Glad you mentioned those shoes with the wheels - the family next to me in line during boarding were approached because the kid was zipping around on his wheels. They were required to go and buy shoes for him and come back!

“If you have handcuffs...for whatever reason...” 😂

Me: Extremely behind in school and have a hard deadline next week Also me: CrUiSe LInE aDvICe

Very interesting information. Some restrictions are obvious to me but others, like over the counter medication, not so much. The moral of the story is to not only understand the rules of the cruise ship, but also the countries. Thank you.

Beware the plug strip! While they are super handy for plugging in all your devices, many cruise lines will confiscate them if they contain a surge suppressor.

For American viewers... when he says "Fancy Dress," he is referring to costumes. Ahhhh, Britain and America, two great nations separated by a common language. LOL

Thanks for warning me. Since I can't carry my drones filled with cocaine in my favorite camouflage outfit, I will have to look for alternatives.

Thank you again Gary very much for the tips , your videos are always very insightful. We all appreciate them, looking forward to the next one !

My nicest memory was listening to a guitar playing softly while I was standing on the balcony of our room. It was our first cruise and I will always remember it. I was filming the water at the time so I can relive that memory whenever I like.

Hi from NY. I'm a cruise addict and I love all the tips you give us. I've being on several cruises and all you say is so true. Thanks so much for your tips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Drugs (keep prescriptions in original bottle/box and have proof of the prescription from your doctor) 2. Remote Control Devices (includes balloons) 3. Dress Code (formal wear required, non-faded jeans, no inappropriate clothing) 4. Keep valuables in your carry on bag. 5. Flammables (includes string lighting) 6. Heating Devices 7. Weapons (including replica guns, handcuffs, pepper spray, bats/clubs, knives 4"/10cm long) 8. Alcohol beyond 1 or 2 bottles/person 9. Musical Equipment (play instruments and radios quietly in cabins. On deck, use earphones with your mp3 player. Do not annoy other guests.) My own bonus cruise packing mistake that is a general rule for travel: Pack less than what you think you need, but always pack in case of emergency. Pack clothes that can be worn more than once and can be dressed up and down depending upon accessories. You will save space in your suitcase for all the souvenirs to take home and might even get away with using only a carry-on bag.

Hello Gary and a good video as usual and I have to say I’ve learnt something good as this has got to be the most important tips you’ve given ta date as you’ve definitely covered the most fundamental aspects of travelling and once again congratulations on surpassing 100k subscribers and hope it’s not too long when you reach 200k subs as you do a great job so until then Gary take care and cheerio

Very good tutorial! Thank you so much ‼️‼️

Your videos are always so helpful.

Very helpful! Thank you!

I totally appreciate the information you provided. Your wisdom from taking so many cruises is invaluable. Thank you sharing!

I was only on one cruise and that was 25 years ago. I loved it. I have been watching many different channels and really have the bug to go on a couple in the next couple of years-more if I could! However the information you give is the most informative. Thank you so much! And by the way, you look very handsome in your tux.

It's so nice to watch these video's for I will never go on a cruise ship with thousands of others. Way too busy for me!

I love the handcuff line!!🤣 These tips are fantastic!! Thanks for the tip about camouflage wear.👌

謝謝Gary，每星期源源不絕提供豐富資訊、資料、即時新聞和必知大小事💖

I don’t bring my brass knuckles with me on cruises. I don’t want them getting lost or confiscated, they were a gift from my grandmother.

The most jaw-dropping packing mistake I know of was made by four Americans who were trying to fly out of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. In line ahead of me, they were explaining to the official who needed to see their passports that they couldn't show him their passports because they had packed them in their checked baggage!

Great information, as always.

I moved to an Apartment complex several years ago. One of the lease restrictions is no open flames. For example no candles, kerosene lamps, etc. Reason: they can cause fires if people are careless with them. I got rid of all my candles except for my First Communion candle. Apartment fires are deadly, leave people homeless, etc. Ship fires are worse. I think restriction is totally justified. If you bring your own wine aboard and want to drink it any where but your own cabin you will be charged a corkage fee. Fee is anywhere from $25.00 to $40.00 usually. If you buy liquor at a port of call, you surrender it when you return to ship. You will get it back when you return to home port. If you disembark at a Texas port you must pay state taxes on liquor, cigarettes and cigars (no Cuban cigars are allowed) per state law. Actually, you can't bring back Cuban cigars anywhere in the US. If you bring any back to ship, smoke them on the ship. Some ships require you to smoke cigars in only 1 location. Usually there are several locations for cigarettes. Some packing restrictions are in accordance with international maritime law. Some over the counter drugs are prescription drugs in other countries. Some drugs aren't approved for use in all countries. If you have medical needs contact cruise line. They have departments to assist with health issues. If you have food allergies or need special diets contact them several weeks in advance. When exploring web sites find site map; it usually has direct links to everything you might need to know.

Great neon tips for travellers ship on table behind you.

I would have never thought about playing a musical instrument because we don’t play instruments. I am so glad that you make such wide-ranging informative videos.

What Gary said about traveling into Dubai or the UAE in general is 100% true. I flew into Dubai a few years ago and my traveling companion had his suitcase ripped apart by customs and immigration because they suspected drugs, when in reality it was just legal prescription medication. They don’t mess around in Dubai. Thank you Gary for another amazing video!

Agreed, as always. Traveler Beware! Thanks, Gary! PS. Just got a notice from HAL that they are instituting an "Orange Party" on all cruises in recognition of the Dutch Royal Family. They suggested we pack something Orange to wear... or items could be purchased on board. I'm cruising with them in about 3 weeks.

I will be going to the Maledives in a few weeks. As I had to prepare myself for their regulations, I would add to the medicine topic, if your prescription or doctors letter is not in English (or French?), you have to have it translated as well. It seems, the latin words are not sufficient. They want to understand most of the content on the customs without a doctor. This is just for those, who live in countries, with other languages, than those, that are acknowledged for international matters. I don't recall, if there was a statement, which languages are acceptable

Very informative

WHY do the Jack Sparrows of the world take a cruise WITH an all-you-can-drink package paid for and still try to smuggle booze on board?! Jack, when you're on a cruise, the rum will NOT always be gone. 😂

Great review. Thanks

No drones. They don’t want you being a peeping Tom! 😄

If you want to bring handcuffs...for whatever reason 😂😂😂

Today's times, some cruise lines are frowning upon walkie talkies and confiscating them upon the discretion of staff. Some to my large group of 18 guests. Now they have text via wifi and your cell phone....no additional charges for this service. There is no other efficient way to remain in contact with each other both on board and off on the islands, esp when children are cruising.

More excellent advice.

Hi, Gary, I’ve never cruised in these “monsters of the seas”, but I’m accustomed to exploring vessels and large yatches. As I enjoy coastal sailing. I’m polimedicated, different health issues. As for now, I had no issues with prescription drugs, what I never do is disembarking with them, I keep them in my cabin. My wife and I, God permits, are going to take this year’s Christmas transatlantic voyage. I’d say I won’t have any problem if I continue to keep my medical records and, if necessary, carry only the “one day dosis”. Or it maybe this be also out of regulations? Nice channel!

Listened to a few of these now. I can imagine a majority of noise complaints were made by the host. The quintessential stodgy old gentleman. After my own years of travelling around this earth. I have learned the value of earplugs, noise cancelling headphones and minding my own business rather than running to the powers that be to complain about noises I don't like. And this is said as someone who does not listen to loud music nor causes a ruckus. I simply do not begrudge others having a good time.

Thank You.

You are always so informative thank you you for sharing

More people need to watch this!

My sister-in-law had a pearl necklace stolen out of the safe in her own stateroom once. She was never compensated. My advice to cruisers is to not bring fine jewelry that you won't be wearing every day. It's not worth the risk of it being stolen or lost.

I would never have thought about having prescription medication with the actual prescription! My meds are boring and innocuous, but better safe...

Thank you for all of the tips. Btw, DCL does not allow musical instruments.

No Gary!! I will not watch another one right now! Maybe later 🙂. I'm preparing for my first cruise in June and your videos are the best

An add: Surge protector power strips are not allowed (at least on Royal Caribbean ships). We say a big boxful of them at the embarkation security station when we embarked on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Many of these tips apply to international travel in general.

On my last cruise with P&O Australia you could take onboard cans of softdrink. As I had some at home I thought I would take them. So put them in the bottom of my backpack. Go through the security check and they say they have to see them to ensure you are not trying to sneak alcohol onboard. So I had to fish down inside my backpack and pull them out. If I bring some again I will make sure they are on top! :-)

Our big suitcase zipper broke on our cruise, luckily my husband is a master at knot tying and we found rope and it made it home without spilling (we put everything in big trash bags first that I got from our room clerk) but it was so stressful

Last time we were on Holland American almost no on had a tuxedo or gown on formal night.

One great option is that Cunard will store a suitcase for you in between trips out and back eg Southampton to NYC and with a month between coming back.

We learned a few things, so, great job, Gary!

Love the "Tips For Travelers" & ship in the background. The tips were spot on as usual with the prescription drug warning one that most people need to know.

Rccl and carnival allows heating blankets😂 my lol gets cool easily so she packs it everytime. They also allow curling /flat irons but I've has my checked bag taken by security and checked bc of it a few times. The scanner sees the hair tools and they double check its not an actual iron and then I have to hunt my bag down after w disembark

HAL formal night requires collared shirt for men and smart pants with nice top for women. Many people wear jacket and tie or cocktail dresses and very occasionally tuxedos. It’s pretty much wear what you want.

“Fancy dress”! Is that a Britishism? Only the accompanying images suggested that the expression referred to Hallowe’en or masquerade costumes. To North American ears, Fancy Dress is what you wear on Formal Night: a tuxedo or evening gown.

My electric surge protector was confiscated. I understand now, that the problem is a fear of overloading circuits and causing a fire. Fire is always the very most feared disaster on any ship. So I make prior arrangements for an electrical outlet to be next to the bed setup, for my CPAP machine. No problem. Just FYI.

On the Royal Princess last week for a Mexican cruise, we decided to skip the 2nd formal night. Dinner at Alfredo’s Pizzeria instead of the dining room and no problem.

If you don’t want to lose it, don’t take it. Leave mementos and valuables at home.

Very good advice, as an ex seafarer reason Electrical equipment can not be brought onboard is we need to check their quality in case of a fire? Also we did not allow flip flops ? Only in cabins showers as on deck they are tripping hazards? Drinking water from the taps or fountains are better than bottle water believe me! I used to make the water as an engineer your basic advice is sound keep advising

Thanks for the tips! Not planning a cruise this year, but maybe someday...one can dream. OK, I have a story about the one cruise I've been on related to your notes on bringing instruments on board. Our ship departed from San Juan, PR and a number of Puerto Ricans were on board. Our next door neighbor brought his guitar and played the most beautiful Spanish/Latin music out on his balcony. It was a real treat! I knew we got really lucky on that cruise. The cruise line (Princess) should have hired him!

Hi Gary to many rules for me lol 😆

Curling tongs , like that one too

Thumbs up 👍👍👍

Hmmm... I just came from a Royal Caribbean cruise and I carried a drone with me, absolutely no problem! (I didn’t attempt to use it on board though) but security never even mentioned it! I also always bring with me a clothes steamer, hair dryer and flat iron, absolutely no problem! (20+ cruises)

Thats interesting. I always travel with a heated throw rug, so I wouldn't be allowed to have that?

I used to see a couple to pack two HUGH luggages for 5 days 4 nights cruise. 😂😂😂

Does no one appreciate a nice interlude of bagpipes and tubas?

So for camouflage clothes, does that include things like pants and shorts you can buy at a big box store, like Walmart?

I think some of these are just common sense and common courtesy - eg no boom boxes.

I like to pack light and never pack in my luggage anything that is irreplaceable or too expensive to lose. When I am traveling overseas, I carry my important documents, credit cards and cash next to my body in one of those zippered fabric pouches that hang from a cord over the neck and is worn under the clothing. Not only does this keep the items accessible to me, but it is hard for a pick pocket to steal them without undressing me -- and that would be an additional set of legal charges against them. If I needed to take prescription medication, that would go into a small carry-on bag along with a bottle of water, trail bar, sunglasses and a paperback book. And I would have a copy of my prescription and contact information for my physician in that neck pouch too.

Thats how i feel so i bought 450k Motor Home i can set out have cocktails plug in the Les Paul with fender amp play Johonny B Good

Our first cruise we made the mistake of putting all of the souveniers and duty-free alcohol we had bought in our carry-on bags. Every bit of it was stolen. (in Ft. Lauderdale)

Taking a speaker away for playing music😂😂 wish they would

Although you said in a previous video about bringing an opaque water bottle so that you can fill it with alcohol to bring back from day trips.

What about service animals? What are the guidelines with those?

1. LOL, thats soo me right there.. i just knew drugs was be the first way to get you into trouble.

When you say "fancy dress," do you mean costumes? I find tuxedos and ball gowns quite fancy

Silly question but if you have scripts for opiods, are you safe to just leave them on the ship whilst stopping in places like Dubai?

Your videos are extremely informative and helpful, and I appreciate them. But what do you mean by "fancy dress", and how is that different/the same as needing "elegant gowns"? I understand some cruises are more formal, some less, but I'm not understanding the distinction here. Please respond, because I'm planning to go on cruises and I'm really tired of how all aspects of life have become so, so casual. I like to dress up. I like to look polished and tailored in general, and I really like to dress up fancy for the evening. Not lots of money and flash, but good taste and style. Thank you.

Can u bring ham radio

anyone mentioned powerboards?... HAL do not like them (at least when departing from Sydney AU). cheers

We have only been on 2 cruises in the past. One was a Mediterranean cruise with Costa and our honeymoon was a Caribbean cruise with Celebrity. I told my husband to bring a suit for formal night on costa and turns out he didn’t need it so for formal nights on Celebrity he just wore a smart shirt and trousers and that’s what most men wore so it was fine. We have a 16 night Australian, Indonesia, Hong Kong etc cruise booked for March 2022 with Royal Princess. From what I read online they seem to be stricter on their formal night dressing so will my husband need to bring a suit or dinner jacket or will a smart shirt and trousers suffice again? We are away for over a month as we are visiting a few destinations in Australia before we start the cruise and don’t want to waste precious room in our cases for a suit or dinner jacket if it’s not needed. Also I am disabled and take many medications including one with codeine. I always travel with a list of my medications on my GPs letterhead even though I’ve never been asked for it on a land or cruise holiday. I’ll do this for this cruise also but I’m just clarifying that codeine, muscle relaxant medication etc is ok to take with me if it’s been prescribed to me? I’m 42 and don’t really look disabled so I was worried about taking so much medication on our first holiday after being diagnosed 8 years ago but thankfully it’s never been a problem so far.

what about hiking poles?

I learnt my lesson this year on the Britannia I will pack some proper milk so I can get a decent cup of tea in our cabin However the Darjeeling Tea at Eric Lanyards was Delicious and I presume that was made with UHT milk

My wife and I only cruise Holland America Lines, HAL. Dress for their "gala nights" state that men must wear a jacket and tie. However, they don't enforce the rule the way they should. I have sat at tables where men have had just a collared shirt and once where a father and son were wearing "puffy" cold weather jackets. On regular nights they do not allow sandals or flip-flops but never stop any of the women that are wearing them, just the men. They really need to apply the dress code better.

That happend to me with the camouflage jacket and a women told me on the plane to take it off because they would take it off you so I had to stuff it in my bag and the plane was cold

If you are allowed to bring on board one or two bottles of wine, can you also bring on board a corkscrew or similar device for opening those bottles?

If you’re worried about your medication email the government agency of the counties you are visiting and they’ll clear up your questions. Most issues are associated with anything that is considered an opioid or narcotic of a specific class.

Gary, what about medicines in Webster Packs? These are prescribed medicines that are packaged per day for a month by the pharmacy.

If you have pain killers that have an ingredient in them that is illegal if you leave them on the ship is that alright?

I’m unsure wat meds are allowed on a cruise ship. I don’t do drugs but have a medical condition and I’ve had issues travelling by plane. I’ve had to show a letter from my doctor tho. We don’t like formal nights.

How do you iron clothes then? Never cruised so I have no idea

On the last Princess cruise we went on, they let us (my wife and I) bring a bottle of wine each back on at every stop. Worked well for us as we're not big drinkers.

I hope I can take my hair straighteners on the Azura. I can't force my fuzzy hair on the general public!

Fancy dress=Halloween costume for my fellow Americans.

I remember when I was on the Grandeur of the Seas in 2018 and getting worried about my medications being on board. My daughter takes Ritalin for her ADHD and I have a prescription for Klonopin that I am to take in case I have a seizure. I made sure I brought them in the original bottle, but I was afraid that they would not accept them unless I brought an actual note from my doctor.

CPAPs with humidifiers need permission prior through disability services because of the heating element.

Can I bring my own life vest? I am a sports sailor. The vest is automatic professional grade.

Another thing not to bring on board or even attempt to smuggle on board are animals of any kind from home or even from the port you visited. The only exception would be a service animal which you must have papers for.