Packing

[denmarks]

I am going on a cruise in December and am having trouble deciding the combination of suitcases and bags.

 

I am taking one large suitcase for sure. I have always taken a second one that was more messenger bag or backpack size. I just won a nice duffel bag from TripAdvisor and am now thinking of using it as the second bag. I am traveling by car. The large bag will be checked at the port and the duffel carried on. How would you distribute items between the bags? I am a single male.

Edited October 20, 2019 by denmarks

[Flatbush Flyer]

11 minutes ago, denmarks said:

I am going on a cruise in December and am having trouble deciding the combination of suitcases and bags.

 

I am taking one large suitcase for sure. I have always taken a second one that was more messenger bag or backpack size. I just won a nice duffel bag from TripAdvisor and am now thinking of using it as the second bag. I am traveling by car. The large bag will be checked at the port and the duffel carried on. How would you distribute items between the bags? I am a single male.

Valuables (including meds and tech equipment), travel documents and a change of clothing (purposed differently from whatever you're wearing upon embarkation) are the minimum "essential" items in your "carry-on."

[tak81288]

Personally, if checking and carrying on I don't put much in my carry on. Pretty much everything goes in my checked baggage. I may pack an extra change of clothes (in case the checked bag doesn't show up before dinner), electronics, paperwork, wallet and maybe a few other items I can't afford afford to lose, in a carry-on. That's about it.

 

Last few trips for me were only 7-10 days in hot weather, so I only had a carry-on. 

 

Have a good cruise.

[crystalspin]

We travel with carry-on-sized bags pretty much always, but we do turn them over to the porters at the port. I carry what @Flatbush Flyer said in my daypack, except only a change of 'smalls' not a full change of clothes. Also not swimsuits, because that is not a big draw for us. Dr'spin carries only his electronics, and we both carry our toiletries along with daily-med sorters.

 

Because there are two of us, I cross-pack at least one outfit in each other's bag. As a solo I can see having a full change of clothes in the bag you keep with you. 

 

We have never not gotten our port-checked bags promptly, usually before muster.

[idraconis]

I'd would also throw in swim trunks. I always cruise with a back pack with the essentials. Once (second cruise) my checked bag didn't arrive until dinner time.

[SRF]

TRAVEL DOCS (paperwork and ID) in your carry on.

 

After that, up to you.  

 

As others, I do carry electronics and meds.  And swim suit if it will be warm enough on embarkation.

 

I do not carry a change of clothes, as I am comfortable in wearing what I wear on board to dinner.

[Cruiser_1977]

I'm a single female so slightly different 😉 My carry-on in January for a Bahamas cruise was: 

 

• Wallet
• Passport
• Sunglasses
• iPhone
• AirPods
• Charging cable
• USB wall charger
• Paperback book
• Medications (in tablet/capsule form)
• Compact
• Lip Gloss
• Folder with Cruise Documents
• Keys
• Bikini
• Cover Up
• Flip Flops

 

[DarrenM]

19 hours ago, denmarks said:

I am going on a cruise in December and am having trouble deciding the combination of suitcases and bags.

 

I am taking one large suitcase for sure. I have always taken a second one that was more messenger bag or backpack size. I just won a nice duffel bag from TripAdvisor and am now thinking of using it as the second bag. I am traveling by car. The large bag will be checked at the port and the duffel carried on. How would you distribute items between the bags? I am a single male.

You are a male. By that absolute description you only require one case. Medium is probably suffice.

 

Glad I could help.

[SRF]

1 hour ago, JennyB1977 said:

I'm a single female so slightly different 😉 My carry-on in January for a Bahamas cruise was: 

 

• Wallet
• Passport
• Sunglasses
• iPhone
• AirPods
• Charging cable
• USB wall charger
• Paperback book
• Medications (in tablet/capsule form)
• Compact
• Lip Gloss
• Folder with Cruise Documents
• Keys
• Bikini
• Cover Up
• Flip Flops

 

 

Not an electronic book????

 

I switched many years ago.  I prefer real books, but for travel, electronic is so convenient.

 

I also read fairly quickly, so need to have a number of books with me, so electronic is SO MUCH better.

 

And other than the lip gloss, compact, and bikini, my carry on list is similar.  

 

I work in the VA-DC area. 🙂

 

Edited October 21, 2019 by SRF

[Cruiser_1977]

@SRF I have tried Kindle, my phone, and some other e-reader. I just can't. I have been an avid reader most of my life. I love the feel of turning pages. I keep one in my carry on and a few more in my checked bag 🙂 I used to live closer to a used book store (Manassas) and miss it. Now when I'm done I donate to the library.

 

I've been in the area since 2000. Quick detour in Richmond from 05 - 08.

Edited October 21, 2019 by JennyB1977

[cb at sea]

I would only "carry-on" things of value...let your suitcase be delivered to the cabin.  Anything you might need prior to dinner should also go in the carryon.

[navybankerteacher]

Of course “essentials” should be in your carry on— but you want a tight definition of “essentials”.  If you board early, you could have several hours to kill before your cabin is available —- you do not want to be hauling around a heavy bag, making exploring the ship very difficult.   

 

I have actually seen some “carry on only” fanatics trundling two roller bags plus something else - through the lido trying to carry lunch as they seek a free table.

[SRF]

21 hours ago, JennyB1977 said:

@SRF I have tried Kindle, my phone, and some other e-reader. I just can't. I have been an avid reader most of my life. I love the feel of turning pages. I keep one in my carry on and a few more in my checked bag 🙂 I used to live closer to a used book store (Manassas) and miss it. Now when I'm done I donate to the library.

 

I've been in the area since 2000. Quick detour in Richmond from 05 - 08.

 

What caused me to switch was 2+ week international trips.

 

I would have to carry 8 - 12 books.  And then, sometimes I would finish a series, and would want to read a different book or series than I brought with me.

 

I carry about 2000 books on my reader. 🙂  So seldom find myself at a loss.

 

I am slowly donating all the books that I have both paper and electronic to Goodwill.  Those that are not available in electronic, I am keeping.

 

Where in the area are you?  I live a ways out in MD, but work in Rosslyn.

[Cruiser_1977]

@SRF I worked in Rosslyn from 2000-2001. I work in Herndon now.

[ldubs]

1 hour ago, SRF said:

 

I am slowly donating all the books that I have both paper and electronic to Goodwill.  Those that are not available in electronic, I am keeping.

 

 

After getting used to the first Kindle, we donated a ton of paper books to our local library.  We kept an old Where's Waldo.  Just couldn't part with that classic.  Lol.  

[SRF]

1 hour ago, JennyB1977 said:

@SRF I worked in Rosslyn from 2000-2001. I work in Herndon now.

 

Too bad, we could have met for a drink. 🙂

 

[Lady Chew]

On 10/21/2019 at 1:22 PM, JennyB1977 said:

@SRF I have tried Kindle, my phone, and some other e-reader. I just can't. I have been an avid reader most of my life. I love the feel of turning pages. I keep one in my carry on and a few more in my checked bag 🙂 I used to live closer to a used book store (Manassas) and miss it. Now when I'm done I donate to the library.

 

I've been in the area since 2000. Quick detour in Richmond from 05 - 08.

 

McKay's ???  We love that place!! … we buy books by the dozens to take on our trips.  We leave them behind when we're done.

[Cruiser_1977]

@Lady Chew YES!!!! I used to exchange books there at least monthly if not more often. I gave away my blue and white tickets when I moved further west. If they didn't need my books, I'd let them keep them for the free bin.

[SRF]

There used to a HUGE used book store on Route 11 down south of Staunton.  I ended up on Rt 11, and happened to see it.  An AMAZING place.

 

I still buy books, mainly older, less popular ones, that are not available in electronic format.

 

 

[Gelynia80]

I have a medium suitcase and i always carry my backpack. My bf has his suitcase and a duffle bag thing.

 

My backpack has my meds, contacts and contact stuff, cpl things of makeup (mascara and my fav shadow pallet), a swim suit, and one change of clothes. And wine.

[SRF]

Yes, do NOT forget the wine. 😄

 

[DarrenM]

just take the wine