Thread: Packing tips for a cruise

Originally Posted by Cruise Planner

Yep, like he said!

I'm exactly the same way. We also take three cameras. I use my Canon T1I for most things with a 16gb card. But we have two smaller digital cameras; one for her and the other for me when I don't want to lug around the big camera.

Plus, I take a laptop or netbook with me along with some extra memory cards so I can make a copy of every picture we take. That way we have duplicates of everything should anything ever happen. Never know when a card may fail, camera stolen, etc, etc. Last thing you want is to take 2,000 pictures during a once-in-a-lifetime trip only to have them gone because of a problem and no backup. Nothing is foolproof.

Pete

I love your thinking with backups... So many times I always think... If the thief will just let me take my memory card, he/she can have the camera... OR -- if this camera falls into the ocean, I am going after the memory card LOL.

I just do not want to lug around my laptop - netbook is an idea, mine is a lenovo s10, not too heavy if I leave the charger at home... Just powering up to transfer photos once a day or every other day will last the whole trip...Something for me to ponder about.

Originally Posted by sk8erguy1978

I love your thinking with backups... So many times I always think... If the thief will just let me take my memory card, he/she can have the camera... OR -- if this camera falls into the ocean, I am going after the memory card LOL.

I just do not want to lug around my laptop - netbook is an idea, mine is a lenovo s10, not too heavy if I leave the charger at home... Just powering up to transfer photos once a day or every other day will last the whole trip...Something for me to ponder about.

If I'm going someplace local (Caribbean) or if I'm going to spend longer than just the cruise (like 3 weeks in Hawaii) I may take my laptop. But if I'm going to someplace where I'll be doing alot of traveling (like Europe), then I'll take the netbook.

Either way, it's always important to have another option to you can backup. I learned that once when I had something stolen with information I really hated to lose. I didn't care about the item itself, but the information was irreplaceable.

Pete

I always take along the laptop (even though it weighs a ton) since I do my blog posts with it. It also stays back in the room so it is as safe as possible on the ship. I download the pictures to it daily.

Has anyone had a laptop damaged by airline luggage abuse? Is it necessary to bring the laptop as a carryon to avoid damage to it? In my search for luggage, I read in some bag descriptions the large front pocket is good for small laptops but I wondered if that only means it is big enough to hold one.

I don't have a laptop (personally, I hate them), but a sister and my mom both have a Mac Book Pro.

Because of our business, I ALWAYS take a netbook or a laptop with me and I ALWAYS put it in my backpack that I carry with me at all times. I would NEVER put my laptop in my checked baggage either with an airline or a cruise line. That's just asking for problems.

It NEVER leaves my site - same with my camera. They're both in the same backpack which is always with me wherever I go.

When I go into port, I usually take it with me so I can check on my clients, but if I don't take it, then it gets locked in the safe.

Pete

The subject title does not just mean, "What things do I need?" It's also about how to pack those things you need if you have a lot of pockets and compartments in your suitcase and/or a strap to put two suitcases together, as well as whether you should expand an expandable bag. Should you expand two small bags to say light, which is good enough for many cruises, or pack a big bag to get checked and carry on a small bag not in the expanded position? These are things to think about too, as well as what to put where.

For me, it is part of the process when I shop for new bags. I don't need a zillion compartments, but I like to be organized when I am traveling.