Shampoo and conditioner - seems simple enough

[tobikaye]

I just scanned through the responses, but I suggest that if they have any sensitivity to certain senses that they might want to bring there normal products. I found that some of the products had a strong sense. In fact, one evening, I had washed my hair before dinner and had to wash it again after due to the strong smell.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Thanks to all for the input. To be safe, I am gonna tell them to pack some in case they need or don't like what's provided.

Let's see. 3 girls and me equals.
1-Suitcase for shoes
4-Suitcase for clothes
1-Suitcase for hair stuff
1-Suicase for Misc.
1-Suitcase for snorkel stuff
And 1-carry-on for my 12 beers
(thankfully wife doesn't drink)

I'm gonna need a u-haul truck...
By the time I pay the porter, he is going to be able to pay for his own cruise...

Might I suggest that you check out the showers in the locker room in the spa area? Since the fitness room is there anyone can use them, even if you are not getting a spa treatment. It might be the only way you'll be able to work a shower in.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Our 1st cruise is coming up in July. I have read many reports that there is no need to pack these items. But, I have also read many reports that due to some hoarding, the hosts don't always replace as often as needed.

Here is my dilemma. My wife and both DDs have lots of long hair. If they don't have enough products, I will be to blame. And I really don't want to be in the dog house on the cruise.

Are the shampoos and conditioners in those tiny little hotel type bottles. If I have issues with host delivery, can I purchase at the shops? I would not be against even tipping in advance, to avoid any short issues.

May seem like a small issue, but it is me against 3...

The size is 2 fl. oz. Not small, but not really big. We've never had an issue getting replacements in 10 cruises (most of them long ones).


You can purchase H2O products in the gift shop, but I'm not sure they are exactly the same ones that are used in the rooms. And they could be fairly pricey (as most gift shop stuff is).

I don't think "tipping in advance" will be necessary, just let your room host know you'll need more products than the regular one of each item when cleaning the room.

 

[Starwind]

I can't use the ship-provided products because I get rashes from them (this is a problem for pretty much anything except the brand I use, unfortunately), so we bring our own.

One option, if you are staying at a hotel the night before the cruise:

We order some things (like a full bottle of shampoo; mouthwash, fluoride rinse, etc) from drugstore.com (other stores work, too; e.g. Amazon, soap.com etc) and have them shipped to us at the WDW resort we stay at before the cruise [important to leave enough time so it gets there in time! I like drugstore.com because with Shoprunner it delivers in 2-3 days as long as the item doesn't require ground shipping [note: some disinfecting wipes are considered hazardous for shipping purposes and cannot go by air they need ground; this takes longer but you can plan in advance for it]; Amazon with prime works great like that too]. We then have it available for the resort and for the cruise. If there is any left at the end I decide whether I pack it to bring home (the shampoo yes since it is expensive allergy-friendly shampoo; the flouride rinse no since it is relatively inexpensive) or just discard it.

This saves us quite a bit of weight and space on the trip down; a bit less on the trip home (we pack going down knowing we will need the extra space). We bring plenty of extra ziplocs of various sizes to accommodate the "new" things we will be bringing home or as replacements for ones that tear.

Also, I do bring a 2 oz container of shampoo as part of my 3-1-1 bag in carry-on: my shampoo can also double as a body wash if needed; and I have had more than one trip (fortunately, not a Disney trip) where my checked bag has taken a little adventure and I ended up the first night with ONLY my carryons. Lesson learned: if nothing else, have some shampoo and clean undies in the carryon [some people also like a clean shirt and pair of socks; pants can usually be reused safely] ! I find 2 or 3 oz is enough to get multiple washings out of, so the size works well.

To the OP: one thing I have learned, thanks to those checked bags taking adventures, is to split up my "stuff" when packing checked bags. There are different ways fo doing this, e.g. split things of multiple people among muliple bags, mixing them, etc. This way if any one bag goes missing you are not missing either all of one person's things, or all of one type of item (e.g. shoes). We use packing bags and each person has their own colour(s), so when we get to the hotel/ship it is easy to rejuggle everything if we want to. In our case we each have two checked bags, so we split each person's between the two, with a few items put in the other person's bag.

SW

 

[Jennifer777]

I doubt you would have a problem with quantity, you would just need to notify your room host when he/she introduces themselves the first day that you will be needing extra shampoo/conditioners. We have never had a problem getting more when we ask. HOWEVER, if your wife/DDs have issues with certain types not working well for them, or even if they just really like the kind they typically use, let them pack their own. You're traveling in a fairly confined space with three girls, you will need to choose your battles and the 12 beers you get to bring on board are not enough to handle a battle over hair products. Good luck to you sir. ;-)

 

[Amanda129]

I've seen several people say that the shampoo bottle provided only lasts for 2 washes (1 oz is ALOT of shampoo!). When I had long hair (past my waist), the 2 oz bottles from the cruise line would last me about a week if I washed my hair every day, but I only use enough to wash my scalp since brushing the natural oil towards the ends helped keep the ends from drying out.

 

[Jennifer777]

I've seen several people say that the shampoo bottle provided only lasts for 2 washes (1 oz is ALOT of shampoo!). When I had long hair (past my waist), the 2 oz bottles from the cruise line would last me about a week if I washed my hair every day, but I only use enough to wash my scalp since brushing the natural oil towards the ends helped keep the ends from drying out.

Under normal conditions I agree, but I do use a lot more shampoo than normal on a cruise (or most vacations for that matter) because of the chlorine in the pools and salt from the ocean so I can see how people could go through what seems like excessive amounts.

 

[summerskye]

You're traveling in a fairly confined space with three girls, you will need to choose your battles and the 12 beers you get to bring on board are not enough to handle a battle over hair products. Good luck to you sir. ;-)

True. But I hope the 12 beers will help...lol

 

[Passholder]

never hurts to bring a bottle of your favorite shampoo/conditioner

 

[summerskye]

Well there goes my idea of additional beer in the shampoo and conditioner bottles. Just kidding. They would go flat before I could enjoy...

Although, I have read beer is good for your hair. I would rather drink it...

Thanks to all for the input. Gonna play it safe and have the wife pack a her preference.

 

[MrsDuck]

I LOVE the shampoo/conditioner on the cruise. I have long, thick hair and when I run out, we ask for more. Never had an issue.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'd pack some. My daughters and I all have long hair and I've found the stuff provided to make our hair dry and tangled.

It's all so personal. I like the h2o+ stuff on the cruises. I don't have long hair now but the lessons I learned about my hair then have stuck, and it's "bring what works for you".

Another thing I learned is that shampoo isn't for any part of the hair but at the scalp. Once I learned that, my hair got better (it's thick and curly) and I stopped wasting a TON of shampoo. Conditioner is for the ends, not the scalp. The two work in opposite places.

Yes it true we will be on a cruise but I am the one trying to cut down on the weight of the luggage. As I will be the one doing most of the lugging...lol

Apart from loading the car when leaving home, don't lug. Pay the porters.

You can purchase H2O products in the gift shop, but I'm not sure they are exactly the same ones that are used in the rooms. And they could be fairly pricey (as most gift shop stuff is).

It's the same. I wouldn't buy it at WDW or on DCL just because of the cost. If one finds they like it, order it direct for cheaper. You won't have the Disney packaging but what's inside is the same.

 

[starousse]

If your shampoo isn't be replenished as you'd like, just request as needed. Very doubtful that the room host will mind or say no. If someone is spending $9,000 on a cruise, I don't think they should have to go buy a $30 bottle in the giftshop to wash their hair on vacation. I wouldn't, however, ask your host if you can have twenty bottles to take home. Then I'd hit the giftshop to buy some.

 

[Amanda129]

It's the same. I wouldn't buy it at WDW or on DCL just because of the cost. If one finds they like it, order it direct for cheaper. You won't have the Disney packaging but what's inside is the same.

H2O+ Often has Buy 2 (or 3), Get 1 Free sales. I stock up when this happens

 

[Bree]

The H2O products that DCL provides are not sulfate free. Just want to put that out there for people that avoid sulfates. I had a keratin treatment done so I need to avoid them to make the results last longer. Also, for preventing chlorine and salt damage to hair, wet it and apply a creme conditioner before going in the water. It will work as a barrier and help keep your hair from drying out as well as protect coloring, keratin treatments, perms, etc.

 

[Meriweather]

I adore the H2O Spa products and I just asked our cabin steward for more when I needed them and he brought them.
They do sell it in the stores, but it is pricey.
They are larger than the small bottles in most hotels, including the Disney resorts. They are tubes

 

[MomtheSaint]

Thank you for the responses on this post! I have another question to add...what brand are they again?? And are they OK for colored/highlighted hair?? My family and I are leaving for our Land & Sea Vacay tomorrow and will board our cruise this Saturday April 2nd SO excited! Thanks for any response!

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Thank you for the responses on this post! I have another question to add...what brand are they again?? And are they OK for colored/highlighted hair?? My family and I are leaving for our Land & Sea Vacay tomorrow and will board our cruise this Saturday April 2nd SO excited! Thanks for any response!

H2O Spa.
I would bring your own for colored hair.
Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[MomtheSaint]

Thanks @BLTtinkerbell for the response! I will bring some of my own...and I must have completely missed everyone else's posts about the brand being H2O. Just scrolled right to the bottom. Woops! Thanks again!

 

[Meriweather]

H20 SPA, that part is important. Much better than the H20 (not spa) at the resorts.
I have colored hair and love it