I Can't Sail Without ...

If you've ever spent some time on the message boards of a travel web site, you know about the packing wars.  That's where the folks who can travel for three weeks with only a small carry-on bag slug it out with the folks who need a few more things to be comfortable.

I did some research on the message boards at Cruise Critic and found the following items mentioned as "must haves" by cruisers:

§  Small amounts of OTC medications you might need/want

§  Small power strip if you’ll be charging lots of electronics (laptop, camera, MP3 player, Kindle, etc.)

§  Small first aid kit (you never know when you’ll need a band-aid)

§  Flashlight (especially if you are in an interior cabin, to find the bathroom at night without turning on the light, or to use if the power goes out)

§  Large (16 – 32 oz) plastic water bottle, to use near the pool (no glass to break and minimizes trips to the beverage fountains)

§  Clothes pins to hang bathing suits to dry

§  Post-it notes to leave messages for cabin steward

§  Small magnets to attach notes or other paper to cabin door

§  Highlighter, to use on daily program so you don’t miss something

§  Binoculars

§  Zip-lock bags (for a multitude of uses)

§  Over-the-door hanging shoe organizer (to keep miscellaneous things neat and tidy)

§  Cheap rain ponchos

§  Playing cards and/or other travel size games

§  Spare pair of glasses

§  Binder clips to hold drapes closed in the morning (for those who like to sleep in)

§  Duct tape (for emergency repairs to just about anything)

§  A couple of safety pins

§  Travel mug (for those who drink lots of coffee)

§  A lanyard for room card (after having the desk punch a hole in the card)

§  Stain stick

What else can you think of?