do I really need a carry-on for boarding day?

[SUZI]

We don't really need a wheeled carry-on for our airplane ride so I am hoping not to have to bring one just for the ship boarding day.

I am thinking if all I need are travel documents, passports, swimsuits for the kids, and a camera that perhaps I can just bring a backpack?? Or, do I need a traditional carry-on in order to have clothes for dinner and pajamas? I guess it would depend on what time we should expect our luggage in our room.

Any ideas? Thanks!!

 

[mmouse37]

You can use whatever type of bag you want to bring your stuff onboard. I usually have my camera, make up kit, a bottle or two of something, my docs, hats, sunglasses, I-pod, phone, etc. so I prefer a small wheeled carry on to a backpack. I prefer rolling something than having it on my back and having to take off everytime I want something out of it.

Totally a personal choice. I do not pack clothes or swimsuit in my carryons. In 17 DCL cruises the latest we ever got our bags was about 6:00...most often before 4:00. We always book late dining so I always have my dinner clothes by then.

MJ

 

[kcashner]

Whatever works for you. My carry on is really a glorified purse (size large). I like all the compartments so I can find things. DD uses a backpack.

I don't worry about carrying on evening clothes. If by some disaster my bags are lost, I'll make do with what I have. We do play the "musical clothes" game so each bag contains at least one outfit belonging to each person--if one bag is lost, no one is without at least one outfit in addition to what they're wearing.

 

[SUZI]

Thanks for both your responses.
What I meant by "backpack" was I was hoping to have something small/easy as a carry-on rather than traditional carry-on luggage. I guess if I don't need to pack evening clothes, I should be able to make due with a small bag/tote/backpack/etc.

Thanks again!

 

[alwayslisad]

we all carry one backpack kind of thing with everything that the other Dis'ers posted plus our meds... I will never pack them in luggage...

 

[TraciM]

I have a small bag I carry with important papers and my insulin. I always have it on me. We all wear our swimsuit under our clothes. I do have one change of clothes I keep for all of us in the bag(just in case) and our tooth and hair brush and hairspray. That's about it. DS, DD and DH have backpacks they use for stuff. Nothing major because I carry all that.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

There's no rule about it specifically being a carry on bag. It can be whatever you want it to be. We used to bring dinner clothes but now we just wear to port something that can be worn to dinner so there's less to carry. Of course we're still lugging electronics from the flight cuz they're not safe/secure in our checked bags at the port (PSPs, port dvd players, ipod, etc.) I think it all fit in a backpack so that's all we carried through the port last time. Every time is a learning experience with what's worth carrying and what isn't.
I always carry my own swimsuit on the plane. I think luggage is more likely to be lost/delayed on the plane and I would just cry to have to shop for swim wear in FL or on the ship. Swim trunks for dh and the boys are easy to shop for but for me? ugh! nuff said.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Ohhh
A post on this thread just made me think of something. We've always had late dining but our upcoming cruise we have early.
If it takes till 6pm (possibly) to get our luggage- then how do we eat? Topsiders isn't open for dinner (i've read) on the first and last night-and if we don't make our dining time due to waiting for our luggage- then where/what do we eat?


I hadn't thought of having to wait that long for our luggage (even potentially that late). We're a family of 5- no way I'm packing all our dinner clothes, shoes, etc. in a carryon just in case- that's too much stuff. Wow I hadn't thought about that. If it's happened to others- what did you eat for dinner if you didn't have your luggage before your early dining time?

 

[atinkerbellmom]

Grant it, we always have late dinner too, we have always gotton our bags by the life boat drill except for once when we did the land/sea cruise. That cruise we got our luggage at 5:50. Other than that, I think the latest was coming back from the drill. Believe it or not in our last few cruises I have even had our stuff unpacked and put away by the sail away party. Our kids are not interested in the pools the first day, so we do not even carry swim suites. So for our carry on, I just carry a bag with our documents, I-Pods, cameras, my purse and medications... So we do not carry the luggage that others do. We like to be as foot loose fancy free as possible.

 

[SILLYANDI]

My family of 6 gets by just fine with 1 backpack for all of us. (we bring the docs, camera, sunblock & clean underwear for the kids)-kids wear their swimsuits and we're all set!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Grant it, we always have late dinner too, we have always gotton our bags by the life boat drill except for once when we did the land/sea cruise. That cruise we got our luggage at 5:50. Other than that, I think the latest was coming back from the drill. Believe it or not in our last few cruises I have even had our stuff unpacked and put away by the sail away party. Our kids are not interested in the pools the first day, so we do not even carry swim suites. So for our carry on, I just carry a bag with our documents, I-Pods, cameras, my purse and medications... So we do not carry the luggage that others do. We like to be as foot loose fancy free as possible.

Well you know- on both our cruises, now that I think about it, we had our luggage before the show (before late dining)- so that would be before early dining.... so I'm just going to hope it works out that way this time when we have early dining. Otherwise the only place to eat is by the pools since topsiders isn't open?
Kinda weird when you think about it- that they'd have ONLY dining rooms available (no topsiders) when there is a possibility some might not have their luggage before early dining. Unless they just assume you'll go to the dining room in the clothes you have on? But we'll be in shorts- so that's a no go. LOL

 

[mmouse37]

Ohhh
A post on this thread just made me think of something. We've always had late dining but our upcoming cruise we have early.
If it takes till 6pm (possibly) to get our luggage- then how do we eat? Topsiders isn't open for dinner (i've read) on the first and last night-and if we don't make our dining time due to waiting for our luggage- then where/what do we eat?


I hadn't thought of having to wait that long for our luggage (even potentially that late). We're a family of 5- no way I'm packing all our dinner clothes, shoes, etc. in a carryon just in case- that's too much stuff. Wow I hadn't thought about that. If it's happened to others- what did you eat for dinner if you didn't have your luggage before your early dining time?

Nothing would happen. You would go to your scheduled dining room with no problem. The first night is casual as they know there is a chance some might not get their luggage and be able to change by dinner. Not a problem at all. Even if you are wearing shorts, you can go to the dining room the first night. They are not going to make you eat by the pool because your luggage did not get to you in time. You will be fine in the dining room.

MJ

 

[amystevekai&bump]

i'm sure i've read on here that people have ended up going to dinner in shorts the first night when their cases haven't arrived - I think this is one time where I wouldn't worry too much - I don't think I would miss out on my first night's dinner in the dining rooms because of it!!

 

[DMMarla07860]

I usually use a gym bag and put my ipod, chargers, cell phone, camera, video camera, extra set of clothes in it. It is a small bag because I hate to carry ad big bag around.

 

[tinkmom2]

I am cheap and found a backpack that has a handle and rollers for around $7.00 on clearance. I have all our swim suits, water shoes, my cam corder, camera, passports, my FE and magnets, my makeup(I don't carry a purse), and am also carrying a diaper bag for my DD. I am putting some snacks and entertainment in the diaper bag too!

 

[papaof5boys]

We have our first cruise comeing in April and we have the early dinning but the DW is not sure she wants it . We will have 4 of our sons with us DS3, DS6, DS16, and DS18. Help me please she has changed her mind twice on this!

 

[amystevekai&bump]

We have our first cruise comeing in April and we have the early dinning but the DW is not sure she wants it . We will have 4 of our sons with us DS3, DS6, DS16, and DS18. Help me please she has changed her mind twice on this!

we had early dining in may - our ds's were 4 and 9mths and no way they would have waited until late seating for dinner. They were able to sit through early dining and then the excitement of the shows was enough to keep them awake. We have opted for early seating next time - as I don't like the idea of having sleepy miserable children during dinner!! - hope that will persuade your DW!!!

 

[DrD]

I just wear clothes that I could eat dinner in onto the ship, that way if I don't get my luggage (which has never happened) in time I'm set.

 

[mmouse37]

We prefer late dining....even when are kids were younger....they are now 21, 24, 25. In 17 DCL cruises we have had late dining (only the first cruise was early dining).

Not as rushed and there is plenty to eat to tide you over until meal time. A late afternoon snack of room service does the trick!!!

MJ

 

[cakesnjammom]

I will be sure to wear something decent to the ship as will my family we already were because of all the photo opps that day anyway....my real ??? is there really a possibility of DCL losing your bag if you are driving and checking them at the port? That seems to raise a red flag if so