Bringing wheeled carry-on inside the liveaboard?

[JDelage]

All,

I understand soft-sided packs are best for a liveaboard, as storage room is limited. What about the carry-on cases? Is it OK to bring in the classic wheeled carry-on (so not exactly soft sided), or do I need to invest in a soft-sided carry-on? I'm going to put camera equipment & regulator in it anyway.

 

[Donnah]

It depends on the boat. If you are bringing a suitcase, you can put the carry-on inside it during the trip. Also, look into your air transportation. Some places you go may have weight restrictions on carry-ons. I'd opt for soft-sided and lower weight.

 

[KeithG]

Most boats I hav been on have ample storage room under the beds. If you can get your carry on in the small commuter plan overhead bins, then it will fit in the boat with no issues.

 

[JDelage]

Thanks.

 

[diversteve]

Most boats I hav been on have ample storage room under the beds. If you can get your carry on in the small commuter plan overhead bins, then it will fit in the boat with no issues.

Actually that boat doesn't appear to. The area below the bunks appears to be solid to the floor. Aggressor and Dancer Fleet Also they're pretty small rooms. 7.5x7.5 or 10x7.5. The floorplan doesn't seem to indicate a space to store larger bags - except maybe that little space behind the door? I'd ask for one of the higher numbered (5-7) rooms if possible - they're slightly larger.

You might want to contact Aggressor to see if they provide luggage storage elsewhere on the boat - they probably do. A couple liveaboards we've been on take your luggage when you're unpacked and store it elsewhere on the boat - 120' vessels have a lot of storage space.

The Know before you go states:

We recommend that you pack your gear in soft luggage such as a duffel bag for easy stowage and to add to your comfort in your cabin.

 

[parrotheaddiver]

I have always carried my small 21" wheeled carryon on LOB...I usually stow it under the bunks. Last time I was on the Cayman Aggressor....the divers with the mega bags gave them to the crew and they stowed them somewhere on the ship not sure where but when Friday came they put the mega bags on the dive deck so the divers could claim them...hope this helps

 

[Worldwide Dive and Sail]

Hi JDelage

Most liveaboards will have additional storage for your empty luggage. We advise guests to remove all their essentials and then bags are stored away below decks. They are then still accessible but not necessarily conveniently so (hence the need to remove your essentials ;-))

So even if the cabin looks like it doesn't have space, its highly likely the crew will be able to put your bag someplace safe.

A very good option if you are looking for a lightweight, wheeled carry on is the Departure bag from Aqua Lung

Have a great trip!

 

[Damselfish]

Storage depends on the liveaboard. Every boat I've been on had a place they would stash away any bags you didn't want in your cabin. (If a boat doesn't have room on board they may have someplace on shore.) Sometimes there is room under the bed/bunk. And if you have a top bunk you're not using, this is also a good place to put them - in fact I find a roll aboard sitting up there makes a great extra drawer.

 

[Doubler]

Some boats store the bags ashore. Some boats have storage up on the Flying Bridge. We always use the top bunk for storage and share the lower.

 

[diversteve]

For reference, this is the cabin in question: