As a very frequent traveler back and forth between the U.S. and the U.K, I have found that certain items are essential for combating the extremely unsanitary and very dry conditions of airplanes. Eyedrops, lotion, antibacterial hand-gel and toothpaste are essential items for sanitation and comfort, and and therefore protect the health and comfort of my fellow passengers. I'm not one of the "rollaboard" culprits - these travel-sized items take up almost no space. Does anyone know if airlines will be dispensing these types of hygiene products? Does anyone have any suggestions for alternatives?

On a different note, does anyone have any information on transatlantic cruiselines? To most that may sound extreme, but I always have to hit the ground running when I arrive overseas and if I'm exhausted, dehydrated, practically blind and sick because of all the germs, I'd just as soon take a boat...

QM2 www.cunard.com is the only ship that I'm aware of that has regularly scheduled crossings.

The only suggestion I have is for individually wrapped wet wipes. You can slip them right in your wallet so you don’t need anti bacterial gel. Just wash up when you get back to your seat. While they’re marketed for women they sell similar things for face washing. Dove or Oil of Olay wipes have lotion in them and they are good way to wash your face without drying it. Keeping your eyes closed as much as possible or wearing dark glasses might help, too.

Have no idea about the amenities issue. I'm frankly not expecting any changes in that for cattle class, and will have to wait and see about biz, etc.

As to your other question, I agree with Patty that Cunard has the only regularly scheduled crossings. However, almost all of the cruise lines have repositioning trips when they change, eg., from the Caribbean to Mediterranean and vice versa in spring and fall. Their web sites usually provide this information. We've had several friends take such trips and they all really enjoy them.

First of all, the "inconvenince" we will all be experiencing is caused by crazy people that enjoy killing hundreds of innocent people for their sick cause. We have to keep this in mind. When we become inconvienced on a flight sit back, close your eyes and dream of choking a terrorist.

About the eye drops...how about the type that comes in individual small vials? I have never used this type but I have seen them for sale. Aren't they so small that they will be approved?

Handwipe towels is a good idea, and I think it may be possible that the airlines will supply kits on board for personal comfort. Like selling lunches.

I agree, this is more then just inconvenience to travel without anything we think we need to take with us on a plane. I have only one question: when they start (or continue) to target the cruise lines, where do you suggest we go? You are missing the root of the problem.

Well, the Islamic terrorists want to send civilization back to the 4th Century. Switching from airplane to ocean liners is definitely going in the "right" direction.

I'm afraid I understand only too well the root of the problem, thanks. Believe me, considering the use of cruise lines to travel back and forth to Europe is not a way to avoid dealing with terrorism but to avoid dealing with increasingly hellish travel experiences. Filthy planes, unsanitary water to drink on planes (that is, if you can even get a flight attendant to give you any in the first place). And what about people with allegies and sinus conditions who need nosespray to breathe?

On the bright side, perhaps the airlines can profit by selling bottled water and eye drops to passengers at $10.00 a bottle onboard...

Thanks to the others for your suggestions - I'll be taking a look at cruise lines and hoping that logic and reason are restored shortly...

Travel well and be safe.

Seems to me I regularly read about outbreaks of illness on cruise ships. Better to put up with whatever health risks there may be on a relatively short flight as opposed to a 5 day trans-Atlantic cruise, I would think.