Packing for cruise

We are taking our first cruise in over 15 years and all our other cruises have been short trips to Nassau. We are going for 11 days and I am curious as to how other cruisers feel about the use of packing cubes. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Maury

Quite a few people here do use the packing cubes.

Many, many years ago I saved all the plastic sweater and comforter bags that we used to get all the time. Used the sweater bags to pack the underware -- just took them out of the suitcases and popped them into the drawers.

In the past I could not see a use of these for myself. After reading several comments on this board I am warming up to the idea of using them.

DH (who packs the suitcases here) loves them. No problems at all, and I like that we can have one "cube" for pre-cruise/post-cruise hotel stays etc. Keeps things separate and we don't have to rummage through the bag looking.

I like the packing cubes. Not only do they keep things organised, you can take them right out of the suitcase and pop them in a drawer in a hotel room or on a shelf in your cabin on a cruise.

Keeps things clean and organised and, if TSA decides to inspect your luggage en route it makes their job easy and prevents a mess in your suitcase.

love my packing cubes - especially on the ship - hard for me to stay organized otherwise -

We are a family of three and getting ready to go on our 3rd cruise in March. I used packing cubes on both of our previous cruises and would definitely recommend them. I got ours at Land's End during one of their 40% off sales -- 2 sets for each of us (sm, med, lg) in different colors (black, blue, purple). Once we got to our cabin, they went directly from the suitcase to the shelf (we each have our own shelf) in the closet, stowed the luggage under the bed and in no time we were off exploring the ship. With so little drawer space, the cubes were invaluable in helping to keep our clothes stay organized throughout the week. I also have Eagle Creek Packing cubes and would recommend those as well.

Land's End packing cube link: www.landsend.com/products/everyday-packing-cubes/id_302717?sku_0=::63R

Eagle Creek packing cube link: https://shop.eaglecreek.com/packing-organizers-view-all/l/330

I use them all the time. Keeps me organized and packing a cinch.

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I love packing cubes too.

They are very handy if you have to fly.

Remember to cross-pack. I put a packing cube full of my clothes in hubby's checked bag, and he puts a packing cube of his stuff in my checked bag. That way, if either bag goes missing, we each still have clothing. With packing cubes, it's easy and neat.

I like the packing cubes. Not only do they keep things organised, you can take them right out of the suitcase and pop them in a drawer in a hotel room or on a shelf in your cabin on a cruise.

 

Keeps things clean and organised and, if TSA decides to inspect your luggage en route it makes their job easy and prevents a mess in your suitcase.

Exactly. We've used Llbean and Eagle Creek packing cubes and envelopes for years

I use the cube-shape bags that sheet sets come in for jerseys, underwear, socks. As others have said, I then just toss them into a drawer or closet as is.

For fluffier things, such as a down jacket or sweaters, I use the flat compression bags -- like big sandwich bags -- the kind that you sit on to force out the air.

I love packing cubes too.

They are very handy if you have to fly.

Remember to cross-pack. I put a packing cube full of my clothes in hubby's checked bag, and he puts a packing cube of his stuff in my checked bag. That way, if either bag goes missing, we each still have clothing. With packing cubes, it's easy and neat.

Good point about cross-packing. We do that too.

Same here, we cross-pack and put some of mine and some of hubby's in each suitcase. Works beautifully! [emoji3]

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If you start at post 91 thru 107 on this thread it gives some good information: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2578061&page=3

Hi RMT1948...Holly packs, I watch...I think the things she uses are packing cubes...she swears by them.

I pack very compactly. I did a test run with packing cubes once and can actually pack better without them -- no wasted space. I pack things flat and almost never have issues with wrinkles.

I do sometimes use a single packing cube in a carry one for my "just in case my suitcase gets lost" or my "3 days in XX before cruise" clothing. But that's it.

I use zippered mesh laundry bags - found some really good ones at a Japanese "99 cent" store in the Singapore cruise terminal shopping complex. Beware of cheap zippers on the very cheap ebay offerings. I now have a pre-filled packing set of all those little extras that I take on every cruise. They just go into the suitcase when packing for the next cruise, having refilled anything at the end of the last cruise.

Agree, some sort of separate packing cube or mesh bag system is great when staying over-night before the cruise, leaving the ship for an overnigh during the cruise, and for remembering what you need to keep out of your suitcase the last night of the cruise when the suitcase are out the door by midnight. .

Will add to the chorus... we love the packing cubes. They are especially useful on a land-based trip in situations where you might have multiple hotel changes. We bought ours on Amazon, the TravelWise brand.

I've tried several packing cubes before I found these. https://www.willlandoutdoors.com/products/willland-outdoors-travel-packing-cubes I love them. They are sturdier than others and the plastic part is perfect because I write every item on a piece of paper and slip it behind the plastic section so I know exactly what I have there. Last November on a cruise with different weather, I had my summer stuff and colder weather things in separate cubes - worked really well. The company is Canadian and I think you will see Canadian pricing but they also ship to the US

All lour clothes are divided among 4 suitcases evenly. Thus if something happens to one suitcase, we both have clothes in the other 3 suitcases.

Love them. The ones I have fit perfectly in my suitcases, and even have several that fit perfectly on end in my duffle bag. In the later, it prevents “load shift” and keeps my bag rectangular. I even have a few organizing my car, hiking daypack and riding pack.

Daiso carries a pretty good version for about $1.50 each.

I just came back from the dollar store where I originally got mine and they no longer have the expandable double-zip ones. :( I picked up their regular ones instead. Will see what I think next week.

We find that we also pack better without the cubes.

We do spread clothes to multiple bags just in case a bag goes missing.

We pack sooner rather then later and make a detailed list to begin with thinking though what we will wear each day.

Keith

I think packing cubes are an excellent idea. If anything leaks in your suitcase, all your clothes will stay dry! They also allow you to see what is in them easily without searching too much.

I use all three methods. I pack flat for most of my clothes. I roll nightwear, etc. and fit on sides. I use cubes for underwear, gloves, scarves, etc.

I agree cubes are wonderful for unpacking on a cruise from suitcase to drawer.

I pack late, but wash clothes early. I put all my clothes on the bed and try to reduce by a third. I have reduced my shoes, which are the heaviest items.

I usually fly long haul so weight of luggage is an issue.