Comments on: How Cruise Packing Has Changed

By: Kenneth Eden

Kenneth Eden — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 12:38:38 +0000

Ray brings up a very good point, motorized scooters and wheel chairs. Yes, they do cause damage to be sure.

Now, as the public ages, and more passengers on ships will need scooters and the like, where will the cruise lines house them on board? A few handicapped cabins with roll in showers won’t hack it, there will be many more such cabins needed, and there are not going to enough, at least as it goes today if the few such cabins are the limit.

More new ships? Ripping out and enlarging cabins and suites? Scooter only access restaurants? These are major issues for the cruise lines to consider, and frankly, they will deal with it.

By: David Beers

David Beers — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:42:03 +0000

Another thing to consider is whether paying for laundry service on the ship is now worth it as opposed to paying the same money in airline baggage fees. Even on lines without self-serve laundromats they often have a ‘wash and fold special’ where a bag full of clothes can be washed by the ship for $20 or $25. If you are going to have to pay it anyway, why not cut down on the luggage and just have the clothing laundered?

By: Ray McDonald

Ray McDonald — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 17:32:53 +0000

Most of the bashing of elevator doors, scraping of walls, and destroyed paneling I have seen on cruise ships have been done by people in motorized scooters or wheelchairs. The Carnival Magic used to have nice glass sconces and decorations in the elevators…they were all replaced due to the damage of the scooters. I witnessed one of the final ones being destroyed myself.

By: Bob Green

Bob Green — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:58:01 +0000

The space bags are great for getting more stuff in a bag. For those trying to avoid or at least minimize airline fees should be careful about weight. That air you squeeze out does not weigh anything it is all of our stuff that does us in.

By: Kenneth Eden

Kenneth Eden — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:06:06 +0000

This has a two edged sword effect, I must admit.

Firstly, the airlines have indeed placed an onus on luggage, restricting what may be placed on board, however, for the fee, if one wishes, paying for the extra piece(s) or weight is the perogative of the airline passenger, whether fying to cruise point, or other deistinational requirement. We have paid up to $350.00 in fees, for longer cruises where formal attire is the norm, not a second thought.

With regard to luggage, “space bags” are the way to go, althought, American Tourister has them, of better quality, stronger and sold at Wal Mart in the luggage section. Either of these brands are roll-up air release, no vacuum needed. This saves space, a real helper. Incidently, I learned of this while watching Live with Regis and Kelly a few years ago.

As the ships get bigger, the passenger count gets higher, the crew gets smaller. That I feel is the main reason for baggage regs on “some” cruise lines. Also, luggage point to point service, from your home to the ship is offered on select lines, at a premium price.

During my last several cruises passengers that self-disembarked, taking their own luggage off, did so, bashing elevator doors, scraping walls, and destroyed some paneling. Now, can that offset the lack of crew and what they are paid, only to redo bashed parts of the ships interiors? I think not.

Ah, a third edge to a worn sword, what you pack. We have long stopped taking multiple shorts, tees, polos and the like in favor of sending laundry out, and re-wearing as opposed to multiple items, never worn, and bulking up a suitcase.