cruising and things to know

Handy stuff to know if you are cruising soon

Things to pack that you might not think of

Backpack for on shore

Lunch bag soft sided coolers for water bottles

Water Bottles with a wide mouth

Over the door shoe holder for the bathroom door to hold all those odd small things you won’t know where to put. Like sunscreen, toothpaste tubes, camera batteries, MP3 player earphones etc.

Quart sized baggies if you need very cold water on shore I use them to carry ice so must be the double seal type

Shower cap if you don’t wash your hair every time

Make up mirror

Some ships have them but they are only for tall folks about 5foot 9 and up

Laundry bag type that hangs so you can hang it behind the door and be done.

Highlighter pens, possibly one colour for each member of the family

When you read the daily “what to do sheet” you can mark who wants to do what, at what time and know at a glance

Lysol spray and once you are in your cabin spray the door handles and phone and TV control lightly. Hey they have different folks every week in that cabin just be a bit cautious and you will be fine. You only have to do it the first day and you are done

Once you are on the ship the only thing you have to do, is the lifeboat drill, everything else is optional.

Relax and have fun. DO the stuff you want to do and don’t hassle if you miss something.

When you fill your water bottle don’t do it from the spout, fill a glass and then use that otherwise you have actually done the same thing as putting your mouth over the spout. The cruise lines really don’t mind washing the extra glasses but you will be glad not to get sick from someone who didn’t use a glass as much as they don’t want your germs

Use the hand sanitizers and wash your hands often. Hey there are thousands of folks on that ship and if one is sick you don’t want what they got and chances are someone is sick that is just the way the numbers go.

Think of going to the mall. You don’t eat after running your hands on the escalator rails do you?

That said the cruise should be a breeze and a wonderful healthy time.

They have water, tea Hot and cold, coffee, lemonade and hot chocolate available 24/7

 Usually there is pizza and maybe sandwiches available 24/7 and on some ships soft serve ice-cream is also available 24/7 other ships it is at certain times

And that is apart from room service

 They have room safes on Carnival it is a good idea to take an old gift card and use it as the lock you just need something with a magnetic strip they suggest you use your driver license but I like to lock mine up in there along with my purse as, as it is a cashless society and your room card is your key and cash card you don’t need it except for video games. On RCL they have a code so you don’t need the card.

If you drink soda’s buy the drink package as soon as possible and you are set, if you don’t drink lots of them, them don’t bother but know they are way expensive.

If possible don’t expect the kids to eat with you they usually have a basketball tournament or something they are itching to do so if they are young take them to the buffet before you go eat and drop them off at the kids club. If they are teen let then find their own food at the buffet or eat Pizza. Most male teens eat pizza and burgers all week and think they have died and gone to heaven hey it’s only one week.

This way you get to eat in peace and they get to play and eat on the run.

 The first day we usually roam the ship and try find certain things. Dining room, theatre, for me the shops, different lounges as, as we don’t do a lot of sunbathing we are looking for quiet spots to chill later in the week. If you sunbathe and don’t have small kids go find the adult only pool and that is where you probably want to be.

Roam the main deck inside with dining rooms and theatres and such and then up to the pool deck and the one above and see what is to be seen. If you have kids find the kid centre and check it out.

WE love the shows and they usually have 2 shows an evening so pick which suits you and enjoy. There is usually a large variety that appeals to most folks