March 2018
The Woodlands, TX
Happy Spring Y’all! Or at least it feels like spring in
Houston, TX.
That means it is TIME TO CRUISE!
4 days... FOUR DAYS!
In my many cruises and travels, I get asked all the time
from family and friends, “What items are
MUST-PACKS for a cruise?” I call these the Non-Essentials ESSENTIALS
and I have a list of must-haves. In light of our upcoming Spring Break cruise I
created this list for y’all to reference.
Now obviously, you want to pack clothes, shoes and swimwear
for each day of the cruise as well as toiletries and medication. In fact, I
have a completely separate blog about WHAT TO PACK FOR A CRUISE but this
list include items that are not on the essentials list but in our cruising
experience, they need to be!
*Folder or Travel Organizing Case/Binder*
You will need your passport, birth certificate and other
items from the cruise line like boarding passes but this keeps it all organized
for you. I personally use a binder with dividers. I also include 7-10 page
protectors to keep the “FunTimes” or “Cruise Dailies” in for future reference.
You know me... gotta be organized!
*Outlet Plug or Power Strip with USB ports*
This is an essential for us because often times the cabins
only have 1 or maybe 2 outlets and we have to charge phones, cameras, iPads,
FitBit and etc. This allows us to charge 3+ items on an outlet and 2 on USB
cords. We also use a small 3FT extension cord for our small fan (explained
below). Be sure your this power strip does NOT have a surge protector.
*Towel Clips*
These are not essential but if you plan on being at the pool
for large periods of time, they are very helpful. These clips are very
inexpensive and can even be found at the Dollar Tree. They secure your towel,
thus securing your chair. I throw these into a small Tote and use it to carry
our towels, sunscreen and towel clips.
*Over-the-Door Shoe Holder*
We use this to hold pretty much EVERYTHING! We have one that holds 24 spots and we put our brushes, sunscreens, lotions and just about anything in it. When traveling with the kids we use it to hold their underwear and socks. It fits on the closet door and is very compact to pack. These are less than $10 at WalMart or Target.
Over the Door Shoe holder on Amazon.com
*Small Tote or Backpack*
We use this to hold pretty much EVERYTHING! We have one that holds 24 spots and we put our brushes, sunscreens, lotions and just about anything in it. When traveling with the kids we use it to hold their underwear and socks. It fits on the closet door and is very compact to pack. These are less than $10 at WalMart or Target.
Over the Door Shoe holder on Amazon.com
*Small Tote or Backpack*
This can be a backpack or a small “beach style” tote to carry your towels from
your cabin to the pool and even off the ship. I fold mine up and place in my
luggage at the beginning of the cruise and use it to bring my souvenirs home.
*Luggage Tags*
The cruise line will send you luggage tags via email or “My
Cruise Planner” on line. You then print those off and place on your luggage. I
used to print on cardstock but even then they would get torn by the end of the
cruise (and sometimes even before). I learned about these from a fellow cruise
and they are delightful. They are available on Amazon and are fairly cheap at
$6 or less for a set of 4. They come with sturdy plastic covering and metal
hooks to attach to your luggage.
Also be advised it is recommended to have ACTUAL luggage
tags with your full name and full address on each bag you check in case it is
lost or stolen.
*Small Fan*
I am HOT NATURED to say the very least. I have been on my life and for whatever
reason, I swear cruise cabins are SO HOT. I have been on 12 cruises and I think
maybe 1 of those cabins was cold enough for me. And at least 75% of those
cabins were so hot we had to call maintenance to check the AC system. We
invested $15 or so dollars and pack this fan in our luggage. It works with an
AC Outlet or batteries which is nice. It keeps the cabin cold (or cooler),
which keeps me happy so it is a win- win.
*Metal AND Command Hooks*
I use these hooks inside the cabin for just about anything.
Depending on which brand and style you use they can hold anything from 2-15
lbs.
I purchased a set of 6 heavy duty metal hooks from Amazon to
place on the walls of the cabin that are magnetic. These hold hats and hoodies/
jackets in the cabin. Most of the cruise line cabin walls are metal so magnetic
will work. I have an additional magnetic hook that has a clapse that I use to
keeping the “FunTimes” or “Cruise Dailies” on the wall for easy access.
I use the Command
hooks to hold our lanyards and SeaPass cards. They use a sticky tape that stays
on the wall for 7 days and then pulls right off. I have never had an issue with
them staying on the wall or peeling the sticky residue off the wall when
disembarking at the end of the cruise.
*Door Décor/ Marker*
The doors on the cruise lines are often metal and anything
magnetic will work. I have ordered our Door Décor from CUSTOM CRUISEWEAR and it
is PERFECT for spotting our cabin door. This makes a great embarkation picture
as well. I have also seen complete door coverings that can be put on the door
using the magnetic hooks. Either option works well. Just be sure to research
your cruise line’s rules and regulations about door décor.
This is our door decor made by Custom CruiseWear. Around $20!
*Lanyard*
We like to put our SeaPass card into a protective plastic
case and carry it by a lanyard. I have purchased most of mine at Sam Moon here
in The Woodlands but can be purchased at stores like Academy and WalMart for
$3-5 each. Most of the embarkation ports offer these for sale and most cruise
lines offer these as “freebies” if you purchase a certain amount in the photo
store.
*Downy Release*
This has worked WONDERS for us as we have cruised. We do not
dress up too much but we like to look nice for dinner and in traveling and
packing the clothes get wrinkled. Most cruise lines have laundry rooms with
irons available but who wants to do that on VACATION? I pack the Downy Release
and spray it on our clothes the afternoon before dinner and by the time dinner
rolls around it is perfect.
*Clothes Pins*
Another Dollar Tree buy (or WalMart) and comes in handy in
the cabin. We use these to hang up our wet swimsuits in the shower. You can
survive a cruise without them but for $1 or less, it is a bargain and very
useful in our experience.
*Binoculars*
Again, this is not a MUST but we have used them on every
cruise. Thanks to our binoculars we were able to spot 37 humpback whales and 1
orca (killer whale) while cruising in Alaska. You never know what you will
spot.
This is the pair we use. They are compact and work well.
*Bonine, Dramamine, SeaBands, etc*
Fortunately, we have not had trouble with sea sickness but
we pack these every time because you never know when rough seas will hit and we
want to be prepared. Be advised that these medications on board will cost you
well about $15 (usually $3-5 on land).
We personally like Bonine better than Dramamine or other motion sickness pills. They are less drowsy and our kids enjoy the flavor of the chewables more than others.
These are our Non- Essential ESSENTIALS and we take them on each and every cruise we go on. In fact, we have a bag filled with all of these that stays in our "READY TO GO" bag year round.
We are headed out on our annual Spring Break cruise in just 4 days and this year we are going to be celebrating not only our 12 year anniversary but Chris's 40th Birthday as well. Plus we are trying out a new cruise line, Norwegian (or NCL), for the 1st time. We will be traveling to the same-o, same-o places but we are thrilled to just get away. These 2 tired teachers need a break... from EVERYTHING! And this year it is needed more than ever!
Stay tuned for that cruise blog! In addition, check out our past cruises for lots of tips and tricks for the corresponding ships. These blogs include pictures and tips on how to have the best cruise!
As always...
GOD IS GOOD... ALL THE TIME!
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