Liveaboard Luggage Advice

[CatB]

I am off to the Red Sea on the 9th December for my first liveaboard trip, I'll be on the Whirlwind with a group of other YDers

We have a very generous luggage allowance of 2x 25kg each This has tipped the balance in favour of taking my drysuit. I feel the cold pretty easily and was frozen in January this year using a 5mm semi-dry with 2mm vest under it and 3mm shorty over the top! I can't imagine wanting to do a night dive if it meant getting back into a cold wet wetsuit. However, being a UK diver my regular undersuit is a nice toasty Weezle, I'm guessing this might be a tad warm for the Red Sea even under a membrane drysuit so what would you folks suggest wearing under the drysuit? Will I get away with shorts and a T-shirt or would a set of light weight thermals be better?

Next question is about luggage and storing bags, when I went to the Red Sea last year I took everything in a normal suitcase because it was lighter than my dive bag (by several kilos) and less of an advert for thieves. However, I have seen a post on here somewhere saying that there is no space to store bags and cases in rooms and they get put in the hold - does anyone know if this is the case on Whirlwind? If so I'll take the dive bag because the suitcase really won't stand up to being crushed by lots of other bags once it's empty. Also, does this mean if I'm taking 2 bags anyway, I should put dive kit in one and clothes etc in a different one? (I think there'll be rather more dive kit than clothes )

Finally, it's already been suggested that if I'm taking a drysuit, I should take a wetsuit too in case something fails catastrophically on the drysuit. Anything else you guys would recommend as Red Sea and/or liveaboard essentials (sea sickness tablets and immodium already on the list!)?

Thank You

[purple vonny]

Whirlwind is pretty big isn't it? I'd imagine they would store it for you. The only time I've ever had to store a bag in the cabin, it went under the bunk, out of the way.

That's a brilliant luggage allowance!

The drysuit is a good idea, if you have enough weight allowance, hell, take a wetsuit too!

You'll probably take more than you need, the boat will have a decent medical supply box.

It's good to take spares if weight allows: fin straps, mask, computer.....if it can go wrong, it will..if you are miles from shore!

All your grub and drinks are free but pick up some booze at the airport for evening cocktails if you like a snifter. IPOD/Walkman and book and that's about it.

You need very few clothes, just wear the smelly ones again and again. And you won't wear shoes for a week.

Have a lovely holiday!

[Jules77]

I haven't been on Whirlwind but was on Typhoon just before Easter and I think that they are basically the same. On Typhoon they certainly stored all the bags out of the way so you shouldn't have that problem.

Otherwise I agree with Vonny that you really need very little and in my experience on liveaboards you tend to bring home about 75% of the clothes as you spend most of the day in swimwear and its only in the evening that you put on "real" clothes. I guess that your last night will be in Sharm so something for going out in there but even then you won't exactly need a lot.

Have a great time...

[CatB]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

That's a brilliant luggage allowance!

It is rather, I'm worried that it seems too good to be true, I did ask the the people at Tony Backhursts twice to make sure. I might call them back just to check before I start packing! Paranoid... me?!

Thanks for the advice

[Bottle Maker]

[quote=purple vonny;810613]

The drysuit is a good idea, if you have enough weight allowance, hell, take a wetsuit too!

You'll probably take more than you need, the boat will have a decent medical supply box.

It's good to take spares if weight allows: fin straps, mask, computer.....if it can go wrong, it will..if you are miles from shore!

All your grub and drinks are free but pick up some booze at the airport for evening cocktails if you like a snifter. IPOD/Walkman and book and that's about it.

You need very few clothes, just wear the smelly ones again and again. And you won't wear shoes for a week.

Have a lovely holiday![/quote}

If you think you may need any medication of any type take it with you. I have just got back from Whirlwind there was no antiseptic the only pain killers where Ibuprofen and the ear drops where 18months out of date.

I took most a gear gulper box and a ruck sack for my kit the box went under the bench on the dive deck and my ruck sack I left in the wardrobe in my cabin. Most peaples bags where taken away and stored by the crew.

It was starting to get cold at night so take some warm clothes.

Have a great time.

Graham

[Bottle Maker]

With the lugage your only allowed one bag that weighs 23kg + one bag of sporting equipment, when you check in tell them bag X is your diving kit. My box weighed 23.6 kg the lady at check in said thats was ok so long as was less than 32kg.
Graham

[Mr Friday]

I have been on a few liveaboards and have taken a large suitcase each time.

Never had any problems with storing it - if it doesn't fit in the cabin then the crew will find somewhere ! Always feel reluctant with dive gear in those flimsy cases/bags with the way airline staff chuck stuff around.

[sailorbuoy]

Good idea to take the drysuit - Winter in the Red Sea I put a pair of traccy bottoms and a very light fleece under it - a t-shirt and shorts under a membrane suit will be cold!

As you are on a liveaboard take the wetsuit if you can - just in case!!! There is no rental option at sea!

Not been in Whirlwind but most liveaboards will stow your luggage for you - I use a dive bag but stow my cabin gear inside in a stuff sac so I can just empty the bag on the dive deck - stick dive stuff in my crate and take the sac to the cabin.

See ShinyD's thread here for various packing lists...!!