Any last minute packing tips?

Yeah!
Lay everything out you're going to pack--then put half of it away; should come out just about right.

quote:

Originally posted by f-mattox:
Yeah!
Lay everything out you're going to pack--then put half of it away; should come out just about right.

The best advice I have heard!!!!

If you have a balcony, don't forget the bungee cord!!! You will appreciate it

f-mattox,

I would have to say that is the best advice I have seen on here about packing

Bungee Cord? I missed that tip...what for?

Or do you use it to "bungee" off the balcony? If so, no thanks...

Go Cats.

Personally, I do just the opposite. I look like Cleopatra headed for the Nile!! I visualize what I will be wearing every day as I make my list so that I don't forget those ever precious accessories. (of course I have a husband and 2 strong teenage sons to handle all that luggage)

Don't forget the extention cord, since the cabin only has one electrical outlet.

Happy Cruising!!

bring ziploc bags. order room service before u go on your excursion and pack sandwiches in the little baggies. this way you dont have to pay for food on land because you know they charge you an arm and a leg in those tourist areas

quote:

Originally posted by 17andacruiseaddict:
bring ziploc bags. order room service before u go on your excursion and pack sandwiches in the little baggies. this way you dont have to pay for food on land because you know they charge you an arm and a leg in those tourist areas

I can't believe I have never thought of that! Great idea.

Ditto! Why did that not ever occur to me?
Right on, 17!!

I am just guessing here.

But maybe your brain over-ruled your stomach and decided not to mix room temperature food with hours in 90 degree heat and Mexico water?

Just a thought

Of course you'd have to be careful about the order, but how about bringing along some ice in another baggie to keep things cool?

I know a lot of people think mayonnaise primarily spoils by not being refrigerated - but I read an article last summer that said there is enough acid in mayo to retard spoilage for a good while at room temperature. The report said people who claim they got sick from bad mayo actually got sick from the other ingredients in the sandwich/salad/whatever - such as improperly cleaned lettuce.

quote:

bring ziploc bags. order room service before u go on your excursion and pack sandwiches in the little baggies. this way you dont have to pay for food on land because you know they charge you an arm and a leg in those tourist areas

WOW What a Brain On this Girl Excelent Idea.

Order the Sandwiches Dry and get Mayo or mustard Packs from the Buffet room. and while your there grab some fruit and cookies.
17 you my dear are a genious (sp)

Please reconsider this choice. Only factory sealed foods should ever be removed from the ship. (cereal, chips)

You won't get stopped (because they don't xray your bag leaving the ship) but ports ask that you not bring foods off the ship (especially fruits and vegetables) that are not factory sealed to prevent any microbes coming into the port that they do not want.

I don't begin to understand the world of "risks" where food is concerned, but apparently things that we don't even think of can be harmful to these islands. I am sure they have a reason for their restrictions.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Beers:
Of course you'd have to be careful about the order, but how about bringing along some ice in another baggie to keep things cool?

A baggie of ice?

It would prolly work on the Alaska Cruises. It would most certainly result in a soggy Backpack on most Carribean Cruises.

yeah i know its a good idea, we only thought of it last year though. coulda saved money on previous cruises. yeah i think we did ask for little packets of mustard and mayo on the side, cuz it makes the sanwich soggy and thats nasty.
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people people, stop being such worry warts. have you every taken sandwiches to the beach? went on a picnic? its the same thing. and we bring bottled water from the ship. whats not safe about that? i dont get it? well im not dead yet

I believe the rules are for unprocessed fruit and plants - because they may have diseases which could spread to the local crops. I've never been told or otherwise read that a ham sandwich was forbidden.

lol "the forbidden ham sandwich"

quote:

Originally posted by 17andacruiseaddict:
lol "the forbidden ham sandwich"

That was some great idea to bring room service food on picnic. I will do that next time.

But I have some other advise for the packers. Assuming you are going with at least 1 friend, put at least one outfit in each others bag. Airlines and Ships have on ocassion lost luggage and this way you have at least 1 thing to wear.

And put a copy of your passport (the photo page) in your luggage. If your passport gets lost it really helps with the embassys. I know, my wife was robbed in Paris France and had her copy, made it much easier and so simple a thing.

Also I like to bring formal wear. Tux and Kilt. I don't get much opportunity to really dress up to the nines. It is fun, good pictures of you all dressed up. Try it, you'll be glad your dressed for at least one formal night.

I suggest that when you pack you put everything in plastic or ziplock bags so nothing gets ruined. Your luggage might be dropped on a wet tarp or worse dropped in the ocean at the pier accidently while it's being loaded. (I've seen this happen.) You could also pack everything is a large trash bag and then place it in your suitcase if you want to do a bulk packing, but still trying to protect your belongs.

Listen to CruiseDad on having a copy of your passport. My wife unknowingly packed my passport in our luggage. OK...I didn;t have it where it was supposed to be! Anyway, I had a copy in my wallet and went right through Customs without a hitch. Could have been much worse having to unpack everything and look for it not knowing where it was packed.