Ladies, what should I make sure my fiancé packs for a surprise cruise?,

[DetroitDisney]

Hey everyone,

I am surprising my future wife with a Disney cruise on the Mexican riviera as a part of our honeymoon. She has no idea the cruise is happening. I want to make sure she packs the right stuff. What should I encourage her to pack?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hey everyone,

I am surprising my future wife with a Disney cruise on the Mexican riviera as a part of our honeymoon. She has no idea the cruise is happening. I want to make sure she packs the right stuff. What should I encourage her to pack?

Are you certain that it will go over well if she doesn't know beforehand? I know I'd be a bit put out if my husband booked a cruise (or any other big trip) and didn't give me a head's up so I could prepare for it. I want to pick my own clothes/items for our destinations.

 

[DetroitDisney]

Are you certain that it will go over well if she doesn't know beforehand? I know I'd be a bit put out if my husband booked a cruise (or any other big trip) and didn't give me a head's up so I could prepare for it. I want to pick my own clothes/items for our destinations.

She is excited that this is a surprise trip. If it's any consolation, in the following couple months we have honeymoon part 2/3 booked for Disney world and Italy so we're covering all the bases

 

[5Texans]

I'd tell her to pack for however many nice dinners, swimsuit/cover up, and casual clothes. Tell her comfortable shoes for sightseeing and whatever toiletries she needs to do hair/makeup for said nice dinners. A small crossbody or clutch handbag can also be nice for dinner if she usually carries such things. Sunscreen. Otherwise, I didn't pack anything that unusual for a cruise. There are lots of cruise specific packing lists w/ extras but they are things that you could bring if you want and she doesn't have to know about. Examples: pirate night stuff, door decorations, wine/beer, travel mugs, usb adapter w/ multiple outlets (not surge protector/power strip). The lists are LONG and mostly non essential, but fun to read and see what you might actually use.

 

[FigmentSpark]

You could tell her to pack beachwear, something dressy for evenings and dinner (I think Remy requires closed in heels, not sandals, but someone else can verify), casual daywear, shorts, hiking/running shoes, pants, shirt, sweater/shawl/cover up, light rain jacket, work out wear, if you think she'll go to the gym. So basically, tell her to take some of everything. Maybe get her some packing cubes.

You can tell her you'll be outside, inside, in nice restaurants, as well as casual restaurants. You'll do some hiking (if you have that planned) and some sightseeing and shopping, but she'll have time to relax by the pool or on a beach or in a spa, and even get a workout in, if she wants.

Does that help? I assume you don't have to tell her to pack her pjs?

 

[DetroitDisney]

You could tell her to pack beachwear, something dressy for evenings and dinner (I think Remy requires closed in heels, not sandals, but someone else can verify), casual daywear, shorts, hiking/running shoes, pants, shirt, sweater/shawl/cover up, light rain jacket, work out wear, if you think she'll go to the gym. So basically, tell her to take some of everything. Maybe get her some packing cubes.

You can tell her you'll be outside, inside, in nice restaurants, as well as casual restaurants. You'll do some hiking (if you have that planned) and some sightseeing and shopping, but she'll have time to relax by the pool or on a beach or in a spa, and even get a workout in, if she wants.

Does that help? I assume you don't have to tell her to pack her pjs?

This is helpful. I just don't want her to be mad that she didn't have X item packed for the cruise. I'm clearly going to be taking care of any of the standard cruise items, but I have no idea what to suggest for her to pack I the clothes department.

 

[monkeybird]

Incorrigible pragmatic here: make sure she packs for her feminine needs. I imagine it's expensive on board and not necessarily the brands she likes. If she anticipates staying on land she might figure she'll go but what she needs...

 

[FigmentSpark]

Don't forget to mention her passport.

 

[elvispursley]

you could also tell one of her good girlfriends/bridesmaids where you're going and she could help her pack (as long as they don't tell her where ya'll are going). I know my best friend would definitely be able to pull off packing a suitcase for a cruise. And if there is something you forget, that's what shopping is for!

 

[PAGA2003]

I love that you are planning a surprise trip! I would love for my husband to do that but considering I'm always planning our next vacation he's told me he never has the opportunity before I book a trip myself! I really like the idea of bringing one of her close friends in to help you or even her mom. I think between you and a female that is close to her you would easily be able to pack perfectly. My mother knows my taste and my husband has his favorite outfits of mine so I would totally trust them. Maybe send her off on a spa day or something so you can guarantee she is out of the house for a certain time so you can invite your accomplice over

 

[Dug720]

Incorrigible pragmatic here: make sure she packs for her feminine needs. I imagine it's expensive on board and not necessarily the brands she likes. If she anticipates staying on land she might figure she'll go but what she needs...

I definitely second this. And for the part she knows about in Italy, have her pack at least TWICE what she might need. It is literally cheaper to be a smoker in Italy than a woman on her cycle. First-hand experience speaking there.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

You could tell her to pack beachwear, something dressy for evenings and dinner (I think Remy requires closed in heels, not sandals, but someone else can verify), casual daywear, shorts, hiking/running shoes, pants, shirt, sweater/shawl/cover up, light rain jacket, work out wear, if you think she'll go to the gym. So basically, tell her to take some of everything. Maybe get her some packing cubes.

They'll be on the Wonder, nice sandals are acceptable at Palo.

 

[Gigi22]

Her preferred sunscreen, and bug spray with DEET.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I second the light sweater (it gets chilly in the MDRs). Congrats, how wonderful!

 

[MunFam]

Its hard to tell someone what to pack without knowing what their typical vacation preferences are. We are not fans of laying by the pool. We have one at home, so no need to do that on a cruise, so we only pack one suit and one cover up each. However, we love all the classes and activities offered, so for us, resort casual wear is what we pack. We are active on excursions, so hiking poles or hiking boots, snorkel gear, water shoes, etc are also at the top of our packing list. Slippers are also high on my list because the thought of walking around on carpet that someone may have puked all over due to sea sickness just makes me ill. Ha!

Other things...a tote bag, an underwater camera, hair ties, nail polish to fix mani-pedis after that sand, nail polish remover, a cute clutch for dinners and nice dresses for dinners.

 

[DetroitDisney]

Thanks everyone! This has been some fantastic advice!

 

[diznymom]

Let her know to pack for windy days and nights. It gets rather windy up on deck. She might not enjoy her flowing dresses blown above her head.

Let her know how many days and nights she will be away from home.

You know how she likes to dress better than us. However, she might like DisneyBounding looks.

Shoes....1) Comfortable walking shoes / athletic shoes, 2) Dressy shoes (not necessarily high heals), 3) beach shoes / water shoes / Crocs. Some ladies are very comfortable in high heals. I tried them on the ship and it wasn't pretty w/ all the motion from the ocean. I'm a flats kind of girl.

Remind her it is a surprise and to not ask too many questions.

For you, bring her favorite laundry detergent and dryer sheets for doing laundry. Offer to do the laundry.

 

[elvispursley]

Offer to do the laundry.

Uh, only if you've done her laundry before! Otherwise, this is not the time to try doing it!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks everyone! This has been some fantastic advice!

Had another thought - has she cruised before? Is it something she wants to do? Not to be a downer, but there are people who won't step foot onboard a ship.

 

[diznymom]

DH says keep it a secret.
I say make sure she has a little tiara. Claire's has tiaras. You can surprise her with one on the ship.