8 day cruise, is doing carry on realistic?

[Baby_Bear]

We have an 8-day cruise on the Breeze coming up in August. We are seriously debating doing carry on for the trip and I was wondering what you guys think - has anyone done it? If so, how did it work out?

 

We'll be flying in to Miami the morning of the cruise and flying out the morning of debarkation. Last year, we had a really bad experience on Delta flying into Fort Lauderdale when our one bag (we were sharing a suitcase) went missing, and they could not deliver it till the third day of the cruise. I don't care about the $50 RT bag fee, I just don't want that to ever happen again. And flying in the night before is not an option with the hours I work...so hence the carry on idea. My cruise partner is my mom and being August, it'll be all summer dresses that don't take up a ton of space, two cocktail dresses for the formal nights, etc. My only concern is whether travel sized bottles (<100 ml) of my favorite shampoo and conditioner will be enough, lol!

[bizeemom4]

I would say no but that's just me. I take 2 huge suitcases, a carryon and my laptop case for a week cruise. I need more than 7 pairs of shoes for 7 days and change outfits 3x a day. Workout clothes, swimsuit and shorts or port clothes, dinner clothes and evening clothes (comedy club or casino comfy clothes). Makeup, polish, hair products, sunscreen for 7 days (which is def. not travel size).

[evandbob]

We have an 8-day cruise on the Breeze coming up in August. We are seriously debating doing carry on for the trip and I was wondering what you guys think - has anyone done it? If so, how did it work out?

 

We'll be flying in to Miami the morning of the cruise and flying out the morning of debarkation. Last year, we had a really bad experience on Delta flying into Fort Lauderdale when our one bag (we were sharing a suitcase) went missing, and they could not deliver it till the third day of the cruise. I don't care about the $50 RT bag fee, I just don't want that to ever happen again. And flying in the night before is not an option with the hours I work...so hence the carry on idea. My cruise partner is my mom and being August, it'll be all summer dresses that don't take up a ton of space, two cocktail dresses for the formal nights, etc. My only concern is whether travel sized bottles (<100 ml) of my favorite shampoo and conditioner will be enough, lol!

 

Of course it's possible to do an 8 day cruise or a b2b with just one carry on piece of luggage. I've done it many times. But then I'm a guy. 1 pr dockers, 4 polo shirts, 8 tees, 2 shorts, 2 bathing suits, hat, briefs, sox, water shoes, and snorkel go into carry on. Camera, binoculars, meds, passport, travel docs, and cell phone go into shoulder bag.

 

Is it cheating if I mention laundry perk for being platinum?

Edited July 9, 2014 by evandbob

[Baby_Bear]

Wowsa, that's a lot! I don't think I've ever needed more than one bag to myself and usually am happy to share a checked bag! But I think that comes from having traveled a lot in Europe/Asia where you are often on the move every 3-4 days and find that it's easier to have one bag (or less) and preferably a light one for lugging off and on trains, airports, etc. We were planning to send out the laundry midway through the cruise. But the liquids thing does concern me slightly for the haircare products, lol! I figured I could just buy the sunscreen in Miami en route to the port!

[ryansmith18]

I've done it a couple times no problem. Just gotta find the time to stop partying and do a bit of laundry, or be content wearing the same clothes for 2 days. Of course it should be noted that I'm a guy - one pair of shoes, some pants and shirts and I'm good to go.

[Baby_Bear]

Of course it's possible to do an 8 day cruise or a b2b with just one carry on piece of luggage. I've done it many times. But then I'm a guy. 1 pr dockers, 4 polo shirts, 8 tees, 2 shorts, 2 bathing suits, hat, briefs, sox, water shoes, and snorkel go into carry on. Camera, binoculars, meds, passport, travel docs, and cell phone go into shoulder bag.

 

Is it cheating if I mention laundry perk for being platinum?

 

Guys have it so easy!:D But yes, we are planning to send out the laundry midway thru the cruise. I hope Carnival still has the $15/bag special? Its been over a year since I cruised with them. On our recent RCL cruise, I noticed that the price was $30/bag, ouch! We didn't need it as it was only a 4-dayer.

[jimbri]

Yes you can. My husband and I did it in May on the Splendor. One carry-on each and a large tote bag. Worked out well. I did black dress pants for the fancy night and husband did dockers and button down shirt.

[TwizzlersAddict]

Some people use this video as a way to pack

 

[Baby_Bear]

Awesome! Good to hear the ladies saying yes! I kinda figured the guys would!:D

[quietmn12]

My wife and I do that for every cruise. We each have a carry on and another smaller bag and don't have to worry about waiting for luggage at the airport or about lost luggage. We do laundry mid way through the cruise and have never had a problem.

[mosiegirl]

We have an 8-day cruise on the Breeze coming up in August. We are seriously debating doing carry on for the trip and I was wondering what you guys think - has anyone done it? If so, how did it work out?

 

We'll be flying in to Miami the morning of the cruise and flying out the morning of debarkation. Last year, we had a really bad experience on Delta flying into Fort Lauderdale when our one bag (we were sharing a suitcase) went missing, and they could not deliver it till the third day of the cruise. I don't care about the $50 RT bag fee, I just don't want that to ever happen again. And flying in the night before is not an option with the hours I work...so hence the carry on idea. My cruise partner is my mom and being August, it'll be all summer dresses that don't take up a ton of space, two cocktail dresses for the formal nights, etc. My only concern is whether travel sized bottles (<100 ml) of my favorite shampoo and conditioner will be enough, lol!

 

We are a family of 4 and we always do carry-on only. We each have a backpack we use, and one just for shoes, camera, meds etc.. these fit nicely in the overhead bins. We have done an 8 day on the Dream two yrs ago, and it was no problem. We handwashed small things in the bathroom and hung them.. and did one paid laundry bag (the one they leave in your cabin for $15) on day 2 and day 6.. Hubby did one load of laundry in their laundryroom on day 3. It worked great.

Edited July 9, 2014 by mosiegirl

[Lisa0719]

Hubby and I did the Freedom June 1 with just a carry-on each, 1 beach bag, and 1 bookbag. Had plenty of clothes but we do get free laundry for t-shirts/underwear/sleeping stuff . . . for perspective my hubby is a 2X and I am a Large (because size of clothes do make a difference)

[ryansmith18]

Some people use this video as a way to pack

 

 

Woah, thanks so much for sharing this video! I'm definitely doing this on my next trip!

[lukydog]

I would say definitely do-able. For each pr of shorts pack 2-3 shirts...then the shorts can be worn again. I would take one formal outfit & wear it both formal nights. Try to take shoes that would go with multiple outfits. Hubby & I have been doing 1 carryon suitcase each for the last several cruises. (He also takes a small backpack & I have a tote also).

[Baby_Bear]

You guys are great! Thanks for being so encouraging! Lisa - thanks for pointing out about the size of clothes, I didn't think about that. We are both fairly skinny (my mom even more than me) so I think we should be OK. And I'll avoid packing any jeans or anything that is bulky.

 

How about toiletries? Have you found that travel sized bottles were OK? Or did you buy stuff either on boarding day or in one of the ports?

[Lisa0719]

we traveled the day before and walked over to a publix and bought cheap mouse for my hair and then 2 cans of suntan lotion. I left the extra mouse and what was left of the 1 can in the room. we also stopped at the wine and liquor store and bought our two bottles for our carry on

[Bookbug53]

We each do 1 carry on and a tote bag for any vacation. There are so many options for packing light and entire web sites devoted to ideas. We do not wait for luggage, lose luggage, nor do we pay baggage fees. ;)

[crzndeb]

You guys are great! Thanks for being so encouraging! Lisa - thanks for pointing out about the size of clothes, I didn't think about that. We are both fairly skinny (my mom even more than me) so I think we should be OK. And I'll avoid packing any jeans or anything that is bulky.

 

How about toiletries? Have you found that travel sized bottles were OK? Or did you buy stuff either on boarding day or in one of the ports?

 

You might want to check the TSA rules for carry on. Don't forget things like toothpaste, deodorant, liquid makeup, hair products, sunscreen. And they all have to fit in a 1 qt. baggy.

 

Since you are flying in the day of departure, hopefully there won't be any delays, and you could stop and pick these things up. They also have a few items on the ship, though the prices are outrageous.

Edited July 9, 2014 by crzndeb

[OCruisers]

It would be totally unrealistic for us. :o

LuLu

[Bookbug53]

You guys are great! Thanks for being so encouraging! Lisa - thanks for pointing out about the size of clothes, I didn't think about that. We are both fairly skinny (my mom even more than me) so I think we should be OK. And I'll avoid packing any jeans or anything that is bulky.

 

How about toiletries? Have you found that travel sized bottles were OK? Or did you buy stuff either on boarding day or in one of the ports?

 

We buy some travel size but they can be relatively expensive. Are you doing a hotel beforehand? They give you some travel sizes. Some cabins have shampoo and body wash in the showers. You can also buy empty travel size bottles and refill them with your favorite things. They can be reused over and over.

 

If you buy full size bottles in embarkation ports chances are you will end up leaving a good portion behind since you can't fly with it. And don't get me started on ship prices! ;)

[hirent]

Absolutely!

My wife and I, did an 11-day trip, including a 7-night cruise, out of Puerto Rico.

We each had a carry-on and a backpack.

You should be able to carry most cosmetics for an 8-day supply in two bags for airport clearance. Anything else you can just buy after you land.

Edited July 9, 2014 by hirent

[LostPuppy]

My spouse & I did a 2 week B2B on the Liberty last year just using carry-ons; no problem, AND we are going to do 5 days in the New Orleans French Quarter followed by another B2B on the Dream just using carry-on this August.

 

With careful packing it's not a problem at all, in fact, I found using just carry-ons to be very empowering. Just something about having everything with you. I will not go back to lugging two large suitcases ever again.

[kelly.campbell]

Some people use this video as a way to pack

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing this. I had watched this before and thought... not doable because I'm not Barbie. However, warm weather clothes fold up much smaller- so maybe. 5th Carnival cruise- maybe this time I won't over pack 😳

 

 

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[oceanbums]

Most definitely!

Dh and I take one carry on each, and I have either my purse or camera bag. I pick a couple colors so things are interchangeable, maybe shades of purple and brown, and throw in a couple items of an odd color for a splash of contrast.

I do take 2 swimsuits and 4 pairs of shoes. For the MDR a couple sundresses, and a dressy pair of black capri pants or black slacks, can be worn with any tops.

I'm not big into makeup, and manage with all my hair products in the 3 oz. containers.

We have had to buy sunscreen a couple times, I mean really how far is 3 oz. going to go? Fortunately, we found a drugstore in port and it wasn't outrageous in price.

We don't buy to many souvenirs, but I take a packable tote bag just in case and Dh can carry that on the flight home if necessary.

It's liberating to not drag around, check-in, and have to wait for luggage:D

[OCruisers]

We're willing to Pay More to Take More! :D

LuLu