TRAVEL TIP #23 - PACKING TAPE

This could be the best Cruise Tip ever!  Pay close attention and you might avoid a potentially Cruise-ruining disaster.

When you take a cruise you will be sent, from the Cruise Line, luggage tags.  These are usually color coordinated with deck and cabin number info.  This seems very good, right?  It is important for the porters to get your luggage from the dock to you cabin, correct?  So, luggage tags to mark your luggage would seem to be a vital and necessary piece of equipment, yes?

The problem is that your luggage tags will come as an email attachment.  Or, perhaps they may come in a package of documents from your Travel Agent.  Either way, they will end up being nothing more than an ordinary piece of paper.  That’s right… a piece of COPY PAPER!!!!, which you will be instructed to fold, then loop through your luggage handle, and then staple together.

Let me see if I understand this correctly.  The safe and timely delivery of all of my clothes… all my supplies… all of Joni’s shoes is dependent upon a piece of 5^th generation recycled copy paper surviving being carried and tossed around with literally thousands of other similarly tagged pieces of luggage.   Really?

This Travel Tip was born out of a time when one of our pieces of luggage did not make it to our cabin.  Let me say that it is a very unsettling feeling as the lights of Miami, Florida have long ago fallen beneath the distant horizon and your luggage has not yet been delivered to your cabin.  All of this was the result of fact that one of those “paper” luggage tags had gotten torn off somewhere between the dock and the ship.

So… what is the Tip?  Get a piece of clear packing tape at least twice as long as your paper luggage tag plus an additional 4 – 5 inches.  Lay your paper tag down on the tape and then fold the tape back across the tag so that both sides of the tag are covered with tape.  What you have basically created is a super tough laminated tag.  Then place the tag through the handle of your luggage and finish securing the ends together with the remaining tape.  Add a couple of staples if you like.  Done!

One more trick…  If you are concerned about your tag accidentally being ripped off by baggage handlers or the equipment / conveyor belts at the airports, you can simply tuck a roll of tape inside your checked luggage, where it can then be easily retrieved upon arrival at your cruise departure city where you can then take a few minutes and take care of this “Cruise tag tape / laminate” business before you head for the departure dock.  One thing is for certain; no matter when you do it, it will be exponentially more secure than it would have been had you not “taped” it.

TRAVEL TIP #16 - GORILLA TAPE

Before packing aerosol cans, tape the lids on… and not with just any tape.  Tape them with Gorilla Tape. 

Take a length long enough to reach across the top of the lid and then down both sides of the can at least a couple of inches past the cap.  Tear the tape in half lengthways.  Now you have a piece of the finest, strongest, tape in the world about 1 inch x 10 - 12 inches with which to secure those lids to the top of 2 cans.  These strips of tape can be very easily saved for the return trip by lightly taping them to the side of the can while at your destination and then reused for the trip home.

Why do I go to this effort?  Well… I learned the hard way what can happen when a large can of Joni’s hairspray empties its entire contents inside of a closed piece of checked luggage.  It is a HUGE, foul smelling mess.

What about the clean-up?  The clothes were the easy part; we put Mr. Maytag to work.  The luggage was a different matter.  I wasn’t sure what to do.  So… I called Ed.  His recommendation was “409” spray cleaner.  Needless to say, I was skeptical.  He said it would take several applications with much scrubbing, and then allowing to dry, before repeating the process several times.  Much to my pleasant surprise, he was right.  And… in the end, both the stain and the odor was removed.

What did I learn?  TAPE THE LIDS with Gorilla Tape.

CRUISE JEWELRY

Just a word about jewelry…  Ladies: go get a “Leather Jewelry Roll”.  See the Link in the Favorite Links list at the right.  It is a very inexpensive, convenient, and secure method for traveling with your jewelry.  

What about your “expensive” jewelry?  Take it?  Leave it at home?  Which?  The short answer is: It is a personal choice.  Each person will have different feelings about this matter.  It would be my suggestion that you take nothing with you that is “so” valuable that you will spend your vacation “worrying” about it.  Your vacation is a time to relax and enjoy yourself, not to worry about your “valuables”. 

However, there will be a safe in your cabin in which you can keep your “stuff”.  I always keep Passports, my wallet, watches, Joni’s jewelry, etc. in this room safe.  I have never lost anything.  That is not to say that it couldn’t happen, but my experience has always been a good one.

When you get on the ship, you will be given a card that is both your I.D. and it is linked to your Ship Account.  While I am on the ship, this is the only thing I carry.  Everything else goes into the cabin safe.  Simple, easy, done. 

FINAL PREPS: PART III - WARDROBE

Now is also the time to get all the dry cleaning, laundry, and alteration services taken care of.  With just a few weeks remaining, get out the clothes which you plan to take on your vacation.  Let’s be honest…  Ladies:  When was the last time you wore that beautiful sequined gown?  5 years ago?  25 pounds ago?  I mean 25 pounds “more” ago, of course.  Guys: How ‘bout those plaid dress slacks.  You know… the pair that you have worn since your cousin Gary got married to his third wife.  It is time to donate that pair of pants to your local Thespian Club for their costume department, and go out to the Mall and buy a new pair of trousers!!!

I tend to think that most people do indeed over pack for a cruise.  You don't necessarily need a lot of clothes.  You do however need the right clothes.  I tend to split up the wardrobe needs into two basic groups: daytime and nighttime.  A third category would be beachwear.  If you think in these terms, you are going to be in pretty good shape.  And don't forget that you can get your laundry done while on the ship.  Some ships have a self-serve coin operated laundry area.  And of course, if you really want to live in up, you can easily get your clothes cleaned by the Valet Service.  However, this may not be "fast".

 

Personally, I like my dress shirts professionally laundered, ironed, and heavy starched for a cruise.  Take a moment and think about this…  A cruise should be a special event.  It should be the exception to the normal routines of life.  You’ve paid a lot of money for your cruise, yes?  Then why not pay the few extra dollars to get your shirts done “right”.  Again… stop and think about it: The last thing I need to be doing, or worse yet have Joni doing, during the last few days, is standing around ironing shirts.  Let the local Dry Cleaner / Laundry Service take care of this for you.  Remember my favorite ZZ Top song?   What is it that every girl is crazy about?

Also… ladies: Get those beautiful gowns out of the closet, check them out, make sure they fit, and get them dry cleaned if necessary.  Make sure that you have all the accessories you need for each outfit.  This might be a fun time to go to your local “Charming Charlie” and pick out something bright and new to accent your cruise wardrobe.  

Here's another trick for the ladies.  Order $500 in new swimwear from your favorite online source.  Land's End is a great source.  Venus Swimwear is another.  Try it all on in the privacy of your own home, keep one or two that you really like, and return the rest.  Easy, convenient, and you are ready to go.  

Shoes is where it can get a little crazy at our house.  We always have to one piece of luggage exclusively for shoes...  By the time we have shoes for the beach / pool (flip-flops), walking / casual, fitness center, dress shoes, dancing shoes... it can get to be A LOT OF SHOES!!! 

Check the Favorite Links list at the right side of the page.

SUNSCREENS... LET'S TALK SUNSCREENS

If you have not yet read the post “Hats”, you might want to read it first.  O.K., now you’re up to date.  Let’s talk sunscreens; “serious” sunscreens.

Here is my recommendation (and the recommendation of my Dermatologist): Neutrogena Ultra Sheer 100+ SPF with Helioplex.  I have used it extensively on my face and ears.  It is not oily / greasy.  If you are careful how you apply it, it does not leave a white residue.  I use it everyday and it causes me absolutely NO skin issues.  And… best of all… it provides great protection.  I am not saying that because of its ridiculously high SPF of 100+, but because I have used it in intense Caribbean conditions and have experienced “no tanning / burning” whatsoever.  My opinion about the effectiveness of this sunscreen is not a scientific opinion, but my “on the beach” experience.  Another “plus” is that it can be found just about anywhere that sunscreens are sold.  I typically get mine at my local Target store.


There are a couple of other sunscreen products that I would like to try, but have not yet had the opportunity to do so.  They are products that are not available in the U.S., as they are not approved by the FDA.  As a result you will need to purchase them online from sources outside the U.S.  My research indicates that the unique ingredient, which the FDA doesn’t like, is Mexoryl XL and Mexoryl SX.  These ingredients do not necessarily provide more protection, but longer protection.  That is to say, you need to reapply it less often.  This, of course, makes it more convenient and as a consequence it may then provide better protection.  Also, these sunscreens have been used for almost 20 yrs. in Canada, Europe, and other places around the world, and have been found to be very safe.

One of these products is a L’Oreal product, Ombrelle Face Ultra-Light Cream SPF 60.  However it is very hard to find.  There is another product, Anthelios, which may be easier to obtain.  I will keep my eye open for these products while in the Islands.  A quick stop at a local Pharmacy might prove worthwhile.  I will post here if I am successful.

Here is a link:
https://www.pharmacymix.com/selecting_anthelios_and_mexoryl_sunscreen.htm

FINAL PREPS: PT II - MOTION SICKNESS

Nothing can ruin a day quicker than becoming “motion sick”.  Being at sea is a “moving” experience.  This can be a wonderful experience or it can be a nightmare.  The gentle motion of moving across the water can be as relaxing as a porch swing, or it can be a wild, rolling, rocking, “knock you off your feet” ride you won’t soon forget.

Joni's choice...

Joni highly recommends “Bonine” for motion sickness.  It is a great “non-drowsy” formula that works really well.  Joni takes one of these each morning and she is good the rest of the day.  I would recommend that you don’t wait until you think you need it, by then it is most likely too late.  If you know that you are susceptible to motion sickness, then stay ahead of it.

There are an assortment of other remedies available, both prescription and OTC.   Obviously, if you are really concerned about this matter, or you have some personal reason that could give you cause for worry, speak with your Physician.  However, for the vast majority of people, I would suspect that OTC solutions should do just fine.  

You can even obtain helps and remedies while on the ship.  However, why not just take care of it ahead of time.  There are ample things about your cruise which can have the potential for being a bother, and of which you have very little control; everything from standing in a long buffet line, to an evening show that wasn't 

to your liking.  With this in mind why not fix / prevent the issues which are in your power to do so.

One last suggestion: eat!  I remember back in 1985 on our first cruise, Joni was experiencing some minor discomfort due to motion sickness.  One of the ship’s crew members noticed and offered the following suggestion.  “Eat something.”  As counter-intuitive as this sounds, it actually works very well.  A small sandwich or even just a piece of bread or pastry sometimes is all it takes.  And... the good news is that on your cruise you will never have to worry about having an empty stomach.

FINAL PREPS: PT. I

We are now in the “Final Preps” stage – the 14-21 days window.  Much of what we do now relates to packing.  If you have waited until now to take care of Passports and such, you probably are not going on your Cruise.  So… let’s assume that you have your Passport and your Cruise documents in order; now what?

This is the Fun Time… well, that may not be quite right.  The real “fun” begins when you get on the ship.  But it is still a lot of fun now because  you are at the point where you think about the Cruise almost constantly.  The cares of work are really beginning to fade.  Thoughts of the smell of the salt breeze in the air are vaporizing the hassles and routines of your daily responsibilities. 

Perhaps a better term for this time is “The Hectic Fun Time”.  Let’s take a quick look at what a veteran cruiser is doing during these final few days before he sets sail.  I am going to post these tips in a couple of installments, of which this will be the first.

"DO NOT WAIT"

Double check that you have ALL prescription meds filled.  DO NO WAIT until the day before your departure to get those prescriptions filled.  It is not a bad idea to have a written list of all your prescriptions – names (both brand and generic names) and dosages.  In some cases, I might even suggest that you obtain this list on a letterhead from your Physician’s office.  Keep this list with your cruise docs.   Also, make sure you have enough prescription meds packed to last several days beyond the your scheduled return home.  Getting stranded on some Caribbean island, or even at sea, or in an airport terminal, and running out of critical medications would NOT be a good thing.  

"Don't leave home without it..."

While we are talking prescriptions, let’s talk glasses and/or contacts.  Make certain that you have back-ups.  If you wear glasses, take a back-up pair.  I never throw away my old prescription glasses just for this reason.  If you wear contacts, make certain that you have plenty of supplies.

Let’s talk for a moment about OTC meds… Ibuprofen, Imodium (I never leave home without this), Gas-X, Zantac are a good beginning.  Most of these types of meds can be purchased in a “blister pack” form.  I “highly” recommend this method.  Give an emphasis to “stomach / digestion” aids.  A cruise will “test” this part of your body in ways you might not have imagined.  Having lunch at an romantic Island Café may be wonderful as it is happening; but, it may be a nightmare a few hours later.  Be prepared.  Eating 13 meals each day may sound wonderful, but your body might think otherwise.  I always pack digestion aids; a bottle of digestive enzymes, and even a small bottle of Bean-o are great on cruises.