The one thing I should take from this is finding a really good solar charger for iPhones, psp's, batteries, etc. I actually surfed the net for reviews a few weeks ago and found poor ratings on everything I looked at.
That is an excellent suggestion -- solar charger. Unless it were an Alaskan cruise.... The Brunton solar charger I bought several years ago for camping just never panned out to be worthwhile.
After this cruise ship story I'd at least take
Doug's e-PICO (at least one is with me 24/7) and my
Petzl e-Lite. They're both tiny. Probably would have taken them anyway but now I'd take more batteries.
And MicroPur tablets.
I've never been on a cruise so have no idea what the luggage limits may be.
Looked into Windjammer cruises years ago but never did one. The Love Boat-style cruises just never held much appeal. Seemed confining.