Don't forget to make sure you have everything you need or need to do before you leave!

Safe travels everyone!!...see you all on the Nieuw Amsterdam soon!!!  

Odyn:

You can bring wine and soda on board. If you bring a bottle of wine into the dining room, they will charge you a corkage fee of about $18.

In terms of buying in port, you are correct, it is really at the whim of the crew when you board.  OUr experience has been that if the bottles are boxed and placed on the belt, they hold them until the last night of our cruise.  However, on a couple of occassions we have had a bottle or two in our backpack and they haven't said a word. But we have seen people have to take bottles out of bags and backpacks and give them up so it just depends on the crew.  I know that doesn't help much but that is what we have experienced.

Steph

As always Sleddog, you do us all a lot of good! Thanks so much for the List!

If someone could help us out, we have been on two Olivia cruises before (both on HAL) and have observed different procedures. We have been advised you can take wine on board to consume in the cabin, but can you take soda on board for the same purpose?  Also, when we stopped at one of the Islands, we watched as alcohol purchased at the duty free store was allowed to be taken back to the cabin for use during the remainder of the cruise. Is this allowed or just the whim of the crew working the gangway?

We would like to add these items to "our list"  Thanks!

absolutely!

or...i read the part that says "not that everything is needed!"

good to see you poking your head in Eileen...we miss you!!!

Here ya go Ruth...

Cruise Packing List…not that everything is needed…but some good reminders…and feel free to add anything not listed!

Travel Documents and Identification

3 copies of airline tickets, cruise tickets, passports/visas, itinerary - pack 1 copy in carry on, pack 1 in checked luggage and leave one with someone at home

Airline tickets or e-ticket confirmation (pack in carry on bag)

Another picture id - if you don't take a driver's license

Contact numbers to report lost/stolen credit cards

Copy of prescriptions and list of all medicines you are taking

Credit cards - be sure to call credit card companies before traveling to alert them you are traveling outside your normal area

Cruise documents (pack in carry on bag)

Driver's license and auto insurance card - in case you decide to rent a car when ashore

Emergency numbers at home

Medical insurance cards and medical history (especially if traveling solo), travel and health insurance information

Passports, visas (if needed) or proof of citizenship (pack in carry on bag)

Clothing

Baseball cap, Hat, or Sun Visor

Belt(s)

Bras, Sports Bras, Underwear

Casual Shirts / Dressy Shirts / T-Shirts

Exercise / Workout Clothes

Jeans / Slacks / Capris / Khakis / Dressy Pants / Shorts

Light Jacket or Windbreaker Jacket (for cool nights outdoors on the ship)

Outfits for Formal Night and Theme Nights

Pajamas, Lingerie, Nightgown, Robe (some ships have robes)

Shoes, Sneakers, Casual Shoes, Dress Shoes, Water Shoes, Flip Flops

Swim Suit / Board Shorts

Workout/Exercise Clothes

Socks

Toiletries

Blow Dryer (some prefer their own to the ones on the ship)

Brush / Comb

Hair Gel / Mousse

Curling Iron

Deodorant

Feminine Supplies

Make-up

Nail Clippers / File

Nail Polish / Remover

Razor and shaving cream

Toothbrush / Toothpaste / Floss

Tweezers

Miscellaneous Items

Watch

Binoculars

Bug spray (for mosquitoes ashore)

Business cards with email address to give out to new cruise friends

Cash in $20, $10, $5 and $1 denominations

Cell Phone and charger

Corkscrew (if bringing wine, pack in checked luggage)

Currency conversion chart  (if needed)

Empty folding tote bag (for souvenirs)

Extra luggage name tags (in case yours are lost on the outbound trip)

Glasses, sunglasses, reading sunglasses, contact lens (also cleaner and case)

Guidebooks and other port of call information, maps

Home and email addresses of friends/relatives back home - for sending postcards, emails

Insulated large coffee mugs

Prescription drugs and essential medications (in carry on bag)

Reading material - to read while on the plane or lounging by the pool or on the beach

Small first aid kit

Small flashlight

Small sewing kit

Small travel alarm clock

Small umbrella

Sports gear (e.g. snorkeling gear)

Sun screen/sun block and lip sun block

Seasickness pills  (if needed)

Travel pillow for airplane flights

Zip loc bags of all sizes

Door Decorations (if doing that)

Photography & Electronic Equipment

Camera, Video Camera

Card Reader, External Hard Drive

Extension cord/power strip with multiple plug-ins

Extra batteries and/or battery charger

Extra film or memory card sticks or video tape

Extra Lenses

Laptop, ipad (to upload and view photos)

MP3 Player, ipod

Tripod or Monopod

Before You Leave Home

Make sure pets are taken care of

Have the post office hold your mail

Pay all bills that will be due while gone

Stop your newspaper delivery, or have a friend or neighbor take them in for you

Light timers at home or have some one check in.

And make sure you empty the garbage!