8+ months until our Card Making Cruise ... sounds like a long time, but there are so many details, I'm trying to share them a bit at a time, so it's not overwhelming.Because we'll be in Europe, things will be a bit different, from currency, tipping to plugs and more.
Today, I want to talk about anything that requires power.
Europe's system is different in two ways. The shape of the plug and the voltage of current. Our shape is two-pronged and flat. In Europe it is two-pronged and round.
In the US we run on 110 volts, in Europe they run on 220 volts.
Many electronics and appliances are dual voltage, (find voltage on item, should read 110-220 if dual) which means you on need an adapter. This simply adapts from our plug to theirs. I like to have a few adapters on hand, one for the bed stand for my phone and one in the bathroom for shavers and/or hair tools (cruise & hotels will have a hair dryer).
Here are a few products I use and like...
These adapters have USB ports embedded.
If your appliance is not dual voltage, you'll have to purchase a converter. This will most like be for hair tools, like a curling iron or flat iron. I do not recommend this, instead, I would purchase a dual voltage one instead. Converters are bulky and not that reliable, as my daughter's curling iron blew up on one (that's purely anecdotal, but ever since then, I take my dual.).
I've been experimenting with some lately (I've tried 3 different ones) and this one is my favorite. It's small, gets really hot, comes in a heat protector zippered case (which is great, when you have to run and don't have time to let it cool off).
Lastly, you will use your electronics much more than when you are at home, which means batteries will die faster. If you don't already have a portable external hard drive, you will want to have one.
Sadly, phones just don't keep a charge very long and if you're in port for 6 or more hours, there is a good chance your battery will empty while taking pictures, videos or using GPS.
Ankor is a leading power bank brand. You really do get what you pay for!
This is the latest version of their Powercore II in their slim version. Will charge an iphone 8 almost 3.4 times and is light and slim. This is a great mid-price power bank.
If you don't use your phone for pictures/videos and you are just looking for a wee bit of power back up, I love this little lipstick sized power bank. It's what I keep in my purse at home and will charge your phone (this is approx.) 1 time.
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