These ordinary, everyday, five items saved my sanity on our first ever family cruise (with young children). If you are planning on cruising…I highly recommend packing these essentials ->
- Plastic bags for dirty diapers (Tip: we saved up the clear plastic bags from our fruits & veggies are re-purposed them as on-the-go diaper bags. Kept our rooms from getting stinky!).
- Glo sticks as night lights. (Cheap, easyily packable and disposable – plus kids get a new colour every night).
- Baby head-to-toe baby wash as soap and detergent. (Cruise only supplied shampoo so I was happy to have brought a full size bottle of baby soap for our family of five to wash up with. Double-dutied as detergent to wash out soiled clothes).
- Lanyards! (This is my biggest tip! Take lanyards for you and the kids to use. As I found – bikinis don’t have pockets and you will need a place to stash your room key at the pool).
- Post it notes. (Great for leaving notes for your stateroom attendant. Also, for planning out activities. And perfect fo co-ordinating where family members are on ship “Mommy, we are at the pool”.)
Related: my FREE printable of Packing List Family Cruise Vacation – from what to pack for adults to kids to babies – this list is a go-to resource.
Personally, I wish I had known about the lanyards before going…we have tens upon tens at home and could have easily packed one rather than buying (as we did) at the ship shop.
These are very good tips! I love the post it note idea especially!
Great tips especially the Glo Sticks ! Holiday next year ? Won’t forget this little nugget suggestion. Didn’t cross my mind – for some reason. Great Tips !