Jan115

Whether you choose to call it “duck” tape or “duct” tape, you’ll find that it’s pretty amazing and comes in handy in all sorts of ways. Uses for duct tape are endless, and its benefits in cruise travel range from simply keeping unwanted light from awakening a late sleeper to saving a person’s life with a makeshift bandage. Sure, maybe it's not as trendy as its classier and pricier cousin, "gaffer’s" tape, but it’s prettier and has a catchy name. Duct tape (especially “Duck” brand tape) now comes in all sorts of colors and prints – from cartoon characters and animal prints to NFL team logos. After all, a whole outfit, complete with accessories, can be made from duct tape. The story behind this adhesive miracle maker varies, depending on whom you talk to. The tape was originally used to join seams and repair heating and cooling ducts, and apparently was used by the military to patch bullet holes in airplanes – hence the term “duct” tape. It was quite popular in WWII when troops needed waterproof tape because water rolled off it, similar to “… water off a duck’s back”, and consequently earned the name “duck” tape. Most likely, someone probably thought “duct” was a “duck” and simply confused the two. Since “Duck” is also a brand name for duct tape, I’ll refer to it as “duct tape” here, so as not to ruffle any fowl feathers. Whatever story you believe, you can’t ignore all the inventive ways to use duct tape on a cruise. It’s a traveler’s trusted friend. Following are 25 creative uses for this sensational sticky stuff: Luggage 1. Repair a broken suitcase handle. 2. Hold the bag closed if the zipper’s busted. 3. Wrap duct tape around your luggage to deter theft by less than honest airport workers (after you go through security, of course). 4. Decorate your luggage with brightly colored tape to find it easily in baggage claim, both at the airport and cruise terminal. Wardrobe malfunctions 5. Fix a tear in your raincoat or windbreaker. 6. Tape up a fallen hem. 7. Add some extra insulation to your boots or shoes. Tape the insides with duct tape, placing the shiny side against your foot to reflect heat back to you. 8. Patch holes in jeans. Use brightly colored animal or floral prints and make a fashion statement. 9. Secure a detached sole onto your shoe or boot until you reach civilization. 10. Remove lint and pet hair from your formal night clothes. 11. Repair a broken sandal strap. First aid 12. If you sustain a twisted or broken ankle, wrap it in duct tape to brace it – but not too tightly - until you get help. 13. Likewise, create a splint by immobilizing the limb with a stick and wrap with tape. 14. Use duct tape in place of a band aid. 15. Create an emergency sling with rope fashioned from duct tape. Yes, really. See “Shore Excursions” below. 16. Did you step on glass, and are you miles from help? Clean the cut with water or the first-aid kit you hopefully remembered to bring, and then seal the wound with duct tape. Foot wounds are not to be fooled with. 17. Remove a wart from your foot. Cover with duct tape, and the wart dies in a couple of weeks, as no air penetrates the tape. 18. Cushion a blister on your foot. In your cabin 19. Close up gaps in curtains to keep the light out if you’re a late sleeper. 20. Don’t trust the security of your safe? Tape an envelope of valuables on the underside of a piece of furniture. 21. Repair a cracked toilet bowl seat as a temporary fix until maintenance arrives. 22. Hold the shower curtain in place so it doesn’t creep up your behind. 23. Got a curious toddler with you? Baby-proof your cabin. Tape all those tempting drawers shut, keep the outlets covered and secure the wires to the wall. (Just be careful where you attach the stuff, as it can leave a sticky film to the surface.) Shore excursions 24. If you find yourself in need of a rope, stick an edge of duct tape to something, pull out long pieces and twirl them, creating a sturdy piece of duct tape rope. 25. If you get hopelessly lost in the woods, miss your ship and find yourself starving to death, tape an arrowhead or shard piece to a stick. You’ll have a handy spear for fishing or small game catching. Not that I condone hunting on a cruise, but it beats going hungry. By Janice Neves, CruiseCrazies Contributor For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecra....com/index.html View full article

For me, it's easy, Larry. 3,046 passengers on S-class Reflection or 5,400 on Oasis. Oasis is just too damn big for me. And your right - I can think of better ships on which to sail the Caribbean.

Good advice, Larry - especially the time needed in Rome - which is why we're flying in a few days early. :-)

Naomi - My daughter lived in Vermont for five years when she was attending Champlain College. Burlington is a beautiful city! In fact, my husband's cousin is the swim coach at UVM. I miss my drives back and forth, but my daughter goes back up to visit friends on occasion and in fact is attending a wedding up there in September. She loves Burlington, too - unfortunately, she couldn't find a job so had to return home.

I've never seen Hairspray live - only the movie with John Travolta as Edna. What a hoot!

I picked "beach, swimming with dolphins, etc." with a few exceptions. I prefer swimming and snorkeling at the beach. My husband likes to swim - but prefer's a pool. I love dolphins, but you won't find me swimming with them - only observing them in their natural environment. My plan on my next Caribbean cruise is to do a one of the resort beach days. He can swim in the pool, I'll be on the beach, and we'll both be happy. We also like to visit historic sites (forts, castles, etc.), so do experience those on a Caribbean cruise, as well.

Wow, Tim - that's amazing! I think I might try this next time I write up a review just to see what kind of response I Get!

I bought one of each to compare - I'll let you know the verdict!

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Hmmmm ... maybe if we sell the house ....

I have often wondered about that ... the town is so small, and when there are several ships in port, it must get very crowded. I guess I'll see for myself when I'm there in 3 weeks.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

We love to try our hand at the slots, but then cry all the way home at the money we lost.

Naomi - Sounds like you have a good plan, but then I am not familiar with any of the Mediterranean ports. With the exception of Rome, I am looking at Greece and Turkey next summer. Speaking of Rome - Jackie, would you please send me a PM with the tour guide you used. We are spending 4 nights in Rome Pre-cruise and want to see the most we can in the time we have.

Ray, after our cruise on the 680-passenger Ocean Princess last year (a former Renaissance ship), I decided I really like those small ships. No lines, easier to get around, and you become buddies with your fellow passengers. Unfortunately, I can't convince David to try another. He referred to it as "the rowboat". That was also the first cruise for my brother and his wife. They are coming with us to Alaska on the Grand Princess, and I have to remind them it's not going to be the country club cruise they experienced last summer.

Yes, my untrained eyes tell me those are full-blown sails, as if to portray that small-ship experience, like Windstar. Then, of course, what do I know ...

Oceania's "Around the World in 180 Days" cruise, open for reservations on July 17, 2013 - With stops at 89 ports. Wow! If only .... but I guess a girl can dream! :biggrin:Unfortunatley, I don't have the time or money for this one, but I do certainly LOVE the cover art of their brochure!!!!

I was glad to help, and I learned a lot from the research. For instance, when booking my cruise next summer to the Mediterranean on Celebrity Reflection, I discovered one of the designated smoking areas to be deck 5 - port side only. Since we wanted to take advantage of a balcony upgrade promo on deck 6, above, I knew to choose the starboard side. We hope you find this information useful, as well!

Thanks for joining us here at CruiseCrazies. We hope you'll visit often, ask questions, share your experiences and join in the conversation.

They look so amazing. Unfortunately, time and money are against me. Someday ...

I'm with you, Denna. I hate doing laundry at home, and I certainly don't want to do it on my vacation. Then again, the longest I've cruised is 7 days. I imagine it would be handy on a longer cruise.

Yikes ... those were some stubborn whales!