What not to forget?

[ZooMommy]

MY GOODNESS, westjones! Thank you for typing all that in! I've already got your post saved and ready to print out for our last shopping trip before we leave.... It looks like I'll have to hire a valet to carry our stuff around! LOL

 

[Viking]

If you intend to work out in the gym or do aerobics, pack a refillable sports bottle. You can fill it on the upperdeck aft on the port side. There's a water dispenser for hot and cold water, a coffeemaker and tea.

 

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

Ok, ok! I know you all are sick of hearing from me ... but I have one more thing to add to our list:

ADDRESS LABELS

Yes, address labels! I stick them on our video camera, digital camera, walkie talkies, inside beach bag, kids wallets, backpacks, inside visors, etc. Basically anything that's easy to lose that I'd like to get back if a nice person finds it! My daughter likes to buy stuffed animals and I'd stick a label on the cloth label that's attached to those! She did lose a stuffed "Pluto" in WDW once, alas, no time to put an address label on it ... now it's gone forever! We learn the hard way sometimes. Anyways, just a page of labels will do and most of the labels can be attached to these types of items before you leave for your cruise.

I know there's no guarantee that you'll get your item back if you lose it, but you'll feel better knowing that your name and address are attached to it just in case a nice, honest person comes along.

 

[Dancind]

Minority opinion here. I hope you all don't go out and buy Downy, Febreze, etc. if you don't normally use it. The chemicals in those products are nasty, and lots of kids react to them. Just a thought. Diana

 

[grandmalinda]

Wow, westjones, what a list! Thankyou!! Zoomommy and I will be on the same cruise so it's nice to see she has the list. If I forgot something, I'll know where to go. I might add: special sunscreen. I read that sunscreen must have either parsol or zinc oxide to be really effective. I bought several tubes of Sea & Ski spf 50 at WalMart ($6.46 ea.) which has zinc oxide. I'm really nervous about that Caribbean sun and we're from So. California! Also bought a square fan at WalMart, 6" (Lasko), with a built-in alarm clock ($9.97). This is a unique design and will fit easily in a suitcase. Also bringing an extension cord and a 3 prong adapter. Someone mentioned bringing a heavy duty folder to put photos in. Lots of good ideas and am sure there will be more.

 

[AliPom]

Since this list continues to grow, I'll add to it. I also like to label my possessions, and I preprint address labels for postcards to be sent out - so that I don't forget anyone. I also pack Dollar Store rain ponchos, pocket-sized first aid kit, antibacterial wipes, purse-sized flashlight, and just incase - a prescription from Dr. for child ear infection (from airplane or swimming).

Very recent photos kept on my person of the kids with physical characteristics detailed on back such as height, weight, missing teeth, etc. (exclude name/address). Jot down what the kids are wearing each morning before leaving room, especially if going to the WDW parks. I think that if we became separated I would be a frantic mess and having those items on hand could be helpful.

And this is not to be packed, but for the containers of the items to be packed. I made laminated tags for luggage, and since last Sept., also for stroller, backpacks, baby bag, video camera bag, camera bag, etc. with a unique colorful picture (Mr. Potato Head) and I keep a business card inside my luggage, etc. just incase it gets lost (again!). There is too much confusion these days going through airport scanners/x-ray. On the last "four" flights that I took, people mistakenly pulled our articles off the belt. The potato head tags helped me to spot our items easily, and retrieve them from over-anxious, unobservant travelers.

Is anyone packing the kitchen sink -- kidding. Lots of good ideas, but I think the more I can leave out of my suitcase the better off I am. It's taking me years to try to work out my over-packing habit.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by AliPom

Very recent photos kept on my person of the kids with physical characteristics detailed on back such as height, weight, missing teeth, etc. (exclude name/address). Jot down what the kids are wearing each morning before leaving room, especially if going to the WDW parks. I think that if we became separated I would be a frantic mess and having those items on hand could be helpful.

Good idea, AliPom. I generally <i>don't</i> carry photos of my DS. I try to keep the contents of my wallet to a minimum and... as I like to tell folks... <i><b>I</b></i> know what my DS looks like. I hadn't ever considered the emergency factor though.

 

[opsomyo]

A Watch!

I thought about it after reading about all those people that miss the boat after an excursion. I had to go buy on because I don't wear one. Thought I will proboly want to know what time it is ALL the time, what a pain that would have been

 

[grandmalinda]

Since I'm "double" packing for two cruises back-to-back, I've been going back to see what I might have missed on prior posts and came across this one. Bumping it up for the newcomers and to see if anyone has anything new to suggest.

 

[DisneyDarwin]

It's a cliche, but true. After all the anxious waiting, packing, booking excursions, excitement of travelling and getting there, the ressie-shuffle, you've got to slow down and enjoy it and love it. Then, whatever you forgot...won't matter!

 

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

Bumping this list up for anyone who may have missed it.

 

[opsomyo]

an accordian file folder........for all the pics & scapbooking stuff. It makes it sooo easy to bring the navigators etc home. I purchased stamps at CC post office. I also brought home some of the paper things they put under your glasses in your stateroom.(silly, I know) Anything I could find for a great commemortive scrapbook. The accordian folder kept everything safe on the trip home!

 

[MrsPotatoHead]

I usually pack a few sheets of bubble wrap when we take a vacation. Sounds odd, but it has really come in handy when we've bought glasses or breakable mugs on a trip. The gift shops usually pack them well with lots of paper, but I feel better after putting bubble wrap around them. We all know how our checked luggage gets thrown around at the airport!!!

We also pack a roll of paper towels for the room. Comes in quite handy. We're planning on bringing one extra smaller suitcase for the cruise, and it'll be empty except for the paper towels and a small room fan. That way, we'll have room in that suitcase to pack our souvenirs for the trip back home!!

 

[lespaul55]

Hubby forgot to pack a T-shirt for sleeping, so he got an ESPN T-shirt for his souvenir.

I didn't pack any exercise clothes cause I wasn't going to do any. Anyway, I changed my mind and had to buy a T-shirt to sweat in. It was so hot that even just walking around the promenade deck, I was pitted out.

Leslie

 

[gfolchick]

BONINE!!! Anti-Seasickness preventer

I used this last May and it worked great. Take first one a few hours before boarding ship, then one a day. We had some big swells and I felt fine all day. I believe children can take it too, although they are not as prone to seasickness as adults (so I'm told).

How about those new "neat sheets" for beach excurtions. We went to Magens Bay in St. Thomas last year and the ship beach towels weren't big enough to lay down on and dry off. The neat sheet doesn't take up a lot of room like a towel or blanket. I'm planning on packing one for next cruise. They're cheap too, only $6-$8 depending on where you purchase it (I've seen them at Wal-Maart and at our super grocery store)

Did anyone say a hat or visor (one that goes completely around head so it doesn't blow off)