Summer Stuff for Fall & Winter Cruises

[mcnuss]

It occurred to me the other day that many of the things we will need for our Nov. 23 cruise will be unavailable here in New England in just a few weeks. So I started a shopping mission (what a horrible fate ) the other day and what a bonanza! Everything is on super sale already; I've put the prices in case anyone else is on the same quest! Would you experienced cruisers take a look at let me know if can think of anything I will need that will be hard to get in November? Much obliged....

Soft sided "24 can" cooler (Target - marked down to $4.00)
LOTS of sunscreen in every SPF
Water shoes for family (Gap Kids - 50% off, Target - $3.95)
Waterproof backpack - (Gap Kids - $9.99)
Floats - (Target - 50-99 cents)
Underwater Cameras (Target - $16.99 for the "real" ones, not disposable)
Bathing Suit cover-up for DD8

 

[Michelle]

You're very wise, mcnuss, to plan ahead for items that won't be in stores in the fall.

If you need any shorts, bathing suits, casual sandals, summery- type dresses, etc. it's a good idea to get them all now too. I always get my daughter a size larger bathing suit at the end of the summer in case she has grown out of the current summer one by our December cruise. Same thing with any shorts or summer shoes she needs. Kids always seem to grow out of things at the most inconvenient times.

 

[mcnuss]

I also get a couple of extra suits at the end of the season for our trips to Florida in the winter and any time we might go someplace with a pool. Even if her old ones fit, by the end of the summer they are so beat up that I would not let her be seem in public in them!! I did buy her a nice dress at a big sale this weekend. and some cute outfits at GapKids that I am hiding from her until the trip. Excellent point about the shoes, though. I had not thought of that. Just what I need is to be looking for white shoes right when the Christmas outfits hit the stores...!

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

mcnuss - thanks for the reminder!! We are from RI and are doing the land/sea October - November so this info is VERY helpful!! I will definitely be on the lookout for some deals for our upcoming cruise vacation!!

Thanks again!!

Lisa

 

[Gina]

A little trick I learned last year... If you either don't need to buy tons of school clothes, or have tons of money (no gloating if you fall into the last category! ) then wait until your state's tax-free holiday. All the summer stuff will likely be on clearance by then, plus a lot of store will discount everything even more, plus you don't have to pay tax. I cleaned up! Of course, our summer lasts until at least October, so they might clear things sooner in colder parts of the country... But if you can time it just right, you can save a bundle!

-gina-

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Also, if you are sailing "out of season" and realize you can't get Summer stuff at home, you can buy them once you arrive in Florida. There are Wal-Marts in the Orlando area and there's a Target on Merritt Island, near the cruise terminal. Good values for your last-minute cruise shopping.

 

[PiperG]

I am searching for a thread that listed the things folks are buying now, for cruises in the winter.

I have a "to do" list which includes things to buy, but just realized I didn't have sunscreen on the list! I am sure if I had to buy it on the ship it would cost $$$$$. I am probably missing many other obvious things.

Let me know if you can find it

 

[kimtenn]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who buys ahead. To me, half the fun of planning a trip is buying what you need for it at good price. And I'm the world's biggest bargain hunter! Then I can relax and enjoy the trip, knowing I have everything we need and didn't break our bank doing it.

We tend to vacation in Sept., so I've learned to scour the clearance racks and sales all summer long. Our next cruise is Sept. 7, and I've almost got everything we need, including swimwear (on sale), and evening gown ($35 on sale in May), and a tux jacket DH bought on ebay for DH ($20).

Good idea to get a waterproof camera now -- probably won't be around in September!

Kim (can't the time go any faster until Sept. 7???)

 

[mcnuss]

I am with you! I love to bargain hunt, but only for a purpose. DH thinks I am crazy but we already have a box full of "do not touch until the cruise" stuff! But when Thanksgiving comes around and he has nice new shirts, shorts, flip-flops, etc... to wear on the Magic, he will appreciate his compulsive wife!

 

[DisneySlave]

wait until your state's tax-free holiday

Tax Free Holiday?you folks in Texas think of everything.

 

[Tluvs2talk]

There is also a dollar store in Merritt Island. We stopped on our way to the terminal to buy extra batteries and sunscreen. Depending on when you cruise you could also pick up beach items. You can see the shopping area from the road, there is a McDonalds in the same shopping area.