Let's try a "best tip or idea in one place" thread

[DopeyRN]

I have been sitting here, reading, for 2 hours...have read some interesting tips that I liked...for instance:

I sent all of our clothes out to be pressed on our first night, and for $40 had my clothes ready for the week.

Bring an over the door shoe holder for the bathroom to hold all of the toiletries.

Don't forget the duct tape....

So if you have experience at cruising, and want to help all us "newbies", here is one place to post all of your brilliant ideas!!

 

[d'Isigny]

two-way radios.

We bought Motorola radios that were about $50 ea - they worked great!!

 

[westjones]

Zip lock bags were VERY useful.

When we packed to come home and our water shoes/socks were still wet, we just zipped them up in a bag. Same for swimsuits. Also, our kids used them at the beach to gather water for making sand castles. I have heard others use them for bagging snacks for outings (good idea, we haven't done that yet).
DJ

 

[westjones]

The inside staterooms can be very dark (since there are no windows). We brought a nightlight for the bathroom and it was a big help!
DJ

 

[westjones]

If you plan to do laundry, bring dryer sheets. They don't sell them on the ship. You can get soap (although I did bring my own), but you can't get dryer sheets (I tore all of mine in half and handed them out to others in the laundry room who didn't bring them).
DJ

 

[Mumph39]

soft sided cooler to bring off the ship for excursions and beaches. Order room service sandwiches the night before for lunch the next day.

 

[atigeg]

-Don't worry about getting to the disembarkation talk, as it will be repeated all evening on your stateroom television.
-Bring swimwear in your day bag. One of the best times for an uncrowded swim is in the period of time between embarkation and the safety drill.
-Seek out and enjoy the secret deck 7 aft verandah (it's also fun to locate the secret deck 8 aft area, although it's quite small).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[KaitlinsMom]

- clothes pins to close curtains to keep that morning sun out of your room!

- Extension cord so you can have extra outlets!

- gift basket from the perfect gift - One that includes snacks, juice boxes, sand toys, sunscreen, champagne, beer, etc - so you don't have to pack all of that in your suitcase!

- COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES!!!!

 

[Zurg]

Originally posted by KaitlinsMom
- COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES!!!! [/B]

I'm all about this one!

 

[CRB#33]

Beach bag.

Spray on sunscreen for the scalp if you have your hair braided.

Cork screw if you bring wine for the romantic evenings on the verandah!

I love the ironing idea! Or you could bring spray on wrinkle releaser. I iron all my clothes at home, spray out the wrinkles as I hang things and it works pretty well!

 

[westjones]

Wow! Where have I been??? I didn't know they had this? I bet it would work for DH's little bald spot on the back of his head (it always burns).

Thanks! I will look for this!

BTW, how much is it to braid hair on the ship? And do you make an appointment? I may let my twins do this for thier birthday.
DJ

 

[nezy]

Great thread idea-I have used several of the suggestions listed here.

I have also brought some of my own beverages and mixers and cups w/lids to mix the drinks.

We brought 2 shoe bags-one for shoes and the other for toiletries.

bring a luggage carrier or something w/wheels for the soft pack cooler.

 

[sandygirl]

Hairbraiding cost $1 a braid. I forget how much cornrows were, we didn't do that. I do suggest you make an appointment. My daughter just loved her braids!

My favorite tip was to order room service coffee the night before. It stayed hot in the carafe and I had my coffee ready when I woke up each morning. Yes, it is the little things that make me happy.

Another tip: pack what you think you will need...then take out 50%.

 

[Wishing on a star]

OP:
Don't forget the duct tape....


Okay, there must be a gazillion uses for Duct Tape.... I once heard about a cabinet door that would swing open and shut as the ship swayed, waking the poor people up... just tape it closed.... Or how about taping up a hem that is coming loose... etc..... etc....


Me and DH came up with what has to be one of the most hilarious uses for duct tape!!!! ( except for DS mouth at times!! LOL!!!) After reading the topic of bad experiences with tablemates.... I told DH, "Yeah, bring that duct tape, and use it to mark out a line on the table, and create a Demilitarized Zone right on the table top!!!!

 

[PiperG]

Air freshener for the potty. . . we forgot it

 

[Captain Wildcat]

Curious about the ironing...$40.00 was for a family of four or just two people. Sounds worth it to me to have it over and done with. Anymore info?

 

[mickeymom629]

Light up travel clock
baggies
Bonine
cold medicines
cameras

 

[dizneykids]

sample bottle of dishwashing detergent and handiwipe for washing out sippy cups, soda mugs, souvenir glasses, etc.

beach bag or something to lug stuff out to castaway cay.

this is something many people buy on the ship, but they can be bought elsewhere, perhaps for less, but one of those little plastic boxes on a string to put your KTTW card and photo id in. this was especially good for our DSs who always seemed to lose their cards before we discovered the little boxes. they even know where their boxes are now so they can be packed in a couple months! best $4.50 (i think) we ever spent on those two boys!

along the same lines, someone said the motorola radios...YES! but have them for the older kids as well so you can track of them when they sign themselves out of the lab.

 

[kramer_clan]

Dont laugh about the duct tape.

We did not bring a roll, but my hubby had used it to tape the television to a box in the car so that the kids had it to play PlayStation games and watch DVD's. Well, while we were at WDW, I dropped my son's digital camera and broke a plastic part on it that held the batteries in. Thank God for the duct tape that was wrapped around the television. We were able to use the camera because we snipped a piece of that duct tape off to use on the camera to keep the batteries in. I will never again go without it, LOL

Vicki

 

[TinkHappy]

Those little laundry, individually packaged, detergent tablets.
Air freshener