Packin light and lovin it!

[eastexascruiser]

After 5+ cruises of way overpacking, I'm finally taking the plunge and packing very light. Down to 1 suitcase - yeah!! It is so refreshing! And yes, I am almost 3 weeks out from sail date but have my clothes packed I'm ready to go right now!

[kimcruiser]

I am hoping to be just like you I want to pack for my upcoming cruise with 1 carry on and 1 checked piece.

[DQGal]

I was so hoping just a 22" carry on!!! But probably won't be able to do it. I'll worry that I won't have enough!! I am packed for a trip to cancun in carry on only!! 1 week all inclusive, so doing mix and match and will be in bathing suits and cover ups most of the time!!!

[Canuuk]

Yes, I'm the same. After 5 cruises I am down from 2 formal dresses, 1 long skirt and 2 pairs of pants ( and that was just for dinner). Now I bring 1 pair of dress black pants and 7 different tops. Works great! I love it.

[GottaLuvCruising]

We have managed with just a carry-on for several short cruises. We don't bother with formal night which makes packing much easier.

[nur01]

I just got back from Vegas and just used a carryon.. My friend and I went on the New England cruise and she taught me how to bundle pack.. She did.. She used alot of light weight clothing with neutral colors to mix and match.. I think she still had clothes she didn't wear at the end of cruise.. she even took 3 pairs of shoes!!I am cruising in May and I plan to bundle pack.. There are always washers and dryers if you run out of clothes

[hi2you]

I love the idea of going with simply a carry-on. But I am a worrier, and would be afraid things would be confiscated-like my entire bag. I do manage only one checked bag and my carry-on. How I do that, I don't know. I would love to be able to pack my entire closet to have at my disposal. There are way too many what-ifs running around in my head.

[steveaaaaa]

Originally Posted by GottaLuvCruising

We have managed with just a carry-on for several short cruises. We don't bother with formal night which makes packing much easier.

Well your in luck, they have been eliminated fleetwide over a year ago.

Steve

[oncruisecontrol]

Originally Posted by Canuuk

Yes, I'm the same. After 5 cruises I am down from 2 formal dresses, 1 long skirt and 2 pairs of pants ( and that was just for dinner). Now I bring 1 pair of dress black pants and 7 different tops. Works great! I love it.

That's what I do except that I bring 1 pair of dress black slacks, 1 nice black skirt, and 7 different tops.

[bakechef]

I am so glad that formal night has been changed to elegant night, we had to fly to the port on our last cruise, and it was bad enough that we had to pay for our first checked bag, so not having a garment bag was great.

We each packed a 24" bag and a backpack for carry on, careful packing and we had all that we needed for a 7 day cruise and 3 days in LA.

It was a great feeling to have packing so simplified.

As guys we just packed a pair of nice shoes, flip flops and leather sandals (for casual nights) twill pants and a nice shirt for cruise elegant night and shorts and casual shirts for day. Oh and lots of underpants!

[suezducruz]

I dont get it though..what does it really matter if you're not over the exceeded weight or # of bags? I would rather be prepared....is it a GAME?...Who can pack the least and still be happy?! I think it's come to that with the boys in my family! Personally...Let them make fun of me for how much I bring!!!

[bakechef]

Originally Posted by suezducruz

I dont get it though..what does it really matter if you're not over the exceeded weight or # of bags? I would rather be prepared....is it a GAME?...Who can pack the least and still be happy?! I think it's come to that with the boys in my family! Personally...Let them make fun of me for how much I bring!!!

Many airlines charge $20 for the first checked bag and $30 for the second and $100 for the third. Also overweight checked bags (bags over 50 lbs.) will cost an additional $50 up to 70 lbs. and over 70 lbs will cost and additional $100. These are the costs from American Airlines.

So packing light is essential for many. It doesn't take much to pack a 50 lb. suitcase.

[bfkkbc]

Originally Posted by steveaaaaa

Well your in luck, they have been eliminated fleetwide over a year ago.

Steve

Hey now play nice We are going to try to do carry ons only this cruise. We normally drive to the cruise ports but this year we are flying, so being the cheapies we are and not wanting to pay the checked baggage fee so..hubbie gets his carryon and I get mine and then my personal carryon item is another "vera bradly" type bag that I am putting my cruise docs and purse in and my overnight bag type stuff!! We shall see..... the jury is still out on whether we can do it or not!!!

[suezducruz]

Originally Posted by bakechef

Many airlines charge $20 for the first checked bag and $30 for the second and $100 for the third. Also overweight checked bags (bags over 50 lbs.) will cost an additional $50 up to 70 lbs. and over 70 lbs will cost and additional $100. These are the costs from American Airlines.

So packing light is essential for many. It doesn't take much to pack a 50 lb. suitcase.

I understand...except we always fly SW so 2 bags pp under 50 lbs are free...and believe me, we've had plenty of times when I've weighed my bag at home but have had to remove things at the airport and place them somewhere else just to avoid the fee. I am only kidding.... i understand the seriousness of it all!

[Muumuu]

Packing for my first cruise was a nightmare.
I have since learned to do an eight day in one 25 inch and one carry on.
Love it.
I too bring one pair black slacks and a few tops.

[G'ma]

Originally Posted by eastexascruiser

After 5+ cruises of way overpacking, I'm finally taking the plunge and packing very light. Down to 1 suitcase - yeah!! It is so refreshing! And yes, I am almost 3 weeks out from sail date but have my clothes packed I'm ready to go right now!

Welcome to the "freedom is one suitcase" club.....

You will love not dragging everything you own along with you......

[Illinoisgal]

I have our family of threes( DS is 10) packing down , for our 8 day miracle cruise plus one day to each side in one 28" and one carryon 21" and one backpack. that includes my magic bullet, Dh suit, my gown . dress shoes and a 10" travel fan. I weighed the bag and am under 50 lbs. So nice not to have all that stuff.

[Muumuu]

Originally Posted by Illinoisgal

I have our family of threes( DS is 10) packing down , for our 8 day miracle cruise plus one day to each side in one 28" and one carryon 21" and one backpack. that includes my magic bullet, Dh suit, my gown . dress shoes and a 10" travel fan. I weighed the bag and am under 50 lbs. So nice not to have all that stuff.

You are good.
See you on the Miracle.

[JC Butterfly]

you are all giving me hope that I can go just carry on for our upcoming cruise, that would really make life easier!

[sassy0930]

Since DH and I roadtrip from MI to FL for our cruises we bring all the bags we want. While we try not to bring anything uneccessary, we also don't worry about bringing a few extra tops or shorts. IF we ever choose to fly, then we'll definately pare down our packing, but until then we'll use three suitcases and two carryons plus a beach bag full of stuff!!!! LO