How much sun screen...

[fljelad]

...does a family of three need for a 3 day stay at AKL (with hopper passes!) and a four day cruise?

 

[jlowejd5]

...would a woodchuck chuck...

 

[fljelad]

I think it might make his teeth too slippery...

 

[tkd lisa]

When you go makes some difference. I'd say you should take at least two bottles worth, and maybe some of the stick stuff for your face. If you're going soon, I'd probably throw in a third bottle. On our May 2002 cruise (7 day western), I went through close to 3 bottles of sunscreen for my family of 4 (and the kids were pretty small). It's LOTS cheaper to buy it at home, than to realize you need it when you have no alternative but to pay gift shop prices. The sun is pretty strong this time of year!

 

[my3kids]

I had trouble finding sunscreen in the "off season." I discovered drugstore.com has all kinds all year long. Take a bottle more than you think you'll need, just in case! Better over doing it than running out..$$$!

 

[fljelad]

I picked up two bottles at Costco last weekend. I'll pick up a third before we leave. Just 28 days to go!!!

 

[mickeyboat]

We used a ton of sunscreen. At CC I reapplied it every hour to their whole bodies and every 30 minutes to their faces and shoulders.

DH did Emily one time, he forgot one arm - the only place on either child that was burnt. I was pretty proud to keep the kids burn-free while on our trip. It was a lot of work, but worth it.

Denae

 

[carriep1657]

This will be our first cruise but, when we go to Hawaii, I take one container for each day. I believe the containers are in the 4-5 oz range. We (DH, myself, DD(7), and DS(4)) do end up using them. We reapply frequently. DS(4) has already had to have two suspicious looking moles removed. The kids have never had any sunburn. I hope we can keep it that way. We are a sunscreen loving family.

 

[TootyJane]

We are a family of five and I bring at least six bottles. I purchase the Coppertone Sport "Rub Free Spray" 10 oz. bottles at Costco. I think they're $7.99 or so. We reapply it often and this sunscreen is the one that my three boys will use since they don't have to rub it in. I always come home with 1-2 bottles but I'd rather have more than have to purchase it where it will cost more $$$. HTH

 

[carriep1657]

Just wanted to add that we also love the rub free sprays. Much easier to apply than the lotions. We use a Neutrogena version. I haven't noticed the Coppertone version at Costco. I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

 

[tvguy]

We took one 16 ounce bottle of SPF 45. Lathered up 4 people twice a day for 7 days no problem, and 18 months later still finishing up the bottle.
I have seen some discussion about whether SPF 45 really gives you much more protection, all I know is if I used SPF 45 and don't burn and I don't have to reapply as often. And I always buy the cheapest brand.

 

[ChrizJen]

Just wanted to add that Wal Mart has a handy chart that tells you which type of sunscreen you should use based on your skin type, and then the bottles will tell you how much to use based on sun exposure, and when to re-apply under certain conditions (sweating or swimming, etc).

But I would say 3 bottles (you may need different types for different members of your family anyway) But 4 bottles might be even better. Like tkd lisa said before, you're better off having more than you need rather than having to buy it in the gift shop. Lotsa $$$$$

 

[cruiseletters]

Our last cruise in june,7 day eastern with a family of 5 we went through 2 bottles of rub free spray coppertone sport spf30. It is so easy to apply no one minded when I said it was sun screen time. more importantly none of us got sunburned and we are all fair skinned especially my two dd.I also buy it at costco they seem to have a good price on it. I could have used another bottle, as I talked to some parents at the pools and cc that had forgotten to put sunscreen on their children I always offered to let them use mine if they wanted to.

 

[JJsmama]

I just bought a bottle to use on my kids which says you spray it on and don't have to rub it in. Just leave it where it lands. This is what I've been waiting for!! It takes 20 minutes to get them ready for the sun. I haven't tried it yet but if anyone else was waiting for this invention, it is out there.

 

[cristit14]

We took a 16oz bottle of NoAD suncreen for our land/sea last year. We had plenty left over. Now, on CC it was overcast and I didn't reapply on myself like I should (did the kids though) and I got a little too much sun.