When the horn sounds for “all aboard” for your cruise, it goes without saying you’ll be worried about what you forgot to pack and how much it’s going to cost you to purchase it on board or in port.

After several Disney cruises I learned the top 5 things I never knew I should pack and always wish I had. Instead of you having to suffer and learn the hard way, like I did…I’m going to give you a few inside tips.

1. Over the door shoe organizer: I know this sounds ridiculous but there really is nothing you CAN’T do with a shoe organizer. I don’t mean anything fancy, it’s not some new fangled contraption…it’s the good old fashioned plastic thing that hangs on the back of a door and has slots for shoes. I wonder if the geniuses who invented the handy-dandy organizer knew how many things it would come in handy for! Staterooms are limited for space and if you don’t have a hanging toiletry bag, or are traveling with your family-this is a must. The ledge in the bathroom for your toiletries is practically non-existent. Not to mention if the ship rocks and something falls off the counter you’ll hit your bum against the door or the tub trying to bend over and get it and then smack your head on the counter on the way up (yeah…I’m speaking from experience). Hang the shoe organizer on the back of the bathroom door and put all those everyday toiletry essentials in them. There’s enough slots to hold everyone’s essentials!

2. An envelope for singles: Yes, your cruise is all inclusive and if for no other reason than that, you will undoubtedly order something from the room service menu. There’s something about having food delivered at midnight and not having to pay for it that really says “vacation”. You don’t have to pay for the food, but you should tip the cast member who gathered your order together in the galley and huffed it up the stairs on a tray in the middle of the night. Avoid the scramble for your wallet or the awkward realization you have no small bills and keep an envelope with singles by your stateroom door. You can put a magnet on the back and hang it on your stateroom door (adhesives are NOT allowed), or put it in your closet (command hooks are another handy must-have!).

3. Family information cards: You might eat with strangers, you might even like it. The truth is you are bound to find someone on the ship who you and your family connect with. You’ll want to keep in touch but you’ll be so busy settling your stateroom account and frantically trying to cram everything in your suitcase that you’ll forget to locate those people you can’t live without and exchange information. Avoid scrambling for pen and paper and make family business cards with your information on them. You can give as much, or as little information as you like to exchange and you’ll be ready to keep in touch without the hassle. Your local office supply store has pre-cut templates for business cards that you can print at home. If you want to get really fancy, take a look at cheap printing sites such as vistaprint.com for free business cards; but be mindful of the shipping time-you want to have them in time for your cruise!

4. Post It Notes & Highlighters: Post its are another handy thing for keeping up with those new-people-you-just-met-that-you-can’t-live-without. When the kids steal the wave phones and leave you stranded, your Post It Notes are a great way to leave a note on your neighbors stateroom door. They also come in handy for making notes on your Personal Navigator about things you don’t want to miss. This is also where the highlighters come in. A nice multi-pack of highlighters are perfect for your Personal Navigator. There is so much to do you can designate each family member a color and let them highlight their “must do” events.

5. Something smelly: Don’t ask questions, just pack something scented…trust me, you’ll thank me later. There is something about the toilet in your stateroom that just won’t smell right, it’s a funky, indescribable odor and there’s no getting around it. A hanging car air freshener, small can of aerosol spray or a small jar of room deodorizer will be just right to get rid of that smell and could amp up your “home away from home” experience with one of your scents from home.

There are a million more things I could tell you not to forget but I’m sure you already have those packed.

Related articles

• Top 5 Disney Cruise Line Must Have’s (chipandco.com)
• 5 Reasons You Should Choose to Cruise with Disney (chipandco.com)