH and I are going on a 7 day cruise in just a few weeks. We'll be gone from thanksgiving night to late December 1st. I'm working on our packing list now. I'm trying to keep us in only two suitcases: a large "check" back and a small carry on bag. The plan is for our small bag to have everything we need for the two days before the cruise (drive to FL, hotel, and the day we get on the ship) and everything else in the big bag that we'll check in. Must haves/ Nice to haves/ clever ideas? 

MrsTheSecondSeven

Took a 7 day to Alaska, you don't need anything different than a regular trip. If one of you gets motion sickness then bring some dramamine. you should bring 1 nice dress and hubby a suit or slacks, dress shirt and tie. The main dining room usually has a dress code. But you can check with the ship online. Make sure you have cash on hand as well. And don't bring any alcohol onto the ship from any port, they will confiscate it.

rebecca4980

Plastic bags for dirty laundry.  You don't get much room in a stateroom (unless you are in a suite or something) and its nice to be able to chuck dirty laundry away somewhere.  In my experience, ships are usually chilly (all that A/C!) so pack a few sweaters.  I lived in shorts/tees/swimsuits (bring more than one).  I would check with your cruise line about bringing alcohol aboard-Carnival will allow you to bring 1 bottle of wine (bring your own corkscrew) in your luggage, and a case of pop (cans) per person.  If ya really want to cut down on buying drinks, empty out some water bottles, fill with vodka, and pack em.  We did that on our last 2 trips and we didn't get caught.  hehe. 

Have fun!!! Watch out for the buffet line crazies.  

alizabethanne

Sigh... I wanna go on a cruise... I have no tips what so ever I am just jealous :P

champ579

You can get space bags for travel if space is a concern. Sunscreen, Imodium, Advil, hydrogen peroxide in the event of cuts or water in the ear. Ooh, shampoo and conditioner - the last cruise I was on they only provided one small bottle the first day of the cruise and my hair felt like straw within a few days. I would also recommend shout wipes or a tide pen.  

I would second checking on the dress code.  

gr8dancer_27

Don't forget all your toiletries! The airline lost our luggage last spring so we bought stuff on the ship. Deodorant was $8 and contact solution was $12!! Yikes! Enjoy, we LOVED our cruise.

AliciaS1411

rebecca4980:

Plastic bags for dirty laundry.  You don't get much room in a stateroom (unless you are in a suite or something) and its nice to be able to chuck dirty laundry away somewhere.  In my experience, ships are usually chilly (all that A/C!) so pack a few sweaters.  I lived in shorts/tees/swimsuits (bring more than one).  I would check with your cruise line about bringing alcohol aboard-Carnival will allow you to bring 1 bottle of wine (bring your own corkscrew) in your luggage, and a case of pop (cans) per person.  If ya really want to cut down on buying drinks, empty out some water bottles, fill with vodka, and pack em.  We did that on our last 2 trips and we didn't get caught.  hehe.

Have fun!!! Watch out for the buffet line crazies.  

LOL that is a fabulous idea! Carnival will let us bring a case of water onboard and I could totally get some of the side ones out and then replace them.  

Zilelabelle

Tampons or pads if AF has come back. The boat I was on had squat in the way of feminine products. 

AliciaS1411

Zilelabelle:

Tampons or pads if AF has come back. The boat I was on had squat in the way of feminine products. 

AF is back but thankfully won't fall during the cruise. I plan on wearing DH out. haha!  

jasminelorraine20

A very elegant dress/gown for the Captain's dinner and the pictures if you decide to take some. Other than that, there are night clubs on the ship- so, anything you'd wear to a bar or club I would pack. Everything else should be anything you'd pack for a regular vacation.

thespianlawyer

Bring a sweater - even if you're going somewhere warm.  They keep those cabins COLD!

AliciaS1411

thespianlawyer:

Bring a sweater - even if you're going somewhere warm.  They keep those cabins COLD!

Good to know! I wouldn't have thought about needing something warm. Thanks!  

S=Ward

Went on a cruise in Hawaii and took an excursion...we got bit up by mosquitos! Luckily someone had a travel size bug repellant. 

AliciaS1411

S=Ward:

Went on a cruise in Hawaii and took an excursion...we got bit up by mosquitos! Luckily someone had a travel size bug repellant.nbsp;

Just added that to my list! One of our excursions is the the Mayan ruins in Belize and I'm sure the bugs will be insane. I hadn't though of big spray at all. Thanks!

mpmartin

If you are going to wash your clothes on the ship b4 you return, take some tide pods...that way you won't come home with a load of dirty laundry...also pack an empty tote/backpack/duffle bag and use to bring back souvenirs in.