Carry On Luggage recommendation?

[beemergal]

I have been reading here that more and more people are opting for a carry on bag only for their cruise...even up to a 7 day cruise. That sounds very appealing to me. Since my next cruise is only 3 days long, this certainly seems like the way to go. Has anyone found a good piece of carry on with rollers? Brand?

[FlyerTalker]

For high quality, Tumi and Hartmann make great bags. Briggs & Reilly also make good luggage with a lifetime warranty.

You will have to keep in mind the requirements of your airline...some are more restrictive than others and most all have a max of 22" on length.

Personally, I'd never go on a 7 day cruise with only a carry-on, but that's my choice. Why not fly with checked luggage? If it's paranoia over "lost luggage", then, IMO, you are VASTLY overreacting. And I speak as someone who regularly logs over 100K miles per year flying.

[yogi2929]

On the other side of things we use very cheap, not inexpensive, but cheap rolling bags about 20" high that works great. Think we paid $15 each at the Penney's outlet. We carry them on and off so we do not worry about them being crushed.

Mom has packed in an L.L. Bean rolling backpack (like what kids use for school) for the 3/4 day cruises.

[Keith1010]

If you want a bag that is reasonably priced try Ricardo.

Think through what you are taking because it does not take much to fill up one bag so you might find it is just too small for you.

Keith

[Water•Baby]

DH is a real road warrior - on and off flights each and every week. He only carries a carry-on because he wastes too much time standing at baggage claim.

He carries a leather Hartman bag - it's frameless without wheels. It has a strap and many pockets, so things can be compartmentalised.

That doesn't work for me as I like to have wheels. For my shorter trips (i.e. 3 night cruises) I use a lightweight rollaboard that I bought at Tuesday Morning. Key for me was weight and the amount of space required in the bag for hardware. It probably won't last more than a year or so, but it works for me since I don't fly more than a handful of times a year.

[simplelife]

You can definately do a 3 day with just a carry on. I like the small rollaboards best for carry on. My favorite rollaboard is only 20", but I get more in it than my 22" (from the set I refer to below) because of the configuration of the pockets and it's expanding feature. Remember you can take one "personal item" - tote, packpack, messenger bag, etc - in addition ot the rollaboard. I usually take a large canvas tote that I will also use on excursions.

You can pay a lot or a little for luggage. I opt for paying a little.
Ross and TJ Maxx have deep discounts, especially if you are looking for a single piece and not a set. (I found my favorite rollaboard at Ross - it was a one-of-a-kind piece). JC Penney has sets on clearance, usually after Christmas. I bought a set there over 10 years ago (3 pieces for a little over $50) with the idea that it would last a couple of years until I could afford a better set. I am STILL using the set - nothing has has broken, worn out, or shown wear-and-tear. I have definitely gotten my money's worth.

[operafan]

Originally Posted by FlyerTalker

Personally, I'd never go on a 7 day cruise with only a carry-on, but that's my choice. Why not fly with checked luggage? If it's paranoia over "lost luggage", then, IMO, you are VASTLY overreacting. And I speak as someone who regularly logs over 100K miles per year flying.

Flyertalker, We used to feel the same way until BA lost our luggage for a Med cruise. They lost my parents luggage too and they came from a different city and through a different airport. Running around Barcelona trying to buy clothes the day before a cruise wasn't fun.

[CapeCodCruiser]

As I said in another thread DH & I have not checked a bag on air, rail or cruise in over 10 years. That includes 3 week trips to Europe. Pack smart - multi purpose, mix & match.

We each carry a rolling bag and a back pack. I do have a pretty large backpack which fits my laptop among other things. If you want bring along an empty nylon bag to hold last minute items - a stop to pick up a couple of bottles of wine or something.

Once you discover the freedom of not checking bags you will probably never go back! No waiting at baggage claims, no waiting for bags to arrive when you board the ship.

It also makes air travel easier - one time while on our way to mexico we and several others missed our connection in DC due to bad weather - the airline said the next available flight was 6 or 7 hours later - but there was a flight leaving for Cancun in 15 minutes just 4 or 5 gates away - since we had our bags with us we were able to board that flight and avoid the 6 or 7 hour wait at Dulles. (On international flights checked bags must be on same flight as passenger - at least thats the theory)

For quality bags at reduced rates try Craigslist or ebay.

[Azhemi]

I often pack a canvas bag inside my luggage (especially if traveling with carry on only). This way I can have extra room for anything I buy. If not to big it can also be carried on a plane as a purse after the cruise.

[G'ma]

Originally Posted by beemergal

I have been reading here that more and more people are opting for a carry on bag only for their cruise...even up to a 7 day cruise. That sounds very appealing to me. Since my next cruise is only 3 days long, this certainly seems like the way to go. Has anyone found a good piece of carry on with rollers? Brand?

I've used the same TravePro 22" roll on board for almost 20 years. Had to have a couple of zippers replaced about 8 years ago but, it's tough as nails and will fit through any scanner.

That's the only piece of luggage I've ever taken...no matter the vacation, no matter how long I'll be gone. That and a small carryon holds all my necessities. I'll never pack anything "just in case" except a small "medical kit" which includes a handful of qtips, a small tube of Neosporin and a few bandaids.

Freedom is traveling light.......

[operafan]

Freedom is traveling light.......[/quote]

I agree totally! We do up to two weeks with just carry-ons. We each take a 21 inch rolling bag and a small duffle. (And sometimes I can even fit in the formalwear.....)

[sunnygidget]

I've never done a cruise before, our first one is in 3 weeks. However I know how to travel light. Rick Steves, has a couple of great carry-ons you might want to check at his web site. My husband and I took one carry on each for a month in Europe and it was all we really needed. (Of course you have to do a little bit of laundry in the sink every 3 days). Even my "little black dress" folds up to nothing and shakes out with very few wrinkles. We never would have made a couple of really tight connections with checked bags.

[newbiecruiser09]

I would say, go for a less expensive bag as long as it is sturdy and the zippers work well (yes, I'm that lady in the store running the zippers up and down the suitcases to check them!). Since you will most likely not be checking the bag you will be the one handling it so no need to worry about the gorillas throwing it around (anyone else old enough to remember that commercial?!?!). I bought a set in Target (a 20" and a 22") about 12 years ago and it is still going strong. I know I did not spend more than about $30 on the set (and I think it also had a small toiletries kit too).

[ATL2LAS]

If its only a 3 night cruise, you could do that with a good backpack. I did a 3 nighter on RCCL and Carnival. A cruise that short you really only have to take a few essentials. Just plan out what you want to wear each day, line up your shoes, socks and underwear....then pack only half. Trust me, you will only wear half of what you think you will.