Re: Finely controlling humidity seems to be a "must", but I wonde
Like so many other care issues, humidity doesn't make much difference -- until it does. I was told about an expensive classical guitar whose top cracked after one night left out under a Christmas tree. An outlier case, but real nonetheless.
Generally, if you're comfortable with the temperature and humidity, so is your mandolin. Cruise ship cabins are climate-controlled, as a rule, and not subject to temp or humidity extremes. If you keep it cased when not in use, and don't leave it lying in a deck chair or stand in the bow a la De Caprio in Titanic, with salt spray washing over you and the wind in your hair, betcha you'll be OK.
Instruments, to over-generalize, have to be pretty sturdy to take storage, transportation, and actual playing. And, yes, there are thousands of mandolins that sat in non-climate-controlled storage, under full string tension, for years -- and emerged unscathed.
On the other hand, why take a chance if you don't have to? A case humidifier, or some silica gel packets (not in contact with the instrument's surface) if it's dampish, are inexpensive precautions. Mainly, keep in in the case when you're not playing it, and don't take unnecessary risks.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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