I’ll be going on a carribean cruise in a few days!! It’ll be my first cruise ever and i’ve been binging your videos to prepare. I cant thank you enough for all the things i learned!
We just came home from a ten day cruise on Princess and we wanted to take time to say "Thank You" for all your amazing advice. We purchased several of the items you suggested and they made our trip sooooooo much easier!!! We ordered the hanging toiletry bag, magnets, passport wallet, travel luggage tags and many more items I just can't recall right now. Your knowledge made our trip the best one EVER!!! We can't begin to thank you enough for sharing all this outstanding information with so many people. We will be forever grateful!!!!!
I never thanked you for getting me prepped for my first ever cruise a couple of years ago and now I'm watching your videos again to get ready for our next cruise. Thanks for all you do.
I would love to see a video of what you pack for your husband on a Caribbean cruise? I'm going in April of 2025 and not sure what to pack for my husband. You have helped me know what to pack for me. I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!!!
A few additional items that I bring on cruise is an over the door shoe organizer. We tuck in all our misc items and hang it on the outside of the bathroom door. That way, it’s easy to grab sunscreen, Q-tips, bandaids, etc if other person is in the bathroom. Very light and takes up little room. I also like to bring my elastic clothesline with built in clips. The heavy duty magnet hooks will hold it up and it’s great for drying out any hand wash items. I put one magnet across room on each wall and one in ceiling to hold it up. We pack our own snorkel masks for excursions. This next trip, I plan to p/u a small pump liquid hand soap for our bathroom because I don’t like soggy bars of soap. We arrive in our port destination a day or 2 before boarding, so I can pick up any random items before getting on ship.
Going on the CARNIVAL ELATION next month! My uncle paid for it all, and it's going to be like a family reunion with him, my aunt, Mom and me. Can't wait. I last saw him in March of last year (he drives a bus for a college basketball team) and my aunt back in 2018 (she drives a school bus)! They live way out in Kansas, and we live in North Carolina. We plan to visit some family graves after the cruise. A lot of my Mom's side came from Jacksonville Florida, and I want to document as much as I can, for the next generation. But will be a story for another time...
I leave for a Caribbean cruise at the end of December. From previous experience, you definitely need a pair of long pants and a jacket or sweatshirt. Evenings can be chilly, and you need to take in to account what weather will be like on debarkation. If you sail from Galveston, you might want to pack a lightweight rain jacket or poncho!
Thank you for mentioning OTC medicines. I always have a supply of pain relievers and cold medicine. It does take up some space but is a real bonus to have if you need it.
The pop up hamper lived up to its name! That was funny! Two things I would add to your list are an eyeglass repair kit and a small sewing kit. Both take up only a tiny bit of space, but they are invaluable in the event you need them. We weren’t cruising, but about 13-14 years ago we flew to Colorado for my nephews wedding. We were all set to go to the venue until I put on my dress and the zipper broke!!!! No CVS, Target, grocery store, etc. nearby. Panic! My mom immediately began approaching EVERYONE at our hotel asking for a needle and thread. Thank goodness one of the hotel staff had a small kit in her personal bag. My husband literally sewed me into my dress! Needless to say, I carry a little kit in my purse at all times since then. And the eyeglass repair kit? Just trust me that you don’t want to be on a cruise without one if you lose a screw. Happy sailing!
I can definitely agree on the glasses repair kit. On our first cruise, or son's glasses broke (screw came out). Nowhere on the ship to fix them (tried service desk and jewelry/watch store w/o luck). He ended up with scotch tape along the side for the remainder of the cruise!
I'm leaving on the Carnival Breeze this Saturday. It's my 3rd cruise, but it's been almost a decade since my last one. So much has changed in the cruising world the last few years, and your videos have been an amazing help getting all caught up on new policies and procedures. Thank you for everything you do!
I am considering going on a Christmas cruise next Christmas. My SIL and I are going together. We are both seniors and widowed. I have never been on a cruise, but my SIL has gone on many cruises, including at Christmas. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations for us? Thanks!
Thank you for such great videos, Ilana! Your advice and suggestions have proven to be extremely helpful. Because of you, we were well prepared for our last 2 cruises. My mom came with us on this second cruise and absolutely loved the luggage tag holders (not mentioned in this video) and magnets (hooks and flat ones). And she's been on more cruises than us! My little tip is to bring a shower cap to maintain the nice hairdo. And then I use a flat magnet to hang the shower cap over the sink to air dry!
I also bring my own shower cap. I have a lot of hair and the small plastic shower caps are too small. Good tip about hanging the shower cap on a magnet over the sink. Will do that on our next cruise - January 29.
I always take a pop-up mesh laundry bag, but mine opens into a horizontal shape. In addition to holding dirty clothes until they can be dealt with, it also makes a beach bag! The mesh lets air in to wet stuff and usually by the time we are back from the beach most of the sand has shaken out through those meshes! I always have an extra tote bag too, but for the beach I really like that pop-up laundry bag!
Hi, Ilana! I just got back from my first cruise! The ship went to the Carribean and I had a fantastic time! I’ve watched all your videos and got you planner before I left. I was so well prepared thanks to you. I also purchased some of the outfits you wore and got lots of compliments from everyone! I can’t wait to plan for my next cruise! By the way, I love seeing your husband and sons in the video. Keep up the great work!
Going on our first cruise Saturday! Packing tonight because we are driving to New Orleans from Oklahoma city Oklahoma tomorrow watching this while I’m packing!! Thank you so much for all your videos.
I just found this. Thank you for your many tips. We are taking our very first cruise and we are so excited. I am doing a lot of searching for to do and don’t do things. Our trip is with Royal for 8 days.
Leaving Christmas Eve for a 7-day from Florida, and this channel has been a godsend! Not only in what to pack but what to expect, what not to do, etc. THANK YOU, Ilana!!!
I am going on a Carnival conquest cruise on January 2, 2024 and it’s my very first one. I have been living by your videos to know the do’s and don’ts. Thank you for the tips
I am going on a caribbean cruise in a few days and am binging your videos. I watched your videos before I went to Egypt last year. Very helpful. Thank you very much for all the tips, tricks, and warnings
We went on a West Caribbean cruise. We had the wrist bands for motion sickness. Worked ok. Mistake was leaving it on overnight. The next morning, 😮 my hand was so swollen I couldn’t put any wrings on. It took over 24 hrs. for it to go back to normal.
I have the Level 8 carry-on in pickle green and love it. We'll be sailing the eastern Caribbean in April with HAL out of Port Everglades, and we can't wait. Enjoy your cruise.
One thing I've been using for traveling is a plastic pencil box (~2.5"x7"x1") I bought from Dollar Tree for my makeup brushes. It is so convenient! The size is the perfect length for all of my brushes. Thanks for your videos!
Llana….i love your videos! Regarding OTC meds…have you considered using a weekday pill case to put them in and lose the boxes and big containers? There are some larger ones and I label the sections. This is definitely space saving
Thanks for this awesome tip video. We are going on our first cruise and it is to the Caribbean on P&O Arvia out of Bridgetown Barbados. Lot of info you gave was very helpful. Have a merry Christmas and a great new year and great cruise. Keep up the great work on keeping cruisers informed.
Thank you! Your videos are great 👍! I am hosting a group of 10 for my birthday cruise in March. Many are first-time cruisers. I have been sharing some of your videos to help them prepare.
We have been splitting iur clithes between mine and my husbands siitcases for the last couple of years. That way if one bag goes missing we have half of our clothing with us. Also still pack a change of clothing etc. In our carryons.
I'll be going on Celebrity Reflection at the end of March for 7 days with my "Special Guy".....it will be kind of a honeymoon so we're both very excited. I haven't been on a cruise for 25 years and he has never been on one so your videos are sooooooooooo helpful. Your tips for packing are terrific! And each video makes me feel more comfortable and happily excited! Am definitely going to check out Level8 luggage!
Wow! That was an incredibly helpful video & I saved it to watch again & make notes. Going on my first ever cruise with my husband this spring to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Thanks for all the excellent tips!
I am leaving in 5 days for 10 day Caribbean cruise. I have been watching some of your videos and find them most helpful and practical Just watched the packing one and I had pretty much done all that you said except for rolling my clothes up.
Hello, heading out to the Eastern Caribbean in a few weeks . First time on Holland America Neiue Statendam. I’ve never cruised in January, hope all goes well. Thank you for all of your tips & tricks.
Helpful video! Going on a back to back Caribbean Cruise out of Miami from September 1st through the 15th. I love your luggage but I did already get a new rolling bag so I probably can't get another one, dang! My cabin mate is platinum on Carnival so we will have free laundry service, which will come in handy as there's no way I can fit 14 plus days worth of clothing in my bag. I never check a bag so I always have a carry-on and a big personal item.
Thank you for this very informative video. My husband and I are planning to go on our first cruise in October on Norwegian Joy, and I had no clue about anything much, you filled in the blanks for me beautifully.
I am a 2 suitcase packer for a 7 day cruise. I enjoy dressing up and like to have options. I see we pack similar . Please pack your YSL in your carry-on. Mine got stolen from my checked bag, and insurance would only cover up to $500 .
I always enjoy your videos and appreciate the tips. One suggestion though, for your next packing video why not have your son (and/or husband) host one on packing for guys, or go over how they prepare for their cruise? I realize there is some overlap, but there are things guys do differently too!
Level 8 is really good luggage. We love our carry-on. I wish we had discovered them before we had bought our big luggage. That one broke on first usage, and the company had to send us a new one. Very flimsy. Level 8 is great, and I love that both sides are zippered. Well made, well designed.
I'm going on a Caribbean cruise in February. Your videos are so awesome and helpful! Thanks for the great tips and ideas. I laughed out loud when your hamper bounced out of the bag! 😂
My husband and I are going on our princess cruise to Mexican Rivera this coming weekend. Your videos are super helpful. Thank you for all your advice. 😊
11 days in the Caribbean. We leave Feb 5th and return the 18th. Embarkation is the 7th. We can't wait to ditch this snow! 😂😂😂😂 Thank you for the video. We have been to the Caribbean before, but it is our first time visiting Aruba and Curaco! I always over pack. This helped with clothes packing a lot. We need 14 days of clothes or we have to do laundry.😮
Going on a cruise in May for the first time.. thanks. These are helpful tips. My husband and I are going to the Caribbean islands. Can't wait. Will be looking at more of your videos
Love all your videos! I live in South Florida, I’m very lucky to be in such great spot for going to cruises. It really helped me through my first cruise. I’m about to go on my 2nd and i still enjoy all your videos , you’re always updating so it’s very helpful!! Thank you for all your hard work 💛💛
Flew to Buenos Aires for 16 day Antarctica cruise. Only had a carryon and a large personal bag- three stop flying didn't want a check in in a foreign country! I use many of your suggestions but I could only do the 1qt bag for liquids! But I did it! Also for room odors I took three trees! Yes those ones that you hang in your car! Also I have a long sleeve shirt that is UV save. So I only use solid sunscreen on my nose and hands! Laundry? Purchased Laundry sheets on Amazon they work great - sink washing! I don't wear makeup so not fussy about that! And we don't do fancy but nice casual. Collapsible drinking glass is a must! Especially for long excursions! BTW seeing the Antarctica was SO worth it. Can't step on the island but so worth getting as close as we could. During the cruise: penguin, sea lions, whales OH MY! Love the pouch idea!
I LOVE those travel pouches - I bought a set before our Alaska cruise this summer and I’m hooked. I use them for most of my shower/hair/face products and they take up so much less space.
I’m going on a Caribbean cruise on 12/30. Even though it’s not my first, I still learn a lot from your videos, including this one. Thank you for the content! 😊
These are all great ideas! Would it be possible for you to show what your husband and/son brings with them? My husband and I will be going on a Disney Cruise next November. Thank you for all the great ideas and tips. I am also a fellow Canadian!
Nice to meet a fellow Canadian! Awesome cruise 👏. Sure I can do a future video about this. I have this one in the meantime ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-r9QE9oe0woI.htmlsi=Ha1shUNDe-bFy3X9
We always bring the Aloe Vera... actually there is a non-stick green gel which is very soothing... BUT.. whenever we bring the Aloe Vera we don't get burned... if we forget it, we get burned....
Ilana I love your videos. They are so informative I make it a ritual to watch one to two every morning at work before I start my day while I enjoy my coffee. My husband and i are going on our first cruise in January travelling to panama canal, doing the partial transit. I looked at the links you have added to the bottom but I missed the link for the Water shoes that you showed. they are the flat looing black ones. I would love to buy a pair since I have travelled enough to the islands that I know after a few time that I have wrecked my daytime sandals by getting them wet getting out of boats on excursions. Please let me know what the link or the brand are and how they fit as well. thank I love your channel
Love your videos! I have learned so much from you! 😊 We are planning a cruise out of Miami for a 7 day Western Caribbean with Mexico in May on the Enchanted Princess. Our last cruise was to Alaska. So this will be a different packing strategy for sure! 😅
Ilana, do you pack your magnet hooks and clips in your checked luggage or only in your TSA "liquid bag" that goes in your carryon luggage? Thank you for another informative video!
We are going on a Feb criuse with RC. We were supposed to cruise in 2019 for our 50th anniversary. We all know what happened.... Anyways, you're youtube videos have made such an incfluncene on out current trip. 7 day caribbean trip on RC. Thank you for all your info on what to do for first time cruisers. Im sure we will have a wonderful trip!
Loved 360 dining and The Catch. Monumental experiences! However, that’s where Princess food ends! Forget about using room service! Not worth it. All cruise ships need to take their new cue from Virgin’s Ladies…24 hour breakfast is a must. Besides saving on room service, you can sleep in or skip lunch. It’s a plus all around. Celebrity takes the best in spas and indoor swims. Love the special rooms for suite dining and concierge services. Holland America seems to hit its food out of the park, especially afternoon tea.
Im going on my first Carribean cruise in April and I have enjoyed so many of your videos and got so many tips! We are taking a 5 day cruise so my only thing now is to take carry on only or checked bag as well, I just dont know which one..any suggestions?
We are just back from an 8 day cruise from Baltimore to Nassau & the Bahamas. This was our first “ocean” cruise and i think too many ppl are scared off by all the “Dos and Don’t’s” associated with a cruise. My wife and I each only used carry-ons. Easy on/off no waiting. We observed folks with many suitcases and we are still trying to figure out what they had in those cases! We were on the Royal Caribbean & our cabin was great. Lots of space, comfy bed, nice window to watch the waves. Food was plentiful & good. Don’t overthink things folks. If you have ever traveled and stayed in a hotel…..it’s like this. 😊.
Our cruise in the New Year is a 15 nighter/Panama Canal/Warm Vacay... we haven't cruised since 1998! Trying to figure out a Capsule Wardrobe...but also to have enough clothes as I don't want to do laundry onboard if I can helpl it!
My carry on holds my extensive medical bag, makeup, blow dryer (ship’s is not strong enough) comb, brush, costume jewelry and 2 pairs of shoes. Need a large suitcase (28”) for all the clothes, magnets, larger tubes of stuff and more shoes.
Reviewing itineraries for our first time cruise. You have shared such helpful tips and recommendations. I loved your beach/swim coverup. Since you mentioned you should get yourself another, I would love to know where you purchased if you don't mind sharing.
I will also buy postcard stamps and I will fill out just your white labels that I can put any addresses that I want to mail a post card to. Then just put on the label and the stamp and with your short message they are ready to mail.
I am going on a caribbean cruise the end of February! We have cruised many times, however, I find your videos to be helpful and informative, thank you! Any suggestions for hotels near the Fort Lauderdale Port Everglades?
I’m going in January on my first cruise. It’s on Carnival. What’s the best for spending money at cruise ports? Cash or prepaid credit cards. Just worried about credit card fraud on my personal credit cards.
Re: bringing a purse.. we are going Princess Medalliion Class in the NewYear... for many of the Apps to work, we need our SmartPhone along with our Medallion onboard...so now we need to carry our phones with us all day onboard, as many of my clothes do not have pockets... so I guess I am schlepping a purse around all day!
Years ago, actually replaced my carry-on luggage whose retractable handle bar was wide, & slid down the sides, the edges, of the interior, because the sleeve on the personal bag cannot fit over it.
I decided not to go with this luggage because of the wide trolley handle. I like to use the sleeve on my smaller case over the luggage handle to be able to easily manoeuvre the two cases together through airports, hotels, etc. I calculated that the trolley handle was too wide to do that. I see that you carry your second bag over your shoulder. I couldn’t do that.
This video, like all of your videos, has been a godsend! I have never cruised and just booked a celebrity cruise with my mom at the end of April. My husband and I are cruising with Carnival at the end of October. Between your informative videos and Carnival’s website, I feel decently prepared for that cruise. Celebrity, not so much. Is there something I am missing on their website? Again, thank you for the clear, detailed and informative videos!
We are going on a cruise out of New York to the Caribbean in a month. Any suggestions about what to pack for the different climates. I don’t want to overpack. Thanks
Hi Ilana, I'm also doing a cruise shortly after the new year. I'm only beginning this video and hope you mention which cruise line you're traveling on? Would love to bump into you one of these days. Enjoy!
