Leaving for the Istanbuhl/Athens cruise on Windstar in a week and a half... wondered what you seasoned travelers wish you had packed - or did pack and were glad you did!

Okay - TWO things!
Anything?
I am packing and I know there is something I am missing!

Batteries and another memory card for my camera.

Great! I hadn't thought of that!

Binoculars!!

A little nightlight to plug in bathroom. Its very dark on the ocean at night!

Keep them coming - I love it! I have two sets of binoculars and one is going in the bag now. Nightlight, too!

We usually take a soft duffel or something similar in the bottom of our suitcase to bring dirty clothes home in--then we have room for the "treasures" we buy on the trip. We often take walkie talkies on cruises too.

tote umbrella just in case
ziplock bags

Some small thing to carry cruisecard in when walking around ship - small purse, etc.

Socks for sleeping since my feet are always freezing in cold cabin air (since DH sets thermostat at refrigeration level)

T69: great idea. I think we'll do that too.

For more ideas, see the detailed packing lists on the AllThingsCruise.com site:

http://allthingscruise.com/cruise-pr...r-your-cruise/

I brought 2 highlighters (different color) so my husband and I can each highlight our own events, and the daily schedules don't get mixed up.

Regarding a small 'card carrier' -- what my wife and I use are lanyard attached identity things we got at various conferences. They are excellent as travel papers handlers (just large enough for our passports and tickets (and cruise ID) cards. Not the sort of thing one uses on shore (a bit too easy to get swiped away), but excellent in going thru airports.

I don’t know how large your cabin is on Windstar, but what we found useful was an over-the-door shoe holder with several pockets. You can use it to store your toiletries, brushes/combs, sunscreen lotion, etc. and keep the sink area clear. They are very inexpensive in stores like Walmart or Target, but you can also pick one up at the Dollar Stores. I found the Dollar Store ones smaller, which was fine since I didn’t need a 24-pocket size.

Bring a stickie note pad to leave notes for your spouse or steward.

Wrap some duct tape around a pencil so you can have some for emergency repairs without having to bring the whole roll.

Extension cord with several outlets for charging cell phones, cameras, and other electronics.

Electrical adapter, if necessary, for overseas use.

Unless you have your sea legs, bring something for motion sickness. Some cruise ships supply it on board, but I don’t know about Windstar. I found ginger tablets worked fine for me when I felt a bit queasy.

If you take any prescription medicines, be sure to carry them onboard with you. If any luggage is misplaced, you will at least have your medicines.

Enjoy your cruise.

Great ideas - ingenious!

Some Scotch tape,zip lock bags in assorted sizes,and a plastic clip in case the drapes don"t close all the way.I also never travel without my tiny light up alarm clock and a small flashlight
Have a great time!

Another thing I've learned here on Fodor's: pack one swimsuit in carry-on, so if your suitcase is not delivered till after dinner, you can still enjoy the pool.

And somewhere else I read this advise: pack more then one swimsuit going to warmer places, so you always have a dry one.

Another question is: what did you take that you did not need?
With the airlines punitive about charging for overweight and extra bags, it pays to think very carefully about what you take. Consider: dress clothes - how much do you really need;
guide books - take as few as possible, and small ones if possible (you will not be anywhere long enough to need a comprensive guide; other clothes - where some things more than one day. Also be a miser at shopping time - it adds up and piles up fast in your luggage. On a cruise you won't notice all the extras until the last day.

"guide books - take as few as possible, and small ones if possible" - papers are heavy!

I can take copies at work, so I copy/shrink/enlarge what I need, and take 2-sided copies, combine by port. Once we sail away, the page(s) is(are) tossed.

To take copies and pay for them adds up. To save, use AAA booklets when possible, rip them apart, take only what's needed. They are free.

Or just get info off the Internet, copy/paste in Words, shrink the text if possible, and print. Put back in the printer, print a map on the other side.