pamelajean
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2002
- Messages
- 19
Part 2
Looking back on what I wrote in part 1 it looks like all I covered was food! I will try to cover something different this time.
What we brought, what we should have brought, what we did not need
Bring:
Small illumination clock (suggestion from this board) a must have, very useful to see the time and not fumble for you watch in the dark. Also, great for the kids to know the time since they do not have watches. Use the wake up call feature on your phone though if needed. Very reliable and cute message let small children answer if they are awake.
Waterproof disposable cameras get these ahead of time at Wal-Mart if you will be doing any water type excursions or snorkeling.
Soda for your stateroom personal choice here. We brought a 4-six packs of 20oz bottles (so the cover could be put back on) and drank most of them. We drink a lot of soda and it was good not to have go get the mugs filled. The little cooler box in the stateroom was fine.
Small tool to deal with broken braces if you or your kids have them. Check with your orthodontist before going to find out what to do if braces break.
Small homemade first aid kit band aids, Tylenol, motion sickness meds, hydrocortisone cream, Benadryl, Imodium etc. All are costly to buy on ship. We did not use most of it, but it was good to know we had it if needed. Side note we did not bring anything for diarrhea and both DH and DS had a bout of it. We were able to get some from medical services for just $1.60 for ten pills.
Small collapsible laundry hamper (another tip from this board) -- $6-$7 at Target. Folds up to nothing and very light weight. Well worth the price. Keeps dirty clothes under control and use it to carry laundry to and from laundry room. I saw people lugging laundry in heavy suitcases, pillowcases, or just carrying it. This made it A LOT easier.
Small soft sided cooler especially for doing beaches on St. Martin or St. Thomas/St. John. We took ours to St. John (did it on our own more on that later) with soda, and lunch brought from Topsiders (more on that later too). It worked great and held the kids over until we returned to the ship.
Inexpensive snorkel gear for kids (and adults) we bought a mask and snorkel for each of the kids (pass on the flippers tough for kids to use and take up too much room and dont really need them IMHO) and one for DH and I to share. Cost was $7.99/ set at Dicks Sporting Goods and we have them to keep. This is especially good if you are doing a beach excursion on your own, since the cost to rent would be at least that much. Side note make sure your kids are familiarized with the snorkel and mask and how to wear and use (even if you have to do it in the bathtub) BEFORE your cruise. Do this if you can even if you plan on renting or using equipment from the excursion. That way you dont waste precious time at the beach. We did not do this and DS had some difficulty the first time he used it.
Dont bother unless you know you have a need for it:
Water shoes for Castaway Cay There were a couple of pebbly spots in about knee to thigh depth water at the family beach, but it was not bad. I think sandals are the best for CC you definitely need something on your feet for the hot pavement and sand.
Over the door shoe hanger I can see where this would be helpful. I brought one but did not use it. I did have a small hanging travel case that went on the back of the bathroom door though that handled most of the bathroom clutter. If you have at least that you probably dont need the shoe holder. And we are not neat people!
Should have brought:
Small blow up floats for the kids (and adults) to use on at beaches. We had a great time on the beaches but I think a little blow up float would have been really fun and relaxing.
Fewer formal clothes ladies you can get away with the same dress twice. No one will care or notice. This will help cut down on shoes and packing. Also, we had other clothes we never wore at all. Bring half the clothes you think you need and twice the money!
Thats it for now. More later. Hope this is helpful.
Pam
Looking back on what I wrote in part 1 it looks like all I covered was food! I will try to cover something different this time.
What we brought, what we should have brought, what we did not need
Bring:
Small illumination clock (suggestion from this board) a must have, very useful to see the time and not fumble for you watch in the dark. Also, great for the kids to know the time since they do not have watches. Use the wake up call feature on your phone though if needed. Very reliable and cute message let small children answer if they are awake.
Waterproof disposable cameras get these ahead of time at Wal-Mart if you will be doing any water type excursions or snorkeling.
Soda for your stateroom personal choice here. We brought a 4-six packs of 20oz bottles (so the cover could be put back on) and drank most of them. We drink a lot of soda and it was good not to have go get the mugs filled. The little cooler box in the stateroom was fine.
Small tool to deal with broken braces if you or your kids have them. Check with your orthodontist before going to find out what to do if braces break.
Small homemade first aid kit band aids, Tylenol, motion sickness meds, hydrocortisone cream, Benadryl, Imodium etc. All are costly to buy on ship. We did not use most of it, but it was good to know we had it if needed. Side note we did not bring anything for diarrhea and both DH and DS had a bout of it. We were able to get some from medical services for just $1.60 for ten pills.
Small collapsible laundry hamper (another tip from this board) -- $6-$7 at Target. Folds up to nothing and very light weight. Well worth the price. Keeps dirty clothes under control and use it to carry laundry to and from laundry room. I saw people lugging laundry in heavy suitcases, pillowcases, or just carrying it. This made it A LOT easier.
Small soft sided cooler especially for doing beaches on St. Martin or St. Thomas/St. John. We took ours to St. John (did it on our own more on that later) with soda, and lunch brought from Topsiders (more on that later too). It worked great and held the kids over until we returned to the ship.
Inexpensive snorkel gear for kids (and adults) we bought a mask and snorkel for each of the kids (pass on the flippers tough for kids to use and take up too much room and dont really need them IMHO) and one for DH and I to share. Cost was $7.99/ set at Dicks Sporting Goods and we have them to keep. This is especially good if you are doing a beach excursion on your own, since the cost to rent would be at least that much. Side note make sure your kids are familiarized with the snorkel and mask and how to wear and use (even if you have to do it in the bathtub) BEFORE your cruise. Do this if you can even if you plan on renting or using equipment from the excursion. That way you dont waste precious time at the beach. We did not do this and DS had some difficulty the first time he used it.
Dont bother unless you know you have a need for it:
Water shoes for Castaway Cay There were a couple of pebbly spots in about knee to thigh depth water at the family beach, but it was not bad. I think sandals are the best for CC you definitely need something on your feet for the hot pavement and sand.
Over the door shoe hanger I can see where this would be helpful. I brought one but did not use it. I did have a small hanging travel case that went on the back of the bathroom door though that handled most of the bathroom clutter. If you have at least that you probably dont need the shoe holder. And we are not neat people!
Should have brought:
Small blow up floats for the kids (and adults) to use on at beaches. We had a great time on the beaches but I think a little blow up float would have been really fun and relaxing.
Fewer formal clothes ladies you can get away with the same dress twice. No one will care or notice. This will help cut down on shoes and packing. Also, we had other clothes we never wore at all. Bring half the clothes you think you need and twice the money!
Thats it for now. More later. Hope this is helpful.
Pam
