Must haves

[JackieB10]

Only 43 days until we cruise for 5 nights on the magic out of Miami!!! I am so excited, I can't even stand it!!!!

What are some of the must have items that you pack for your cruise/vacation? We will have 4 staterooms total (with navigator's verandah) and 4 kids (ages 17, 14, 10 and 1). I am actually looking for ideas to make up a box for Christmas of must have essentials. Any little ideas you might have will be helpful.

Thank you!

Happy Cruising and Merry Christmas!!!

 

[wcw57]

While I have nothing to suggest for boxes, etc, i just wanted to tell u to have a nice time and to bump your post

 

[tltay2005]

Packing is subject to your families needs, but I think some of the essentials are: small first aid kit (including motion sickness meds if you think you will need them), sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, phone, chargers, flip flop, light sweater (restaurants and shows were sometime cold) beach bag for CC and cash for room service tips are just some of the things I brought and used. Other fun stuff we brought: pirate costumes, glow sticks, snorkel equipment and magnets to decorate your door. If it's your first cruise, you may also want to buy lanyards with card holders as each child will get their own KTTW card and this may be a good way for them to keep up with it. If it is not your 1st, you will get them at check in. Enjoy your cruise.

 

[Frozen Canuck]

Some suggestions from my running list...not all may be applicable to your situation:

• $1 and/or $2 bills for room service and other tips
• motion sickness meds (dramamine, bonine, or Gravol)
• dry bag for items you take to the beach (if you need meds with you, are taking a book to read, electronics, etc.)
• hand sanitizer
• a good lip balm
• candy for the movie theatre
• corkscrew (if bringing on wine)
• sunscreen and sunglasses (Baby Banz for the little one)
• customized door magnets (not a must-have by any means, but it helps the kids locate their door)
• a bit of dish soap or one of those dry soap sponges for cleaning out sippy cups, Tervis mugs, and refillable water bottles
• LED night lights
• flip flops (Reef makes some good ones)
• water shoes for beaches
• protective sunwear/rash guards
• towel clips to hold your towel on your deck chair
• highlighters in a variety of colours (one for each person) for marking the daily navigator with activities you would like to attend
• pirate gear (if you are participating in a Pirate Night on your cruise)
• a small medical kit of basic pain relievers and benadryl, etc. especially for the baby
• small card or board games (personal preference, of course, but they are good for sea days or to spend time with family or new friends...Sushi Go, Hive Pocket, Ghost Blitz, Spot It, Niya, Qwixx, Mr. Jack Pocket, etc. are some examples, but there are so many really small but good games out there and games that take very little packing space if you remove them from their boxes for travel.
• quiet time activities and entertainment for yourself or others if they will be in the room during nap times (puzzle books, ear buds for playing apps or listening to music)
• for fun you could buy people Disney t-shirts or Disney-themed pillow cases

Have fun and enjoy your cruise!

 

[VShields]

We will be on the cruise with you! We are doing a B2B, and this cruise is the first leg. Getting close now!

 

[rwjx2kahaj]

I'd add clothes pins and gallon size ziplock bags.

 

[DVCTigger]

We will be on the cruise with you! We are doing a B2B, and this cruise is the first leg. Getting close now!

We too will be on this cruise, and doing a B2B, but this is the second leg of our trip! One of the things I would add to a list would be a good charging station for your electronics. Especially if you plan on using your phone with the navigator app. We also need to keep our kindles charged.

 

[Sir William]

Must haves that I take on every trip, cruise or land, long or short term, and regardless of destination:

• Small flashlight: In case the power goes out, and can be used to move around the room at night without disturbing anyone.
• Alarm clock: I don't have to figure out how to make the room clock work or wonder if it will.
• Med kit: OTC pain meds, a few bandaids, moleskin, etc.
• Repair kit: sewing kit & travel sized duct tape for quick repairs to clothing, luggage, etc.
• Small notebook and pen. Taking notes, leaving messages, old school but very useful when technology isn't an option
• Plastic clothespins: hang up wet suits, keep the curtains closed, etc
• Reading material & personal music for flights, downtime or waiting (and especially to enjoy on the veranda)

 

[ahain]

Frozen Canuck put together a terrific list.....a few things I would add and/or comment on.......
- make certain that your lip balm contains a high SPF rating (I leaved this the hard way);
- we bring along insulated travel drinking cups, as DH drinks alot of soda - they not only help to keep the beverage cold, but they are larger than the cups available at the drink station.
- Some people also bring along a "take-out tray" (i.e. from McD's or similar fast food restaurant) so that you can send 1 person to the drink station for refills and easily carry back to the room or poolside, etc.
- we bring a waterproof camera and have taken some really fun pics at CC
- we bring at least 1 waterproof pouch to carry a cell phone, cash, etc if we aregoing on a water-based excursion - like this one shown here http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FE9CAK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage
- we make/bring magnets to decorate our stateroom door
- we have special cruise=specific family t-shirts made that we all wear for our embarkation photo
- although we do bring along bonine for DD in case she gets queazy, DH & I rely on using scopolomine patch (Rx) for anti-seasickness. My mom prefers not to take any meds she can avoid, so for her to try our prior to our Panama Canal cruise next fall, I bough some Ginger Chews for her to experiment with.
- we try to color-coordinate our formal-night and semi formal night clothing color theme so that we look good in our pictures.

 

[Iamaplanner]

I also like to bring my own liquid hand soap in the pump format. Don't like washing my hands with a bar of soap

 

[JackieB10]

These are all great ideas, thank you all so much!!!!

 

[MarleneP]

I bring many of the already mentioned items. Something I bring that I don't think was mentioned yet is Downey Wrinkle Releaser. Also, Poopourri and/or air freshener for bathroom.

 

[bfamily5]

Our first cruise was with the 3 teenagers. I NEEDED a pop up laundry hamper and I loved having my foldable box to drop everything in at night. Also helped having a wipey board for the door. This cruise we bought a small pair of binoculars to bring. Have fun!

 

[Rapunzel22]

I loved our hanging shoe organizer for small items that would clutter up our limited space. We had four in an inside stateroom and it really helped organize our room. I can't find a photo of ours but here's one from Harvard homemaker. You can't use the metal hooks anymore but she has a good tutorial of how to make one with pipe cleaners and a hanger.

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