How many "what-if" medications to pack?

[MAmama78]

With two kids, I often have to make a CVS run at some point during vacations. How deep into the "what if" scenarios do you go when packing OTC meds? What is available on ship? It doesn't seem practical to pack the whole medicine cabinet!

 

[Disneyfamforsure]

We always pack lots of stomach meds, heartburn, diarrhea, that sort of stuff since you are typically eating a lot of different stuff and we always eat way more than we normally would. If you go to the health center complaining of a stomach issue you may end up quarantined, even if it is just indigestion. Then just the normal kids medicine like tylenol and cough medicine in case they have something come up in the middle of the night. We have a simple travel first aid kit with some band aids and ointment that fits in my purse. Otherwise they will have everything you may need.

 

[lorenni]

The store onboard has kids fever/pain reducers (can’t recall whether it was Advil or Tylenol - maybe even both) as well as a decongestant. They have the basics as well for adult issues.

I always pack my preferred headache medicine and children’s Advil. That’s about it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

With two kids, I often have to make a CVS run at some point during vacations. How deep into the "what if" scenarios do you go when packing OTC meds? What is available on ship? It doesn't seem practical to pack the whole medicine cabinet!

While you may find basic needs in the ship's store, it'll cost you. Prices onboard for small packages are huge.

That said, I just pack the basics of things I use (tylenol, sudafed, upset tummy/diarrhea) and purchase anything special (if I really need it) in port.

 

[starry_solo]

Meds for: allergies, seasickness, diarrhea, fever, pain, cough

So: Robitussin, Dramamine, Benadryl, Tylenol, Advil, and Pepto

 

[SamFaniam]

Strangely, the medical center may not be as high priced as the gift shop is. We have gotten free acetaminophen and they have free meclizine. Last year I was able to buy a small bottle of Robitussin from the medical center, and I think they only charged $2.

 

[lklgoodman]

Strangely, the medical center may not be as high priced as the gift shop is. We have gotten free acetaminophen and they have free meclizine. Last year I was able to buy a small bottle of Robitussin from the medical center, and I think they only charged $2.

Did they let you buy what you needed without seeing the doctor? I know they have a container of meclizine that anyone can take without seeing the doctor, but what about other meds? I'd be afraid to go there for some tylenol only to be told you must see the doctor first, which is expensive.

 

[spiffgirl101]

My kid usually only gets sick when we're away from home (even if we just left home 5 minutes earlier), so I carry in my purse at all times: Chewable Gravol (we are Canadian, not sure of you have this), Chewable Benadryl, chewable Children's Advil. Those are our basics.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I pretty much do the whole medicine cabinet:
advil
tylonol pm
sleep aid
benadryl
day/night colds meds
dramamine/sea bands/patch/meclazine
tums
pepto tabs
cough drops
pink eye drops
swimmers ear drops
nose spray
ear plugs (for sleeping)
allergy meds (zyrtec)

I prefer to just have everything on hand and not have to find what I need and I don't want to spend a ton.

 

[SamFaniam]

Did they let you buy what you needed without seeing the doctor? I know they have a container of meclizine that anyone can take without seeing the doctor, but what about other meds? I'd be afraid to go there for some tylenol only to be told you must see the doctor first, which is expensive.

Yes, I had a bit of a cough and just wanted a little Robitussin to make it easier to sleep. I have gotten Tylenol from both the guest services desk and the medical center without needing to see a physician. Now I would guess if I was having gastro issues, or running a fever, that might be different.

 

[lklgoodman]

Yes, I had a bit of a cough and just wanted a little Robitussin to make it easier to sleep. I have gotten Tylenol from both the guest services desk and the medical center without needing to see a physician. Now I would guess if I was having gastro issues, or running a fever, that might be different.

Thanks for the info, good to know!

 

[lklgoodman]

Like others I also pack some of everything. My dh makes fun of me for being an over packer, but on our last cruise he was the only one who needed what I had packed. I'd rather have it and not need it.

 

[belle2008]

To second another poster, we were able to get kids Tylenol from the guest services desk and it was only like $2 or $3 for the bottle.

 

[Silvermist999]

I would also pack an ear thermometer, just in case. Useful for both kids and parents.

 

[MillauFr]

We don't bring anything. Just buy it on ship or in port if we need it.

 

[Missus_Aitch]

I bring my otc pain killer (knock-off of Aleve), which would work for DD if she needed it. The big one for me is antihistamine cream for itch. She once got an itchy rash when we were on vacation in New Orleans, and it was miserable until we could find a pharmacy. I think any other symptom is more easily tolerated than itching.

 

[xipotec]

Pack everything
(Do not forget mole skin)

it takes up very little room.

 

[DisMommyTX]

We pack everything. Sinus, cough, cold and allergy meds; tums, bonine, and misc stomach meds; antibiotic cream and bandaids, benadryl cream for bites, swim ear drops; lots of sunscreen and after sun lotion. With teens, we also pack stuff for atheletes foot and odor eaters spray (sharing a room with my kids' shoes ). All of this fits in a single Ziploc and is absolutely worth it.

It is stressful and time consuming to track down the right meds when your family needs them.

 

[slmoy1016]

I tend to be the overpacker in my family: First Aid kit (bandaids, Neosporin, alcohol pads, q-tips), Tylenol, Dayquil/Nyquil, Benadryl, Dramamine, Hydrocortisone cream, Lamisil cream, Vitamin C tablets, ginger capsules, Imodium, eye drops, hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, sunscreen, mole skin, toenail clipper, and small scissors. And we don't have any kids yet!

 

[ColoradoMom12]

All of this makes me wonder, if you go to the medical center needing something for seasickness, how do you get just meclizine without someone there wondering if the nausea could be from a stomach virus? I’m sure they must be able to distinguish one from the other.