HI I am shortly going on a River Boat Cruise thro Europe for 21 days starting in Amsterdam and stopping in Prague, thence return to Australia. I think I am pyschologically geared to travelling 'heavy' generally take everything bar the kitchen sink ( which I would if I could). The Cruise Line , Scenic Tours, seem adamant about luggage restrictions. Can anyone advise how I can manage, eg. my hair is not my crowning glory and I need hair tongs etc. What size plug should I take? (for the iron!. Any advice gratefully received

You should perhaps check with the cruise company about hair tongs and driers - they take a lot of power and the boat may not be equipped to cope with them.
Also they can tell you what type of sockets and the voltage they use on board.

I empathize, but have learned after many trips to Europe that: most hair "tongs", adapters, travel hair dryers etc. don't work well for one reason or another, and, that more importantly, no one really cares what your hair looks like!

Can you put it back in a simple ponytail or wear a beautiful headband/scarf to deal with it rather than lugging along items that may be useless?

I am a long-time fan of packing light. But part of the trick is I do not take any electric gadgets of any kind.

Whereas I pack light and routinely take electronic gadgets.

hetismij's point about the boat's electrical system not necessarily being suited to hair grooming accessories is an excellent one. Contact them directly, as they really are the only ones who can answer your question.

Yeesh. I've just checked out the Scenic Tours web site, and not only is the boat on the very luxe end of luxe, but there's actually a hairdresser on board:

http://www.scenictours.com/NthAmerica/FAQ.aspx

From this list of FAQ, here's what the company says about electrical current:

Q. What power adaptors are required and what is the voltage?

A. 220 V and international power adaptors required.

You can by dual voltage hair dryers, curling irons and brush dryers at Walmart, Target, etc. Then just take the plug ends (not the adapters) to Europe.

Before you leave home, go to a luggage store and get an adaptor plug. I have a plug which is used in Europe and another for Ireland, England, etc. I assume you'd need the Europe plug. The package lists the plug needed for various countries.

I have short, limp hair. I dare not appear in public without having blown dry my hair and used a curling iron. Otherwise, crowds would gather to mock me.

I get confused about 220 vs 120--can't remember who uses what. Since I go to Europe every year or two, I just bought a German hairdryer, curling iron, and travel iron. I don't trust dual voltage claims.

I pack very light, but I can't live without my hair appliances, and they're very lightweight, anyway.

Australian appliances are 240V so they'll work with just the European plug adaptor. Might be a bit more gutless than you're used to.
Still will be bulky and add weight but just how heavy is this appliance. I'm assuming you'll just be going on the boat so they won't be a lot of hauling your suitcase around as you would on a tour by train or low cost airlines.

Hi Settlers - be careful when listening to advice from our N. American cousins. The link is not for Australians.

You will have no problem using Australian appliances. They are the same voltage so there isn't the issues that North Americans have with their 110 watt appliances / not a converter or transformer. You just need a plug adapter. What I do is pick up a power strip (they are very light) from Bunnings or Woolies etc for $2-3 and just get one plug adaptor (European) and plug all my appliances (phone, camera etc) into the the power strip.

Correction

They are the same voltage so there isn't the issues that North Americans have with their 110 watt appliances. You just need a plug adapter - not a converter or transformer. What I do is pick up a power strip