leaving tomorrow on Connie and can't close my suitcases

[stuNYC]

We are leaving tomorrow for a 11 night western caribbean cruise on the Connie.

 

I am anomoly. I pack for my DW and I. Two large suitcases jammed full of clothes, much of which we usually DON"T wear. and two carry ons for toiletries, medicines, camera, etc.

 

This time I really TRIED to cut down but on an 11 night cruise; my DW needs 11 outfits (even if they are mix and match), including 2-3 formal dresses; day and beach clothes; and sundries. I have a tux and dinner jacket (so why not wear them) and need a sport jacket and 9-10 shirts and 3-4 pair of slacks, plus beach and day wear and sudries.

 

Am I the only one that packs so much they have to literally sit on their large suitcases in order to close them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I literally spend the entire last day at sea repacking. I made the mistake of waiting until after dinner on the last night of my first cruise and sweat was pouring. The worse thing was that my DW was in the casino drinking frozen drinks.

 

THE UPSIDE IS THAT I KNOW THAT WE WILL HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND I DON'T HAVE TO FACE REPACKING FOR 12 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Susan-M]

The secret is to buy smaller suitcases and whatever doesn't fit, doesn't go.... and just think of how much less packing beforehand there would be and how you could join your wife in the casino for those frozen drinks and not have to spend the entire last day of your cruise repacking. The other secret is to use the ship's laundry. Have a fantastic time !!!:)

[Blazerboy]

Stu, I agree, we finally went to smaller luggage, especially with these new weight restrictions and fees for heavy bags...but that doesn't do you much good now...:(

 

One tip that might...we use those shirt packers for all our dress shirts and polos...this last trip, as soon as I wore a shirt that I wouldn't be wearing again, rather than just stuff it in, using the luggage as a dirty laundry bag, I folded it it the shirt packer. You'd be amazed on how much time that saved on the last night of the cruise....enough so I too was able to have a few drinks instead of spending that last night packing!

 

Good luck, and happy sailing!:D

 

 

Andrew

[mii]

I truly mean no disrespect but you are taking way too much. I used to do that and by the end of the cruise I realized that I took too darn much stuff. I now truly mix and match; do not need 11 outfits and I use 1 outfit for the formal nites. If there are 2 nites which I think there is I use 1 outfit for 2 of the formal nites. Also I agree with the others; buy smaller suitcases.

 

Marilyn

[slotaddict]

You will wind up paying way more for overweight luggage than for using the ships laundrey. You have to unpack some of that stuff. Use the laundry they do a terrific job. For example the outfit that I travel in, I send to the laundry and wear it back home again. Sometimes one pair of dress pants, two different tops. Why two carry ons? Be careful with the sundries, you cannot carry liquids unless they small and put in a plastic bag. Lighten up your load, and pack the sundries in your suitcase.

JMHO

[PetenJas]

Don't worry I experienced the same thing this evening...maybe the conie should give us packing class.

[chasetf]

Stu, I agree, we finally went to smaller luggage, especially with these new weight restrictions and fees for heavy bags...but that doesn't do you much good now...:( ....Andrew

We did the same thing. We each have a set that has three sizes. We were using the largest, and now take the middle size. I can only get 50 Lbs into it if I fill it with rocks. ;) Now I do not take as few things that I never wear.

[tom_uk]

For formal wear I take just one shirt, and get it laundered/pressed on board for subsequent nights. But I agree the DJ/black trousers/black shoes take up space & weight....

 

Then for day wear I use easy-care shirts & trousers that don't really need ironing. I'll wash one of them out every night or so and hang it up in the shower, and it's wearable by morning. Perhaps I look a bit rumpled by the end of the cruise, but who cares! - I'm on holiday.

[excitedofharpenden]

I make as much use of the ship's laundry as I can. If I end up wearing the same shirt a couple of times, it only shows when I look at the photos afterwards;) I don't take many pairs of shoes either (sorry Andrew!) as they seem to bulk up the weight.

 

As the old adage goes "Lay out all the clothes that you think you will need for you holiday and decide how much money you will need for your stay. Then, half the amount of clothes and double the amount of money".:)

 

The other thing you could do is get rid of the wife:D

 

Whatever you leave behind, have a great cruise!

 

Phil

[slotaddict]

I make as much use of the ship's laundry as I can. If I end up wearing the same shirt a couple of times, it only shows when I look at the photos afterwards;) I don't take many pairs of shoes either (sorry Andrew!) as they seem to bulk up the weight.

 

As the old adage goes "Lay out all the clothes that you think you will need for you holiday and decide how much money you will need for your stay. Then, half the amount of clothes and double the amount of money".:)

 

The other thing you could do is get rid of the wife:D

 

Whatever you leave behind, have a great cruise!

 

Phil

 

I like your thinking Phil.:)

[DaisyGirl55]

I always make a packing list, with each day broken down as to what port I am in, or if it is a day at sea. Then I write in what type of outfit the day calls for. It helps me to coordinate my stuff so that I can wear a skirt or pair of slacks more than once, and my tops can be worn more than once if I add a scarf or a vest. When I look back at my lists from when I first started to cruise, I don't know how I ever fit it all in my suitcase!

 

These days, my DH and I can use one checked bag each (hovering around 40 pounds), one garment bag for the both of us, and one carryon. I usually wear everthing more than once (sometimes 3 times!)...but who cares! Like one poster said, it may show in the pictures, but the absence of "packing stress" is worth it.

 

Of course, I have to admit that I still have a problem with bringing too many shoes...but I am working on it! :D

 

Happy sailing!

[cusyl]

Plan on wearing most things twice with the mix and match. The TV guy Rick Steves says if you aren't going to wear it 3 times leave it at home. I don't go that far.

Also, 2 pair of shoes each tops, wear the 3rd pair while you travel.

Save your back and take less stuff.

[Blazerboy]

I'd rather leave my medicines home than only have three pair of shoes!:eek:

 

Phil, you'll be glad to know I cut it down to 14 pair for the 14 night cruise! (And yes, I wore each pair at least three times...have to change a lot for each activity!:D ) I did buy a pair of crocs and a pair of flip flops for the beach and snorkeling/kayaking, and ended up leaving them on board at the end.

 

Ah, well, there are worse addictions...

 

Andrew

[Drew B]

I say if you can fit it in the luggage and in the weight limit and you can fit it in the closet of the cabin, TAKE IT. If I'm flying, I take TWO checked bags, each hovering near the weight limit, plus a carry-on. I'd much rather bring something home unworn than wish I had brought something and have to do without it! And I really don't know from day to day what I may feel like wearing. I like to always have at least 2 choices, even for the very last day.

[Ma Bell]

I just try to fly on airlines that only charge $25 for an overweight bag. Not a big deal and then I can bring what I like without worrying about it.;)

[florida cruiser girl]

I agree with many of the posts...you are taking too much!! I also went on an 11 day cruise last year....Christmas/New Year's!!! on top off it!!

Well, we didn't take as much as you and I still brought home clothes I didn't wear! Plus you need to save room for all the fantastic things you will be bringing back home!!!

We used the laundry service, first time ever, and they did an absolutlely wonderful job!! I couldn't believe it...I am very picky and especially about my ironing and they did better than I do at home!! I was extremely impressed. That way you can do basics and change the pants/skirts/shirts, etc and still have the different outfits.

I do understand though having been on an 11 day one...seems like you just need to bring it all....but you don't. It's an excuse to buy something new too maybe??

[Belle]

Try packing for that! Trying to cut down but...

I'm like Drew if I can take it..I will!