The desire to take everything with you on a cruise is natural, especially if you’re going on a cruise for the first time and don’t know what you’ll encounter.
Household appliances: kettles, irons, hair dryers…
A fire on the ship and on the high seas is an extremely dangerous thing and cruise companies are trying by all means to minimize risks. That is why all the potentially flammable equipment is prohibited on cruise liners.
So, be prepared to have your suitcases ironed in self-service laundry (where it’s available) or hand them over to steward (which will cost you money). Those who like to drink tea or coffee will probably want to pack a kettle or small kettle in their suitcase, which you shouldn’t do either.
What to take instead?
To make sure your clothes don’t look like a bulldog’s face after your suitcase, buy a special anti-fold spray for the road (yes, it exists).
Lovers of tea and coffee, who do not want to spend extra money on it in the coffee shop on the liner, we recommend to take on a cruise tea and coffee bags, and boiling water can be found in the buffet.
Stabbing, cutting and other dangerous objects.
Nail scissors, nail files and wire cutters do not count. Penknives are usually allowed, too: the rules of the cruise companies may vary, but as a rule, you may take a knife with a blade length shorter than 10 cm.
True, it’s better to be reinsured and pack your Swiss knife in the suitcase, not in hand luggage. Similar to weapons things (lighters or toy guns) are prohibited. We recommend that smokers leave their favourite Zippo at home and limit your carry-on to disposable lighters – no petrol ones allowed.
Liquor and beer (depends on the cruise).
Depending on the cruise company, you may be forbidden or limited to the amount of alcohol you can take on board. So don’t be in a hurry to buy alcohol at the DutyFree at the airport: your stock of “firewater” can be confiscated by security upon boarding. And if in some companies the “contraband” will be simply detained and returned at the end of the cruise, in others it will simply be thrown overboard. So, read the rules carefully before you go on a cruise.
If you’re going on a cruise on a stringent liquor company such as Costa or MSC, you will either have to forgo liquor or shell out some money (the price of alcohol on cruises is a sore subject for travelers). On those cruises, where you are allowed to take a certain amount of strong drinks, we recommend to take stronger and more expensive drinks. On how to save money on booze on the cruise and other tricks read our article.
Books.
No, the cruise company will not mind if you take with you a collection of Shakespeare’s works or all the volumes of the Great Soviet Encyclopedia. But think about it, is it worth carrying a few extra pounds? Instead of carrying a paper book, pick up an e-reader or tablet. It will not be comparable to a real “real” book, of course, but it will save you a lot of luggage.
Some gadgets and toys.
If you are traveling with children or a big kid yourself, you may want to take your favorite entertainment with you on vacation. But keep in mind that scooters, segways, kites, and your favorite quadcopter (as well as other radio-controlled toys) will have to be left at home.
But board games or cards will help pass the time. And on a cruise liner full of entertainments: climbing walls, water slides, surfing and free-fall simulators, bowling, etc., which will not let you get bored.
Jewelry.
Even if you plan to go out and want to shine at the captain’s reception, try to do without expensive jewelry. Tourists and their luggage are a frequent target for thieves of every kind, especially in port cities. With your fancy dress and necklaces you will attract the attention not only of the surrounding passengers, but also of criminal elements, who will see an excellent opportunity to make a profit.
Homemade food.
Oh these smoked chicken bacon and boiled testicles, which for a long time were the indispensable attribute of “russo touristo”. And now, sometimes, in the train or plane, you can meet the orthodox, from whose luggage familiar flavors can be heard. We do not want to discourage you to take on a trip “hiking pack” – it really can be useful on the way to the cruise (in the car, airport). But try to destroy the food supplies before you board the liner. Cruise companies don’t want problems in the form of food poisoning after enduring a long voyage, or worse, an epidemic of roto- or norovirus on board, so carefully prepared homemade cutlets or a burger from McDuck will go overboard.
Inflatable mattresses.
You may be surprised, but air mattresses, bouncy castles and other paraphernalia for relaxed rocking in the pool cannot be taken on board.
An extension cord with surge protector.
Although this thing would be very useful on a cruise (there may only be one outlet in the cabin, which is not enough for all your modern devices), many cruise companies do not allow tourists to take them with them.
Why? Cruise companies explain that such devices increase the load on the ship’s electrical grid and increase the risk of fire. At least tees and other splitters can (and even should) be brought on board.
Bad moods.
Small nuisances fly by unnoticed if you ignore them and just enjoy life. But if you are in a negative mood and see only the bad in everything, the problems will grow like a snowball. And even the most helpful staff on the sunniest day on a divine island paradise won’t bring you happiness on a silver platter if you’ve surrounded yourself with a wall of anti-happiness.
And that’s it!
For today. Have a good wind in your life, warm sunshine, and good friends!
