PACKING ADVICE: Tell me one thing you never pack, or an unusual must-pack items?

[ash901]

We were recently on the Dream

I DID NOT need my blow dryer or extra hangers. Ships was fine.

I DID use our pop up hamper ALOT!!

 

[owensamo]

We pack a small power strip with a USB port on it, because we have a large number of electronics we like to keep charged up (iPads/Nooks for ebooks, iPhone/iPod, cameras, etc).

We do pack a shoe organizer, but it hangs on the hook outside the bathroom and gets used for quick access to stuff we use a lot - sunglasses, goggles, sunscreen, navigators, pens/hilighters, etc. Otherwise they tend to get lost on the desk! This trip we're also bringing a shoe organizer for (gasp) shoes! We only take 3 pairs each, but that's 9 pairs among the 3 of us, and they've always gotten jumbled in the bottom of the closet. I'm hoping hanging this in the closet will help keep us better organized.

We have in the past packed a tap light for the bathroom at night, but we usually have inside cabins. It's not on our list for our next cruise.

DH always packs a flashlight. I keep telling him we're not cruising Carnival, but I think he just wants to be prepared

I really can't think of anything we don't use. If you're a DVC member or have cruised before, don't bother with a lanyard - you'll get one. Or 2. Or 6. We usually end up with at least 6 by the end of a cruise between Castaway Club and DVC!

 

[DisneyDudet]

I've never brought a pop-up hamper. Once we have an empty suitcase after packing, I put a few dryer sheets in one and throw our dirty clothes in there and put it back under the bed. That way, its already in the suitcase. The drier sheets help to prevent sweaty-stinky smells from happening in the suitcase.

We don't pack anything to wash clothes, as I've learned that I wear WAY LESS than I think I will. You can always buy stuff to wash on the ship in case (its not crazy expensive, I don't think).

We used to do the shoe organizer, but haven't used it the last few cruises. They are starting to keep cruisers from using them anyway, as they cause damage to the doors, so no sense in packing them anyway. They have plenty of shelves to keep things organized, IMHO.

We haven't ever needed a night light. We kept the toilet room light on and just closed the door, since thats the only place you'll really go. We kept our phones on airplane mode, so we could use them if we really needed to move around at night. But we don't travel with children, so that may make a difference.

We also bring our own cups for the drink station. The cups they provide sweat immediately, and are not enough when you want to lay out in the sun. We used to pick up 2 at a time, but the ice melted so quick. We get some cheap ones from the dollar store or walmart that are slightly insulated. If we need room in our suitcases for the sad trip home, we can throw them away or wash them and let our room host/hostess take them.

We have done the power strips for cameras and such, but I have heard that some people were not allowed to bring them. I don't know if there is any confirmation on that...

 

[ludari]

I never pack shampoo, conditioner because they have that on board. I always pack a compact LED flashlight to keep next to my bed.

 

[CrawfordMomof2]

OP:


Great idea for a thread! We are sailing on our first cruise in May of 2014, and I'm on these boards just about every day trying to find out new ideas/suggestions, and keep the magic alive.

 

[4407mark]

I agree on the flashlight and the pop-up hamper (unless you have the extra suitcase). I have packed a powerstrip in the past and only used on the last night when trying to make sure that cel phones, Kindle, etc. are all charged up. Also found the over-door shoe hanger was not necessary on our last cruise on the Dream (there were only three of us).

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

Like others have said don't back towels. Ship has plenty.

Do pack a mini medicine bag (ie Advil, bandages, etc) Never know when you will need something and if you go to the health center on the ship they are gonna charge you $$$$$ to get it.

Sent from iPhone

 

[jenbeloco]

1. Downy wrinkle remover travel size - it gets wrinkles out of everything!
2. Insulated water bottles as PP mentioned.
3. Crystal light packets

 

[Cats12]

I take a lot of the usual stuff, but since you asked about unusual...I also take a mini-pillow. I know the DCL pillows are popular with some, but I absolutely can't sleep on them. For the record, I don't take it on other vacations, I'm not always obsessive about my pillow.

 

[MousseauMob]

I agree with a lot of what others have said, and one I haven't seen that is a MUST is an Air freshener for the bathroom.

 

[dskib]

I second the air freshener.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I never pack shampoo, conditioner because they have that on board. I always pack a compact LED flashlight to keep next to my bed.

... Note, if u r working on Rapunzel like I am (bout mid booty now!) This advice doesn't apply.

But even more important than shampoo was spray leave in conditioner that let me tame and comb painstakingly after mermaid swimming all day. Those braids were still hard to get out! Sometimes I didn't have time to do more than rinse fresh water shower at beach before show. Thanks leave in Cond! It saved my hair life and got me dinner ready fast.

 

[tinkerone]

Do pack a mini medicine bag (ie Advil, bandages, etc) Never know when you will need something and if you go to the health center on the ship they are gonna charge you $$$$$ to get it.

Sent from iPhone

have to say I totally disagree with this. I never pack these things. you can easily pick them up at guest services or from the shops. if you go to guest services there is no charge. if you go to the shops it is slightly more expensive than a drug store but not by much. its not $$$$. rather than having to pack it all and then unpack it I pick it up as needed.
having said this, I don't have small children so that could change your mind. the most I have ever needed to pick up from the shops was a few asprins until I found I could get them at guest services. oh, and the odd bandage for dh when he got a blister. that was guest services to.
for me with packing, less is more....

 

[Jenntx]

Very helpful thread - thank you! We are going on our first (ever) cruise (on the Dream) in December 2013 - so I'm enjoying learning what people take & don't take.

May I ask what the pop up hamper is for? I'm assuming dirty clothes?

Since there is no iron, do people bring their clothes in hanging bags?

 

[bumbershoot]

Yes, but how good is it? If it's like the stuff in the park resorts (I've stayed in all categories there), it is HORRIBLE for my hair. Especially with all the abuse it will be taking in the new environment (salt water, wind, sun, etc.) I'm going to stick with what helps a little.

I don't care for H2O either. Though the stuff on the ship (is concierge level's shampoo different than the rest of the ship?), which someone said here is H2O plus, wasn't AS bad as the stuff at the resorts. But I still used my Aveda after trying it once. I have several cheapie bottles that are marked as being 3.4 oz, and I put my shampoo and conditioner and sunscreen etc in them, put them in my 311 baggie, and I'm prepared. If I like the hotel's shampoo (like Royal Pacific and Portofino Bay's Lather products are amazing for me) I use that, but if not I have my stuff.

We used to do the shoe organizer, but haven't used it the last few cruises. They are starting to keep cruisers from using them anyway, as they cause damage to the doors, so no sense in packing them anyway. They have plenty of shelves to keep things organized, IMHO.

They don't let you use the *over the door* shoe (or anything else) organizers. You can still hang them on hooks or over the closet rods.

May I ask what the pop up hamper is for? I'm assuming dirty clothes?

Since there is no iron, do people bring their clothes in hanging bags?

Yep, dirty clothes. I *love* the two hamper bags I got at Walgreens a few years back! So easy! They are mesh-sided, so the clothing gets air, and they are easily moved around if needed.

There are irons in the laundry rooms. But I personally just send things out to be ironed by the laundry staff; hardly costs anything, and it saves me time and effort. Brilliant, that cruiselines have people who will do that.

 

[Momma2Jax]

Yeah, the shampoo wasn't my favorite, but it did the job. I did pack body wash, though..... And luckily the on board store sells razors because I forgot mine!


I forgot to add tumblers and travel mugs for drink station runs!

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

I absolutely bring OTC medication with me. Last time I had to buy some Dramamine for a particularly rough night and let me tell you, we got GOUGED at the gift shop. And I know you can get analgesics at guest services or the shops, but I'd much rather just get back to my room, take a couple of ibuprofen, and be done with it. I don't bring a Costco-sized bottle of Advil or anything, but small pills take up very little room and are a lifesaver if, say, you wake up in the middle of the night with indigestion and the shops aren't open or it's a long haul in your pajamas to guest services for some Tums. I always bring ibuprofen, Tums or other antacid, Benadryl, Dramamine, Lactaid and Immodium. Particularly if you're susceptible to motion sickness or have a sensitive stomach.

On the other hand, we've never traveled with a pop-up hamper. We have a nylon laundry bag that folds up into itself in like 2 inches. All clothes go in there with the drawstring and then at the end of the trip, they get dumped in a suitcase.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

the oddest thing we pack is a paper cup tray (like the kind you get at a fast food restaurant). It allows one of us to get drinks for all of us. It is also very helpful if it's just me/mom or dad/mom because my mother is in a wheelchair and only has the use of one hand. It allows her to hold the cups for the 2 of us while my dad or I push her wheelchair.

The first cruise we only brought 1 but now I always make sure to have a back up because that first cruise our room steward must have thought it was garbage (even though it was on top of the desk) because he took it. When we were in Cove cafe, I saw it sitting behind the counter! Now I mark our last name and cabin number on them.

If there are any people who expect that they'll be fetching the drinks around the pool for the entire family, it's a life saver!

We bring travel cups (love our tervis tumblers) but those stay in the cabin and are generally used for coffee or tea (because the size of the room service hot cups is ridiculously small!).

 

[quarkwright]

the oddest thing we pack is a paper cup tray (like the kind you get at a fast food restaurant). It allows one of us to get drinks for all of us. It is also very helpful if it's just me/mom or dad/mom because my mother is in a wheelchair and only has the use of one hand. It allows her to hold the cups for the 2 of us while my dad or I push her wheelchair.

The first cruise we only brought 1 but now I always make sure to have a back up because that first cruise our room steward must have thought it was garbage (even though it was on top of the desk) because he took it. When we were in Cove cafe, I saw it sitting behind the counter! Now I mark our last name and cabin number on them.

If there are any people who expect that they'll be fetching the drinks around the pool for the entire family, it's a life saver!

We bring travel cups (love our tervis tumblers) but those stay in the cabin and are generally used for coffee or tea (because the size of the room service hot cups is ridiculously small!).

I like this idea, and it is probably not one a lot of people would think of, but I can definitely picture being asked to schlepp drinks back to the room for my whole family.

 

[wcw57]

never: shoe organizer, extension cords, beer

Next time: large clothing baggies for dirty clothes....smarter that white garbage bags I use now