Anyone ever take a sewing machine on cruise?
 

My family is cruising the week of Thanksgiving on Celebrity Reflections and my stateroom looks to have power outlet by the desk. I would love to finish some Christmas gifts, but not sure the power source can handle a Janome 3160. What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance, Dianne

You can always ask. Not sure who but maybe someone who's been on a cruise. No more than it ways (I had to Google), at least it wouldn't be hard to carryon.

Maybe this is the wrong website for this advice... Unless your entire family are quilters, leave your sewing machine at home. It is a time for fun and family. Rest enjoy your cruise and then sew like crazy when you get home (and before you leave).

I just came back from a cruise to Alaska. There was a Quilting Group with teachers and we were sewing in the dining room area. Most of us had the Janome 3160 and just surge protectors. No problem, so I don't see why it would be any different in the room. Be sure to take a surge protector and go for it. I would say that I didn't have the cruise ship handle my sewing machine as I was worried about damage. I just kept it as my carry on luggage.

I agree with my-ty. I have never had enough time in my room to do anything but sleep. And by the time I got there at night, that is all I did.

I have thought about all the activities, my daughter/son-in-law(no children) will probably do all the excursions together and eat dinner together. This ship has an artsy theme...painting classes etc. My art is quilting and thought while my hubby reads I can sew. Or maybe just take fabric to cut. Thought if the activities on board do not interest me, I would have a back up. I don't gamble, bake in the sun or have interest in the games they have listed for the ship. Just in the thinking stage.

My problem with this would be the non-ergonomic nature of desk and chair for sewing. It would be really hard on my back! Same for cutting; I would not want to be cutting fabric on a too-low desk or table. In this situation I would probably bring something to hand piece or knit or crochet.

I assume that unless you are on quilting cruise, you would be by yourself. There are so many activities on and off the boat. I would leave it at home and have fun with the family.

Here's an idea - don't listen to people who tell you how to spend your cruise. (But you already know that.) If you bring your sewing machine and project along and wind up not getting to it, no big deal. If you don't bring it along and wish you had, you're stuck.

A sewing machine draws less power than most anything else in your home. I'm sure the outlets on the ship can handle it. I say, go for it. If you don't use it, at least you were prepared. Better than not taking it and wishing you had.

Cari

I took an English paper piecing project (grandmother's flower garden, lucy boston or something similar) that is done by hand and got quite a bit done. It was easy to take anywhere on the cruise ship or while docked. And it meant that I could sit on deck. I found the stateroom to be rather boring honestly and only spent time in there to sleep or change clothes on both cruises I have been on. But we also did shopping and excursions while in each port.

I've been on 2 quilting cruises... used my machine both in the dedicated room for our group and in my stateroom. Take it, use it if you find the time... if not, no big deal.

I agree with the last few posts, take it along. My trip to MI a few wks ago I took books, hand work, yarn, etc. All so I would have something to do. This trip I was to busy to do anything except finish 1 book but I had it there, just in case.

I would think the contact for the cruise line would be the place to ask about the power. Nothing worse than having the time and stewing over what you could be doing. To many people, sewing is a pleasure and form of recreation. Perhaps you can do most of the cutting at home, which would mean less to pack. Best wishes for a pleasurable trip.

After posting the above, I googled "taking my sewing machine cruising", and came up with www.carnival.com/funville/forums/t/306240.aspx .The person who asked in 2014 was told that handwork was okay, but the reply sounds like homeland security may end up with her machine. I don't know if the policy is the same with all cruise lines, so best to find out early.

unless this is a quiltig cruise, I think I would try to find a few things to do with the family.

Just another thought - can you just skip the cruise (doesn't sound like you are all that keen on it anyway) and you and the hubs stay home where you can sew and don't have to worry about taking a sewing machine? Seems like a lot of work to do what you can do at home.

I total agree with Manalto. Days the ship is sailing can be a little boring if you are not into bingo. I have never brought my machine with me but think it is a wonderful idea. Days the ship is docked do what ever you want.

I agree with Manalto - I have taken my machine to the beach several times - once or twice I used it a lot and once or twice it never was opened. But I had it if I wanted it. Since mine is a fairly light weight Sofia, it was no problem.

Even a heavy machine would only be a small inconvenience; it's not as though you're forced to carry it with you when you take a stroll on the deck. A treadle, however, may be overdoing it - servants are in such short supply these days.

My Mother took me on a river boat cruise and how I wished I had brought something to do. There was too much time on my hands and reading just didn't cover it. As someone else mentioned If you don't sew then it is no great loss. It just means your sewing machine got to go on the cruise too.
Do have fun!!
Lynda

You're kidding, right? You're going on vacation with your family and you're going to take your sewing machine and sew. It's one thing to take hand projects that you can do while sitting with other people, but who is going to want to sit with you in your cabin while you sew.

Would someone please explain to me why some people (I'm not mentioning any names) care and appear to want to control how others spend vacations with their families?

I was on Alaskan cruise in June, personally I would not take sewing machine, room too small (we had balcony stateroom) light not great and desk n chair would not be good height for sewing. I did some hand sewing and cross stitch in the big library, comfortable bright and roomy.

I would take some handwork "just in case" and leave the machine at home. I don't want to be sewing in the cabin while everyone else is having fun!! I love cruises!

You should take your machine. If you don't care for the ship's activities, the sun or reading you will need something to do. Great way to get projects finished.

I agree with notmorecraft. I cruise 4-5 times a year. Counter space in cabins is very limited and I have been in cabins from the inside to suites. I am not sure if there would even be enough room to hold the sewing machine. Lighting is terrible. I have had a hard time doing hand sewing in my cabin. Take something you can work on by hand and do it outside on the deck or in one of the common areas with good lighting. Most importantly, enjoy this time with your family. The days that we can be together are gone before you know it. Sewing will always be there.

I have been on 30+ cruises, the lighting in the cabins is not good. We usually get the junior suite or owners suite and they are bigger and brighter but still not the best light. Also, luggage is limited, I suggest you plan out the clothing and personal items first and then the fabric and sewing machine. We all have different interests, as much as I enjoy sewing I do not take a machine. I have learned to relax, enjoy the time with my hubby and family. I've done some of the on ship activities and the excursions. I didn't like all of them but I was spending quality time with my family. We met a lot of people and have remained friends and do things together besides cruises. I don't play bingo, cards, etc., at home because I'm busy sewing. I will always cherish the time I've spent doing the cruise activities and the people I've met. I feel I can tolerate anything for a few hours. Many people on cruises are bored, lonely and just need someone to socialize with. It makes me happy to listen to their stories, plus I see the delight in their eyes when they talk to me. On a cruise I feel I have all the time in the world to relax, visit and make new friends. Plus the food is good!

I am not an expert on cruises by any means, but when I did cruise, there was not enough time to "take in everything I wanted to do". And I don't spend my time gambling and shopping on the boat, too expensive, but they have all kinds of things, crafts etc. Sightseeing, even if you don't take the tours, get off the boat and walk in the ports, you would be surprised at what you see and learn. Also, if this is a family cruise, your family wants your time with them, and believe me life is short so give them some family time. If I took anything it would be handwork of some kind or a book and the ship has a library or at least when I was cruising it did. Spend the time with your family and enjoy them and if you don't want to do all the things they do, look around there are multiple activities and people to make new friends with (at least for the cruise). We met the nicest older couple and they were a ball of fun to do things with that didn't cost an arm and a leg. So enjoy your family time and do some handwork. The sewing and machine will be there long after family isn't. My two cents for the day >grin<

I always have some kind of hand sewing for cruises. Something I can take to the pool, while I "people watch". There is not enough space in a cabin unless you get a suite. and there is usually only one outlet. My hexie flower garden will be traveling through the pannama canel and ports beyond this december.

Take your machine if you feel like taking it. Those sailing days can get really long. Why is it okay to take books to read but not okay to take other things for down time? Take a head lamp if the lighting is not great. Take a plug strip if there's only one outlet. Cramped space or not, if you want to do something badly enough, you can make it work. And if it doesn't work, you probably still have a book or two.

I have never been on a cruise, but I have been on vacations with family and friends. Some times there is time to sew, other times there is no extra time. But I have a travel machine which fits easily in the car when we go. If it never gets out of the carrier that is okay. All I did was take up a bit of space in the car. Your question is will the ship be able to accommodate the electrical current to run your machine, it would seem it will be fine, just call them and ask.

Haven't been on a cruise, but just back from Ireland and one item I greatly encourage you to take is a sketch book--I not only used it to jot down notes from what I saw, but also sketch different designs I saw or was inspired by that could become quilting designs or inspirations for quilt tops--even if it's just listing of colors that you see in a scene. Guess what I'm saying is that while you might not get lots of piecing done (and I wouldn't bring a machine just cause of lugging one around and not wanting to be sitting in room by myself) a trip can provide you with so much inspiration in all the new "views"!

I agree with my-ty. Leave your machine at home and enjoy your cruise.

There are tooooooo many fun things to do on a cruise to warrant me taking my machine. Plus I would have to take an extra suitcase just for QUILTING supplies. I personally wouldn't want to be carting my sewing machine thru airports even if it IS in a rolling case. Rooms on cruise ships are barely big enough for sleeping let alone spreading out to cut and quilt. Take it if you want- if you use it -fine- if not - also fine! Do what YOU want to do... Have a great cruise whatever you decide.

If you are flying to your port, don't forget to check with the airline about bringing your machine. Bring your machine if you can, it is better to bring it and not use it, than to find yourself with free time and not have it.