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The Micra is much like my original 1980s Leatherman - no locking blades. I'm glad I found mine in the back of my drawer! I originally posted this "Southampton forbids" item to alert fellow travelers about the locking blade issue. I am grateful to the UK travelers who schooled me on UK law forbidding locking blades of any kind (ignoring the "needed for work" aspect). After 34 cruises since 2006 I thought I knew traveling, but there's always something new. I use Cruise Critic to learn about destinations and attractions. My wife watches the Boards and Roll Calls. I think it's a sad result that my original post devolved into "if you Americans had fewer guns and knives there'd be fewer mass murders." Good Grief! How did the Leatherman post ever induce this? As someone smarter than me has said, "you can't fix stupid." I'll apply that to this sort of post. There are enough inflammatory views in the news without injecting such statements into Cruise Critic boards.

Ah, yes, equating "tool" to work. Actually, your comment makes good sense if one uses tools and works. I'm retired, so no work tools. As a former Scoutmaster (4 Eagle Scout sons) I adhere to the Scout motto "Be Prepared." I've used my Leatherman to fix things when traveling. Suitcase handles. Loose screws. Others I don't remember right now. So that's my answer. BTW, I found the solution for the locking blade issue: my old, original Leatherman that I probably bought in the late '80s. Who throws away tools? Grin. It has no locking blades, and the knife blade is shorter than 3 inches. Voila!

Thanks. I knew but had never considered the ramifications.

Did I ever get schooled on UK law pertaining to my Leatherman!! Thanks. We've been in and out of Heathrow and Southampton more than a few times, and I've always carried my TOOL in my luggage. I guess I've just been lucky, and I'll do it no longer, of course. I had no idea the the UK had such a law concerning locking blades, and I've now read many sources and the law about this. On the multi-tool it's a safety feature, and as a former Scoutmaster I've used all the tools... the blade probably the least. So, playing devil's advocate here, is a greater than 3 inch flat blade screwdriver with a blade that is always locked open, illegal, too? It can be just as sharp. Or if you're measuring blade width instead of shaft length, what about a 4 inch sheet rock tool for spreading joint compound? I feel sorry for my friends across the pond for this questionable point of law. Equating a Leatherman with a weapon is just wrong.

We've cruised a lot, as you can tell from my profile, but we were "greeted" with a new experience when we boarded in Southampton this month. The baggage screening process identified my Leatherman multi-tool in my suitcase. I've carried this tool since day 1, but I was not allowed to board with it. In fact, we were already on-board and got a call from guest relations to return to shore to see security. Bottom line: you cannot bring any tool on-board with a locking blade. Period. They won't even let it be held by ship security and returned at the end of the cruise. I had to either pay to have it sent back to Florida or it would be discarded (yeah, right). $56 later I'm expecting it tomorrow. Oh well, it was a pricey lesson for me, so I thought I'd warn others who may regularly carry such tools in their baggage. Joe

Here's the current link for paying the Argentina Arrival Tax, $160 for U.S. citizens. Please note that Google can translate this page into some form of English (grin):

https://reciprocidad.provincianet.com.ar/Default.aspx

Several additional posts about packing bring other habits to mind. First, we always pack half our clothes in each suitcase so that if one is missing we aren't relegated to buying everything we need. It's easy to replace toiletries if all are in one suitcase like mine are. Second, all meds and electronics are always in my backpack and her messenger bag, and never are checked. This is most important when flying to a cruise port, but I have a friend whose bag was lost between the pier and the ship (long story) so it's good practice to do these in all cases. I'm sure others can add to these "suggestions."

I've found having a list is helpful, so I have a general one page version for all travel. It's obvious which items pertain to cruises, which are for auto trips, and which are needed for both. After taking 21 cruises since mid 2006 we've learned how to travel with one medium suitcase each and a backpack (mine) and messenger bag (hers). Yes, we include appropriate formal night wear!

I've found having a list is helpful, so I have a general one page version for all travel. It's obvious which items pertain to cruises, which are for auto trips, and which are needed for both. Having taken 21 cruises since mid 2006 we've learned how to travel with one medium suitcase each and a backpack (mine) and messenger bag (hers). Yes, we include appropriate formal night wear and she has her shoes!