What did you pack... but NOT need?

[cutigress]

Thought this would be an interesting twist to the packing list threads...

What did you bring with you on the cruise, that ended up just taking up space? What did you NOT need?

We are on the Fantasy that leaves on Dec 24th (our very first cruise) and honestly I feel like I am planning to bring too much stuff. LOL I'm curious if I can learn from you seasoned cruise folks and figure out what I can pare down!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thought this would be an interesting twist to the packing list threads...

What did you bring with you on the cruise, that ended up just taking up space? What did you NOT need?

We are on the Fantasy that leaves on Dec 24th (our very first cruise) and honestly I feel like I am planning to bring too much stuff. LOL I'm curious if I can learn from you seasoned cruise folks and figure out what I can pare down!

Too many clothes. Specifically, too many blouses/t-shirts. My husband think I take too many "just in case" items (aspirin/tylenol/antacid/diarrhea meds/sunscreen/sunburn relief/bandaids/first aid cream/sea sickness meds/etc). Yeah, the first time you have to pay the astronomical prices for the same items onboard the ship, you'll add them to your packing list.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I'd agree to not skimp on the OTC medications, definitely pack those. Also sunblock (if you're going somewhere warm). I also agree with don't pack too many clothes! Try to pack outfits rather than throwing in separates you think you might need. I always envision when I'll wear which outfits then get rid of the "maybe I'll need...." items. But def bring a light jacket or a wrap that can be worn more than once or a light sweater; we're always cold in the MDRs. Try to pack shoes that can go with several outfits. Picture if the shoes you'll wear to the airport are something you can wear on the cruise. Can a beach cover up double as a robe you'll wear in your room? I like to re-purpose pieces when possible. Can a larger tote be used in the airport and as a beach bag and on board? I use their toiletries bc they are awesome (which means I don't bring my own) and even though the hair dryers are terrible, I also don't bring my own. Have fun!!

 

[monarchsfan16]

Extra swimsuits. Two would have been reasonable. I think I brought 4. I only ended up swimming at the pre-cruise hotel and Castaway Cay because we were on the Wonder noro-cruise in April and once word got out about the stomach bug being present, I wasn't stepping foot in the people soup that is a public pool. Likewise, I really should have just picked one cover-up to bring, rather than multiple cover ups in different colors.

 

[starvenger]

I feel that the "medical pack"/"bag o' drugs" is essential for any trip. I'm no hypochondriac, but I do feel that it's better to be prepared here. I even pack bandages, blister covers, after sun etc.

I try to play the "how little can I pack" game, in part because my wife tends to overpack for the kids so I try to provide maximum space. I usually find that I over pack socks (who needs socks on a summer cruise?) and shorts. With that said, my "travel shorts" are of the lightweight variety you find at Eddie Bauer and Mountain Wearhouse, so it's not a ton of bulk.

Other things...
- On our first cruise, we packed towels. Definite rookie mistake.
- We also packed our snorkel, mask and fins thinking we would use them. Didn't happen, but I think that next time we will leave the fins at home.

 

[redsonja76]

So many clothes. Always so many clothes. And my laptop. Don't need it, didn't use it even once.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Yeah, like @redsonja76 I packed my iPad but only used my phone; never used the iPad. Side note; I packed TWO cameras plus a disposable underwater camera but I have to admit I used them all (even though on other non DCL vacations I only use my phone to take pix even though I may bring more than one camera--- not on DCL, too many opportunities for amazing pix). Unlike above poster, we always do bring our kids' snorkels and masks (not fins) and use them on every beach/port excursion we go on. I wouldn't bring fins, though. Def bring goggles if you have kids bc the pools irritate my kids' eyes.

 

[xlxo]

Travel insurance.... haven't needed to use it yet.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Way too many clothes. We mostly wore swimsuits.

 

[starvenger]

So many clothes. Always so many clothes. And my laptop. Don't need it, didn't use it even once.

Oh yeah, I hear you on the laptop. I my defence, my last cruise wasn't combined with 5 days in Orlando, so I used it then.

Travel insurance.... haven't needed to use it yet.

Have to admit that made me laugh.

@Cackyschmackers - I actually meant that I would bring the mask and snorkel, and literally leave just the fins at home.

 

[RoseSanti]

On shorter cruises we pack light, usually what can fit in a carry on bag per person and a back pack each. This last trip was a 7night trip and I definitely over packed. I over packed probably by an entire set of clothes because I had outfits for warm and chilly weather. I guess I packed this way because our last cruise was around the same time last year and was cold and rainy and I was not prepared. This time I was prepared for everything and we had gorgeous weather. I didn't need half the clothes I brought or the shoes that went with them.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I packed work-out clothes but was too busy eating and relaxing to exercise. Actually we were more active than usual, but didn't hit the gym.

I've also given up on packing a formal gown. Just felt overdressed. Now a cocktail dress is as "formal" as it gets.

 

[disneyholic family]

just about everything i took....way too many clothes....
and i no longer bring anything really dressy...
nothing more than cruise casual...

 

[Dug720]

I still pack too many clothes (she says as she looks at the PILE awaiting packing for Cuba - on a ship that doesn't care what you wear in the dining room as long as it's clothes and not swimwear).

And I'll probably pack too many feminine products after not packing enough on my Med cruise and discovering that it's cheaper to be a smoker than to be a woman at "that time"...at least in Venice. But those are small, and expensive elsewhere, so I'll overpack as far as those are concerned.

 

[dclpluto]

Bring about 3 less tshirts that you think you will wear because you will be
Buying tshirts on the ship.

 

[TestingH2O]

I packed too many books. While I certainly spent some time reading by the sea, I only got through one because we were doing so many family things.

 

[starvenger]

I packed too many books. While I certainly spent some time reading by the sea, I only got through one because we were doing so many family things.

I gave in about 2 years ago and started using the reader on my tablet. It's not really the same, but it lightened the baggage a bit.

 

[NHDisneyFan]

Cups for the drink fountains. I thought it would be 2 oz cups with a one mile walk to re-fill based on previous comments. Brought a huge sleeve of 16 oz cups, didn't need them.

 

[ALCooper3]

The first time I brought beach towels, shampoo, conditioner, hairdryer, and lotion. You don't need to bring any of that. Disney provides great haircare products and lotion, and I found the hairdryer to be adequate. The supply of towels is unlimited. Also, like others, I packed too many clothes. Most of the time I only wore my swimsuit with a sundress. We did pack nice outfits for dinner (& pirate night) which I will do again.

 

[phinz]

We tend to spend a bit of time in the parks after our cruise, so I pack two separate sets of bags (we drive the 10 hours to the port). One with my pre and post-cruise clothes. I then take all my cruise clothes, lay them out on the bed and put half of them back in the closet. We send laundry out while on board. I leave the pre/post bags in the car while we are cruising.

I bring far too much camera equipment every single time. Next time I'm just bringing my phone. No more 3x5s (John Mayer reference, and it holds a lot of truth). I'm not bringing a swimsuit since I refuse to swim in a public pool and I haven't ridden on Aquaduck the last two cruises. I'm leaving the wine and beer at home because I don't tend to drink anything in the room. I bring my Kindle instead of any books I currently own after realizing I have a tendency to only finish one book on the trip anyway. I don't bother with formal clothes anymore since we don't bother with formal night, unless we are going to Remy. Remy is probably a thing of the past for us now that we've done it 4 times. We're leaving our pirate costumes at home next time because they take up half a bag. We *are* bringing regular costumes for Halloween, though, but they take far less room in our bags. I usually have Aloha shirts for dinner, but I'm not bothering next time. TShirts it is.