Packing Useful Items for a Cruise

I always have a packing list that changes, depending on the temperature of our destination. I now realize I should also create a Cruise Packing List so that I won’t wonder where or when I can get some of these useful items. List is not in order of importance.

• Badge holder – The badge card is for cabin access, purchases onboard (no money can be used on ship), and for departing/returning to the ship. Good thing about the holder is that you don’t have to keep trying to figure out where to put the card. It can go around your neck, or be the kind with a clip that attaches to a shirt or collar if you don’t like things around your neck.

• Pouch for money, etc – This is handy for putting items (passport, money, etc) in the safe so they can be found when you need them. I use “cosmetic type zipper bags” one for me and one for Steve.

• Highlighter – handy to use for the daily bulletin so you can easily see what you want to do for the day.

• Flashlight – We usually reserve an inside cabin, always dark without the window. Best kind is a windup type so don’t have to worry about charging batteries.

• Portable clothesline or string – Sometimes there is one in the shower but an extra one comes in handy. We never use expensive cruise laundry service and handwash so we don’t have to bring a lot with us.

• Empty bottles and food container with lid – Usually there is a mini-fridge in the cabin so you can keep items cold. This trip we kept some one-third and one-half liter bottles of juice we bought on shore and filled the empty bottles with water and juice at breakfast so we could have a cold drink whenever we wanted. Container came in handy, too. Ask the room steward to empty the mini fridge (they charge for items in there) so you can use it for keeping water and juice cold. Leave the bottles and container in the cabin when you depart. No reason to pack them.

• Bottle holder – Useful when carrying your water bottle while off the ship.

• Shampoo/Conditioner – Unless you’re a big fan of the stuff they provide, you’ll want your own.

• Ginger gum –We wear wristbands when we fly (when sea is rough, too) and found that the gum can help, too. Some people get the patches but unfortunately they are expensive.

• Throat lozenges – With all of the sickness and dryness on the ship, they are good to have. Sometimes you can buy them in the ship’s store, but cost more than at home and limited choices.

• Hand lotion – You’ll use a lot of hand sanitizer on the ship (available everywhere in dispensers) that dry out your hands, though there are sanitizers you can bring that don’t use alcohol. I bring lotion I like.

• Pens – I bring cheap ones so it doesn’t matter if I lose them.

• Zippy bags – Different sizes that always come in handy.

• Snacks – We usually get some crackers that we can have in the room. Helps avoid eating too many cookies and desserts. Have to make sure they are prepackaged so you can bring them on the ship.

• Personal headsets or earphones – Useful if you are going on a tour that provides headset systems or on a Hop On Hop Off bus. Much more sanitary than using ones that are provided for you.

      

Shore Excursions or On Your Own

Ship sponsored shore excursions are usually expensive, but might, at times, be the best way to see something at a port stop. If you aren’t the adventurous type, then best to use them. They’ll get you into places and you won’t have to THINK at all.

There are private companies that offer the same itineraries at a lower price that can be found by checking online. We did that when we were the Alaska cruise in Skagway. Wanted to see the Mendenhall Glacier. Ship excursion included the bus to Mendenhall, admission to the visitor center, and about 45 minutes to spend there for more than twice what we spent using a local company. We also had more time to spend at the glacier area.

For this trip, I checked with NCL about the locations where the ship would dock so I’d know if we could visit places “on our own.” Only the stop for Stockholm made it necessary to use the ship’s bus to get into the city. We could have taken a local train but that could be problematic if there was any trouble with the schedule for the return ride to where our ship was anchored.

Another consideration is if a visa might be needed at a port stop. Without it, you can go on a ship-sponsored shore excursion or sometimes one sponsored by a local company. (Always check in advance if that is possible because you can save money.) For St. Petersburg, we decided to get visas because we were there two years ago. I checked about private guides but even those were costly and we didn’t know were we wanted to go. Worked out well for us because we like taking the Metro (subway) and walking around on our own. I wouldn’t have been very happy having to stay on the ship for the two days in port. People who did not get visas could leave the ship only with guides.

The Hop On Hop Off buses are a good means of transportation and information about a place never visited. Often they pick up right at the dock and return there in plenty of time to meet the deadline for reboarding. Included are narrated tours in multiple languages. They provide headsets, but we use our own. It amazes me that everyone is so concerned with hand sanitization, but not with germs that can be spread by using those headsets. Important when using those buses is to find out the time the full tour takes and then figure out where you want to stop to see. Buses arrive at stops about every 30-45 minutes (some cities with more buses may run more often)  so you have to figure that into your time. Most important is the stop where you will get on for the return to the dock. Don’t want to be late or the ship WILL LEAVE without you.

There often are local trains, trolley, buses that can be used for getting around. That works ok if you have the time to figure it out in advance of the trip so you don’t waste time when you are visiting a place. Problem with that is that they aren’t always easy to deal with if in a language you don’t know, or you have to use an unfamiliar currency.

June 4 and 5 -- Travel Day and the Ride Home

Up early because we had to disembark before 8:30 to get to the shuttle bus for Heathrow. Breakfast at Garden Cafe wasn't as crowded as I expected. I don't like to eat too much on a day we fly so had small amount. No special-order omelets so Steve had to settle for scrambled eggs. 

We decided to leave the special NCL tags off our suitcases so we could disembark whenever we wanted. Was very quick and uneventful. They had told us to have passports available but no one checked them. On the way to airport, bus driver stopped on shoulder of road to open top hatches for air. We think the bus might have been overheating but not sure. When we arrived at Heathrow, went to kiosk to do check in. Directions told us to go to Bag Drop, so we did as were told. When we got there, the woman said we couldn't drop off the bags until 3 hours before the flight. (We were there 4½ hours before, due to time we had to take shuttle bus. Not much to do, so I bought some cappuccino and we sat down to wait. Had interesting conversation with a couple from Ireland who were on their way to Seattle for an Alaska cruise.  Finally were able to drop off the bags and go through security. I was amazed how quick it was with neither of us having to go through any special screening. Didn't even have to take off our shoes. Once in the terminal we knew it would be at least 1½ hours until we knew which gate, so we went to a store to get lunch (sandwich, yogurt/granola, and a smoothie) and found a place to sit and eat. Went into a couple of stores and then saw the gate number on the board. We were in Terminal A and had to go to Terminal B, taking an elevator down and then the train connection. Took about 15 minutes and we arrived at our gate to wait again. Plane left on time.  We both had aisle seats so I didn't have to climb over Steve everytime I wanted to go to the toilet. Talked with the two girls sitting next to me about their home (Tallinn, which we visited on our trip) and their plans for their time in the U.S. One of them is a manager for Southwestern Publishing so they were going to Nashville for a sales meeting. After that, going to Oregon for work. Watched a few movies, too.


When we arrived at Newark Airport, we had to go to baggage claim, one of the reasons I don't like to check a bag.
Took quite awhile for our bags to arrive. Not surprisingly, their was more damage to mine, this time the handle that pulls out for wheeling the suitcase. Steve is going to check it out so maybe he can fix it. This suitcase has traveled with me to many places in the world and has been very dependable. Hopefully, it will join me for future trips.


Walked outside into the hot, sultry temperature. Waited a short time for hotel shuttle and then checked in for the night. The room seems SO BIG, compared to the cabin. Comfy bed and had a good night's sleep.


Breakfast at the hotel was very good. They've made some changes since the last time we were there. Now they make simple omelets instead of hard boiled eggs. Also people can make waffles. Toaster is there for the bread and bagels, too. Cereals (hot and cold), fruit, juice, danish, bacon. Plenty for anyone to eat.


We left about 9:30 and  decided to head straight home. Stopped at Sloatsburg for a pitstop and continued on to Ellenville. 


Once home, unpacked and picked up Sean. Missed him a lot while we were away. He was stinky from the kennel and heat/humidity so bath time was necessary. Steve had to put in the air conditioner in the bedroom because it was over 80 degrees in the room. Cooled the room very well after many hours. Happy we bought it just before we left on our trip. 


Now... back to normal...
 

NCL Sun – June 3 – Last Day of Cruise At Sea

We didn’t receive the Freestyle Daily so I had no idea, in advance, what was scheduled for today. As I walked out of the cabin to go to Reception to get a copy, I saw the cabin stewards and asked for a copy. Only morning program that I wanted to attend was the Disembarkation Talk at 10:30. Went to breakfast shortly after 10 with enough time to get to Talk. Steve went back to cabin since it wasn’t necessary for both of us to attend. A man sitting next to me mentioned that his flight for tomorrow had been changed to an earlier one. Only reason he knew about it was a communication (email, I think) from a friend. He’s also with the Grand Circle group. I’m surprised he hadn’t been contacted by Grand Circle. Maybe he will hear from them later today. Talk was informative but nothing all that new for me. Cruise Director Pedro told the same jokes we heard on our previous cruises. They must all get the same script.

Back to the cabin. Steve contacted tenor Alberto Sanchez about getting together this afternoon. After lunch, stopped by the t-shirt sale table and bought one. (Good for me that I didn’t buy more!) Met with Alberto so Steve could share some of his music files with him, including some new English translations Steve did of Italian songs Alberto performs. Had an interesting conversation with him, with an invitation to visit us when he’s back in NY.

Picked up a copy of our bill so I could check it over for accuracy. No errors so nothing to do with it. Steve gave them our credit card info so it will be billed later.

Ate dinner with two women, one from UK and other from Australia. There are passengers on the cruise from many different countries.

Attend Crew Show which was very entertaining. I always enjoy the show, especially with some very talented crew members. After that, watched the magician do some card tricks. I was very tired so almost fell asleep, not the fault of the show at all. Last show was a performance of Spanish dancers. Many costume changes and great dancing.

Back to the cabin to pack. It was a challenge to get everything into my suitcase. I’ll have to carry my heavy fleece and rain coat, but that’s ok. All else fit in either the suitcase or my backpack. We’re planning to check our bags.

NCL Sun – June 2 – At Sea

Nice not to get up early with anything specific scheduled for the morning. Ate an orange (handy mini fridge), but decided to go to Garden Café after 10 (opened until 10:30) to get some juice. Steve got breakfast so I did, too, though very light. As we often do, I asked someone sitting at a table for four if anyone else was sitting there. (Many tables are not filled with people so sharing makes sense. Just have to ask.) She indicated there were two empty places so we sat with a woman and her husband, talking about cruising and other travel.

Back to cabin to relax and then a small lunch after 2. Wandered through the store (nothing purchased) to use up time until we went to “Afternoon at the Opera” with Alberto Sanchez. Very talented tenor (from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn) who has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Chicago Opera House, and New York Opera House.

Went to Reception to get preliminary copy of our bill (always like to check it before the end of the cruise) and asked about the shuttle from Dover to Heathrow. Seems that there will be signs on the buses indicating which shuttle we take. We’re planning to take our bags with us, not choosing to leave them outside our cabin the night before departure. I prefer that so I don’t have to plan for what I’ll need the last morning and don’t want to have to “claim” my bag from a large number of bags after leaving the ship.

On the cabin door was an envelope with luggage tags for departure and a letter about the transfer program. It mentioned something about an “orange paper” included with the envelope, but none was there. Steve said maybe it would be delivered with tomorrow’s Daily. Makes sense.

Attended the early “Encore” show, with music from a variety of musicals. Very talented performers from the Jean Ryan group. At the end of the show, the traditional “parade” of crew members came to the stage for us to applaud them for their hard work.

Went to Four Seasons restaurant for dinner for the first time on the cruise. Food was good, but in my opinion the service is better in Seven Seas.

When we returned to the cabin, the Freestyle Daily wasn’t in our room nor any towel animal. (This cruise they haven’t given us very many of them.) I called Reception to ask about the Daily and was told they were not available yet but would be delivered to the cabin later.

NCL Sun – June 1 – Stockholm, Sweden

Early breakfast and then back to cabin to get ready for day out in Stockholm. Our “Stockholm on Your Own” excursion tickets indicated that we had to meet in the Stardust Lounge at 8:30. We arrived at 8:20 as they announced we could leave, get excursion stickers (#15 for us) and go to tender departure location. Cabin cards scanned and then onto the tender for the short ride to shore. Buses were lined up nearby on Nynashamn dock so we boarded and waited for departure. Ride was less than an hour. We were dropped off in the city near a large department store. (That one did not have free toilets.) The stop for Hop On Hop Off bus was not too far away so we walked there and waited about 15 minutes for its arrival. Used discount coupon and were able to pay in Euros even though the currency is Swedish krona. We rode two stops on the Blue Line to the Vasa Museum , a recommended place to visit. Narrow road with little room for the bus to get through, but did drop us quite close to the museum. Impressive sight of the Vasa, a ship that sank August 10, 1628, in Stockholm harbor while on its maiden voyage. The wreck was salvaged 333 years later and reconstructed (95% original) for display in the museum. There are many interesting exhibits in the museum about the ship and Swedish history. We left after seeing about half of the exhibits and walked outside to check if the bus was there yet. There were many tour buses lined up along the curb so we couldn’t figure out if the bus would be able to get through. We walked down the hill and saw the bus coming so began to walk back to the stop but didn’t see the bus coming so looked back and saw that the driver was letting passengers off down there. Got on and the driver backed up to turn around and avoid having to go through all the traffic. As we rode, we didn’t hear much with the headphone sound system, but enjoyed the ride. Stopped at the place where can change to yellow line, but decided to walk across the bridge to see the outside of the Royal Palace and then walked back, intending to get back on a Blue Line bus. There was a Yellow bus there so Steve asked how long that ride would take, knowing we had less than 2 hours left of our time until we had to be at departure location. It was about an hour so we got on the bus to ride for the tour. Got off at Stop #10 and walked back to where we had to meet the Excursion bus. Stop in Pizza Hut for (free) toilet and a store to buy sandwiches and drink for lunch. Ate it while waiting with others for the bus. We rode on a comfy double decker bus back to the port. I talked with a crew member who works in the Kids Program on the ship. Interesting.

When we arrived back at the Nynashamn dock, we had to hand our passports to Swedish officials who looked at them and stamped them with the Swedish stamp. Not sure why they did this but think it might be because it’s our last port stop before arriving back in Dover.

There was a “special $10 sale” going on so we went to check it out. Very crowded as if they were giving stuff away. People pushing and acting as if they were getting such a great deal. (CHEAP watches, handbags, sunglasses, scarves, ties, jewelry) Got out of there very quickly. Crazy place!

When we arrived at Seven Seas, we were asked if we’d were willing to share a table. Yes, of course. Joined other people who were from Germany, UK, and Ft. Myers, Florida. Enjoyed our conversations.

Too late to go to early show so went back to cabin. Got camera out of safe and went to see vaudeville entertainer Richard Gauntlet. He was very funny and entertaining. Left there to go to Chocoholic Buffet at Four Seasons restaurant. We arrive about 10 minutes early but they were already open for guests. (No lines at all.) Ice sculptures but no chocolate ones. Lots of chocolate desserts but not as tasty as I wanted. Some people were piling their plates (they handed out large dinner plates) as if they never ate any desserts before. When we left there were long lines of people waiting to get in.

Back in cabin, watched a movie and went to bed later than usual, knowing I didn’t have to get up early as we will be at sea tomorrow.

NCL Sun – May 31 – Helsinki, Finland

After breakfast, we organized for our day in Helsinki. Never totally sure about the temperature and whether or not it will rain so I took my umbrella and wore light fleece with long light jacket (with hood) that’s good if it’s windy or rains. Wore a hat for sun. As we left the ship, it felt warm so I put the fleece in my small backpack with most items from my pockets. We took the #16 bus from the port to the city center and looked for the Hop On Hop Off bus and found Stop #1 at Senate Square. (Used our discount coupons that we had from the Copenhagen bus.) Realized then that we could have ridden on it right from the port stop, but hadn’t known at the time because it was a different bus company logo. Oh, well. Rode to a stop and walked uphill to the Temppeliaukio Church, carved out of solid rock. The acoustics were amazing as we heard a pianist performing. After taking lots of pics and video, we walked downhill to find the next bus stop. Continued the tour as we listened to information about points of interest and some Helsinki history. Stopped back at Senate Square and walked to nearby City Hall to use their very clean FREE toilets. Strolled through the large market nearby, buying a few items. Time to head back to Senate Square to catch next bus back to the dock.

Hungry when we arrived back so ordered room service. (No food while we were out.) Went to early show to see talented musician Andy Buenger. He plays the marimba, Romanian panpipes, Hawaiian steel guitar, drums, saxophone, and trumpet. The NCL musicians performed with him. We left the performance as soon as he was done and headed to Dazzles so we could be there to listen to Bob Arno’s session “Thoughts & Theory on Thwarting Thieves,” that was well attended. Nothing new for us but a confirmation that we are not easy targets for thieves.

Earlier bedtime than usual because we are supposed to be ready to go ashore about 8:30 for the ride to Stockholm tomorrow morning.