Does anyone have experience with taking a guitar on a cruise ship.

Whiskeyman · #1 03-23-2009, 10:39 PM

My wife and I are going on a 25th anniversary cruise next week and I'm thinking that I might take my guitar, a Taylor DN3, with me. (I need to keep my practice ritual going and a habit.)

Good idea? Bad idea? For the guitar's sake, BTW.

vti814ce · #2 03-23-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskeyman

My wife and I are going on a 25th anniversary cruise next week and I'm thinking that I might take my guitar, a Taylor DN3, with me. (I need to keep my practice ritual going and a habit.)

Good idea? Bad idea? For the guitar's sake, BTW.

I wouldn't.....I dont know. Those cabins are so small, besides, you have to leave your luggage outside the boat and they drop it off outside your room door where it sits unattended for a bit while the ship is doing orientation. I didn't like cruising, but many may disagree. I wouldn't do it though.

Sammy

yardism · #3 03-23-2009, 10:49 PM

Guitar will probably survive... can you swim though?

vti814ce · #4 03-23-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yardism

Guitar will probably survive... can you swim though?

Its not an Ovation!

Sammy

SMan · #5 03-23-2009, 11:02 PM

I took my Koa Taylor on an Alaskan Cruise last June. It was great. I purchased a Body Glove gig bag with "back pack" straps and carried it on my back through the boarding and disembarkation process without an issue. It was relaxing at the end of the day doing a little picking.

grantgsc · #6 03-23-2009, 11:12 PM

First, congrats. Perhaps you should be paying attention to your wife instead of playing your guitar. She might appreciate that more. Just a thought....

Mrfunkyle · #7 03-24-2009, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantgsc

First, congrats. Perhaps you should be paying attention to your wife instead of playing your guitar. She might appreciate that more. Just a thought....

Bogus... she will have plenty of fun regardless.

You gotta bring your guitar! i brought my 314 on a cruise a couple of years ago to jamaica and cayman islands. It was great and seriously... well worth it!!!

TBman · #8 03-24-2009, 06:01 AM

I brought my Seagull Folk on our cruise last summer, I carried it on and off the ship myself. I didn't play it alot, but there's always a spare 15 to 30 minutes every day.

rmyAddison · #9 03-24-2009, 06:06 AM

I would do it in a heartbeat but not a cold weather cruise (like Alaska). Otherwise I can see playing out on the deck near sunset as "wonderful", and I would take a good guitar not a beater, but that's just me.

Happy Anniversary!!

ewalling · #10 03-24-2009, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskeyman

My wife and I are going on a 25th anniversary cruise next week and I'm thinking that I might take my guitar, a Taylor DN3, with me. (I need to keep my practice ritual going and a habit.)

Good idea? Bad idea? For the guitar's sake, BTW.

In the 90s I hiked round the Greek Cyclades islands with my backpack and my Lakewood dread. I had the same attitude as you; 3 weeks without playing was just too much. It was a bit uncomfortable, though; every time we moved, not only did I have to pile on the big backpack but also heave up the guitar case. It's a question of priorities.

tbeltrans · #11 03-24-2009, 06:16 AM

Back around 2002, my wife and I went on a 10 day cruise through the Caribbean - all paid for by stock earnings. I took my Soloette and got in at least an hour a day practice. I also read several novels during that same period. It isn't really my kind of vacation, but it was unique. If we were to do something like that again, I would prefer going to a B & B for a week in a coastal town in England. But I know a lot of people who really like cruises.

For me, the best part of the cruise was getting to know the cocktail piano player. I would sit with him during the day when he practiced and he would explain stuff about how he works up tunes from fakebooks. That kind of daily exposure is priceless.

The only problem I had was getting through security. Those guys would not let me tell them what the Soloette was, and it sure does not look like a guitar. Eventually they figured out that it was not harmful and let it through.

Tony

Ed C. · #12 03-24-2009, 06:36 AM

I took my Bourgeois OMC on a Caribbean cruise once. Carried it on and off the ship (no checking) and kept it in the closet for long dresses. Wasn't a big deal. Played out on the balcony. You probably don't want to take it off the ship during the cruise as you have to clear customs when you get back on.

Herb Hunter · #13 03-24-2009, 06:42 AM

I've been on the two cruises that Acoustic Guitar Magazine arranged in 2003 and 2004. Some of us went with inexpensive guitars and some of us took high end guitars, even a Brazilian rosewood one was there. I boarded with my guitar as I wouldn't leave it with the other luggage.

actaylor · #14 03-24-2009, 08:26 AM

I took a Baby Taylor on a cruise with no problem. Do NOT leave your guitar with your other luggage. Carry it with you when you start and finish the cruise. Consider it your "carry-on". I lost some very nice luggage (and its contents) somewhere during the whole "leave your luggage outside the room and pick it up when it clears customs in San Juan"fiasco. Read the fine print on your ticket. Unlike U.S. airlines, cruise ships don't have to give you near as much in damages if you lose something. I think I eventually got $300 (not near enough to replace the luggage and its contents), but it took me forever.

CamelbackCinema · #15 03-24-2009, 08:32 AM

ummm... enjoy the cruise. How about listen to some music instead of creating?