Cruise Tips and Packing Hints (long!!)

[Criswell3000]

OP mentions bringing pirate clothes for pirate night. How piratey do people (particularly adults) actually get? I ask because DH and I have some pretty elaborate costumes that we'd love to wear , but I don't want everyone to think I'm completely nuts. Although, they'll probably figure it out anyway...

There are PLENTY of nutty people on board, my family definitely included. We dressed up from the hats to the boots and we were definitely not alone. Some more elaborate than ours and some not, but I definitely did not feel out of place.

 

[Criswell3000]

I highly recommend one of the hanging closet shoe organizers as well as the over-the-door shoe organizer! The extra space is invaluable.



At Grand Cayman, we were on the first tender off the ship to the island since we were not doing a Disney excursion. The ship did not provide any towels for us. We assumed they would from reading these boards, but they didn't. We had to air dry after snorkeling and it got a bit cold on the boat back to the port! Other DCL "veterans" who were on our tender packed towels along. Was this since we had to tender to the island? When we docked at Cozumel and Castaway Cay, towels were provided as we walked off the ship.

I just wanted to highlight how incredibly useful this tip is. My wife packs heavy, especially the cosmetics and toiletries. The over-the-door shoe organizer was awesome. I didn't think it would end up being that great, but it made a WORLD of difference. Thanks everyone for this tip, it served us well.

 

[dancing4life]

thanks

 

[annetria]

Great list of tips! Thank you! So excited to start planning and packing.

 

[stalbertsteve]

So I said to my DW we need duck tape, what for she said, I told her why and she says that never happens. I'm betting all of the zippers just fall off out suitcases now. Thanks for the tips everyone.

 

[Plaid Sheep]

So I said to my DW we need duck tape, what for she said, I told her why and she says that never happens. I'm betting all of the zippers just fall off out suitcases now. Thanks for the tips everyone.

As someone who has witness her knickers coming down the luggage belt BEFORE the rest of her luggage... I concur on the duck tape.

I have found MANY uses for the roll I pack.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

As someone who has witness her knickers coming down the luggage belt BEFORE the rest of her luggage... I concur on the duck tape.

I have found MANY uses for the roll I pack.

BWAAA HAAA!
The visual was priceless.
Thanks!

 

[WoodlandsMom]

Thanks!

 

[Scillycruisers]

I highly recommend one of the hanging closet shoe organizers as well as the over-the-door shoe organizer! The extra space is invaluable.

At Grand Cayman, we were on the first tender off the ship to the island since we were not doing a Disney excursion. The ship did not provide any towels for us. We assumed they would from reading these boards, but they didn't. We had to air dry after snorkeling and it got a bit cold on the boat back to the port! Other DCL "veterans" who were on our tender packed towels along. Was this since we had to tender to the island? When we docked at Cozumel and Castaway Cay, towels were provided as we walked off the ship.

We found that when we tendered for a Disney excursion, then towels were available in the meet room before we got on the tender. We didn't know that in advance, so we had already packed a couple from the pool in our back packs which they were quite happy with. Saved us having to add more stuff to our pack in the meet room. Did the same for a non-Disney excursion. Just remember to fetch them back!

 

[jp2gen]

Awesome tips! Thanks!

 

[mocha1193]

Thanks for all the great tips! You guys have helped me so much on my packing list

 

[smithzer1]

Thank-you for all if your tips!

 

[TracyLilly]

LOL

No actually you would be amazed by the number of cruisers who swear by it for so many purposes. I got the idea a few years ago on CruiseCritic and I'm so glad I had it. I have used duct tape (in neon colors but now lime green) on my luggage (even brand new luggage) so that I can see it from a mile away because I don't know how DCL does things but some lines leave you searching for your luggage in a sea of black bags at the end of the cruise. I have used duct tape to tape a door open when I didn't have a night light. I used duct tape to tape a bag when I broke the zipper. Duct tape to hem a pant leg that my shoe heel ripped the hem out. Duct tape (with paper) to wrap up fragile souvenirs. I know there are more uses...some people use it to keep privacy curtain closed in rooms. Hmmm....if the kiddies or DH misbehave But in these days of heightened security, I pack it in the checked luggage!

Happy packing!

It's like they say: "If you can't fix it... DUCT IT!"

 

[TheophilusPW]

Thanks Laurie for those great tips.

You mentioned water in the dining room - so you can get a complimentary glass of water in any of the restaurants as an alternative to the sugary drinks? Our kiddies get bad bellies when they have juice/soda with meals.

Anyone know if you can bring water bottles into the dining rooms, for example the kids' stainless steel bottles w/ straw?

Best,
Theo

 

[NurseAmyD]

Thanks so much for all of these great tips!! We will cruising for the first time ever on the Fantasy in April -- can't wait! I copied and pasted many of your tips for me to remember as I pack!

Amy

 

[Cats12]

You mentioned water in the dining room - so you can get a complimentary glass of water in any of the restaurants as an alternative to the sugary drinks? Our kiddies get bad bellies when they have juice/soda with meals.

Anyone know if you can bring water bottles into the dining rooms, for example the kids' stainless steel bottles w/ straw?

Best,
Theo

You can get water. We've brought sippy cups, so I'm sure you can bring water bottles, too. Since they don't make money, per se, on dinner, you could probably bring in whatever wanted.

 

[Siliobear]

I travel with teenagers, and DH and I often attend different activities so in addition to these great tips, I also packed a dry erase message board (Mickey design of course) to note our whereabouts to other family members.

 

[jm106]

Does anyone know if a closet shoe shelf hanger will fit in the closet? I have one I use in WDW rather then over the door? Like this but velcro hanger
http://www.amazon.com/Richards-Home...1359254600&sr=8-1&keywords=hanging+shoe+racks

 

[TheophilusPW]

Thanks!

 

[erogers]

Does anyone know if a closet shoe shelf hanger will fit in the closet? I have one I use in WDW rather then over the door? Like this but velcro hanger
http://www.amazon.com/Richards-Home...1359254600&sr=8-1&keywords=hanging+shoe+racks

I've only been on the Fantasy, but I used a shoe shelf exactly like you're talking about and it worked great!