Carry-on bags only for a 7 night cruise?

[clackey]

We snorkel in every port if possible. If it wasn't for that we could do a seven with carry on. After 15 cruises Ginger D has packing down to a science.;) I mean this gal can get 10 lbs of crap in a 5 lb bag. I remember one cruise when she was roughing it. Took 2 bras. Well, not on purpose. She had washed her good ones and forgot to pack them. Guess who looked really silly standing in the women's undie section of K-Mart in New Orleans.:rolleyes:

[Crusin6]

Why fight it. Pack what you need and check one large suitcase for the 2 off you. I don't think the $12.50 each will break the budget.

 

Even though we are steadfast carry on people. I will admit that we do sometimes check one suitcase between my entire family. Usually with liquids and heavy shoes etc.

 

Of course this is international so no charge anyway.

[BOS_CruiseGuy]

Why fight it. Pack what you need and check one large suitcase for the 2 off you. I don't think the $12.50 each will break the budget.

 

 

Agreed. While it certainly can be done, in the OP's case it seems to make more sense to just check one bag. And as drinking seems to be a big priority for them, perhaps they could bring some along in the bag.

 

I think the USPS flat rate boxes would cost almost as much as just bringing a suitcase.

[dpaton]

And as drinking seems to be a big priority for them, perhaps they could bring some along in the bag.

 

DH here. DW was being silly with the drinking point, but the reality is that I quit my job to start a new company a little while ago. It's going well, but the travel budget took a big hit in the process.

 

The drinking bit is fun, but it's not the whole reason for the cruise. We're traveling with some good friends for a mutual 'no kids' trip. Besides, if I drank as much as is implied here I'd be pickled before day 3. All things in moderation ;)

 

You and your husband are going to be those people who stand in the aisle of the plane trying to cram that giant ass bag into the overheads, huh?

 

Nope. Only legit sized rollers and normal backpacks. We're good travelers when we don't have to bring the kids :D

 

Sounds like that "amazing" Delta flight deal isn't such an amazing deal after all. Maybe slightly off-topic, but I wonder how the Delta fare + bag fees compares to SWA's fare with no bag fees.

....

Anyway, good luck and have fun... keep calm and drink on!

 

The Delta deal was spectacular. Less than half of what SWA was charging. We LOVE SWA. Lots. We preferentially fly with them when the prices are within reason, but less than half? Yeah, no contest. The baggage fee addition doesn't even come close to evening things out.

 

KCDO...is that like KCCO? I can get behind it....

[Still Dreaming]

Easily doable!!! Delta is our main airline so we work with it. We can each check a bag for free with our Amex card but still choose to do carry on. We just don't need that much stuff!!!!

 

And it is great to just walk off the ship with your carry on. No waiting for your number to be called!!,

Edited March 1, 2014 by Still Dreaming

[Pacclady]

Thanks for all the tips, everyone! I will check out those videos for sure. We'll give it a go and see what I can do. I'll report back with out success or failure.

 

And thanks, my hubby, for clarifying some of the points, like our truly amazing deal through Delta. And that yes, the alcohol comments were a bit of fun (though I do plan on drinking a good share...just not quite as much as I implied). :D

[artist47]

Agreed. While it certainly can be done, in the OP's case it seems to make more sense to just check one bag. And as drinking seems to be a big priority for them, perhaps they could bring some along in the bag.

 

I think the USPS flat rate boxes would cost almost as much as just bringing a suitcase.

 

I haven't had to pay an airline for a checked bag and I thought it was like 75 or something. So you are probably right if that's the case.

 

12.50 is nothing .... flat rate priority mail is:

small box or envelope: 5.25 - 5.70

medium box - 11.30

large box (which isn't that large) 15.45

 

So ya...I think you're right...she should just check one suitcase with all the liquor inside.

[Froggitt]

Met a guy on last cruise, 9 days, who packed 1 shorts, 1 long trousers, one tee shirt, one shirt, one pair sandals. That's it. He managed to get loads of free NCL branded tee shirts from friendly CD and Casino staff.....e.g. the Norwegian Night out ones. Also bought shoes (because his sandals broke) and shorts in port.

[HokiePoq]

Met a guy on last cruise, 9 days, who packed 1 shorts, 1 long trousers, one tee shirt, one shirt, one pair sandals. That's it. He managed to get loads of free NCL branded tee shirts from friendly CD and Casino staff.....e.g. the Norwegian Night out ones. Also bought shoes (because his sandals broke) and shorts in port.

 

Sounds like the guy on our European bus trip who wore the same shorts and shirt every single day....whether he ever washed them is unknown. No wonder he was divorced and traveling alone, lol.

We've met people who do the carryon thing. Good luck and have a great cruise!

[fattyfatfat]

Im going on a 7 day cruise and Im only bringing a carry on. I was able to pack 14 outfits (with mix/matching) with three pairs of shoes and travel size toiletries. It can be done.

[gooch47]

A pretty good size bag of laundry costs about $25 on the special deal days. If you roll the clothes you can get a lot in that bag. You would need to do the math to see if paying for a little laundry service would be less than checking a bag. Undies can easily be rinsed out in the cabin's sink.

 

Saying that, we love our free laundry platinum perk. We get by with just carry-ons even on our b2b cruises. I wonder if people get tired of seeing us in the same clothes or think we just wear them dirty?

Edited March 1, 2014 by gooch47

[TruckerDave]

WOW, talk about being cheap. :roll eyes:

 

Just take 1 checked bag between the two of you. ($25 each way to a total of $50). You get a 50lb limit. Between that and your carry on each you should have more than enough stuff.

 

At the risk of sounding judgmental , but, if an extra $12.50 person each way it too much should you really be going on the cruise to begin with.

[bespin]

We have an upcoming 14 day transatlantic, plus 2 days before in Florida and 3 days after in Copenhagen. I plan to pack 2 dresses (good for day/evening/ports), 1 pair of capris and 1 pair of long pants, 2 tees, 1 tank, 1 chambray buttondown shirt, 2 cardigans, 1 pair of sandals, 1 pair of flats, and 1 pair of flip flops. Plus hat, bathing suit, coverup, pjs, a fleece jacket and a rain shell.

 

I'll have a largish tote for electronics, meds, travel pillow, shawl, purse, and one of the dresses, with a change of underwear. I'll wear the long pants, one of the tees/tank, the chambray shirt and either the fleece or the rain shell, plus the flats in transit. Everything else goes into the carry-on, which can be checked at the gate in a pinch.

 

I might buy another tee along the way, but I'm fine with wearing each item twice in a week, washing in the sink as needed.

 

It is really no fun to wrangle travel docs, a large suitcase, a carry-on and a tote in crowds, airports, and unfamiliar locations. Wish me luck!

[Pacclady]

WOW, talk about being cheap. :roll eyes:

...

At the risk of sounding judgmental , but, if an extra $12.50 person each way it too much should you really be going on the cruise to begin with.

 

Well, your risk was successful as that was quite judgmental. Good job. Remember, one person's "being cheap" is another person's "not spending money that doesn't need to be spent."

 

Thanks again to everyone that gave me good advice and has told me it could be done. I'm eager to give it a try and start packing now! Is it too early to pack? I mean, we leave in 5.75 weeks!

[Gig103]

For seven nights, I suspect it's doable especially if you don't try to pack formal wear. If you find you need a bag, consider one checked bag to share? That's how my wife and I do it. Yes it's $50 round trip, but hopefully that's still cheaper than the southwest fares would have been.

[FreestyleNovice]

WOW, talk about being cheap. :roll eyes:

 

Just take 1 checked bag between the two of you. ($25 each way to a total of $50). You get a 50lb limit. Between that and your carry on each you should have more than enough stuff.

 

At the risk of sounding judgmental , but, if an extra $12.50 person each way it too much should you really be going on the cruise to begin with.

 

+1

 

Regarding OP's response on that; OP it's your vacation, spent less time washing in a small sink and endulge yourself? It is your vacation too, no kids, no laundry, bite that one checked bag for your comfort I would-be say.. Enjoy your cruise!

 

Sent from iPad

[kimkencruzers]

I find that packing cubes help tremendously, they basically double the space by compressing the clothes. You would not believe what you can fit in one!

[em-sk]

I would not worry about the baggage bins getting full. What I find tends to happen on the US domestic flights I am on is:

 

- Gate agent makes announcement along the lines of "We have a full flight, if you volunteer to come up and have you bags checked to the final destination we will do it for free and let you board early".

 

- Halfway through boarding the gate agent announces "We don't have any bin space anymore, when you get to the front we will check your bags for free to your final destination".

 

- Cabin crew conclude, there is no bin space anymore, "We will check your bags to your final destination for free".

 

The airlines have created a lot of unnecessary problems. Unfortunately it also sounds like they are making good money with these silly fees.

[jdvmd]

We have been using carryons for more than four years. It can be done and is very liberating!

[2red4u]

Let's be honest here you are going on a cruise with out kids. The only thing your husband is going to care about you wearing can be purchased at victoria secrets and carried on the plane in your pants pocket. Anything else will just get in the way. Have a great cruise!! I am envious.

[Oldgoat61]

We ONLY use carry on bags. You can do it with a lot of planning. We used carry ons on a 14 day cruise. Use the laundry service if you have to, but you can do it.:)

[Planned to a T]

This is what we have done a lot! One checked bag gives us the extra space we need. Of course there have been Hawaii trips we have done with carry-ons and a checked golf bag. We tuck any of the larger cosmetics in the golf bag, and even a few other items!

[SWEETCHIK]

It is totally possible. You just have to fold your clothes the right way and not bring too many shoes. Also, you should keep in mind that some outfits may be reused.

 

 

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[Pacclady]

Let's be honest here you are going on a cruise with out kids. The only thing your husband is going to care about you wearing can be purchased at victoria secrets and carried on the plane in your pants pocket. Anything else will just get in the way. Have a great cruise!! I am envious.

 

Ha, love this! Though I think it might raise some eyebrows if we decide to eat dinner in a restaurant one night. :D

[dpaton]

Let's be honest here you are going on a cruise with out kids. The only thing your husband is going to care about you wearing can be purchased at victoria secrets and carried on the plane in your pants pocket. Anything else will just get in the way. Have a great cruise!! I am envious.

 

Ha, love this! Though I think it might raise some eyebrows if we decide to eat dinner in a restaurant one night. :D

 

Musn't....Say....Anything.... :D