'Felt uncomfortable': Don't make this packing mistake when getting on a cruise ship
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I have been on more than half a dozen or so cruises. But I learned a valuable lesson on the most recent one.
In April, I went on what was then the world's newest cruise ship, and I had to fly all the way to Miami for the three-day jaunt.
After a night in a hotel we were bussed to the mammoth cruise ship port (it makes Sydney's two look like ferry docks) to get on.
Port Miami cruise terminal is the biggest in the world. Getty
My husband and I got off the bus with our one suitcase. Initially we'd been given conflicting information that because this was a preview cruise, there wouldn't be porters taking our bags as usual.
However, as we dragged the case towards Norwegian Cruise Line's huge dedicated terminal, we were told by a brisk American man we had to hand it over.
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If you're not familiar with cruises, while you can take on small bags yourself, larger suitcases are generally handed to crew as you check in at the port.
They are then all loaded on and delivered to outside your cabin in a few hours. Obviously with thousands of passengers to cater for, it can take some time.
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Sarah learned a 'valuable lesson' on a cruise. Supplied
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But on previous cruises, I've never had to wait long. By the time I've got a drink and been to the buffet, my case has been waiting.
However, this time, that was not the case. As the minutes ticked by, our luggage failed to appear.
To add to the stress, we were due to attend the ship's christening ceremony, and we only had the travel clothes we'd boarded in.
That 'touch of aqua' on the dress code was not going to happen, because my glittery jumpsuit was nowhere to be seen.
We had to go anyway - and I did feel a bit uncomfortable sitting beside a woman in a ball gown. (Of course, my husband didn't care, and plenty of other people were also casually dressed.)
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Norwegian Aqua is a new cruise ship we sailed on earlier in the year. Supplied
What we should have done, and what I would now recommend to everyone else, is keep our at least an outfit change in our carry on - just like I do when flying.
And I'll certainly never make that mistake again.
The rest of the cruise, after our suitcase eventually arrived, went off without a hitch.
The Norwegian Aqua, isn't the firm's biggest, with capacity for about 3500 guests, but it is the most spectacular. There are 17 dining options on board.
On board there's the world's first hybrid rollercoaster waterslide and a 'dry' slide, The Drop, which sends you plummeting ten decks.
You can also shoot hoops in the LED sports area, Glow Court, knock out some mini golf, or join classes as diverse as painting to learning the moves to Michael Jackson's Thriller.
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