New Cruiser: WHat to bring... what not to bring?

[SoupKidsX3]

Hi Everyone,
I have seen some of the greatest advice given out on these boards, so I am taking my question to the experts!

What exactly do you bring???

I have read a few articles on this, but I want to know from everyone here... what is REALLY needed. I have a family of 5 and my head is spinning with all of the things "I think" we need. From pool clothes, daytime attire, evening and formal wear, sweatshirts, coverups and shoes (OH the SHOES)....to toiletries, laundry supplies, emergency supplies, RFID passport holders, waterproof holders, cameras, sunscreen... AND LET'S NOT FORGET THE FEs!!!
I could easily pack way more than needed.... that's why I am asking YOU!!!
HELP!!! What is REALLY needed and what should I leave behind?

Also, if you have anything you "wished" you had brought and will be the first thing you would pack next time... Feel free to share those hidden gems!!!

TIA!!!
Aimee

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Do Not bring.

Towels.
Soap
Shampoo.
Life vests - provided.
Cots


Do bring

Credit cards
Money
Passports or photo ID
Sunscreen
Camera



Clothes.


Q:
What should I wear to dinner?

A:
The dress code for dinner varies by the venue or theme night of your cruise. In general, most meals are "cruise casual"—no swimwear or tank tops. Most cruises also have special theme nights with optional opportunities to get dressed up for a special family photo. Here's a breakdown of events by cruise itinerary:

On 3-night cruises:
•One cruise casual night—No swimwear or tank tops
•One pirate or tropical night (deck party)
•One "optional dress-up night"—jacket for men, dress or pantsuit for women

On 4-night cruises:
•First night is cruise casual—no swimwear or tank tops
•One pirate or tropical night (deck party)
•One optional dress-up night—jacket for men, and dress or pantsuit for women
•Final night is cruise casual—no swimwear or tank tops

On 7-night cruises:
•First night is cruise casual—no swimwear or tank tops
•One themed night (pirate, tropical or other themed deck party)
•3 additional cruise casual nights—no swimwear or tank tops
•One formal and one semi-formal night—two great opportunities to dress-up and take advantage of the onboard photography services. Though optional, we recommend: Dress pants with a jacket or a suit for men, and dress or pantsuit for women

Dress code at Palo:
•Men: Dress pants and dress shirt (a jacket is optional)
•Women: Dress or pantsuit
•No jeans, shorts, capri pants, flip-flops or tennis shoes

Dress code at Remy:
•Men: Dress pants with jacket (sports or suit jacket) is required—ties are optional.
•Women: A dress, cocktail dress, pantsuit or skirt/blouse is required
•No jeans, shorts, capri pants, flip-flops or tennis shoes

 

[missyp]

Before you pack dress up clothes for all of you I would check with DCL. They appear to have done away with dress up optional nights on 3 and 4 night cruises but I believe 7 night cruises still have formal and semi formal nights. I was on a 4 night Wonder in November and a friend of mine was on a 3 night Dream in December- no dress up night on either cruise.

 

[xlxo]

More ideas...
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-cruise-line/packing.htm

 

[rantnnravin]

As we've cruised more, we have seriously pared down what we bring with us.
As for clothes, each day you will need a set of pool deck, cruise casual, and -for the sake of keeping the discussion on topic and not formal/semi-formal vs relaxed - we will say Business Casual dinner outfits.
I have found that unless one sweats profusely, anything worn for casual dinners can also be worn the next day. I find this cuts down on the wardrobe. I tend to get carried away with shoes, however - since they can be used to change an outfit completely.
I would take at least 2 bathing suits per person, as they do not tend to dry thoroughly overnight since the bathroom doesn't really have air circulating (and putting towels, bathing suits and the like on the veranda to dry is a No-NO!)

-I do not do laundry on vacation, so dirty clothes get folded and put into a trashbag-lined empty suitcase.
-We bring 3 iphones, 2 cameras, 2 tablets and all their chargers - and have never needed a power strip.
-We have never felt the need to take clothespins, or duct tape. A highlighter might be helpful, but seriously, circling what you want to do with the pen in the desk drawer is just as good. (Plus, with the new iphone app, we didn't need to carry the navigator anyway.)
We are a family of three. We take 2 large suitcases (2 adults), 2 medium suitcases (1 for DD and 1 for toiletries and shoes), <---- checked luggage. For travel, we have 3 backpacks and my "handbag" (a large totebag) with medications, electronics/chargers, travel documents, wallets, sunblock one change of clothes, swimsuits, and a book or two distributed between them.

 

[lmhall2000]

Going on our fourth Disney cruise...we only bring one backpack per person..there are five in our family, three older teens...not many can go this pared down...but we do!

Shoes: 2 pairs per person...that's it. Generally, walking shoes and dressy sandles or dressier shoes for dinner.

Dresses: Two dresses per girls (purposefully bring ones that can roll up tightly, tencil or other material, just hang them when we get there)

Men: dress shirt, dress pants (they wear the same ones, no one notices) one jacket for each.

Swimsuits: Just one each, we honestly do not get to swim that much, always doing something on board, so they're always dry.

Shorts: 3 pairs per person

Shirts: 3 tops plus what we wore on the cruise.

One pair of pjs for all...but men usually sleep in tshirt and boxers...

Underwear & socks: 4 pairs...

Camera, chargers, phones, passports, medicine, small first aid kit, sharpie/highlighters for marking up the Passporter with what we want to do. over the door organizer for toiletries...razors/hair products/sunscreen/itinerary for excursions/contact numbers/preprinted labels for post cards and stamps/laundry detergent...we always wash on a sea day...

Snorkel gear.

That's it. We have brought other items on board..extra clothing, but we realized we never wore them...way too much to pack...we do fish extenders, but just put them all in a carry on duffle bag separate from our backpacks..just to keep them organized and easy to find. We use the duffle bag to bring back all the items we were gifted, and any extra souvenirs we picked up on the way.

 

[rantnnravin]

Going on our fourth Disney cruise...we only bring one backpack per person..there are five in our family, three older teens...not many can go this pared down...but we do!

Shoes: 2 pairs per person...that's it. Generally, walking shoes and dressy sandles or dressier shoes for dinner.

Dresses: Two dresses per girls (purposefully bring ones that can roll up tightly, tencil or other material, just hang them when we get there)

Men: dress shirt, dress pants (they wear the same ones, no one notices) one jacket for each.

Swimsuits: Just one each, we honestly do not get to swim that much, always doing something on board, so they're always dry.

Shorts: 3 pairs per person

Shirts: 3 tops plus what we wore on the cruise.

One pair of pjs for all...but men usually sleep in tshirt and boxers...

Underwear & socks: 4 pairs...

Camera, chargers, phones, passports, medicine, small first aid kit, sharpie/highlighters for marking up the Passporter with what we want to do. over the door organizer for toiletries...razors/hair products/sunscreen/itinerary for excursions/contact numbers/preprinted labels for post cards and stamps/laundry detergent...we always wash on a sea day...

Snorkel gear.

That's it. We have brought other items on board..extra clothing, but we realized we never wore them...way too much to pack...we do fish extenders, but just put them all in a carry on duffle bag separate from our backpacks..just to keep them organized and easy to find. We use the duffle bag to bring back all the items we were gifted, and any extra souvenirs we picked up on the way.

DCL no longer allows the "over the door shoe organizer"
(we never brought one and never felt the need for one - but we tend to clean/organize as we go anyway) We DO have an awesome toiletry bag that can hang from the robe hook on the back of the door, but have never needed to hang it. There really is a LOT of storage space in the room if you know how to use it.

 

[SoupKidsX3]

What wonderful advice!!! I knew this was the place to ask! Any other tid bits are welcome but so far, this gives me a solid place to start!
It stinks sometimes to be a meticulous planner!!!

 

[lmhall2000]

DCL no longer allows the "over the door shoe organizer"
(we never brought one and never felt the need for one - but we tend to clean/organize as we go anyway) We DO have an awesome toiletry bag that can hang from the robe hook on the back of the door, but have never needed to hang it. There really is a LOT of storage space in the room if you know how to use it.

Thanks! We actually use the velcro kind you hang in the closet, I didn't know how to state that...we don't like to hang them in the bathroom because then someone is always using the other one and we'd need to get in there, hanging it in the closet, everyone has access to their toiletries before they go in...with five in our family...we prefer not to have all our contact solution/cases/toothbrushes/hairbrushes/hair items/etc. all over the bathroom, it gets crazy and something always falls on the floor..plus it's easier for our room steward to clean up our bath area

 

[JimGA]

What wonderful advice!!! I knew this was the place to ask! Any other tid bits are welcome but so far, this gives me a solid place to start!
It stinks sometimes to be a meticulous planner!!!

I am no cruising expert, but there is a packing list somewhere on this site, just search for it, bring what applies and leave the rest. The packing lists has a lot of things you would never think of bringing.

Also, bring an over the door show organizer but modify it. Remove the over the door hook and zip tie or use multiple bread ties and attach a coat hanger to the top of it and hang it on the bathroom robe hook, works great and no damage to the restroom door

My advice, if this is your first cruise, do not participate in the fish extenders. On our first cruise I had originally signed up to do it, got on a list but several months prior I decided not to do it, it was just adding too much stress to an already complicated trip. When we got onboard for our 4 night cruise on the Dream I was so thankful I decided not to do it. Take your first cruise and enjoy it.

 

[rantnnravin]

One thing i would definitely make sure to bring would be a small sewing kit. Out of 5 cruises, we have needed it 3 times.

be careful with those packing lists, though. You start looking at all those things and think -- "oh, yes, I should DEFinitely bring that!" - when the truth is, you'll more than likely never need it.
The best suggestions i ever read was, put everything you think you'll need out. Then, cut it in half.
Then cut it in half again. <--- that's what you need.

 

[SoupKidsX3]

The best suggestions i ever read was, put everything you think you'll need out. Then, cut it in half.

This will be so hard for me... but I agree.. I over pack all the time and I need to follow this advice!!!

 

[CF'er]

I always make sure to have band=aids, neosporin, sun screen, aloe, tums, qtips, headache meds, tummy meds, etc. A small pharmacy. They do sell some stuff on board but be prepared to pay for it. I usually just keep all of that in the suitcase tucked under the bed. We have it if needed but it isn't in the way.

 

[Savikins]

Things we bring that not everyone brings:

Antibacterial hand soap pump for the bathroom - They give you bars of soap, but they are NOT antibacterial. Ick. We throw the leftover away on the last day.

Clorox Disinfectant Wipes - I wipe down every surface in the room when I get in. Remotes, phones, drawer handles, everything. It takes me 5 minutes, doesn't hurt to be safe!

Air Freshener - For the bathroom. Nuff said!

Ear plugs - We haven't had to use them, but who knows? Better safe than sorry!

 

[mmouse37]

Highlighters are helpful to highlight in the paper Navigator (daily activity list) what you want to do. You can also download the DCL app and have your Navigator on your phone, but I prefer to have the paper one on me at all times.

MJ

 

[missyp]

I also bring a small pharmacy with me. Cold meds, cough meds, all possible stomach issue meds, neosporin, band aids, sea sick meds, advil, tylenol. Maybe I am crazy but I like to have my own stash just in case. Most of it doesn't get used but on every cruise something is used.

 

[Sir William]

Some very good suggestions, so just a few comments of my own.

I make a simple chart of each day's planned activities and note what I want to wear, then make a list of the shirts, pants, etc, and then delete at least half of it. I try to wear or use everything except underwear at least 2-3 times. If it isn't and I don't have a really good reason why it has to be taken, I leave it home. I don't take spares in case of an emergency, just exactly what I expect to wear or use, and no more. If there is an "emergency" I just make do as necessary.

Shoes: 2-3. Usually 1 pair of sandals or sneaks for daily wear, depending on the destination; one pair of comfortable walking shoes worn for travel and dinner each evening; often 1 pair of dress shoes as we like to get dressed up for both formal and semi-formal night (so they get worn at least twice).

Everywhere I travel I always take a couple of plastic clothespins (helps hold curtains closed in hotels or staterooms), a small sewing kit and small travel-size roll of duct tape for small or quick repairs (I've used the tape to repair a torn hem on my pants, and to repair a tear in a friend's rainjacket), a flashlight (in case power ever goes off but most often used because I get I up early and DW sleeps in), and my own alarm clock (I know how it works).

A hat and sunglasses for use at the pool, beach or sightseeing.

Wine and my own wine opener. Disney allows you to bring alcohol on board and while the steward can get you an opener, I prefer my own (especially as I may need it for a pre or post hotel stay). I get glasses from any bar, and our steward replaces them with clean ones each day.

We used to take post-it notes to leave messages (where we were, etc), but now we use a small magnetic dry-erase board (courtesy of DVC) we put on the back of the door inside the room.

To help reduce clutter, once clothes will no longer be needed, they go back into the suitcase. Anything I won't need until later goes in the suitcase.

I do a pre-packing exercise about a week prior to departure. First to make sure I've got everything on my packing list (don't rely on memory), and second that it all fits into my suitcase without fear of a burst bag.

HINT: When you get ready to pack for disembarkation, empty all the drawers, closet, shelves, onto the bed. Remove what you need to travel home (clothing, documents, etc) or for your last night onboard, and put the clothes back into the drawers or in your carry-on bags. What is left on the bed gets packed. This will save you from leaving the ship in your swimsuit or pajamas.

 

[SoupKidsX3]

Loving the idea of the "small pharmacy" sewing kit, cork screw, magnet for INSIDE the room door to hang messages and the organizer attached to the coat hanger. I hate digging through bags looking for something... having the clear organizer hung on the coat hanger makes an easy, visible place to put stuff... get things off of counters too!

I will though bleach wipes in my bag too and I never leave home without antibacterial soap!

 

[Dug720]

DCL no longer allows the "over the door shoe organizer"
(we never brought one and never felt the need for one - but we tend to clean/organize as we go anyway) We DO have an awesome toiletry bag that can hang from the robe hook on the back of the door, but have never needed to hang it. There really is a LOT of storage space in the room if you know how to use it.

Agree 100%! When we cruised on the Dream for my parents' anniversary trip, we were *gasp* four adults in ONE cabin. We all have our own hair, body and face stuff and had no problems finding places for all of it.

Our only minor issue was that I'd put my stuff in the drawers/cabinets (can't remember which at the moment) where the desk is, and those were blocked when the sofa bed was pulled out for my sister. Not a huge deal as we just folded it up for me to grab and move my stuff to another cabinet area. But it was a surprise when we came back to the cabin and I couldn't get to my stuff at first.

 

[missyp]

Not sure if this was already mentioned ( I did not go back and read everyone's responses) but I bring a lot of garbage bags to use as laundry bags. It amazes me how much laundry we produce and garbage bags do not take up much space in your luggage