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@WandaMontgomery2744

2 ай бұрын

I do this every time. 😊

As a Flight Attendant, I learned a little toiletry hack that works like a charm. Just unscrew the top/lid to any bottle, put a piece of Saran wrap on top, and then screw the lid back on. I've never had any trouble with leaks and it's a cheap hack. Happy Cruising!

@Aisha.The.Traveler

4 ай бұрын

I do this too and it works great! 😊

@shord140

2 ай бұрын

THanks for this tip!

@cindylizardi5538

Ай бұрын

I do the same.

My husband takes pictures of his dinner all the time. At home. I saw that light you had for the phone and said to myself, "Yep, that's exactly what he needs to really make that broccoli beautiful." He's going to laugh until he cries when I give it to him. Thank you!

My son and daughter-in-law invited me on my first cruise! I had no idea what to expect, so I have been binge watching videos. Yours are definitely the best! I have gotten so many tips on packing and what to bring. Thank you!

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

So exciting!! So glad my videos have been a help as you plan :)

@AndreaShink

5 ай бұрын

you've got a great son & DL, there, lady! have an amazing time. cruises are the BEST!

@justjessy0115

4 ай бұрын

Omg me too. My son & soon to be daughter in law invited us to join them on a cruise this Dec (none of us have ever been in a cruise) in so excited but have NO clue what i need or how to dress. I've been binging her vids. It's gonna save my life lol. Hope you enjoy your cruise 🙋🏽‍♀️

@AndreaShink

4 ай бұрын

​@@justjessy0115 so exciting!!! Which Cruise line and to where??

@penny7205

4 ай бұрын

Just be sure not to overpack, which is easy to do.

Believe it or not, after 50+ cruises over 20+ years our latest "cruise gadget" is a travel pepper mill! We really enjoy fresh, crushed pepper with our meals. Royal Caribbean used to offer it at every meal, but stopped a few years back. So we now carry our own. On our last cruise a passenger at a neighboring table borrowed it (she thought it belonged to Royal Caribbean and wondered why she didn't have one on her table!) It is pocket sized, and has a cap to keep ground pepper from ending up in your pocket. I do pack it in a zipper top silicone bag anyway, just to be safe.

As an RN, I will do anything to NOT wear a lanyard so card holder works for me!!!!😂

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Haha it seems a lot of people have a negative association to lanyards & work. I hear you 😂

@terregagnon2049

4 ай бұрын

RN here - no more lanyards for me!

@NYnative61

4 ай бұрын

On board, I use one of those small cross body wallets, big enough for a phone, your card, some tissues and a chapstick.

@Aisha.The.Traveler

4 ай бұрын

I’m not an RN but I had to use one for work for years and I absolutely hate them! My last 2 cruises I used a retractable lanyard clip and it worked great! 😊

@nailahshae3043

4 ай бұрын

I have a coach card holder. Caught on a black Friday sail for little of nothing

Magnetic hooks are a must have! We love them. Also, we take 2 small magnetic motion sensor lights that we put on the wall close to the floor, and on the bottom of the bathroom door. That way if we get up during the night, there is enough light to see, but not too much light that can disrupt being able to fall back to sleep.

I always travel with 3 or 4 clothespins, the kind you squeeze. This way if the curtains don't close tight and you want to sleep in it helps keep the sun out better, plus you can use them as intended to hang up items to dry.

I bring towel bands too. But, as someone else mentioned, they are similar to the rehab/exercise bands. So I actually bring the exercise bands which I use for a quick workout, and I use them for towels. 😊

@rallegra

5 ай бұрын

Great idea!

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Very smart 👏

@CallmeMrKelly

4 ай бұрын

Great hack!

The toothbrush cover is something I use even when at home, bathrooms are full of all kinds of bacteria and germs. Even flushing a toilet sprays germs all over. Any help protecting your toothbrush is a must.

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Good point

@caroleceres

Күн бұрын

Tbh, just the cover still leaves a part of the brush exposed! It’s far more hygienic to buy a toothbrush case! Colour code them for each individual toothbrush - you can effectively clean them after each cruise by popping them into the dishwasher!

Instead of a backpack for myself....I wear a fanny pack. I have cinch bags packed for each excursion with water shoes, coverup, sunscreen, ziplock baggies, bottles of water, water camera, envelope of small bills for tips and paper work/ tickets for excursion. Then, on the day of excursion, grab and go...saves so much time!! I still like ziplock baggies for things that could spill. The cruise we just took in November we took magnetic hooks! Oh my gosh, great idea!!!

@sharonsusa1049

4 ай бұрын

Oh brilliant! Going on my first cruise this spring & I love your tips! Will definitely be doing this!

Ilana, your recommendations are amazing. My husband and I went on our first cruise last summer and before we left I binge-watched all your videos. It made a huge difference to us. We were much better prepared than we would have been if we had gone on board without all that info. Thanks for all you do.

I don't leave my toothbrush out. I repack it along with other stuff in my small bag. If you take a bag on an excursion, I recommend one that zips or snaps shut. Your things like to jump out on excursions.

I do use a towel band, but mine has an added benefit it has a pillow attached to it. I absolutely love it you can use it at the beach or for camping . All you have to do is blow it up, and when done, just pull the plug and empty the air. It rolls up into a small tube and is lightweight.

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

That’s awesome 👏

I loved those magnet clips and the hanging toiletry bag. Never would have known about those without your videos.

Best thing we have ever found was for the small showers on the cruise ship that never has a place for all of our stuff. Amazon has a "S&T INC. Shower Organizer, Shower Caddy or Bathroom Organizer with Quick Drying Mesh" that we can hang on the inside of the shower on the shower curtain hooks. Best shower addition ever!!

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Very good!! Thanks for sharing

@penny7205

4 ай бұрын

Wonder if this mesh shower organizer can hang from a magnetic hook in the shower?

@kengodbold1142

4 ай бұрын

@@penny7205 Not sure if the showers are metal for magnets but this hangs on the inside of the shower hooks perfectly (as long as they are open hooked). I would also worry about magnet and moisture, I hung an outside thermometer on a Panama cruise and the magnet part of the hook is probably still part of that ship.

@penny7205

4 ай бұрын

@kengodbold1142 oh goodness too funny. Thanks for sharing though. I've already added your SNT mesh shower organizer to my Amazon cart!

@tinasmith3560

2 ай бұрын

Thank you! I’ve got this in my Amazon cart.

On my first two cruises I used a sea-sick patch. This left me a little light-headed but I didn't get sea sick. Regular Dramamine (Diphenhydramine) makes me sleepy. I have switched to "Less Drowsy" Dramamine (Meclizine). I take two on embarkation day when we are in the buffet and then one a day with breakfast after that. The only time this hasn't helped is when we were near a tropical storm.

@JaniceCrowell

4 ай бұрын

I believe Bonine is millions also. For me it works better than Dramamine and not drowsy!

A good tip use those throwaway shower caps . Sold in packs of 10 dollartree I use for shoes AND for liquid leakage on bottles works great Also I buy those clear plastic handle bags sold at dollartree. I separate everything and lable. Meds in one bag. Seasick items meds in another. Sanitizer, gloves, wipes in another I lable each bag makes it so easy to carry on and get to things quickly without looking for things. I hang on those magnetic hooks in the room Also I use black garbage bags for my husband dirty clothes and white for me to separate to put back in your own suitcase

Thank you for your helpful and informative videos! You have made cruise planning much more enjoyable and worry free!

Always interesting to see your updated list! We use many of your suggested items. Thanks...

We love the toiletry bag you recommended. It's been a year and it's so convenient.

I love these videos as well as links. I recommend you to everyone! Even as a seasoned cruise traveler I love it!!

We have used that hamper for years and love it. Thank you for all the great information.

So glad you are having a good time on ur Crusie can’t wait for your reviews on this cruise ship ✨🛳️🛳️🛳️🩵🛳️🛳️✨💕💕✨🩵🛳️🛳️🛳️✨✨✨🩵🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🩵✨✨🩵🛳️🛳️🛳️🩵✨✨💕✨🛳️🛳️🩵✨💕💕✨🩵🛳️🛳️🩵💕💕✨🩵🩵🩵🩵🛳️🩵🛳️🛳️🛳️🩵✨

Ilana, the lighting is just right. You're good!

That phone case lanyard is a GAME CHANGER! We loved them on our last cruise!

Great tips Ilana!!! I also changed from towel clips to towel bands and it is so much easier to pack and take up a lot less room. Touché on the idea of using a packing cube for your dirty clothes on your return home. It is so simple when you get home to do your laundry and, then I wash the packing tube separately in Coldwater and hang it up to dry to reuse on my next trip

The lighting looks great😀

I'm going on my first cruise around the Caribbean from 6th February and watching you over the past 6 months has been brilliant for all of your hints and tips. Thank you for sharing xxx

Hey great advice for anyone planning a cruise or trip! Thank you for the helpful tips!!

I am not in *any* way affiliated with Life Well Cruised--other than being a subscriber--but Ilana's Ultimate Cruise Planner document was *invaluable* for helping us keep our 3 cruises (all within 6 months!) organized. Well worth every penny for this downloadable document. It's easy to choose/print the pages you need/don't need (e.g. our kids are grown so those pages are irrelevant). If you purchase only one thing mentioned in this video, the planner should be the one. (FYI, most other cruise channels pronounce it BOH nine, i.e. a long 'O'. But maybe the Canadian pronounciation is different, sort of the opposite of the way you pronounce "process" vs. your neighbors to the south. 😁)

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for your purchase & for sharing your experience with the LWC Ultimate Cruise Planner. I’m so glad it was helpful & appreciate your feedback 😊 lol, it seems like pronouncing Bonine is going to be a continual challenge 😂

@bernicetodd9717

4 ай бұрын

Yes but Ross, is it boh-NINE or boh-NEEN?

Thanks for a great video! Love your planner!!!

I'm getting ready to go on my first cruise. Your videos have really helped me prepare.

Love your planner. I have used it several trips. It really helped on our 74 day cruise

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Wow!! What an incredible cruise! So glad it was helpful for you :)

I’ve been watching you for a while now and love your tips. I bought the motion sensor light last year and we use it all the time. Not just on cruises, but in hotels too. Also have the magnetic hooks, lanyards and bought the plastic luggage tags for specific cruise lines after seeing them on your channel. We had the paper ones ripped off one time and that was a nightmare.

I find the towel bands so easy to pack and use! Bonine...pronounced BowNeen. I orded the travel clock, toothbrush covers and bottle cover skins. Great additions to my cruise supply box. You always have such great advice!!!

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tip 👏

Yes, per your recommendation I bought and use those towel bands. Wonderful space saver not only in my luggage but in my beach bag on beach trips!!

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Great tip! True so good for all vacations

I have not cruised in a long time … over ten years and now I’m going in August on a 9 day Mediterranean cruise … so excited … your videos help me a lot thanks for sharing

Ilana , just came back from our first family cruise & used a lot of your recommendations ! Thanks so much for your time & consideration we had a blast ! 🏝️💓

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

So glad you enjoyed your family cruise!! I’m actually thinking of doing a bit more tips geared for sailing with kids so please share any tips you picked up 👏😂

Love your videos! Going on my first ever cruise to Alaska this year with NCL. So excited for it. Your videos have give me so much advice and help on what to take and not to take. 😊

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Fantastic cruise!!

I love all your videos. My daughter and I are going on our first cruise on 2/17/24. You have been a great help. Thanks

We tried the towel bands on our last cruise and loved them! They will go with us on every warm weather cruise from now on!

We bought towel clips (because they're cute);and they broke on the first trip. We love the bands. So lightweight.

Love your suggestions!

Thank you, your suggestions are always so helpful! We use a fold up hamper, bring our own snorkel gear, laundry sheets, mini clothes line, magnet hooks, a non surge power strip, water bottle, on longer cruises a large thermal coffee container, a little medical kit, and a hanging toiletry bag, I made our packing cubes, they are so nice, we just plop them in a drawer or on a shelf! Something NEW we plan to bring on our next cruise is a small night clock, it’s nice to see the time at a glance, a hand scale for luggage, and a bar of shampoo, I have never tried this product before, I hope I like it because I really don’t like the shampoo’s on the ships!

Thanks so much for introducing me to towel bands! Genius idea and so easy to pack 👌 I’ll be ordering some for my summer cruise on the new Sun Princess - can’t wait!

That beach bag is cuuuute!

I hadn’t been on a cruise since pre Covid so the ultimate cruise planner was very handy. I was able to leave behind stuff I really didn’t need and lived without just fine. Thank you!

@LifeWellCruised

4 ай бұрын

So glad it was helpful! Thanks for your purchase 😊

Great video, as always! I have also switched to the towel bands for travel due to weight. And on my recent cruise, I stuffed my laundry into my compression cube and put it in my carryon. It weighed quite a lot but this kept the weight down in my checked luggage. Can I also suggest that, especially if you are doing a cruise or trip that is not your usual holiday, you keep a diary so you will remember all the little details of what you saw, who you met, etc. I just do it on my ipad so I can print it out later and keep it with the hardcover photo book I do for the trip.

Absolutely amazing...THANK YOU

I love those multi-country power adapters.

Ilana, we took your advice about the magnetic hooks and clips and they were brilliant! A must-have if you want to stay organized.

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Awesome!!

I bought the same nautical carry on bag a few years ago and it's been the best cruise purchase I've made so far. Absolutely LOVE it!!!

Thanks for you hints and tips. I have purchased quite a few of the things that you have recommended . The latest purchase is the towel bands as the clips are so bulky! I’m looking forward to my cruise in April to try them out. I like my cabin to be neat and tidy too. I will soon be a pro 😊

Hi Ilana, I really appreciate all of your videos. Great ideas and info! I have found the compression travel hand roll up bags work really well to bring home dirty laundry. You can really roll them tight for a good vacuum seal that takes up even less room than the regular compression packing cubes.

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

That’s smart!!

As always great tips here! Going to pack some magnetic clips/hooks.

I bought a collapsible laundry hamper after one of your videos and I wouldn’t be without it now. I pack it for all my holidays, not just cruising.

@rachnailedit

4 ай бұрын

We just use a washing bag to store our dirty clothes. Takes up way less space.

Love your tooth brush covers, these will be a must have now.

Thanks Illana! Another great video! My fave tip ive learned, not just for cruising, is to pack spild versions of things for carry on only travel. Even shampoo and comditioner bars!

@LifeWellCruised

4 ай бұрын

I’ll have to try this sometime. I think it’s a great idea for packing light especially

Nice vid. The towel bands will also help you find your chair.

❤ we love the towel bands!! They are so much easier than clips but I do miss my cute clips. ❤

Your lighting looks great.

Thank you, Ilana. You are helping me to get ready for my cruise. I especially like your Amazon links as the items are in Canadian dollars.

Thank you for all the awesome recommendations! I have added quite a few to my Amazon wish list!

Highly recommend your Ultimate Cruise Planner - so helpful!

I absolutely love the towel bands! They are very sturdy and as you mentioned, lightweight and take up little to no space in my luggage.

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Exactly!!! What took my so long 😂

@davidhurwitz2291

5 ай бұрын

Bought the towels bands for our Caribbean cruise next week. Saw them on your prior videos and thought they were a good idea. Also bought the plastic luggage tag holders (for the paper printouts) that you have spoke about.

Thanks for another great video!

Thank you, lots of great information ❣️

Love all your suggestions!!! 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻 thank you

I’m looking forward to my very first cruise and your videos have been very helpful. 🙏

Hi Ilana!!! Sometimes you get lucky in that both the Celebrity Apex and Holland America Rotterdam cruises gave us total bags! Also, on our 4-day mini cruise on the Carnival Conquest (Old ship, Oceanview), we forgot our motion sensor light.. as luck would have it, our old cabin had its own motion sensor light underneath the closet doors! Enjoy your "old ship/Oceanview/mini cruise"! Often those old ships have character and beauty of their own!

Love love the towel bands, love the light motion esp on a princes ship newer ones bc when in the middle of the night you have to get up and go to bathroom you turn the light on and the whole cabin lights up, so these motion lights are great. We use the cubes packs the cover for tooth brushes are great idea, also we bring our own shampoo and the covers are a great idea. Thank you so much 😊

We have almost all of the items you recommended in your video. Just bought the towel bands to use for our cruise in May 😊

That laundry kit was so helpful on my last cruise. I kept my wrinkle release spray in there too.

I’ll try the towel bands. I don’t bring the laundry hamper, love the magnetic hooks and clips, and I use the separate click just because I like looking at a clock in my room. Even though I cruise solo, I still bring along poo pourri. I save the clear plastic bags from buying curtains to re-use to hold my toiletries for travel. I’ll try to toiletries covers.

I always take bandaids, gauze pads and Leuko tape. Never needed any of it… until this cruise. St. Maarten was very rainy and I slipped and fell on the metal grating leading back onto the gangway and really scraped up my knee. Gauze pad and Leuko tape to the rescue to make a big “bandaid!” Then I went to Guest Services to get some spares.

I leave on my next “girls cruise” in 9 days! So excited! I do believe your videos are solely responsible in helping me get it together. 😂. Thank you for sharing! About the towel bands, I’m a year out from recovering from 2 total knee replacements. Those band look so much like something used in rehab physical therapy. I just can’t. Too many bad memories. lol. I’ll pass on this one and keep my flamingo 🦩 clips. 😃🏝️🚢

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Oh no!! lol definitely bring the cute happy clips 😂

My first cruise was May 2023 and I didn't know what to expect so I got a lot of stuff I didn't even need/use. My family just booked family cruise #2 for August 2024 and I'm so excited. It's gonna be on the same ship ( Carnival Sunrise) and I'm excited bout that cause I know where everything is and the slides were so fun!!! I didn't get to relax in the pool at all ( my monthly friend came) so hopefully I can enjoy the pools this year! Imma see if that black swimsuit cover up comes in my size and I might get the towel bands too. My favorite thing I got for my cruise last year was the waterproof phone case! Definitely bringing it again in August! Also I learned so much before my cruise last year by watching your videos so thanks so much for all the tips! ❤️

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing! It’s true the second cruise will allow you to relax more now that you know what to expect

Woo, Didn't know there were towel bands out there. Thanks for sharing.

Can’t believe u got me and my mom in your ascent videos at the pool 😂😂😂

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

lol, was that in my Ascent video or this one? I’ll have to look back

Going on my first SOLO cruise in June!!! Your tips are fabulous, thanks for sharing. I always learn something new 😊

I love the travel alarm clock as well. Our recent cruise (#24) was a two bedroom, 2 bath suite. There were no outlets in the second bedroom, so phones and devices had to be left in the living area to charge. That meant, no nightlight and no phone alarm. The alarm clock came in handy for the early port day wake ups.

Really enjoying your videos. Taking my first cruise on Ascent in May .. from Barcelona to France to Italy, Turkey and Greece! You're videos are great; not a lot of fluff, right to the point, and very practical. Thanks!

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Beautiful ship & itinerary 👏

@chackett99

5 ай бұрын

@@LifeWellCruised Thanks! We're very excited! Appreciate all your great content.

These are great tips! Thank you. I got some cable ties with magnets on both ends that I use for hanging papers when they are not securing cords. Two uses for one item. I got them on Amazon. Smart&Cool Reusable Silicone Magnetic Ties. I got a 20 pack and love them.

The lanyard with detachable clip is also great when you are lounging by the pool and they need your sea pass for your drink

The one thing I have found SUPER useful on a cruise, especially older ones is Febreeze small spaces air fresheners. I put one in the bathroom and in our room! They last the whole week and I am sure our cabin stewards appreciate it too! 😅 Thanks for all the tips & tricks! It helps so much! 😊

@williamoday573

Ай бұрын

We use the Gain scented version and love them!

Magnets and magnet hooks are my must bring. 9 cruises in 12 months, you my hero

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

😂

Great advice! Strong wall magnets are a game changer for me. One other thing I recommend is a hand pump soap. I’m not a fan on bar soap to wash my hands. Also, mini refill perfume bottle. Instead of carrying those bulky body sprays and perfume bottles! ❤

I used to bring towel clips, but switched to towel bands. Unfortunately, they were to stiff and I found it hard to stretch them to fit some chairs, so now I just bring very large rubber bands I bought at Walmart. Cheaper and they work perfectly.

Floating hammocks are a must when going to the beach (my favorite thing to bring to Coco Cay). They pack up very small and easy to inflate. It makes our beach time so much more enjoyable and relaxing!

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

How smart!

You got all the best chochkas. All the latest trendy stuff. As a solo cruiser so far much of it is unnecessary for me but good to know about. My lanyard water pouch protector broke but then again I got it for free as someone left it on the bench at my kayak hike snorkeling excursion at St. Thomas. I have the waist pouches too. I passed the Independence of the Seas this morning on my way to the Fisher Island Ferry to pick up a customer and they must have been testing the life boats as I saw like seven of them in the water. On Saturday the Icon will be there ready for it's first cruise. I saw it two weeks ago when it arrived. Simply Awesome. That's all I got. Bye for now.

I’ll get some of those towel bands, handy on a windy beach too👌🏻

Had not hrard of the towels bands. Great info. Always good picking up new tips from your new videos. Enjoy the rest of your cruise. I have two Royal Caribbean cruisrs for '24. On Navigator, mid may to Baja, and on Rhapsody early Sept. from San Juan to St. Lucia, St.Maarten, Antigua and Barbados. Finally found one itinerary to cross off all four. All aboard...Let's get started!

@banimaharaj8325

2 ай бұрын

I am taking that cruise on Rhapsody in July. 1st time cruising and soooo excited!!

I love your videos! Thank you! 🥰

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

I'm so glad! Thanks so much for watching 🛳️☺️

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for watching! 😊

Welcome back!!

@suzanneakerley1354

5 ай бұрын

Whoops you’re not back yet!

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! We are back 😂. I recorded this on the ship but we got back a couple days ago & are getting back to routine :)

Hi Illana! Purchased those lanyards on your recommendation & they are best that I’ve seen! I have my Tide to Go & Downey wrinkle release ready as well & have ginger pills( although never needed them) I always brought too much jewellery so now I have a list on what goes with each evening outfit Keep the great videos coming & will let you know how we liked the Bus trip to Ship in May! Happy Cruising 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

@LifeWellCruised

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing! Yes let me know :)

Freedom OTS is my favorite ship! I love the artwork. The crew are so personable. I miss it!

We bought a kids travel alarm clock that lights up and even had the temperature (I can’t figure out how to share it but it was on Amazon). I got the night light you recommended. I really enjoy your videos!!!

Nice! Again thanks! Kinda like that new light and I know you said it was rechargeable but I've turned into a USB C snob (no searching for which way is up). 😜

Very helpful!