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Another first time cruiser- looking for packing advice


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Hello All,

My family and extended family (16 total) will be sailing on Allure of the Seas for 7 days in July.  Does anyone have any advice or tips for packing things that you may not have known to pack your first time cruising and now never go without?  

Also, we have 5 girls in one family cabin and want to bring hooks to put on the wall, because I really think they will need them.  I found magnet hooks on Amazon and wanted to know if anyone knows if the walls are metal in the cabin and will I be able to put those hooks up?  Or should I get something different.  I will also be bringing a power strip for their room, because they will all have phones and understand there is not a lot of outlet space.  Is this allowed?

 

And one more random question, will I be able to get bottled coconut water on board the ship?  :)

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Done people swear by the over the door shoe organizer. Others recommends clothes pins to keep the drapes closed. I also recommend conditioner if you use it at home. Extras sunscreen is a good idea, too. 

If you do bring a power strip, make sure that it's in good condition and does NOT have a surge suppressor built in. 

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I haven't done the metal hooks but i have absolutely loved using the 3m command hooks.   They were easy as could be to put up and take down, could go on any wall, didn't damage anything,  and were easy as could be to remove!   We had extra hooks for jackets,  pjs, purses and bathing suits!   Jane

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I like the over-door oversized pocket organizer, the metal clips are great (stick them anywhere and moveable), hi-lighters to keep up with what you want to do from the cruise compass, and I will take post-its to leave notes for other family members or even our cabin steward.  I have a 8-port USB charger that I am taking for all our iPhones, iWatchs, and iPads.  We are doing lanyards this time around as we will have our grands with us and I figure that will be easiest. 

We are sailing of the Oasis in 30-days! 

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I always bring a small shoulder bag so that I can ditch the heavy purse while on board. Also, if you are likely to visit the casino you might want to bring a wrap to throw over your shoulders.  It can get COLD in the casino, especially in the evenings.  I have been coolish in the MDR as well but not as often as in the casino.

In addition to the shoe organizer (which I use for SHOES, BTW), I also bring a collapsible laundry bag to toss the dirty clothes in.

Check your power strip carefully.  As Doc mentioned, it canNOT have a surge protector, which is a bit counter-intuitive.  99.9% of all power strips have a surge protector.  It's hard to find ones without it.  If yours has a surge protector, they WILL confiscate it if they find it.

Yes, the walls are metal so your magnetic hooks will work anywhere in the cabin.

Bottled coconut water....hmmm...can't say that I've ever looked for that.  I haven't seen it before but that doesn't mean it isn't there.  I would count on it NOT being there.

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If you're all charging USB devices, this works really well:. 

Vogek 6-Port USB Charger Desktop Charger Charging Station with Smart Identification Technology https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C6MYZL4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_BPtBP1mXX8Plb

This is what I use as a per strip:

MAKETECH Compact Aluminum 2-Outlet Travel Power Strip with 3 USB Charging Ports (Sliver) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IDH5UBA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_cZBjAQkQXPsXP

It has two outlets and three USB ports. But it is also dual voltage, so with a plug adapter I can use it in the 220 volt outlets or when traveling in Europe. 

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I was never into the magnetic hooks but recently saw how much easier it is to dry clothes with them (vis the line in the shower which is limited and doesn't provide good airflow).

As mentioned, make sure you have a good solution for a power strip - as they will take certain types away.  You can read an explanation at the link below.

I also like to bring some grocery bags for sorting out dirty laundry (especially things which may still be wet when it's time to pack up).  You can also swipe one or two from the stateroom.

http://www.cruisehabit.com/power-strips-why-theyre-not-allowed-ships-and-how-safely-gain-some-extra-outlets

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Thank you all so much!  I can't tell you how much this blog has helped with the cruise planning process!  I have a list going on Amazon and just added a few more things.  I will purchase the usb ports suggested, as well as the shoe holder.  With 5 girls ages 11 to 17 in one cabin, these suggestions will really help!  

Thanks again, I really appreciate all the responses!  We set sail in 24 days and I cannot wait for this vacation!! 

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This may sound obvious but if you plan to use your phone by your bed (in my case to read Kindle books at night) bring a long USB extension cord for your phone charger. There might not be an open plug right by your bed.  If you are doing Caribbean shore excursions that involve walking along a wet, rocky area then bring water socks.  You can't get by with flimsy flip flops.  If you are planning to snorkel, invest in your own equipment.  It's not that expensive, it doesn't take up that much room in your suitcase, and you really don't want to use a community snorkel because it's gross. 

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Just got off Oasis. Had an outside balcony cabin.

Power strip: We took one of those basic white or brown interior extension cables (with the 3-plug junction on the end, but no surge suppression). There was a plug on the wall, at almost floor level, right behind the bed frame (bed moved easily to access it). Used it to plug in C-Pap machine, phone charger, and one of those black mini-huricane fans (gotta have that air movement at night).  Set everything on the little table (usually in front of couch) and slept like a baby.

Magnets: Choose your magnets CAREFULLY. All of the magnet hooks have much LESS holding strength than advertised when they are mounted to a wall and the weight is pulling down (shearing force). We took 60 & 80 lbs versions and they were able to hold hangers with wet towels & bathing suits (we took about 8 magnets per cabin). They are a GREAT idea, but be careful where you pack them, because they can "erase" phones, tablets, laptops, or any other electronic memory.

Also we used a small magnet on the door of the closet safe, to pull it open/close. Otherwise, ours did not have any other "handle" to open it. The safe it good size and very easy to use.

Someone earlier (another post) made great suggestion to use clear packing tape to keep all lotions & liquids items closed. My follow-up reminder is to bring something to cut the tape off (scissors smaller than 4"). Nail file will work, but its a pain.

We took small night lights to plug into desk outlet. And they provided just enough light to make the nite time bathroom calls easy and pain-free.

 

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13 minutes ago, FManke said:

This is really storage advice, but, somebody mentioned in a previous thread about storing your empty suitcases under the bed, and using them to store dirty laundry. This frees up valuable closet space. I think this come in handy, with all the girls in one room.

We use that strategy every cruise.

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11 hours ago, FManke said:

This is really storage advice, but, somebody mentioned in a previous thread about storing your empty suitcases under the bed, and using them to store dirty laundry. This frees up valuable closet space. I think this come in handy, with all the girls in one room.

I did this too...but i didn't like getting the suitcase out all the timer.   Instead i also brought a collapsible hamper that didn't take up a ton of space and i would empty it every couple days when it was full.   Jane

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8 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

I did this too...but i didn't like getting the suitcase out all the timer.   Instead i also brought a collapsible hamper that didn't take up a ton of space and i would empty it every couple days when it was full.   Jane

I will be doing the collapsible hamper this time as we will have my 2 granddaughters with us. 

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Just got back from our first cruise on Majesty of the Seas this month, and I can tell you that there are a few things we will be packing on the next voyage:

 - A lint roller. We have a cat that likes to lay in our suitcase while we pack. Enough said.

-Tide-to-go or similar product. Something will get spilled. On you. The ship rocks.

-A wine bottle opener. Can you say corkage fee? If that's not a possibility, make sure the wine you bring on board has screw tops (Plenty of good wines do, don't knock it).

-Personal snorkel gear. 

-A carry on bag or backpack for each of us. (Yeah, we looked classy carrying our wine in Walmart bags) :15_yum:

-Downy (or comparable) wrinkle release spray. Because it takes a while to steam out wrinkles in the shower after being packed for 24 hours, or less, or more. Who's counting?

Obviously, don't forget to pack Tylenol, Benadryl, Seabands or your choice of seasickness remedy, any creams, salves, etc you may need (Sticker shock warning: A tube of Preparation H is $17.25 in the ship's store. Talk about a pain in the...), sunscreen, bugspray, toothpaste, or any other necessities you use regularly.

Oh, and a power strip. Thanks for that tip, everyone.

Bon Voyage!

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