Guy Poll: Who Packs Your Things for a Cruise?

[jhannah]

I know this is different, being a poll for guys. But I'd like to hear from the male contingent for this poll. Now, all ladies are welcomed to post, but the poll itself is directed toward the guys.

Who packs your suitcases when you cruise? We know couples where if the husband packed there might be two shirts and a pair of jeans. No socks, no underwear, etc. If the DW didn't do it, the poor guy would have nothing to wear. Other couples are just the opposite ... the DH packs his own stuff.

So how about you?

[palmgirl]

My man does all of our packing. :D

After 30 years of being on the road he can do it far better than I.

I do pack my makeup and jewelry, but the rest is up to him.

Maybe it's his way of ensuring that I wear what he likes. :confused:

[jaguarstyper]

I'm pretty particular about my clothes and other things. I'll pack my things myself, in my own suitcase. Since I have travelled extensively on business, I have become quite proficient at packing. I can pack for a week long business trip in about 20 minutes. And, I rarely forget anything.

On our last beach vacation, my DW forgot to pack swimsuits. I'll say no more...

Tim

[jhannah]

On our last beach vacation, my DW forgot to pack swimsuits. I'll say no more... Good thinkin' ! ;)

[CanadianMAG]

FH packs his clothes and I pack everything else... oh and I add extra clothes for him too he doesnt pack a lot of different types of clothes. I hope it only takes a few years so he can do it all by himself:D

[Orcrone]

Everyone in our family is responsible for their own suitcase, including our teenage daughters. However, I have to admit that we remind them about different items to be on the safe side.

[KSCnCA]

My husband is pretty good about packing his own things but I always double check the dress clothes because he thinks he can get away with less than I want him too! Also - who brings exactly the right number of socks & underwear? I always bring extra in case you just want a fresh pair. They take up no room, so why not! Haven't convinced him of this yet, but we've only been married for 2 1/2 years so I haven't given up yet! :D

[richnorto]

FH packs his clothes and I pack everything else... oh and I add extra clothes for him too he doesnt pack a lot of different types of clothes. I hope it only takes a few years so he can do it all by himself:D

There's always hope, but..... my DH traveled a lot before we got married and always packed for himself. After marriage and as the years pass, :rolleyes: his abilities have faded. I now have to pack for him everywhere he/we go. He no longer has a clue what goes into a suitcase, or even where they are!!!:p No, it's not alzheimers, we're only in our 40's :D !

[ekerr19]

Are you kidding? My DH leaves it all up to me - so I even felt safe answering for him! :D

[Pete&Cat]

I'm a virgo, I have to pack my own and I'm Pete, not Cathy LOL :D

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Tom actually answered this, I read him the poll and I clicked.:) He pretty much packs everything he wants to bring, the only thing I might think of a few more things we both might need. Of course I also pack my own.

[bellebaby]

I choose all of my things and set them out. My DH then packs them along with all of his things. He's a better folder and uses luggage space better than I do. Even when I go on business trips alone, he puts everything in the luggage for me.

[Bill S]

I create a packing list for each cruise and take care of my own packing chores---I have a system and DW lets me do my own packing-thing. I'm glad she lets me take care of the important things! :)

[ekerr19]

Ok ladies, how many of you (seriously) don't peruse what DH is planning on bringing and do a little "editing?" Let's be honest here...

[richnorto]

I'm still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor!!! Where do these guys come from!!! Must have had great moms!!! I've learned men can pack, iron, cook, carve beef (in an empty pool, for drainage and cleaning purposes).....:D without me!!!

[Iggipolka]

My spouse and I are both female, so I'm going to answer this poll because I can. :D
We both pack individually, although, the last trip we took together, I packed her stuff when we were going home. I forgot a bunch of her stuff in the hotel room! Woops! I had to call the hotel and have them ship us her stuff. I'm never going to live that one down. Needless to say, she packs her own stuff now.

[dakrewser]

I can pack, of course, but it comes out of the suitcase looking much better when DW does it!

[Renorita]

DH packs all of his stuff and the Wine. I pack all of the paper essentials, ie. tickets, passports, etc., and all of my stuff. Of course there is always the "Did you remember to pack such and such?" :)

[Ziggy7]

My DH could pack his own stuff, however I am better at it :) soooooooo I win, he brings what he wants to take to the extra bedroom/packing room and I pack it. He also picks out his own clothes, he does dress in his own way even if its not my way but then I dont let him tell me what to wear either hehehehehe, but we both seem to do ok and look good together :)

[TYMAN]

I do my own packing....oh, about 1 month ahead of time :D

[TinaLee]

My husband picks out his own clothes, but then I'm in charge of making sure everything is pressed and ready to go. Everyone's clothes are put on the rolling rack until time to be folded. Everyone is in charge of their own HBA bag and carry along items (husband includes camera gear/diving gear in this category). The actually folding chores are shared. HOWEVER, the unpacking once we get there is almost always all my job... and we won't even talk about packing to go home! that's a whole different kettle of fish! ;)

[the2ofus]

DH has never packed a suitcase in 19 years of married life. Sometimes he does pick out a few things he'd like to take along. I shudder to think what we might have to wear if I left it up to him. Of course, then I might have to do some more shoppping in the ports we visit!! :)

[cruzincurt]

I pack my suitcase, the DW packs hers. However, the day before the DW has me set out my clothes that she THINKS need ironed. The truth is, they come out of the suitcase the same if they were ironed first or not.

And, they don't get re-ironed once unpacked.

[blackbird71]

Computer Geek am I :D.... I have a spreadsheet and it does well..... Also I travel single now and there is nobody I have to match what I wear to theirs.

[Randyk47]

Do my own selection and packing. We consult back and forth about what we're going to wear....mostly on informal and formal nights....but final decision is up to the individual as is packing their own bag. Final packing sometimes involves moving stuff from one bag to another for balance and weight but the choices have already been made and that's just fine tuning. We both travel fairly extensively in our work, and have for years, so we have our own routines and mental checklists.

[waterrats]

Cruizin,

I was shocked that you each use a suitcase until I noticed that you live in Tampa. You probably drive to the ship so the airlines loosing your luggage isn't a big deal. My wife and I each pack a suitcase, then we take half out of each and switch them. Just in case a piece of luggage goes missing, at least we have half our clothes with us. Then again, have you seen what some people wear on cruises? It really doesn't matter. I have seen people in the dining rooms with jean shorts on and a t-shirt.


I pack my suitcase, the DW packs hers. However, the day before the DW has me set out my clothes that she THINKS need ironed. The truth is, they come out of the suitcase the same if they were ironed first or not.

And, they don't get re-ironed once unpacked.

[JaniceB]

Everyone in our family is responsible for their own suitcase, including our teenage daughters. However, I have to admit that we remind them about different items to be on the safe side.

Our family is the same. For this cruise I have told everyone that there are 2 formal nights and 1 informal and to make sure they bring clothes to wear to the dining room other than shorts the other nights. I also pack all the suntan lotion, medicine and other essentials. For the most part everyone is self-sufficient.

[xpcdoojk]

I do all of the packing, ie putting everything into bags. I pick out all of my stuff that gets packed. DW then starts laying her material on the spare bed in the weeks leading up to the trip. Then the day before or night before I actually put the stuff in the bags, and I start the quiz. Do you have everything you need to wear this cocktail dress, ie special bra, pantyhose, whatever. Then she will go get the special purpose girly items. Then I start the quiz on, we are going to be on this excursion that might be windy, wet and cold, do you have your rain gear and warm under clothes, polar fleece and the like. Then she picks out that stuff. Toiletries are mostly packed by her, and I remember having to buy shaving cream in Cabo one time, Underarm antiperspirant in Auckland and a few other necessities, but overall she does good in that area. Then I weigh each bag, and try to make sure that they are around 40 pounds over 40 is a danger area on the return when we have bought new items I hate to get to the airport and have to do the baggage shuffle to get them under 50pounds. Our friends got nailed for about 100 bucks returning from Hawaii with us in 2003 for being hopelessly over the 50 pound weights. Then I put a pocket knife and extra ty raps in the outer pockets of all checked bags, and put ty raps in all of the zippers so that they are not the easiest bags for the baggage handlers to riffle thru. The pocket knife is for opening the main compartments when we get to the hotel or whereever. So I think I am a notch further up the packing chart than is an option in your poll, Jim.:D


jc

[bepsf]

Jim--

I didn't see the selection "My Mommy packs for me"...

[2rg]

I pack for myself and some of the general items like camara, film etc. DW packs for herself and the rest. She starts about a week before the cruise and I generally pack the night before. She gets aggravated to no end about me packing so late but then again I don't have to make a fashion statement either. ;-)

[jhannah]

Xpcdoojk it sounds like you have it down to an artform! That's great. I've noticed only a couple of references to packing lists. I always use one. It really helps keep me from forgetting something essential. I have a base list that I use as a template and modify it based on our itinerary and expected weather. I check it about once per month during the last few months, then weekly right before the trip. I haven't had to buy anything enroute yet. (But it's bound to happen some day.)

[blackbird71]

Sounds like you have it down to an artform! That's great. I've noticed only a couple of references to packing lists. I always use one. It really helps keep me from forgetting something essential. I have a base list that I use as a template and modify it based on our itinerary and expected weather. I check it about once per month during the last few months, then weekly right before the trip. I haven't had to buy anything enroute yet. (But it's bound to happen some day.)

You should see my "When I win the Lotto" World Cruise spreadsheet... And thanks to Grumpy, I have added a couple items to it..... :p:p

[MetathoraX]

My wife usually packs for me since I am working and she is at home and usually has more time than I do. Plus she complains about my folding still so I stay out of it and only make sure the most important things are taken care of. :D

[CanadianMAG]

Men..... what would most of them do without us!! :confused: :D LOL

[ILUVCRUIZN]

My DH picks out what he wants to take then we start editing. Nothing major he just never takes enough of one thing or he takes to much of one thing.

One thing he cannot do is fold clothes. I am responsible for packing the suitcases if I want the clothes to be in decent shape when we get to our destination. Now maybe his plan 12 years ago was to not do it right then he would be off the hook forever???? Well his plan has worked, I fold all of the laundry and do all of the packing.

One good thing is, I can always take that ugly shirt out of the suitcase that he insisted on bringing without him knowing!!! He is a good sport!!! What a great guy!!!!!!!

[jturner901]

Actually, I am one of those Anal-OCD-Queer-Eye kinda guys. If it's not packed my way, it's not packed right. So, I pack my stuff and her stuff.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I clicked, but the answer was definitely DH's. I haven't packed for him ever in our lives. He knows exactly what he wants to bring and I trust him totally. He gives me everything for laundering, but the rest he does completely on his own. I wouldn't have a clue as to what to pack for him. Except on rare occasions I don't even purchase clothing for him.

He was a Navy man ... I honestly think that has something to do with it.

On the other hand, he had to ask me this morning how to "cook" an english muffin ...........:o

[ekerr19]

Well, my DH spent 12 years in the Marine Corp, so one would think is self sufficient - yet after 18 years of marriage, he still leaves this task to me. He hasn't purchased anything to wear on a cruise in years - for a tux or jacket we usually shop for together, but all else I purchase for him and I know his sizes as well as I know my own.

He tells me he likes my taste in clothes and everything I pick always fits nicely - but I think he's just trying to butter me up because he really just hates shopping for clothes and would rather be doing just about anything else.

[bluehorizonlover123]

I give my husband the master list and then he packs his own stuff from there using the master list.

[Ziggy7]

Computer Geek am I :D.... I have a spreadsheet and it does well..... Also I travel single now and there is nobody I have to match what I wear to theirs.Match ???? We are suppose to MATCH ????? uh oh hehehehehehe :)

[trubey]

No, I just make a mess when I try to do stuff like buy clothes or pack. Laundry, too.

Lane

[TinaLee]

IExcept on rare occasions I don't even purchase clothing for him.

:rolleyes: my husband needs those little Garanimal tags for his clothes. "No, honey, the tigers go with the tigers and the giraffes go with the giraffes". If he bought his own clothes, it would not be pretty, let me tell you.

BTW, he wants to know if he gets extra points for being the one who manages to stuff all the luggage into the car and still leave room for people?

TinaLee :)

[ekerr19]

:rolleyes:BTW, he wants to know if he gets extra points for being the one who manages to stuff all the luggage into the car and still leave room for people?

TinaLee :)

*LOL* We have the same problem! This is DH's contribution to the whole process - also locking up the house and checking each window and door about 8 million times before we leave - and driving us to the airport. Did I also mention his quest to find the perfect parking space once we've arrived at the airport?? He will drive around searching and searching for "the perfect spot" and inevitably lands us in the area where the elevator is out of order or the air ticket counter is at the opposite end of the concourse, LOL!

[zdude]

I would not trust anyone else to pack my bag. I am more of the "if I left it its my own fault" vs. "you forgot it its your fault" kind of person. Usually I help the S.O. pack as well. Since I am used to traveling on a moments notice, it takes me about 5 minutes to pack for a week since it all just stays in the suitcase and the clothes are cleaned directly upon return. Vacation is a bit different, since I will have one higher end suit or tux and more active wear, plus an additional pair of shoes and scandals. Since I hike a lot, my backpack, which gear also stays in will go with me, sans tent, sleeping bag and a couple other items, that way I am prepared to help anyone that needs something while on excursions and such.

[jhannah]

:rolleyes: my husband needs those little Garanimal tags for his clothes. "No, honey, the tigers go with the tigers and the giraffes go with the giraffes". Too funny!

He will drive around searching and searching for "the perfect spot" ... Oh, my. Methinks my DW would say the same thing about me!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Computer Geek am I :D.... I have a spreadsheet and it does well..... Also I travel single now and there is nobody I have to match what I wear to theirs.

OMG ... I missed this!!! Are we supposed to try to "match"???? I've never done that. In fact sometimes if DH ends up with a shirt the same color as what I have on, I go change ... or he does.

Heaven take me away from matching. We have a couple on our street who ALWAYS matches. Spare me from something like this:eek: :

http://home.centurytel.net/EZSpiritsWorld/MD1003.jpg (http://home.centurytel.net/EZSpiritsWorld/MD1004.html)

[ekerr19]

Great picture Heather! I love it - I think the poster may have meant "co-ordinate" rather than match, but I could be wrong!

I do try to co-ordinate on formal nights so DH's tie, vest etc. is not clashing with my stunning attire. :D

[CanadianMAG]

One good thing is, I can always take that ugly shirt out of the suitcase that he insisted on bringing without him knowing!!! He is a good sport!!! What a great guy!!!!!!!

WHEEW! I am glad I am not the only person that does this :rolleyes:

[obriendan]

I do all my own packing. I'm also responsible for being sure to pack or take along important things like the tickets, passports, and the corkscrew. DW does hers but is always still packing at the last minute.

[RuthC]

My husband was always responsible to do his own packing---clothes didn't know who was folding them.
He did ask for my help (gladly given!) in putting the outfits together first. I, too, always joked that he need the Garanimals tags. Totally co-ordination challenged!

[ILUVCRUIZN]

Match ???? We are suppose to MATCH ????? uh oh hehehehehehe :)

Your on vacation!!!! Most likely you will never see these folks again, who cares if you match!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RevNeal]

Your poll let out the option that a guy might be single, and hence have to pack his own bag. I'm not surprised, only dismayed, that the single option was left out. :)

[Ziggy7]

Your poll let out the option that a guy might be single, and hence have to pack his own bag. I'm not surprised, only dismayed, that the single option was left out. :)revneal, I think this covers single men " I'm self-sufficient enough to pack my own stuff entirely". After all single men who cant pack better stay home hehehehe :)

[ger_77]

Does it count if he packs his carry-on all by himself?:D

Seriously, I pack everything and he agrees to lug it all out to the car and around the airports... it's a shared-labor thing! I always make sure to leave room in our luggage for purchases on the trip, as DH likes to pick up golf shirts from various locations.

I don't mind packing for both of us, at least I can be sure the clothes that are needed will be there!!!

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[cruzincurt]

WATERRATS, you are correct that we drive to the port. However, when we fly, we pack 50/50 between us. Just a few hours in the car adds the wrinkles.

For those DW's who think we men are not to be trusted, it was my DW who discovered after 3 hours in the car that SHE was wearing two different shoes.

I calmed her down and reminded her she had a similar set back at home.

[TinaLee]

For those DW's who think we men are not to be trusted, it was my DW who discovered after 3 hours in the car that SHE was wearing two different shoes.

I calmed her down and reminded her she had a similar set back at home.

Too funny! My daughter actually came home from school the other day and showed me that she had left the house that morning in the same predicament! Luckily for her, it was the same 'shoe', just in 2 different shades. I don't know if anyone ELSE noticed, but she about choked in choir when she realized what she had done! Of course, I'm sure mismatched shoes on a college campus is nothing new!

TinaLee :)

[the2ofus]

Jhannah,
I smiled at your mention of packing lists. For me, the packing list is a must!

MANY years ago I left the sleeping bags at home and discovered that sad fact 10 hours later as we unpacked for a week's stay at a tent site in the Adirondack mtns in New York State. Amazing what a great double sleeping bag you can rig with an army blanket, a canvas, one old cotton sheet and a needle and thread. Took me years to live that one down!

[RevNeal]

I think this covers single men " I'm self-sufficient enough to pack my own stuff entirely". After all single men who cant pack better stay home hehehehe

LOL! Perhaps. And you're right ... if a single guy can't pack he shouldn't go. Of course, Dorcas (my Basset) tries to pack for me by getting into my bag while I'm packing. One must not forget the puppy. :D

[Ziggy7]

LOL! Perhaps. And you're right ... if a single guy can't pack he shouldn't go. Of course, Dorcas (my Basset) tries to pack for me by getting into my bag while I'm packing. One must not forget the puppy. :DAre you sure he's not unpacking you hehehehe :)
You know, have you ever been on a cruise and thought
"I'm sure I packed those snacks!" :)

[trubey]

Jhannah,
I smiled at your mention of packing lists. For me, the packing list is a must!

MANY years ago I left the sleeping bags at home and discovered that sad fact 10 hours later as we unpacked for a week's stay at a tent site in the Adirondack mtns in New York State. Amazing what a great double sleeping bag you can rig with an army blanket, a canvas, one old cotton sheet and a needle and thread. Took me years to live that one down!

That's a great one!

Once when we arrived from Detroit at our rented apartment in London for a two-week stay, we noticed an extra soft-side in our luggage . . . you guessed it . . . tent, down bags, the works!

Lane

[kgjg]

If I left packing my stuff up to my DW, I'd be traveling extremly light. :D

[jp8088]

I Would let the D.W. do it but she always forgets to pack the concubines!!:eek:

[obriendan]

With all this discussion of packing and matching, I thought I'd share this picture. Its from the first formal night of a Panama Canal cruise in 2000 (before I acquired a tux). I packed this truly ugly sports jacket on purpose. The picture was set up to torture our children. I had worn this monster for many years, much to their displeasure. They always tried to get me to get rid of it. As you can see, it is matchless!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6433&stc=1

[bluehorizonlover123]

where is the picture. it is not showing up

[obriendan]

BlueHorizonLover123,

I can see the picture. You may have to go to User CP at the top of the page. Under Edit Options, under "Thread Display Options" check mark Show Images.

[dakrewser]

With all this discussion of packing and matching, I thought I'd share this picture. Its from the first formal night of a Panama Canal cruise in 2000 (before I acquired a tux). I packed this truly ugly sports jacket on purpose. The picture was set up to torture our children. I had worn this monster for many years, much to their displeasure. They always tried to get me to get rid of it. As you can see, it is matchless!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6433&stc=1

It's not showing up for me, either. It probably showing up for you, because you have it stored locally. IT's even got the right code for an attachment, it just ain't there! :confused:

-dave

[Ziggy7]

We no see it either :(

[obriendan]

I'll try again:

[Ziggy7]

Yayyyyyyyyyy you did it this time !!!!
You wont mind if I dont comment on it though will you hehehehe :)

[obriendan]

But it is ugly, isn't it? I purchased it at a sale here in Bryan-College Station many years ago when the clothing store was giving a discount that depended upon the difference between the Aggies score and the opponents (as long as the Aggies won). The Aggies won the game by 64 points! The clothing store went out of business but they were good to their word! But they still must have made a profit on this coat!

[Ziggy7]

But it is ugly, isn't it? Wellllllllll lets just say its different! http://boards1.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/eek.gif

[jhannah]

Gee. I kinda like it! Gives me the urge to go out and sell an automobile. :D

[K&RCurt]

I always pack my own bag, and carry-on and I also keep all of the paperwork with me.

I am always careful to leave plenty of room in my suitcase for all of the stuff that DW can't fit in hers! Wenever we go on vacation there are at least 4 full outfits that DW never even touches. But she likes to have "choice" in her clothing selection for any given day. I am willing to limit my choice each day in order to not Lug aroung more stuff.

BTW on our January Cruise we had to pay a $50.00 fee for DW's overweight bag!

[jhannah]

BTW on our January Cruise we had to pay a $50.00 fee for DW's overweight bag! But just think how up in arms we'd be if the airlines charged us for being overweight, like there was some talk of a couple of years ago. :eek:

[trubey]

But just think how up in arms we'd be if the airlines charged us for being overweight, like there was some talk of a couple of years ago. :eek:

Hey, Jim! They already do! A large (325 lb) friend of mine has to buy TWO seats!! If you ever sat next to one of those porkers, you'd charge double, too.

Lane

[jhannah]

If you ever sat next to one of those porkers, you'd charge double, too. Well, I did once. Long story. But this poor lady "spilled over" into my seat to the extent that I could not sit back without pinning my arms to my side between her and the window. I had to sit a bit sideways in my seat to eat my breakfast. (Back when they served breakfast.) We were in a bulkhead seat, so the table was inside the armrest. I had to physically mash her "bulk" aside so I could get the tray table out. Very awkward and uncomfortable for me. I tried to not be too obvious so as to not hurt her feelings, but the flight attendants paid no attention to my body language. I finally had to go find one and explain the situation. They did move me to an open seat in first class. But not until food service was over. Darn!

[trubey]

[QUOTE=jhannah]the flight attendants paid no attention to my body language. I finally had to go find one and explain the situation.QUOTE]

I had that once too, next to TWO of 'em. I grabbed an attendant before I even sat down and put it very strongly that my seat must be changed. I sat on the front outside corner of the seat (the only room available) until they came around and saw I couldn't even buckle my seatbelt!

Lane:p

[Himself]

Hey, since I don't have a DW, I have to pack my own things.

[blackbird71]

LOL! Perhaps. And you're right ... if a single guy can't pack he shouldn't go. Of course, Dorcas (my Basset) tries to pack for me by getting into my bag while I'm packing. One must not forget the puppy. :D

If you are single like me. You could do what I do.. Call Rent-A-Dobby....

http://portalpotter2.blig.ig.com.br/imagens/dobby.jpg

Good service and you get most of your socks packed... :D