Elishaga

Saw this thread quite a while ago and would love to get some &quot;updated&quot; advice. <BR><BR>For example...one person suggested over the door shoe bag with individual compartments to store little items.<BR><BR>Any other great advice?

BeachBoi

I ALWAYS keep the &quot;DoNotDisburb&quot; sign on the doorknob when inside the cabin,no matter time of day/night.The CA might come in anyway,but its worth a shot.I personally dont like being in the shower and having the CA making up my bed.

maryann

I always bring an insulated coffee mug-great for on deck when you don't want to keep going back to the coffee pot all the time.<BR><BR>Bring one of those child size blow-up rafts from the dollar store or elsewhere. Along with a mask and snorkel, you can be comfortable in the water and even rest a little away from shore.<BR><BR>Another blow-up item. Neck pillow for lounging in the deck chaises.<BR><BR>also, bring 2 hooked suction cups and a handkerchief-size piece of cloth for sticking to the van or tour bus window-I seem to be on the 'sun' side all the time.<BR><BR>Don't forget dollar bills for tipping and a tote bag for your stuff by the pool and on land.<BR><BR>There is more but that's all I can think of right now.

ParrotMom

Another useful hint was colored &quot;post-its&quot; to leave notes on doors or in cabins if y our going your separate ways. Saw some couples with walkie-walkies..If you have a balcony those old fashioned wooden clothes pins..for hanging stuff out to dry. We use those insulated drink holders for iced water or iced tea when we aren't in the mood for a drink..One of our favorite now is two mesh bags...we put dirty colored in one and white in another..put them both at the of trip in one suitcase and clean clothes in the other. We are also able to pack breakables/liquor in the dirtybags.when we get home we just leave the bag with the dirties near the washing machine. We also bring an empty plastic trash bag. If we buy coffee beans we just store it in the bag without it smelling up everything else..lol

Mary2223

Parrot Mom: Kind of tacky hanging your laundry out to dry on the verandah. Hang up your laundry in the bathroom!

ParrotMom

there are hooks on the side of the balcony and I use the clothes pins to keep the hangers from blowing off..they aren't out there too long. Frankly, if the ships had laundromats I wouldn't bother.. As a matter of fact on some of the resorts we have gone to on the balconies are little clothes lines that pull out, I think that is actually considerate of them.

Tango

Some cruise lines like Radisson have laundromats on several, if not all of the decks.

Theresa

Princess has laundramats on most floors with cabins.<BR><BR>I always fly in the day before so I can be rested and be one of the first on the ship. Otherwise, I get to the ship late and am exhausted after flying all day.

cbo86

We always bring a change of clothes, toiletries, and our camera in a carry-on(actually a roll-on) bag when boarding, because you can't count on getting your luggage before dinner.

Elishaga

Bumping this one up again. I have also heard (and done) this one...pack each days clothes (especially for kids) in Gallon Zip locks...all the way down to their socks and undies...write on the outside of it what day it is for and their names. No arguments as to what they want to wear that day...totally helps with packing space and gives Mom peace of mind that she did not forget anything. I also put my sunscreens/lotions and anything else that can &quot;squirt&quot; out in one. Hope this helps and gets more minds out there thinking about great tips!

JimSmith

I personally think that some of Elishaga's comments border on anal-retentive, and I would not suggest doing that.<BR><BR>Yes, laundry hanging on the balcony is tacky - use the shower.<BR><BR>My advice is to have someone drop you off at the port (or take a taxi) since this saves you about $75 for a 7-day cruise in parking fees.

aurelia

My best advice is to pack light! I've seen couples dragging tons, hatboxes,a couple of steamer trunks, etc., just so they could look stylish. I take one or two basic dresses, then accesorize with pins, scarfs, little shawls, etc. Believe me, no one notices what you are wearing as long as you look smart. Another think, don't buy too much stuff to take home. It will become a nusience when you are scutting thru airports, etc. Don't take too many pictures; no one will want to look at them (I have several large trunks full already, and don't take ANY anymore), and lastly, speak to everyone and introduce yourself. I operate on the theory that many folks are shy and if you see someone looking down, go up and say hello! You'll be glad you did.

Collina

I for one liked Elishaga's idea for the individual bags with each day's clothes in them from.<BR><BR>JimSmith - you must not have a opinionated 3-7yr old girls huh?<BR><BR>I also liked the walkie talkie idea which I will be doing during our Nov cruise.<BR><BR>I am ALWAYS shocked to read what some people lug on board - irons, ironing boards, small fans, nightlight, car sized air fresheners, streamers etc...unbelievable. What stress packing all that crap! I have a hard enough time remembering the NECESSITIES... <BR><BR>

cosmicvagabond

On our next cruise my wife and i hope to have room with a balcony and i swear that I am going to take a mesh bag, some laundry detergent, and some rope to do laundry with by placing dirty clothes and detergent in the mesh bag and dangling it over the side into the water but my wife said that she would dis-own me if i did!

ParrotMom

To &quot;freshen&quot; the air in the bathroom I bring along a bottle of toilet water to give a spritz. Okay..so your all laughing on the floor, but its one way to get rid of stuff I wouldn't normally wear.

maryann

I always bring room spray, now I bring an old bottle of perfume or hubby's after shave (small) to use it up.<BR><BR>We,also, go to the ship's library right away before the books are picked over. As we read them, return them as we go so other people have a chance instead of waiting until they are all read.

DawnCt

We usually get an inside cabin so I bring a night light, one with the little room deorderizer. I also bring a clock. An over the door shoe hanger comes in handy for keeping suntan lotions, room keys, sun glasses,walkie talkies and shoes organized and visable through the see through pockets. I have used this on all of my cruises and land vacations and no longer spend time searching for stuff.