Radiance of the seas- power supply
 

I am cruising for 17 nights in September on the Radiance of the seas. As I am travelling with two daughters, they are concerned that their hair dryers/ straighteners won't work efficiently as the ship runs on USA voltage (lower than our Australian appliances). Can anyone comment on this or give suggestions. They had briefly thought of buying online from a US supplier but then they'd be stuck with the appliances after the cruise.

It seems to me that these gadgets are cheap (esp. in the US)as well as short lived. So I would opt for buying US compatible ones and either discarding them or saving for another cruise. Amazon is a good source for good prices and service. A year or two ago we bought Euro compatible things but while in Spain. That worked well, except that small appliances are rather expensive in Europe.

There are hair dryers in each of the cabins.

But no hair straighteners.

I have been on cruises before and the hair dryers are like those supplied in most hotels- pretty useless (not very powerful), especially for long hair that takes a lot of drying. Thanks for your suggestion Reme, that's probably what they will do.

Warn your daughters ahead of time - it is quite humid at sea. Our curly-haired daughter eventually gave up on the hair straightener on a cruise.

Thanks Gail. I'm sure they will work things out. There always has to be compromise when we travel.

You really do not want to use your Australian hair dryers and curling irons on the ship. You'll end up shorting out either the appliances or the power supply in your cabin. So either buy what you need or do without.

Tkere will be a hairdryer in your cabin, likely a hand-held model, not one of the wall-mounted ones. That should be sufficient. But you can buy a U.S. curling iron in any drugstore (or in Hawaii at any ABC store) for around $20. Even if you are stuck with it and can't use it again, it's not a huge investment, but the cruise line will tell you not to use any Australian hand-held appliances at all, even with a converter.

Thanks Doug, your advice is appreciated very much.