Packing for first cruise tips?

[miguelgar83]

Hi all! What would be your packing tips for a couple without kids to make for their first Disney (Caribbean) cruise? Never actually been on ANY cruise before, so I'd love to hear what you recommend other than a bathing suit!

 

[kmedina]

We way overpacked for our first cruise, so I would say bring less than you think you need. Worst case scenario, you could always do laundry or buy pieces you forgot. That said, I like to participate in pirate night, formal night, etc. Get the itinerary for your trip and pack accordingly.

 

[HeatherLassell]

2nd bathing suit is always a good idea so that one is hanging in the bathroom drying while the other is ready to go.

 

[Kwami]

New cruisers don't get lanyards for their keys, so if you want want, then bring it with you. You can buy them in the shops, but not until the shops open (6pm on the first night, when you're at dinner or watching a show) and they're pricey compared to what you'd pay before you go.

The walls are magnetic! Bring a magnetic clip and an old card of some kind to use for the lights in your room. Otherwise, you'll have to use your key.

If you like to collect paper stuff, then bring a folder to keep it neat. It's good for port arrival forms, menus, midship detective agency, and so on.

 

[jcarwash]

While cruising, I find it much easier to re-wear items (t-shirts, shorts, pants, dress clothes) rather than needing a full outfit for every day. When you have sea days and spend some of that time inside, you're not really sweating through your clothes, like say a summer visit to Walt Disney World.

On the flip side, bringing multiple sets of bathing gear is really useful. With two port days and a Castaway Cay day, those are bathing suit days almost all day, with much less time wearing regular clothes. Last cruise, I brought 3 sets and used/re-used them all between beach excursions and pool/AquaDuck time.

I also learned on my last cruise that I wanted two pairs of sandals vs. the single pair I packed. I thought I was being smart but I should have brought more like I did on previous cruises.

 

[Kwami]

Oh, and if you're visiting Castaway Cay, then you might want water shoes. There's a lot of sea grass, shells, and other bits in the sand there.

 

[Dug720]

Put everything out you're thinking of taking, then put half of it BACK in the dresser and/or closet. You don't need as much as you think you do.

 

[lilsonicfan]

I think everyone approaches packing differently.

Some considerations:

• Driving vs flying to port - may affect what suitcase(s) you bring [lots of storage in your stateroom, so that's less of a concern]
• Length of cruise - if longer than 4 days, do you want to do any laundry on board?
• Clothing preferences - are you wanting to be casual all day, dressier at dinner, participate in formal night, or eat at Palo/Remy?? Will you want to bring certain clothes for pictures?
• Footwear - probably you'll want flip flops for the pool, but what do you want to wear for excursions, at the beach, around the ship, to dinner etc
• Things you might not have thought of but can turn up on cruise packing lists: magnetic hooks for the doors or walls; door decorations; battery operated tea light for the bathroom at night; water bottle for refilling; travel wallet/money pouch

I'd suggest googling a cruise packing list, but with a view toward crossing out a lot - many of those lists are very comprehensive and will include things a lot of us just don't even use.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

My packing list for a 5-night Double Dip out of Miami:

3 pairs flip-flops (formal, casual, and poolside)
6 pairs shorts
6 camp shirts
2 t-shirts
2 bathing suits
2 rash guards/swim shirts
1 pair socks (for travel day)
Sunscreen
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Deodorant
Razor
Shaving cream
Sunglasses
Reading glasses
Hat

 

[kmedina]

Oh, and if you're visiting Castaway Cay, then you might want water shoes. There's a lot of sea grass, shells, and other bits in the sand there.

Good tip. My husband cut his foot pretty badly at Castaway on our first trip. I bought my son water shoes on the island for only $12.99 though, so not bad. This was in 2011, so prices have likely gone up.

 

[Alaska777]

A sweater or sweatshirt for evenings!

 

[Calantha]

A sweater or sweatshirt for evenings!

Yes, I was cold after dinner in the theater.

 

[Kwami]

Yes, I was cold after dinner in the theater.

And the movie theater is even colder!

 

[peachratk8]

Lots of good suggestions above. I'll add that if you're prone to motion sickness, bring something for that. I prefer not to take Dramamine or other drugs because of the side effects (plus I want to be able to have a drink), so I like anti-nausea bands. Blisslets are my favorite because they just look like stylish bracelets, while the other options are a bit conspicuous.

 

[miguelgar83]

A sweater or sweatshirt for evenings!

Oh, good point! I had *not* thought of bringing a sweater to the Caribbean, believe it or not!

 

[miguelgar83]

Lots of good suggestions above. I'll add that if you're prone to motion sickness, bring something for that. I prefer not to take Dramamine or other drugs because of the side effects (plus I want to be able to have a drink), so I like anti-nausea bands. Blisslets are my favorite because they just look like stylish bracelets, while the other options are a bit conspicuous.

Nice, thanks for the tip! I have used this kind of bracelet before but Blisslets look much nicer!

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

Nice, thanks for the tip! I have used this kind of bracelet before but Blisslets look much nicer!

I have some Queasy Beads that I love…depending on the design they are even less conspicuous than Blisslets. I know some people think they are bogus but I wore them at home when I was having a lot of nausea and they really helped. I don’t get too seasick so I wear them more as a preventative measure on the ship.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

If you have a verandah, bring some binoculars.

 

[Akck]

If you have a verandah, bring some binoculars.

This is one thing I regretted for our last cruise. There were so many times I would’ve liked to get a closer look at something in the distance. If you’re on an Alaska cruise, binoculars are a must.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

This is one thing I regretted for our last cruise. There were so many times I would’ve liked to get a closer look at something in the distance. If you’re on an Alaska cruise, binoculars are a must.

My DH's idea of a cruise is sitting on the verandah with his book, drink, and binoculars. It is a must for any cruise we sail.