How light can I pack?

[sosnowsk]

I'm heading out on Sovereign of the Seas in July for a 4 nighter with my 2 kids. They're 6 & 8. I want to pack light, really light. Like, in 1 or 2 carry-on bags that I can handle myself in the airport and on the ship.

We're not going to the formal dining room, and I probably won't be hanging out much at the bars, so I figure we'll cut way down on space by not having to bring dress up clothes. We also won't be bringing snorkeling gear and don't plan on buying many souveniers. So shorts/tee shirts/bathing suits are all we'll need.

Last cruise, where I wasn't the only adult with the kids, we brought a TON of stuff. In my opinion, too much. I'm trying to go to the other extreme this time. Are there any cruisers out there that can give me tips on travelling light?

[Adventure Girl]

Why not go to the dining room? I saw your other post about traveling as a single adult with children and looking to meet other adults while the children are in the Aventure Ocean program. You should go to the dining room....with or without the children. Adventure Ocean does have dinner programs for the children if you don't want to take them to the dining room. Or, if the kids join you in the dining room, there is a children's menu. You should at least try to go to the dining room one night, (with or without the children). And, you can dress casually in the dining room if you want to.

As far as carrying luggage and handling the kids by yourself, use a porter at the airport. For a minimal tip, the porter will cart your luggage for you. For a four day cruise with 2 young children, you could probably get away with one large suit case and one carry-on. Once you reach the cruise port, you drop your luggage at the front of the cruise terminal and the crew delivers the luggage to your cabin. I wouldn't let the fact that you are traveling alone with two children prevent you from packing a suitcase. In fact, a standard suitcase might be easier for you to handle....especially one on wheels.

I agree that it is always best to pack light, (though I am never able to do that). I've traveled alone with my two children before, and I know that it can be a challenge to keep track of the kids and lug all of your luggage, etc. (I have two boys ages 7 & 8).

Enjoy your cruise!

Kimberly
Monarch of the Seas 4/02
Disney Wonder 11/02
Adventure of the Seas 10/03, 3/04

"Girl's Getaway" on Mariner of the Seas 11/7/04 !!

[izzyvet]

I also agree you should do the dining room, but you can also do it packing light. A couple of pairs of shorts, t-shirts and swimsuits for the day and I would do a skirt and pants for dinner, interchange them with a couple of shirts and you have 4 outfits for dinner. Shoes always take a lot of room and you can get away with sandals for both day and evening. (personally I wear my Birkenstocks everywhere) Dress it up with a little jewelry, (costume, not real) and there you go.

Izzy

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[DFritz]

Roll the clothes and pack them in ziploc bags and squeee the excess air out. Saves space and in a one gallon ziploc you can pack at least two childrens outfits. If you decide on tennis shoes ( I would only take tennis shoes and flip flops or sandals) make sure they wear them onto the ship as this will save valuable packing space. They can tie a light jacket or sweatshirt around the waist just in case. We all carry a backpack. I can pack a swimsuit, pajamas, four outfits and hygiene necessaries in one backpack. The kids might enjoy carrying a backpack with their own cruise clothes in it.

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'Til my next cruise

[mabinbklyn]

ditto all the advice above. I packed for a 10-day cruise, plus one day prior, in one small carryon bag. Used ziploc bags, which helped. One "formal" dress, one pair of black pants with a few tops for dinner, shorts, bathing suit, coverups. Wore sneakers, packed beach sandals, dress sandals. Could have done w/o the sneakers! And you can have laundry done on board--expensive for a lot, yes, but if something you were planning to wear again gets stained, it can be handled.

I also think you should plan to go to the dining room at least one or two nights. Skip the formal night, if you don't want to deal w. all the accoutrements, but go someother nights. Dress is not real dressy and it can be fun.

Mary

BOS: 2004
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[Barva]

Packing light is a great idea. However, I agree with the others eating dinner in the dining room. The dining room is a great experience, especially for the kids.
At Christmas on the Sovereign, our waiter and asst waiter made a big fuss over our 7 yo son. When we saw our waiter again at Easter, the first thing he asked about was our son. My son did wear the same pair of khakis every night in the dining room. Packed, they don't take up too much room. I would skip Formal Night with the kids and just do the Windjammer.

I also ditto the suggestion about using porters. Porters are there to be used!

Good luck!

Barbara
Monarch 6/02, 4/03
Enchantment 7/03
Sovereign 12/03, 4/04
Voyager to Canada 7/04
Navigator 12/04

[mammallama]

Pastels...yeah, pastels are light. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img] Really, I agree with the above posters, great suggestions everyone. It will make my packing easier.
Last year I brought 3 pairs of black pants, duh. One would have been just fine. I also didn't wear my gymmies once on board the ship but I do wear them for my days of traveling before and after my cruise. Rolling your clothes really does conserve space, I just never thought of using ziplocs. I love that idea. I found OxiClean makes a product, they're 'instant stain remover towelettes'. Might get another wear out of an outfit without having to pay for cleaning, especially with children. Good luck packing and HAVE FUN! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Karen

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[mconthehighseas]

Go to ************** to get some packing ideas for outfits. She has great ideas for going comfortably, even on formal nights.

I would definitely plan to spend at least one one night in the dining room. If your kids fuss, tell them that's YOUR night. The whole point of a cruise is to have other people take care of you. If you go to the buffet every night, you will be taking care of your kids, and miss out.

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[sbgrace]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mconthehighseas:
Go to ************** to get some packing ideas for outfits. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Huh? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]
Chris

Adventure of the Seas
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[superjerryw]

Sorry, I thought this thread had something to do with smuggling Lite beer on the ship......

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Donuts, is there anything they can't do....

[Adventure Girl]

superjerryw....you're too funny!

Kimberly
Monarch of the Seas 4/02
Disney Wonder 11/02
Adventure of the Seas 10/03, 3/04

"Girl's Getaway" on Mariner of the Seas 11/7/04 !!