Cameras and film

sewut51 · December 28, 2004

Should cameras and film be packed in checked luggage or carryon? Do they x ray the bags and does this ruin the film?

Sewut51

1 month 2 days 5 hours 14 minutes

Elation Jan 05

jbond · December 28, 2004

All film should be in your carry on. The Xray used for checked luggage is more powerful and can cause damage to undeveloped film.

Xrays for checked baggage are less powerful, but can have a cumulative effect. TSA recommends that undeveloped film less than 400 ASA should not go through more than 5 xrays. If you are travelling through a US airport, you can request a hand check of your film.

Getting on the ship at each port you will have everything xrayed and both Princess and RCI refuse to do a hand check. Limit the number of times that you take your film ashore, i.e. only take ashore what you will need.

I have never had a problem with damaged film, but you do read about many people that have had a problem. Just play it safe.