Roll to it: Why carry on luggage will make or break your trip

What you pack in your carry-on bag can make or break your vacation.

Most cruise passengers think that cruise lines never lose bags, which is correct – they just misplace them, sometimes for a few hours, occasionally for a few days. I have seen many vacations ruined due to essentials, especially medication, not being packed in one’s carry on.

Airlines are the main culprits with bags often going to exotic parts of the world without their owners. The moral of the story is “always pack in your carry on those things that cannot be easily replaced,” especially in shipboard shops. I usually pack two medical type bags, one for toiletries such as toothpaste etc and another with medications. This bag never leaves my sight when in transit. I also pack a change of underwear, socks and a pair of shorts and shirt which gives me a change of clothing in an emergency. As I am a frequent traveller, I have compiled a checklist and tick off all the items as I pack them.

TIP: Don’t forget to include photocopies of your passport’s main page and major credit cards. In the event of loss or theft, this can be a real life saver.