Whether you’re embarking on a whirlwind weekend getaway or an epic round-the-world adventure the days leading up to a cruise can be incredibly exciting. However, this also goes hand in hand with some serious stress when it comes to getting organised. One of the most common dilemmas is packing so to help make things that little bit easier we’ve put together a handy guide which offers insight into how much baggage your should bring on-board.
Are there any weight/piece restrictions?
When it comes to this question most lines will answer with a ‘no.’ The P&O website states that “you can bring as many bags as you can comfortably fit into your cabin” and Royal Caribbean advises that “each guest is permitted to carry a reasonable amount of personal property.” While Fred Olsen does set a limit is would be extremely hard to reach, with the guidelines stating that “Our cruises from UK ports offer a generous 200lbs (90kgs) of baggage.” For safety reasons most lines will enforce a rue that no single piece should weigh over 20kg.
How long are you going for?
Let’s be realistic. If you’re heading off on a week-long cruise you’re not going to need two huge suitcases stuffed to the brim. Yes, your baggage does stay in your room for the majority of your cruise however you’ll also need to think about getting it to and from the port, your cabin and around any airports you may be passing through.
Don’t forget airlines!
Does your cruise involve any flying? If so it’s important to check how the baggage allowances of your airline beforehand. If your baggage exceeds your airline’s allowance you could be faced with hefty surcharges or even be forced to throw bits and pieces out. This information will be available from airline websites, or from your travel agent. Coach transfers are another aspect to consider, with services such as Coach Connect restricting passenger baggage to a maximum of three cases weighing no more than 20kg per piece.
At the end of the day the best thing to do is check directly with your chosen line via the company website or your travel agent. If you’re travelling with Cruise 1st the friendly team of customer service gurus will be more than willing to help you out with any packing queries!
Images sourced via Flickr Creative Commons. Credits: Emiliano
