Recently my family took a 7 day cruise to the Caribbean. Of course, I did my research and wanted to be 110% prepared before we debarked. I started planning and packing about one month prior. The following 8 items are my absolute (uncommon and often forgotten) must haves…
Digital Waterproof Watch
There is no need to pack your fancy Rolex watch. While some people may think having a watch on vacation is not a good idea, I disagree. I purchased inexpensive watches for everyone in my family. When you first arrive on your ship, I recommend setting your watch to the ship’s time. Therefore, when you arrive to the different ports, you will know exactly what time the ship is leaving. Many people have missed their ship because they returned to the port on the port’s local time and not the time of the ship. When searching for a watch, I recommend a waterproof watch with an alarm. It will serve multiple purposes and you don’t have to worry about it being damaged in the pool or at the beach.
Favorite Lanyard
Black and White Damask Lanyard
Your ship’s cabin key card (sail and sign card for Carnival cruisers) is basically your life line while on the ship. In addition to being your cabin (room) key card, it also contains your account information, used to make purchases on the ship, and used for identification for boarding. On some ships, it is also used to turn the light on in your cabin. You need to keep your card with you at all times. I recommend putting your card on a lanyard. The customer service desk will punch a hole in your card for you. I also recommend taking your own lanyard so you don’t have to settle for the over priced lanyards at the ship’s gift store. I absolutely love this damask lanyard I found on Amazon.
RELATED POST: Packing Essentials and Tips for Cruising with a Toddler
Nylon Drawstring Bag
I also purchased everyone in my family a drawstring bag. Each person’s bag was a different color. These bags made by Liberty and sold on Amazon came in 16 different colors. Drawstring bags are excellent for taking your books, ipad, or sunglasses to the pool. You can also use the bag off the ship in lieu of a purse or backpack.
Cruise Ship Luggage Tags
I never felt comfortable printing my luggage tags from home and simply stapling them together. I found these luggage tag holders and they were perfect. They are designed specifically to hold and display cruise ships e-documents. You don’t have to worry about the risk of your tags being torn apart and having your luggage lost. The tags come in a pack of 8 and can be used multiple times. They are very inexpensive and can be used over and over again.
Power Strip or Extension Cord
Belkin 6 Outlet Surge Protector
Cabins have very limited outlets. On my first cruise, I was unable to charge my ipad, fitbit, and mini laptop at the same time. I was prepared for my last cruise. For under $15.00, I purchased the set of two Belkin Surge protectors.
** Verify your ships requirements for power strips and extension cords. They may only allow power strips or cords without the surge protector option. **
Over the Door Shoe Organizer
Counter space in the bathrooms of the cabins are very limited. I purchased this over the door shoe organizer for $9.99. It was perfect for holding my toiletries in the bathroom. Initially I was concerned that I would hear the organizer move constantly when the ship is moving or when opening and closing the door. To my surprise, I never heard it.
Small Bills
Make sure you take plenty of small bills. Small denotations can be used for tips while at port. Also if you plan to do shopping and negotiating, you don’t want to have large bills. The local shop owners will try their hardest to not give you your change. They will offer you everything in the store first.
Over the Counter and Prescription Medicine
Photo Credit: Clip Art Sheep
Don’t forget to basically pack a full medicine cabinet. In addition to your regularly scheduled meds, pack things such as motion sickness pills, band aids, sun block, insect repellent, upset stomach meds, anti-bacterial creams, etc.. I would rather pack an item and not need it than to have to purchase it for three times the price in the gift store.
Bonus Video
I hope you found these tips helpful. I would love to hear other useful must haves for your cruises. Please comment below with any questions or comments.
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This is a great list! I would love to take another cruise soon! It has been a few years!
Thank you. Cruises are good for the soul. You deserve to take one!!
Don’t forget straws for your drinks. They have the worst straws on carnival
I know you said to verify your cruise ship regarding the power strip. I can tell you Carnival does not allow surge protectors. Carnivals FAQ located on the bottom right of their home page has some wonderful information. It has been updated recently and is much more user friendly.
Yes Janet. Carnival does not allow power strips with surge protectors. There FAQs are a very useful source of information. Thanks.
Celebrity Cruise Lines also prohibits the power bars. We bought a brand new one, still in its package and it was taken at embarkation. They put our name in it and did return it when we disembarked. No surge protector, only power bar. When we got back home we checked the website a little more closely and it was in the prohibited items list
We’re going on our first cruise the first of next year! Thanks for sharing these tips! I’ll add them to my packing list 🙂
Congrats on your upcoming cruise. You’re going to have an awesome. I’m glad you found the post helpful.
Wow. This is an amazing list with so many thoughtful ideas. I would never have thought about many of the items on your list. Thanks!
Thanks for commenting. I hope you are able to use the suggestions on future cruises.
These are great tips. I’m taking my second cruise in January and I would not have know about several of these things. A couple questions: going to the western Caribbean, will I need an electrical adapter? Also,, won’t my iPhone change the time automatically?
A great list for a cruise! The drawstring bag, plenty of smaller bills, a power strip, and over-the-counter medicines are my favorites on this list. I would add: alarm clock, camera, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Thanks for your thoughtful tips!
Great additions… Thanks for stopping by.
Nakeya, I have never been on a cruise but if I every decide to go you provided me with some good ideas. I have heard that cruises are fun. Thank you, for your insight.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Yes cruises are a lot of fun. If you ever decide to go, you will not be disappointed.. Have a great weekend.
Our family of five sails on our first cruise next weekend. Your advise was great and I ordered Liberty Bags and purchased the shoe organizers today for each cabin. My question is: How do I hang the shoe organizer on the door? Remember I am a rookie so I am having a hard time visualizing the door so I need to know if I should take additional supplies for mounting the organizer. Thank you!!
Hello Kelly, congratulates on your first cruise. You and your family are going to have a fabulous time. Trust me. As far as the organizer, no you do not need any special tools or mounts. It comes with four metal clips which simply hang over the top of the door, easy peasy. Thanks for stopping by and if you would like more travel tips and suggestions, please follow this blog. Due to the popularity of this post I have decided to add a travel section.
This was very interesting to read; and I just found out yesterday that my next family reunion will be a cruise to the Bahamas. I will literally take most of this to heart!! The lanyard the small bills; I get it!! Thank you for telling me that gift shop if expensive; I’ll be ready for that too!
Thanks for stopping by. I’m sure you are going to have a wonderful time on your family reunion cruise next year. These tips will help. Thanks.
What a great list! Hopefully I’ll get to use this sooner than later 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. Yes, I you use this list very soon.
Great ideas! I’ll have to save this for our next cruise!
Thanks!!!
These are some great items for any type of trip not just a cruise. I especially love the drawstring bag and surge protector.
Come share your post at Snickerdoodle Sunday. The party is in full swing. We start at 3 PM Saturday. Here is the link. http://www.sewtravelinspired.com/home/snickerdoodle-sunday-94 The more the merrier! While you’re there share a comment on a natural wonder near you.
Heading on a cruise with my mum soon. This is great! I will forward her this for sure. Love the power strip idea!
That’s great. I’m sure you will have fun. Make sure you check with your cruise line to see if there are any restrictions to the types of power outlets you bring. I had no problems with this one. But each cruise line has different regulations.
That’s a great list! Most of those things I never would have thought of.
Thanks for stopping by.
It was great meeting you at the blogging conference this weekend. Between the media kit link and these great cruising tips, you’re my new best friend!! Thank you!
Thanks Andi. Your blog has a new follower as well. It was great meeting you.
I love cruises. This is great information. For me, I like to travel very light.
I’ve taken around 90 cruises and yet I have never taken any of the items listed above (except for the small denomination bills).
Thanks for all the tips and the links to the items to purchase! I am so excited for our cruise.
I can not find the water resistance of the watch?
Your watch should have came with instructions. If not, you can search online.
Fantastic, fantastic, I have an upcoming cruise, this year, and your list of tips will be invaluable. Thanks
Thank you for the amazing tips! I am planning to go on a boat trip, and I will keep these tips in mind for sure. I have also kept in mind that the title of the boat should be transferred as well. For this, I will contact Auto Tags & Titles of South Florida Inc. as they provide title transfers and tag renewal services in Florida.
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