We are going on a cruise - with lots of shore excursions and we are looking to make a small backpack to carry with each of us - we need suggestions as to what to bring. I know we need band-aids and water - any other good ideas ?

Does anyone have any ideas - we are all ready to go except for this !

Local currency in small denominations
Street map
Sunglasses
Kleenex tissue travel pack
3x5 spiral notebook & pen
lipstick or chapstick

- hand sanitizer... (they have very small travel sizes now) - never know when the sinks aren't working and you need them to...

- Shout sheets - for that inevitable gift left behind from a bird or seagull

- camera/film/memory card/batteries

Camera! (of course i knew i was forgetting something)

Some form of ID is probably a good idea too

We took zip lock plastic bags and made up a picnic pack from breakfast - muffins, fruit etc it just helped fill a gap sometimes when feeling a bit peckish.

I always take moist wipes - you don't always get soap etc in public facilities, as surfmom also advised.

Depending where you are going - a hat, a small umbrella perhaps or compact raincoat and I, like suze, always have my lipstick with me

Don't forget the sunscreen.

I carry
a small 1 cell (AAA battery),
Ibuprofen,
my water bottle,
an umbrella,
Maps, incl a bus map of the city I'm in,
guide book,
color copy of my passport,
plastic spoon and fork for snacks or picnics,
snacks crackers (although they tend to become crumbs quickly)or an apple or orange or candy
A list of important phone numbers...credit card 800 numbers for the country I'm in, embassy number, emergency numbers, etc.

Always bring/wear your bathing suit for those irisistable beaches or you will be swimming in your clothes!

Thanks guys - I forgot about the ziploc bags - we are on a cruise and I remember other people makeing little snack bags from the bksft buffet !!

<<Local currency in small denominations
>>

I would NEVER carry anything I couldn't afford to lose in a backpack

ditto

If you're going somewhere where the facilities are questionable, you could take some toilet liners. My grocery store sells Charmin 5-packs of those (and also sells a little travel roll of tp).

In addition to regular bandaids, I'd take blister bandaids.

alan & ira- Geez guys, I'm talking about a coin purse with spending money for a drink, or lunch, or a postcard, not all your funds.

Since these are day excursions from a cruise, I'm guessing they will know ahead where they will be going(?) and can see what the weather is like... to decide about necessity of toting about things like an umbrella or bathing suit or guidebook.