Travel Ideas (Cruising/Flying)

Frequent travelers come up with the most creative, clever ways to save money and save time. Or, just simply learn from their own mistakes and hopefully share with others.

Before you are packed and ready to go on your next trip, you may find some of these ideas great travel companions: 
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Keep small items like bobby pins, safety pins or a small sewing kit for emergencies inside an empty Tic Tac container...or any other other breath mint container.

Those plastic zipper bags that you buy pillow cases and sheets in? Don't throw them away...they make amazing packing pouches. I used the pillowcase size to create my own emergency kits (like the two below). The larger one that bedsheets are sold in make great protective pouches when packing dirty shoes or damp clothes in a suitcase.

Pack a large, cotton cloth laundry bag...or two (for longer trips) - they are bigger and sturdier than plastic laundry bags that hotels or cruise ships offer. 

Free shower caps from a hotel/ship bathroom help keep dirty shoe bottoms away from clean clothing in a suitcase. 

My husband and I use this all the time...about $80 on Amazon. This portable charger has five USB ports and completely charges our iPhone five times (or an iPad two times) before it needs to be recharged itself. Fully recharging this portable gadget takes about four hours. We have used our charger on airplanes, cruise ships, trains, buses, mountain tops...everywhere.

Detachable J-hook tethers (bought online for about $8.95 each) - sturdy, convenient way to quickly and easily attach your wheeled luggage pieces together then pull just one bag behind you. When not in use, the tethers quickly fit into a backpack, purse or carry-on, or simply toss into a zippered compartment in your luggage.

Plastic pouches can be purchased online (Amazon sells for about $16.95 for 8 pack) in size wide - 3 1/4 inches by 6 1/4 inches and is designed to hold paper luggage tags for Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Holland America, Costa, Cunard. They can also work for Royal Caribbean (RCL) and Celebrity Cruises. These pouches clearly display stateroom information without being torn off or ripped off. Just slide the paper tag into the pouch and secure to your luggage handles with portable S-shaped hooks (Home Depot or DIY store for about $3.00 each).

 Note: displaying cruise luggage tags not recommended for flying but should be added to luggage once you reach port or shuttle to port. 

Inexpensive clothes pins make handy toothbrush props and keep your toothbrush head from lying on an unfamiliar bathroom sink top. 

Pack some "thank you" cards/envelopes and keep them in your purse, travel tote or backpack (Dollar Store - pack of 6 for $1.00). Whether in the moment or while having your morning cup of Joe, take a few moments to say "thanks" in your own handwriting to someone who went above and beyond in service during your travels.

These sturdy, plastic containers come in all sizes and can be found at craft stores, pharmacies and DIY stores (i.e. Home Depot). The lids snap close securely.

7-day container - (blue lettering) great for storing jewelry such as rings, bendable bracelets, necklaces and earrings in carry-on luggage. 

Larger container (black snap closures) - ideal for larger pieces of jewelry and has removable dividers to create large or small sections, depending on your needs.

 Largest container (grey snap closures) - for longer trips and wonderful for prescriptions, over the counter pain relievers and various emergency pills for allergic reactions, stomach aches, etc. To better organize, we printed small labels for each type of pill and taped the labels to the top of each section for quick identification when using and refilling.

Short trip? Store shaving razors without getting nicked using large volume clips.

Longer trip? Store many disposable razors without getting nicked (their protective plastic covers usually fall off) by using a zip mesh bag. A plus...it breathes if you have damp razors.

Luggage zippers and snaps can give out from overstuffing and it can be embarrassing if it happens in an airport terminal (I have seen it!). I always carry at least two strong nylon luggage straps...just in case of an emergency (I like bright colors - can you tell?)

More to come...so stay tuned.