flights to the caribbean

[cornish pasty]

would like to know how much luggage you can take on a fly cruise to the caribbean with po and how much will it cost to take a extra case going for 34 days

[kersh]

The luggage allowance on the PO charter flights is 23kg hold luggage and 5 kg hand luggage. The answer about purchasing extra allowance is that it is not available.

 

2 years ago we phoned Thomsons ourselves and did manage to get someone there to allow us to purchase extra allowance. But others have tried since and have been declined.

 

If you are flying from a London airport PO have been using Virgin and BA for the overflow of pax and the luggage allowance is more generous and you can purchase extra.

 

Sue

[annieuk]

Sue is quite right. The allowance is as she says and you cannot just pay to take an extra case. The flights are usually from Gatwick (assuming you are going from London) and are with either Thomson or Thomas Cook. Last year some people did have to go with BA or Virgin and while they did have a slightly different baggage allowance they had to collect their cases at Barbados and go through immigration. With a charter flight (Thomson or TC) you check in your luggage in Gatwick and do not see it again until it appears in your cabin. You do not enter the airport at Bridgetown at all but go down the airport steps straight onto a coach which takes you to the port - fantastic arrangement.

 

We have been on a 3 week fly cruise in the Caribbean and managed to cope with all the formal stuff within the 23kg limit. One tip - carry heavy things like chargers in a jacket pocket - wear a jacket with large pockets and put as much heavy stuff in there as you can - it does make a real difference. Don't take too many toiletries - if you wish you can buy them once you are through security at the airport - there is always a Boots open, or you can buy a certain amount onboard the ship. Hope this helps.

[StLucia]

We bought some super lite suitcases a couple of years ago when airlines started reducing baggage allowance, they have proved to be a good investment. It's surprising how much summer weight clothing, inc a tux and a suit you can get within the 46kg baggage allowance for a couple. We also take a roll on case,just be careful of the size as the charter airlines have strict guidelines, much smaller than scheduled, and fill that with mainly underwear and swimwear.

[bee-ess]

Try one of these

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/NEW-Rufus-Roo-POCKET-Travel/dp/B0050J6Q4U

 

or something similar, there are other makes

[ParCan]

Tomson are quite happy to take 46 kg of luggage for a couple. When we went I had the Tux's and posh frocks bag which took me well over the 23 kg.

Combined we weighed in at 45 kg and they were happy with that.

 

I have no idea what the weight was coming back but our bags arrived with no questions asked. I'm guessing we were over 50 kg.