CAB - and any one else who has done a cruise

amh04

H and I leave on our HM at the end of the month and we're doing a cruise so I wanted to ask if there was any thing that you recommend bringing that I wouldn't of thought of? I'm planning on bringing extra hand sanatizer but I wasn't sure if there is anything out of the ordinary.
Maybe its a dumb question - we've just never been on cruises and I don't want to have to go to the cruise store to spend 4x the actual cost of something that I forgot.

calindi

You'll have so much fun!

Hand sanitizer is a great idea.  I'd also suggest a lot of water bottles - they're going to test them for booze (shake them to make sure they don't bubble) but it's so helpful to be able to just grab one and take it with you as you go to keep hydrated.

Earplugs are necessary - sometimes the walls are quite thin, and you can have quiet or not-so-quiet neighbors.

Motion sickness medicine is a good back-up plan.  If you know you are inclined to motion sickness, I've heard the patches are very effective, but you have to start those before you board - Dramamine can be taken later if symptoms show up.  I saw quite a few people with little patches behind their ears during the cruise - very subtle, and they swore they worked miracles.

Immodium and Tums and gas medicine are usually good options in case you do end up with stomach upset to keep you moving and having fun.

Sunglasses, books, a hat, comfortable walking shoes for port visits, lots of sunscreen, bathingsuits, a formal outfit for the 'formal night' most cruises have.  Shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, camera, clothes for each day.  That's about it!  Don't overpack if you can help it - most cabins don't have much space!  Smaller suitcases will fit under the bed, so it's often better to bring 2 small ones than one big one.  They do have a lot of hang-up space, so you can put clothes away and hide the suitcases to maximize space.

LetsHikeToday

Sunscreen! I got sun poisoning on a cruise. I had to stay inside the rest of sea travel day.

CAB1217

*Get some Dramimine, or something for sea sickness, just in case. It's a few days out at sea, and sometimes people who don't usually get sick, will from being at sea for so long. Actually, if you get ginger supplements, those don't cause drowsiness, so try that instead.

*Make sure to take a small handy bag/purse. I had a tiny little thing that carried my passport, money, room key and gloss/mirror, and it was perfect. Worst thing is to have to carry a purse everywhere.

*Pepto pills for over eating

*Advil

*at least 2 fancy night clothes for the dressy dinner nights.

Hmmm, I will think of other things and get back to you Where are you going?

Beachy730

Don't waste packing space with a lot of shoes.  I used to always pack too many shoes when I would go, then finally learned.  Now I just do my nice leather flip flops, pool flip flops, and one pair of dressy sandals for dinners.  I don't even bother with heels anymore.  

Bring a decent sized carryon bag onto the ship with you, and make sure you have your camera, bathing suits and sunblock in them.

Read the ship itinerary thing that they put in your stateroom every night.  It will give you important info about the cruise, but also will have a list of everything going on the next day.  

amh04

Thanks girls!!! Those are some fantastic idea's! I scored a cute small bag last night at Target so that's off the check list and I'll definitely invest in some ginger and non drowsey dramamine and pepto.

Beach - That is FANTASTIC advice for me, I'm a big time shoe person. And I honestly didn't even think about doing a carryon bag.

We're going to Nassau, St Thomas, and St Martin. I'm so excited about the week long vacation!

calindi

Yeah, about the carry-on - you won't get your bags until later in the evening, so carry on whatever you want for the day.  Sunscreen & bathingsuit are essential so you can get to the pool right away!

iluvmytxrgr

~I always bring a case of water with me
~If you drink soda's, buy the soda card.  It will save you money.
~ I ditto the shoe suggestion.  I pack one pair of flip flops, a pair of walking shoes and a pair of nice shoes. 
~ bring your own sunscreen and aloe.  It's way too expensive on the ship and islands.
~ pack two swim suits.  I hate wearing a wet bathing suit, so I bring two. 

In St Thomas, there is a place called Adjunta Jewelers.  My parents buy from them often.  Their purchases always apraise for at least 2-3 times what they pay for it.  If you are interested in jewlery, I highly recomend them. 

amh04

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_cab-and-any-one-else-who-has-done-a-cruise?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:13Discussion:596fb139-e8aa-454c-a06b-aab8749bcb72Post:3ced02e0-d978-427a-84e4-633993924436">Re: CAB - and any one else who has done a cruise</a>:
[QUOTE]~I always bring a case of water with me ~If you drink soda's, buy the soda card.  It will save you money. ~ I ditto the shoe suggestion.  I pack one pair of flip flops, a pair of walking shoes and a pair of nice shoes.  ~ bring your own sunscreen and aloe.  It's way too expensive on the ship and islands. ~ pack two swim suits.  I hate wearing a wet bathing suit, so I bring two.  <strong>In St Thomas, there is a place called Adjunta Jewelers.  My parents buy from them often.  Their purchases always apraise for at least 2-3 times what they pay for it.  If you are interested in jewlery, I highly recomend them. 
</strong>Posted by iluvmytxrgr[/QUOTE]

Score I'll have to tell H about this!
I hate wearing a wet suit too. And we'll definitely be bringing our own sunscreen and aloe. I actually never drink soda, but I think soda's are actually included in our cruise - just not alcohol, but we aren't planning on drinking much.

Thankss!!!!!

Irishcurls

Yup, ditto Beach, I wore the same heels every night, and had "dressy but comfy" sandals for the rest of the non-pool time. I would actually suggest  more dressy stuff than you think--granted, during the day we were super casual, but even "casual" dinner nights I wish I had nicer capris and cuter jewelry....kwim? Definitely bring a change of clothes in a large carryon.What else....I didn't take dramamine, but I took Bonine every morning and wasn't sick at all, and also didn't notice any drowsiness.

Oh! Get your pictures taken at all the formal night set ups, because it's free and you have a better shot of getting one you actually like that way. We ended up buying one for $20 and I love having that memory of our HM all dressed up. And take part in the goofy activities on board! We made some great friends on our cruise (though I was also cruising with a fellow knottie) but we would meet up for trivia nights and see the shows together, it was a great time.