It's hopeless...packing

[pamwinn]

My stuff won't fit in my suitcases!!!!!!!!! We each have 1 regular size suitcase and one that qualifies as a carry-on with airlines. We are going to check them though so we can carryon cameras etc. We are leaving the 9th (tomorrow!!!) and returning the 21st. It doesn't seem like I am taking too much. Less than an outfit per day by far but all this bulky stuff for Alaska (sweaters, etc) just doesn't fit, it takes up too much space. There is no way I can see us fitting the formal stuff in there unless we wad it up. I am considering dropping the formal night clothing and I don't want to...shopped half the day away yesterday finding shoes that both look and FEEL good. I am going through precruise depression.

Sapphire Princess PreInaugural
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Sapphire Princess Inaugural
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[cal2632]

Remember - the ship has a laundry. It doesn't matter if people see you in the same outfit twice. Toss some of that casual stuff & get those formal clothes in there!

2 X RCI
5 x HAL
2 x Carnival
2 x Celebrity (way back when it was Chandris)
1 so long ago I don't even remember who!

[sue d. miller]

Can't you take 2 large suitcases each, with carry ons?

Sue
7 days on Star Princess 10/24

GROWING OLD IS MANDATORY..... GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL

[SueKayL]

If you don't want to have to buy or take another suitcase (you can each check 2, but 3 works for my husband and I) ..get a big duffle bag...they are pretty cheap.....STUFF it with the bulky stuff like sweaters and jeans...there is NO weight to the duffle unlike the suitcase. put the dressier stuff in the suitcases..(the 50# weight limit the airline imposes gets us...that's why we always end up with 3 pieces!)

Don't skip the formal nights! you WILL be depressed if you feel left out for that...take less casual stuff...you can wash it yourself on the ship or have them do it. TIP: WASH only a few days into the trip.. (when the laundramats aren't busy)..don't wait until you NEED to towards the end...then you will have enought clean stuff to get you home!!

I have found that lots of folks do ALL their laundry during the last few days because they don't like to bring dirty clothes home [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img](another good thing to stuff in the duffle..I pack an extra duffle to use as a laundry bag..if I buy stuff then I have the 4th pc that can be checked, if not I stuff it in the suitcase with my clean stuff)

I drove myself nuts packing and repacking my first few cruises...I know what you are going thru [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

so much to think (worry )about...

YOU WILL DO FINE!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Sue

2-05 Sun Princess
2-04 Sun Princess
9-03 Golden Princess
2-03 Coral Princess
3-02 Ocean Princess
4-01 Carnival Paradise
2-00 Carnival Paradise

[shellyc]

I'm having the same problem. We are leaving the 11th and coming back the 22nd. After Seattle we are going to California. I have the formal clothes in a suit bag and might just have to leave one of those hooded sweatshirts home so I can pack some summer clothes too.
Don't stress on this, you can also do some laundry, thats what we are going to do.

Milton & Michele - NJ

[gopher's girl]

My first suggestion is roll your clothes.

My second suggestion is plan to re-wear dark items (like jeans or black pants).

My third suggestion is to put your socks in your shoes.

My fourth suggestion is to leave the bar of soap home - Princess bar soap is marvelous.

My fifth suggestion is if you have any of the following packed: hairdryer, more than 1 hairbrush, pillow, beach towel - leave them home!

ok, enough of the my __# suggestion, this is what else I can tell you...

makeup: take 1 bottle of foundation, 2 colors of eyeshadow (if they are in the same compact great!), 1 mascara, 2 lipsticks and one clear gloss, and either a blush or a powder, eyeliner if you have to... some people take way too much and never use it.

shoes: do you really need the pink-patent-leather sandals? some people take way too many.
i don't know you personally but maybe this will help. oh, and only take comfy shoes. no need to stare at a pair all week knowing you won't wear them!

bathing suits: only need 2 at most

books/magazines: unless you are on a long flight or really do read, only take 1 or 2

underwear is small so worry about taking out larger items (like the fifth sweater) and keep the underwear... chances are you will rewear the fourth sweater but be glad that you didn't have to launder the unmentionables.

check your husband's stuff... is he taking too much as well? same goes for him with dark pants... only needs 1 necktie (maybe 2)...

if you have small stuff packed in little organizer bags, maybe consolidate them or just use plastic bags - they take up less room.

When I went on the Dawn I had an extra bag of stuff and the night before we left I ransacked with a friend and left tons of things home that I didn't need! It was great! Lots of room for souvenirs!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dawn Princess 04/11/2004 ~ Southern Caribbean
Caribbean Princess 08/14/2004 ~ Eastern Caribbean
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[pamwinn]

I really appreciate your suggestions. I am in Grad school and have class tonight. When I get home, I'll see what I can eliminate. It is depressing not to participate in formal night. But gopher's girl, my underwear is not small!
[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Sapphire Princess PreInaugural
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Sapphire Princess Inaugural
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[meyerhaus]

You can really save space with sweaters, shirts, etc. buy placing them in a large ziploc bag, zipping it 80% closed, sitting on it to force out the air, and then zipping it all the way closed.

JON

[url="http://www.geocities.com/pattersandmenus"]www.geocities.com/pattersandmenus[/url]

Golden Princess Southern Caribbean-7/11/04
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Big Red Boat-1993
Celebrity Zenith-1993

[bcs819]

hope I don't gross anyone out, but my jeans are much more comfortable after they've been worn. I don't wash them until they've been worn 3 or 4 times. I haven't been yet to Alaska, but have wondered about packing for it.

Bernie


"so many cruises, so little vacation time"
Diamond Princess - September 2004
Grand Princess - March 2003
Carnival Pride - June 2002
Carnival Victory - June 2001