Monday, October 25, 2010

Packing List

Packing List- This includes slight input from myself but mostly thanks to Chrissy for putting this together!

Clothing
  • Casual wear for 4 days
  • Pair of clothes for travel on the 13th- Many just wear the same outfit they traveled to Miami in. Remember that you may have gained weight over the four day cruise from all of the eating so pack for comfort!
  • An outfit for Formal night in the dining room. According to the Carnival Website, the following is allowed for the Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: “Ladies - Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you‘d like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too! Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, gym shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.”
  • Dinner wear for 3 non-formal nights in the dining room that are business casual. According to the Carnival website, the following is allowed for the Cruise Casual Dining Dress Code: “Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses, Capri pants, dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs). Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men and baseball hats. For those who want casual attire for dinner time, the Lido Restaurant is open nightly, and has a more relaxed theme. However, shirts and shoes/footwear (flip-flops) must be worn at all times inside the Lido Restaurant.”
  • Themed outfits - try to use outfits you can wear at other points in the trip (ex. use your masquerade outfit for the formal dining night)...no one will notice or cares if you wear the same outfit for more than one occasion.
  • Workout clothes - in case you decide to use the you decide to you the gym facilities aboard
  • Dress shoes. I suggest a versatile pair that can go with your formal wear, as well as your outfits for the other dinner nights. Also remember that the ship is a moving object so high heels are probably not very practical. it would be very easy to roll an ankle.
  • Pajamas
  • Sweater, shawl, or wrap. It can get windy on the ship and the air conditioning tends to be cold in places like the dining room.
  • Flip flops
  • Bathing suit/coverup- Many recommend that you take 2 because one may not dry overnight.
  • Tennis shoes and socks. This is more if you will be doing any excursions/shopping that includes a lot of walking/hiking/climbing. Also good in case you would like to use the gym facilities on board.
  • Under garments - bras and underwear. Some cruisers like to take their worn undergarments so that when they are done with them they can just toss them at the end of the cruise and not have to worry about packing them for the trip home. This allows for more room for souvenirs on their return trip.

Accessories
  • Accessories/jewelry. Again, versatility is the key.
  • Sunglasses
  • Reading glasses/Contacts/Contact Supplies
  • Hair ties and hair accessories- It gets very windy so bring a lot of these!
  • Sun hat, but make sure it fits tight or ties on...it can be windy when your ship is moving.
  • Ear plugs, it helps with blocking out the folks who forget how much voices travel down the hall at 3 am.
  • Cheap rain ponchos or small umbrella- Always bring along when in port, even if it is sunny when you leave the ship. The weather can change very quickly especially in the Caribbean.
  • A waterproof case, that will go around your neck and will hold your ID, cruise card, credit card etc. while swimming/snorkeling in port.
  • Money belt for excursions – these are often worn under the clothes to prevent your items from being noticed and stolen
  • Lanyard - some people punch a whole in their Sign and Sail card and wear it on a lanyard for easy carrying and access
  • Little purse/bag to carry around ship and to dinner
  • Beach bag/tote- For excursions or carrying home souvenirs on your return trip
  • Watch - wear around the ship and during excursions

Personal Care
  • Makeup - Makeup remover, eye shadow, mascara, powder, blush, lipstick/lip gloss, chap stick, cotton balls, cotton swabs
  • First Aid Kit – There is a nurse on board but it can’t hurt to throw in some of the basics such aspirin, bandaids, anti-nausea medicine, seasickness remedy
  • Medication
  • Hair care - shampoo, conditioner (cruise will supply both but hotel quality), hair spray, brush or comb, hair dryer (there will be one in the room but some prefer their own), curling iron, hair straightener
  • Dental Care - toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, mouth wash, gum/mints
  • Feminine products
  • Safety pins
  • Lotion/Moisturizer
  • Perfume
  • Deodorant
  • Sunscreen - Bring more sunscreen than you think you will need and a higher SPF. If you are from a northern climate you'll be surprised how fast you burn in the Caribbean sun. Spray on is worth the extra money because you have to re-apply it often. it may be good to have a small travel size in your carry on and a regular size in your checked luggage.
  • Aloe Vera - in case you do happen to get a sun burn
  • Soap or body wash - will supply soap in the room but is of hotel quality
  • Antibacterial spray or wipes - some like to disinfect their state room upon entering- though they have plenty of this located around the ship.
  • Razor
  • Shaving cream
  • Manicure set
  • Bug spray - some excursions may be swarming with mosquitos (I’ve heard particularly the Mayan Ruins and things of that nature...)
  • Laundry Care- I never do laundry on board, but the facilities are available. Maybe a better option is a tide pen or shout wipes.

Electronics
  • Travel speakers - jam to favorite tunes on iPod while getting ready in cabin
  • Walkie talkies - keep in touch with those in your party to set up meeting times, etc.
  • Travel clock (there is no clock in the state room) - because of the limited amount of outlets, probably battery operated, with extra batteries
  • Small flashlight or nightlight (the staterooms, especially interior cabins can be extremely dark at night)
  • Camera and camera supplies (batteries, battery charger, extra memory cards, USB cord if downloading while on the trip)
  • Waterproof camera (you can get cheap disposable ones at wal-mart but get before the trip as they are cheaper)
  • Video camera and supplies (batteries, battery charger, extra tapes/memory, USB cord)
  • Laptop and power cord
  • Personal DVD player - some need this to sleep. others just like having it to watch.
  • iPod with charger and earphones
  • Personal gaming device (i.e. Nintendo D.S.) for beach and flights
  • Cell phone and charger - if you will be using your cell phone aboard the ship
  • Plug adaptors if from outside of the United States

Documents/Don’t Leave Home Without
  • Money including small bills ($1) for extra tipping not included in the cruise price
  • Credit card or debit card
  • Traveler’s checks
  • Travel documents/tickets-
  • Flight confirmation
  • Hotel conformation
  • Cruise/Rose Tours conformation
  • Car rental conformation (if applicable)
  • Acoustic Show Tickets (if applicable)
  • Beach Party confirmation (if applicable)
  • Travel Insurance documentation (if applicable)
  • Passport or certified birth certificate and license
  • Maps/Directions in Miami- if you may be renting a car
  • Copies of travel documents – If you want to be super safe, one to keep in safe and the other to give to someone back home
  • Contact info for travel mates
  • House and car keys

Helpful for Excursion/Flight/Socializing on Ship
  • Books/magazines/puzzle books for beach and flights
  • Notebook and pen (jot down the names of your dinner mates, waiter, bartender, room steward, new friends, etc. jot down memories of the trip as they happen)
  • Highlighter - to mark the events you would like to do in “The Fun Times”
  • Post its or small dry erase board (with either pen or dry erase markers depending on what you decide to bring) - leave notes on your door for friends or on friends doors to set up meeting times/places
  • $3 blow up water float - perfect for those beach days (instead of paying $10-15 to rent one)
  • Travel dictionary for foreign languages - may want to use in Cozumel or if you are coming from another country and need an English dictionary
  • Business cards - to exchange contact information with your new friends
  • You don't need to pack beach towels - they are provided. You can take the beach towels off the ship for excursions but you much bring them back or else you will be charged.

Drink Related
  • Insulated mug or water bottle (the glasses on board are small. this will allow you to also keep your drinks colder throughout day)
  • Wine/champagne - Guests, 21 years of age and older, may bring one bottle (750ml) of wine or champagne, per person, only in their carry-on luggage.
  • Corkscrew- If you bring wine, bring a cheap corkscrew to open the bottle. Otherwise you will have to pay a corkage fee.
  • Crystal Light/Koolaid packets - some people are very particular about the taste of their tap water so they like to have these. The water is perfectly safe to drink aboard the ship.
  • Carry on non-alcoholic beverages (i.e. soda, water, juice)

BSB Related
  • Door decoration materials- scissors, tape, glue, tape measure, ruler, decorations itself
  • CDs or music on iPod
  • Something that you wouldn’t mind being autographed and a sharpie

Other
  • Duct tape or sports tape - luggage repair, securing luggage, easy to spot luggage if wrapped around handle, serve as luggage tag and strap, easy to tear by hand, repairs in cabin until help arrives, keep sun out by taping curtains, tape an unraveling hem, secure lids, secure drawers when ship is rolling, instead of taking a whole role, teach a few strips and put on the inside of your luggage...remove when needed
  • Cable ties to secure luggage
  • Air freshener for bathroom - the bathroom is small and you are in cramped quarters for 4 days. The toilet is also known to clog up frequently.
  • Ziploc bags - various uses: wet clothes, liquid containers, etc.
  • Small pair of binoculars - use while on nature based excursions, when coming into ports, etc.

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