What to pack?

[Y2KMOM]

Does anyone have any tips on what to pack? I would like to know what to definately bring and what to leave at home. I am traveling with my 3 1/2 dd and 10 mo. ds.

Thanks!

 

[dclwdwlover]

I imagine most items will be logical, but here's what I found I either overpacked/missed/or found to be a must on my 4 cruises:

Overpacked:
Way too many pieces of clothing. On the ship you are usually in a bathing suit & coverup during the day & dress nicely @ night. Too many pairs of shoes. 1 ea. of beach/pool, dress up, casual more than enuf. Jewelry (only nd 1 pr earrings & 1 nklc - no one notices, anyway). I even packed way too many clothes for the kids, too. Mix & match - that's the key!


Absolute necessities (besides the usual personal items):
Sweater for cool dining/enter. areas
Cameras (incl. underwater) Strong suntan lotion
Sound conditioner (white noise machine) to drown out people in the halls, next door, ship noises (esp. great for the young kids)
Fanny pack to carry your itineraries, key card, etc. in

Missed:
Extra room left in the suitcase for purchases.

That's all that comes to mind right now. I'm sure you'll get a lot of great responses to this.

 

[gassmandy]

DIAPERS!!!!!!!!! They're very expensive on the ship and from what I've heard I believe they only carry one size.

 

[kamgen]

Some people think I am crazy, but I actually make up a spreadsheet of our outfits so we only pack what we need and we already know what we are gonna wear each night for the whole week.

As for daytime, I agree about the bathing suit/coverup thing! I am in it everyday, all day. Same with the mix and match thing...it is a must!
For our 7nt, I am bringing 2pr shorts and 2-3 tanks/tshirts for day....the rest is night clothes.

MUST PACKS FOR US:
Over the door shoe holder for toiletries
feminine products (JUST IN CASE-EXPENSIVE ONBOARD)
medicines for EVERYTHING
underwater camera
small fan (if you have an inside stateroom)
sweater for dining rooms (brrrrrrr cold!)

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by kamgen
Some people think I am crazy, but I actually make up a spreadsheet of our outfits so we only pack what we need and we already know what we are gonna wear each night for the whole week.

Kamgen, GMTA!! I started doing this and boy is it a lifesaver!! BTW, I also devised a shopping list according to the supermarket aisles. It truly streamlined my shopping especially when I had 3 boys in tow.

Most important thing I can think of at the moment is an extension cord. HTH

 

[ReadyForDisney2003]

I have to say I ran out of t shirts for my DS5 -- I had tons of 'nice' dinner stuff, but not many junky tshirts for running around during the day.

And, I will pack with the expectation of doing a quick load of laundry in the middle of the week. For me, that is easier than bringing 7 days of shorts and stuff.

 

[hopelea]

ReadyforDisney2003..........when are you sailing again?? Your countdown clock leads me to believe in October. We are sailing October 11.

Hope

 

[ReadyForDisney2003]

Yes, I'm on the Oct 11. I have read some of the thread for this date, but can't really keep up with everything talked about.

I have DS8, DD4 and DH and some of our neighbors are on that day too!

 

[hopelea]

I"m going to PM you!!

 

[joanb]

my 2 cents worth--just got back from the seven day-took three pairs of shorts and use two. Take two bathing suits for each person one drying the other wearing. take one formal/semi-formal and wear it two nights. Take balck slacks and several nice tops for evening meal and one pair of black dress shoes to go with all, wear tennis shoes on and pack one pair of flip-flops.
t-shirts tend to get dirty faster so take a couple extra. That all I can think of.

 

[jgalecpa]

This is from David Brenner, on an RCCL Cruise:

"To pack for a cruise open two suitcases and lay them out on your bed.

In the first, put things you need, but could replace if you had to.

In the second put the essential things you need and can't replace.

Then close both suitcases.

Leave the first one home and only take the second."

Best advice I ever heard (spoken as the DH who has to lug the stuff)!

 

[dclwdwlover]

Couldn't remember the name of the post I wanted to mention to you when I first wrote.

There is a thread on this board called "All the best tips in one place summarized" that will be a big help to you, I think. I've been reviewing it & pick & choose what works/will work for me.

 

[jgalecpa]

DCLwdwlover:

I will take that as a compliment. I accumulated the link you mentioned.

Here it is

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=388591

Enjoy

 

[hopelea]

I just pulled out all my DC stash.......I have everything stuffed in a closet so my DH doesn't freek at all that I have purchased!! I am worried that I am going to overpack!

If I pack one outfit a day for the kids that is okay isn't it? Most of them can double for dinner wear also. I am going to pack sundresses for them to run around in, then they can wear them to dinner also. But, I am packing the right dresses for formal/semi formal nights.

Some one said that they stayed in their bathing suits most days with a cover up. Is that really what I should plan on?

When we go to the shows in the evening, what do we wear? Shorts and t shirt?

Thanks.........

 

[Y2KMOM]

Thanks for all the tips. I also checked out the other post it had a ton of good ideas. You guys are lifesavers

 

[dclwdwlover]

Yes, please do take it as a compliment! I had seen it under my UP as a link I subscribed to - & didn't notice you had just bumped it until after I posted. Great thread! Thanx.

 

[d'Isigny]

we've always taken way toooooo many clothes.

couple of tips I've heard
...take half the clothes and twice the money.
...place all the clothes you want to take on your bed...have a 'good friend' pack for you - ok...'great friend'. What ever does not make it in your suitcase...does not go.

wish I knew the thread...someone suggested packing neutral color items so you can mix/match.

My DW puts a complete outfit for DD's in zip lock bags - then numbers each bag. Each morning...we tell the girs to get dressed using bag number XX. This makes it soooo easy to pack and organize when we travel.