How many different bags?

[newoncruise]

Ladies, I need your help!

I will hopefully soon book my first cruise for the end of September (Costa from Kiel to Savona). While I know which shoes I will pack, I am struggeling on which bags to take. The backpack, in which I can store spare clothes or a bath towel and a large water bottle, is very practical, but not nice. Then I guess I need a chic little bag for the evening. And a beach bag to go to the pool and a nice bag which fits a small bottle of water? This is somehow too much!

What do I put on over the bikini in case I want to take a quick dip in the pool in the morning?

What did you take with you on your first cruise but didn't need? And what did you miss?

[LHT28]

I take  a tote bag that can double as a carry on & beach bag

 

I have a summer dress I put on over my swimsuit  to get to/from the pool

 

1st cruise   was back when long dresses were in fashion & dressing up for dinner was  the  way to go

too many shoes & too many dresses

 

Enjoy  the cruise

[mom says]

Given your itinerary, a beach bag may not be necessary. You will want a lightweight backpack or crossbody bag for shore excursions (depending on the type of excursion). I use a cross body that is also my personal item for the pre/post cruise flights. One small bag for evenings on board. Like LHT28, I use a zippered tote as a carry on that can do double duty as a beach or pool bag.

 

My bathing suit  cover up is also a lightweight summer dress. 

 

First cruise mistake: too many clothes and shoes. And then I learned the value of a capsule wardrobe,  mix and match, and the fact that NOBODY will remember what you've  worn the day before.

[StollyBolly]

Best purchase I ever made was a backpack that folds into itself.  Very lightweight.   I bought it in Norway, but I’m sure they can be found.  It can hold pool stuff or go on tours for carrying water, camera, small purchases. 
 

I take a small black evening bag that goes with everything.  
 

My purse I travel with works for land days. It’s a lightweight crossover.  

 

On ship I have a small bag I bought onboard years ago.   You may find one in the gift shop.  But that won’t help packing to leave.  You’ll just be prepared next time with a nice useful souvenir.  

 

[Essiesmom]

Packable backpacks and totes are plentiful online.  I have several from Luglife.com.  Also available on Amazon.  Just Google.  EM

[Ashland]

A crossbody for traveling and (ports) shore excursions...my favorite is a medium size "Kipling Syro Nylon" bag. This bag has been all over the world many many times and is one of the best purchases I've ever made. Then I use a very small crossbody when on board that just barely holds my SeaPass card and my iPhone. That's all I ever need. DH takes a backpack on our flights and into ports.

Edited June 25, 2023 by Ashland

[SPacificbound]

I carry a back pack on flights. As for bags, I carry a larger one on air and rail travel, then scale down to smaller for cruise ship.

[crystalspin]

On 6/24/2023 at 7:59 PM, newoncruise said:

Ladies, I need your help!

I will hopefully soon book my first cruise for the end of September (Costa from Kiel to Savona). ,,,The backpack, in which I can store spare clothes or a bath towel and a large water bottle, is very practical, but not nice. Then I guess I need a chic little bag for the evening. And a beach bag to go to the pool and a nice bag which fits a small bottle of water?

To start, find a backpack that also has tote handles -- voila, your beach bag! A zipper cosmetic bag, or your wallet, can fill in as an evening bag. A casual (but nice?) bag that will hold a small bottle of water and/or an electronic reader or two would be my choice for on the ship but not at the pool. It could fit in the tote, too, to go between venues.

 

I say this after taking not quite the right bags for our first B2B after the pandemic. I took wallet bag that would hold my phone, but not our readers, and a large hobo bag with an insert to keep things organized, that was my 'boarding bag' -- we did not fly. The wallet bag has removable strap so could double as dinner bag. BUT I had nothing but the ENORMOUS hobo bag that would carry our kindles. 

 

Subsequently, I have obtained on eBay, a Lily Bloom crossbody with 3 or 4 zipper pockets, the largest will hold both of our kindles and the next down phone and sunglasses, and the rest lip balm etc.

 

PS, I looked up your itinerary and it is SWEET! Two of my three favorite European cities (Copenhagen and Barcelona). Enjoy!

Edited June 27, 2023 by crystalspin

[Mum2Mercury]

Taking the right bags is important!  

 

Short story, I bring three bags:  a backpack, a wristlet, a pool bag 

 

- I board with a small backpack (my current favorite is the Osprey Day Lite, but even a string pack would work), which doubles as a shore excursion bag.  I really like being hands-free. 

- I never carry spare clothes ashore -- if I get wet or dirty, I'm going back to the ship, and finding a place to change is a hassle -- so I don't see a point, and I don't want to carry a large, heavy bag.  But the backpack will hold a rolled-up towel or a jacket easily.  I sometimes carry a bottle of water, but -- when available -- I prefer to buy cold drinks on shore.  I often wear hats ashore, especially if rain is expected -- I personally can keep going in light rain as long as my face and glasses are protected from the rain.  

- Practical is the name of the game for shore excursions; I don't worry about a backpack being "not nice".  BUT, if it matters to you, "nice" backpacks are readily now -- leather or Vera Bradley prints.  If you want something that doesn't scream "I love hiking!", you can find it, and a "nicer" backpack could work well for a city shore excursion.   

- Sling bags, an off-shoot of backpacks, are also practical for shore excursions and maybe a little "dressier" for a city excursion.  I have a Healthy Back Bag, which I love -- it's safe because the zipper is on the "inside", and it's easy to "sling it around" to the front to take out an item or make yourself a little safer in a crowd.  Sling bags are smaller than backpacks; you'd be able to carry a rolled-up towel or jacket, but certainly not a change of clothes.  They're available in nice prints and leather, though mine is plain navy ripstop nylon.  I saw some nice sling bags at DSW Shoes last week.  

- Having declared my devotion to backpacks (and let's agree not to discuss how many I own, okay?), I never carry my money or ID in my backpack -- they're always on my person.  ALL my cruise clothing has pockets; if I'm wearing a dress, I have bike shorts with pockets underneath.  

- I do not recommend a tote bag for shore excursions -- unless it has a zip top, and you keep it firmly under your arm with the zipper pull towards the front.  Carried casually, it's just too easy for a stranger's hand to go where it has no business.  And with any tote bag, you give up that hands-free status, which is just easier.  

- I have a little wristlet that I use onboard -- yes, in the evenings, and occasionally during the day.  It's about 6x8 and flat, so it takes essentially no space in the suitcase.  Mine is not "chic"; it's a pretty print fabric, but I like it.  It's big enough for ship's ID, a few dollars in case I want to tip a bartender, a camera, a lipstick. 

- I have a little purse hook -- a very nice little thing to have to "hang" my wristlet on the table at dinner, which is nicer than holding it on your lap.  More than a few people have commented on this little thing.  

- I am devoted to Lands End swim cover-ups.  They're like tee-shirt dresses, though a bit shorter.  Mine ALL have pockets.  They tend to go on clearance at the end of the summer -- I bought a couple at the end of last season for about $10 each /gave them to my adult daughters for their birthdays.  I would not feel comfortable going from my stateroom to the ship's pool in just my swimsuit, but these cover-ups are "enough" to go into the ship's buffet.  

- I have a small, open-top tote bag that I carry to the pool.  I've had it maybe two decades, and I still love it.  Originally a gift from my mother-in-law, it came from Bath & Body works /full of nice bath products.  It's canvas and doesn't fold flat, but I make it work by stuffing it full of socks and underwear and packing "around it" in my suitcase; if I didn't do this, it would be a space hog.  If I suddenly lost this bag, I would buy one that would fold flat, but I would still stay "small" for a pool bag.  Mine is roughly the size of a 6-pack of canned drinks /wider than it is tall.  

- Anyway, my much-loved pool bag has several pockets, which old my ship ID, a chapstick, and maybe a few dollars.  The main pocket holds sunscreen, my Kindle, and a rolled-up towel standing up /sticking out.  It's not a secure bag, but I don't worry over-much about my things at the pool.  I'm always wearing my prescription sunglasses, and I tuck my Kindle under my towel if I leave my chair.  

- As for my first cruise, oh, yes, I messed up -- brought way too much. Second trip I brought much less but still didn't use it all.  On the way home from the second trip, we made a list of what we actually used -- now my husband and I share one suitcase and each carry a backpack.  

- Now I bring 2-3 tops for every bottom piece, and I always wear a "this is its last time" bottom for a shore excursion (because those things get sweaty and dirty).  I assume a dress will go to dinner 2Xs.  I bring only three pairs of shoes -- shoes are a make-or-break:  tennis shoes for boarding and for walking excursions, daytime sandals, and a pair of dressy shoes that match ALL my dinner dresses.  If necessary for the specific plans, I add water shoes.  

 

 

Edited June 27, 2023 by Mum2Mercury

[awhfy]

I prefer a sling crossbody (Kavu brand) to a backpack. Easier on my bad shoulder. My ‘stuff’ stays in front of me. I also have a small bag for evening, big enough for iPhone, seapass card, a lipstick & $$ for casino. My Kavu is my personal item on planes, my shore ex bag & beach bag 

[neeuqdrazil]

I generally bring two bags with me for cruises: a smaller clutch-type for evening (large enough for my cruise card, phone, and Kobo ereader) and either my Tom Bihn Swift or my Coach Bandit hobo - both open-topped tote-style bags, which I use for daytime on board as well as during port excursions - holds wallet, knitting, kobo, phone, battery pack, water bottle, notebook... yes, I probably carry too much! 

 

I'm not a pool goer on cruises generally, but I pretty much always pack a reusable shopping bag that I could use to tote my gear to the pool.   

[newoncruise]

Thank you very much for your very valuable answers. They are amazing and very helpfull.

The backpack is my hand luggage when traveling (I am team handsfree) and I use it also for day trips in a city, the countryside or at the beach. It's practical and I can easily wash it in the machine from time to time. I will use it for excursions.

A black handbag is either my personal item when flying or transported in my suitcase. Most of the time this is enough, also in the evenings. However, this handbag is a bit too big and not elegant enough for evenings on the ship - on the other hand it's too small to fit a small water bottle while on the ship. So I will leave it at home. I will pack a small bag for evenings instead.

Through your responses, I remembered that I also have a foldable bag made of lightweight canvas. It has a Monet motif, is very light and saves space. This is what I will use for the pool and to walk from deck to deck during the day.

Thanks so much for your help!

[newoncruise]

8 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

 I never carry spare clothes ashore

I didn't mean to take spare cloths ashore. But as I wear big sizes I want to take some cloths in my backback/hand luggage with me on board. Just in case my suitcase would go missing...

[newoncruise]

11 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Practical is the name of the game for shore excursions; I don't worry about a backpack being "not nice".  BUT, if it matters to you, "nice" backpacks are readily now -- leather or Vera Bradley prints. 

My backback is practical, easy to wash in the machine and has enough space to also carry groceries or a jacket. I love it for that reason and also take it when exploring a city. It is so deep, that I most of the time feel confident to have money and passport inside while wearing it at my back.

 

 I can't see myself walking with it to the pool at the ship.

 

Thank you for your good suggestions! Very helpfull.

[toxicfairy]

I still take too much because I like dressing up and I don't like wearing the same pieces on repeat. I don't do that at home in a week so I won't do it on vacation. I bring 2 wristlets one black one beige just big enough for my room card a lipstick and a few tissues. I use them for dinner or walking the ship. I have a beach bag I use to go to the pool and into Port on a beach day. If we're just planning to shop or walk around in Port I have a bag that is made of stretchy material I take so I can throw in a water and necessities plus any little things we buy.

[mrgabriel]

I just want to add my latest solution for the evening bag.

 

Before our last cruise, I saw a mobile phone crossbody case carried by Blake Lively. I wasn't about to spend $189 for a phone case so found one on Amazon that did the same thing. It has a strap and a back section for credit cards. I carried that during the day on the ship and it gave me everything I needed - my phone so I could take pictures and check the daily schedule, and a place for my keycard. My intention was to tuck it into a small evening back when we went for dinner but I found I didn't need the small evening bag unless I wanted to carry lipstick. So I left the lipstick in the room and just carried the iPhone case. 

 

Since then, a friend found one that has a small zip section in the bag and I think lipstick (or a tissue) would fit there. 

 

 

Edited June 28, 2023 by mrgabriel

[Mum2Mercury]

On 6/27/2023 at 10:08 AM, neeuqdrazil said:

I'm not a pool goer on cruises generally, but I pretty much always pack a reusable shopping bag that I could use to tote my gear to the pool.   

A reusable shopping bag sounds like a good idea:  1) if you don't bring it back home, it's not a big deal.  2) if you need extra luggage space on the way home, you have it.  

20 hours ago, newoncruise said:

... A black handbag is either my personal item when flying or transported in my suitcase. Most of the time this is enough, also in the evenings. However, this handbag is a bit too big and not elegant enough for evenings on the ship - on the other hand it's too small to fit a small water bottle while on the ship. So I will leave it at home. I will pack a small bag for evenings instead ... 

I agree that a small bag is best onboard the ship, but don't worry too much about elegant.  The one I carry "fits well" with shorts or sundresses.  

I don't see any point in carrying a water bottle around the ship; you're always steps away from the Windjammer or Promenade Cafe, where you can pick up a cup of ice water for no charge.  

[newoncruise]

14 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I don't see any point in carrying a water bottle around the ship; you're always steps away from the Windjammer or Promenade Cafe, where you can pick up a cup of ice water for no charge.  

I won't have a package for drinks, I just don't drink much alcohol and soft drinks. As far as I understand I would have to pay for water on Costa Fascinosa. At home I usually drink tap water and I have a Soda Stream to make bubbles. So my strategy is to pay then and when for a glass of wine, cocktail or coffee and buy or refill water as much as possible ashore. And I will have more stuff with me to carry around the ship than a water bottle (glasses, camera, sun blocker, phone etc).

 

[newoncruise]

On 6/27/2023 at 4:08 PM, neeuqdrazil said:

I'm not a pool goer on cruises generally, but I pretty much always pack a reusable shopping bag that I could use to tote my gear to the pool.   

 

Shopping bags are practical when travelling and I often have one in my suitcase and I first thought to take a nice one. But then again I would need another bag to roam around the ship. Therefore it will be the foldable tote bag for both. Do many people use shopping bags to go to the pool? I think it would be very practical with kids.

[Mum2Mercury]

7 hours ago, newoncruise said:

I won't have a package for drinks, I just don't drink much alcohol and soft drinks. As far as I understand I would have to pay for water on Costa Fascinosa ... 

Surely ice water in a cup isn't a charge item?  Not only is that quite inconvenient for passengers, it'd create a lot of -- well, I want to say paperwork, but I really mean ringing up sales for crew.  I don't see how anyone would "win" by charging for a glass of water.  

7 hours ago, newoncruise said:

... Do many people use shopping bags to go to the pool? I think it would be very practical with kids.

I can't say I've noticed them -- not that I pay much attention to other people's bags, and people tend to keep their pool bags under their chairs.  But it does seem practical, as we all have plenty of those semi-disposable bags around the house, and we don't care if they're lost.  

[newoncruise]

8 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Surely ice water in a cup isn't a charge item? 

That would be amazing! I will report back.

Edited June 30, 2023 by newoncruise

[cruisemom42]

On 6/29/2023 at 4:24 AM, newoncruise said:

 

Shopping bags are practical when travelling and I often have one in my suitcase and I first thought to take a nice one. But then again I would need another bag to roam around the ship. Therefore it will be the foldable tote bag for both. Do many people use shopping bags to go to the pool? I think it would be very practical with kids.

 

I really like these LOQI bags. I usually bring one of these with me wherever I travel. I try to pack light, and these bags take up about zero room and can be used in a multitude of ways. I've used mine for anything from bringing some things home from the supermarket to keep in my hotel room while traveling (since many markets now charge for bags), to carrying any extra purchases made during a tour, to a daybag for those all-day tours where you can leave a few things on the bus, to an impromptu beach bag or wet bathing suit holder.

 

There are many choices from plain to fun, something for just about anyone's taste:   https://loqi.com/collections/bags

 

NOTE: Most of them are water-resistant, but they are not completely impervious to water. They're fine if left on a wet pool deck, but I wouldn't toss it in the water and expect the contents to stay dry.

 

 

[slidergirl]

I take one of my quiver of daypacks ( I have a big plastic bin full), lately it’s been a Cotopaxi Batac 16. They come in a plethora of color combinations so they are definitely not bland.  It does all - personal item,  beach bag, pool bag.  In Alaska it was my all day around town bag.  I have a small black bag from Sherpani, the Prima, that is just big enough for my wallet, phone and glasses.  If it’s casual, like Alaska, I have a small Cotopaxi hip bag that I can put in my daypack or carry as a sling.  
 

on another note:  Crystal - I just noticed you moved to SE Utah.  How do you like it?  You were in Reno before, right?

[newoncruise]

3 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

I really like these LOQI bags. I usually bring one of these with me wherever I travel.

Hei, my bag is also from this brand! It's what I called in a former post a foldable tote bag.

In many European countries supermarkets sell reusabke shopping bags made out of recycled PET bottles for a few bucks, certainly under 5€.  They are bigger and more durable than the paper bag and hold also heavy items. They are not water proof but don't break when wet. Sometimes they have a nice print and often it's only a form of advertising for the shop. I usually take one of these with me when travelling and I first thought to use it for the pool. But then I would have to bring another bag when just wandering from one place to another on the ship.

The shopping bag can be used in a multitude of ways too. You already listed a few things. I use the supermarket shopping bags also for recycling paper, PET and glass at home, bringing food and gifts to parties or to transport laundry to the laundromat while traveling.

[newoncruise]

42 minutes ago, slidergirl said:

Sherpani, the Prima

 

Looks great!