Help with Packing

[Sleepingbooty]

We'll be doing our first Disney Cruise in June - the 8 night out of New York. I'm starting to get a little concerned about packing everything I need, and still keeping it to 1 checked bag per person.

Typically, we fly Southwest and don't deal with baggage fees but not this time. I'm already annoyed that checking suitcases is going to add $100 each way to our total vacation budget, but such is life. But - I'm definitely going to keep it to ONE checked bag each.

I found the awesome tip about using packing cubes on this board awhile back, and we bought some that we used on our last two WDW trips, so I will definitely utilize those, and roll our clothes inside. If anyone doesn't know about packing cubes - here's what I bought: eBags website

Mostly what I'm worried about is how to pack the dressy clothes and extra shoes needed. I mean, how do you pack a suit or sport coat in a suitcase without getting it all wrinkly? I really don't want to have to take a suit bag as one of our four checked bags. I know you can use an iron in the laundry facility, but that doesn't work well on a suit jacket. Do they have a steamer? Can you send stuff out to be pressed? Or is there a tricky way to pack it so it doesn't get wrinkled?

Help! Share your best cruise packing tips - for suits and everything else!

 

[kcashner]

Yes, you can send things out to be pressed. THe cost is 1/2 of the posted dry cleaning cost.

You can roll a jacket or formal. You can use the laundry if needed (we don't usually on a 7 night, but....)

And....the usual rule. Pack what you think you will need and then remove half of it.

Shoe thoughts--black sandals can double as formal shoes. On boys, black sneakers can double as dressy shoes. After almost 30 cruises, I still pack too much!

 

[PixieMom712]

Not to hijack but - why are the cubes useful? I looked at them and to me it seems like they would just take up some of that limited space. Can you explain how you use them or why they are great?

Some things I am doing: I am bringing a black skirt and a few tops so the one skirt serves for several days. Same deal with pants for DH and DS. I am planning for DS to wear polo shirts to dinner and at least two of them will serve as daytime wear (not all because I am sure he'll get at least a few dirty).

And for the second poster, are sandals OK at Palo?

 

[jlwhitney]

You can carry a suit bag on as a carry on

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Yes, you can send things out to be pressed. THe cost is 1/2 of the posted dry cleaning cost.

You can roll a jacket or formal. You can use the laundry if needed (we don't usually on a 7 night, but....)

And....the usual rule. Pack what you think you will need and then remove half of it.

Shoe thoughts--black sandals can double as formal shoes. On boys, black sneakers can double as dressy shoes. After almost 30 cruises, I still pack too much!

Thank you! I'll have to look up the dry cleaning cost then. I'd guess its listed on that faq thread.

Not to hijack but - why are the cubes useful? I looked at them and to me it seems like they would just take up some of that limited space. Can you explain how you use them or why they are great?

I first read about the cubes on a thread here on the cruise board. I'm sure if you do a search you'll find it. One person mentioned how it was so easy just to take them out of your suitcase, unzip and fold the flap under and lay them in the drawers. Makes unpacking onboard (and repacking) a breeze. Also, it facilitates rolling your clothes, which seems to keep me better organized. I feel like I can fit more in. If you find the thread I was talking about, one of the posters added some pics of her packed suitcase to show how the cubes worked.

You can carry a suit bag on as a carry on

Really? I would have thought the length and width dimensions would exceed the allowable size. United's website says: "The maximum combined linear measurement (length + width + height) of carry-on bags must not exceed 14 inches x 9 inches x 22 inches (23 x 35 x 56 cm) or 45 linear inches (114 cm)." I'll have to measure our garment bag, but I'd be surprised if it would be under that total.

 

[ilovetexas]

I'm with kcashner, I always pack too much! And each time I find that I've got too many "cute" outfits and when I just want a pair of shorts and a T-shirt to throw on....I don't have any.

Black shoes are fine BUT I've found that metallic shoes (especially the bronze ones) really work with just about everything. If you find just the right pair, you can dress them up or down. I've got a pair that I was able to take on my cruises last year and wear with shorts, capris, and casual dresses at dinner. Between those and my black shoes for formal night, I didn't need any other non-athletic shoes on a 7 night cruise.

Also, even though I am attached to my hair care and body wash products, DCL really does have good ones and you can just use theirs. Don't pack any.

As far as the suit, my DH always takes one and he's taking a sports coat AND a tux this time. Of course we're driving so it's not a big deal since we won't have to pay to check luggage. Do you have a good sized garment bag? If so, put the whole family's hanging attire in there with his suit and fill the rest of it up with whatever you can put in there. That can be his checked bag. Then, separate his clothes between everyone else's suitcases. A little in each and you should have it made.

 

[DLW8]

I'm glad to see that kCashner still packs too much after all her cruises! makes me feel better.

BUT...seriously, you do not need to pack as much as you think. Daytime will be shorts and t shirt for hanging out and often over bathing suits. You really don't need an outfit for each day.

Night time - as PP mentioned, mix and match. And shoes...definitely cut back. I tried some low heels for formal night last year and regretted it as I was walking around the ship (and yes, I wear heels often, so it wasn't something new, it was heels in combination with a moving ship in some fairly rough seas). I bring 3 pair of shoes (2 as one is always on my feet). Sneakers for traveling and walking around ports, casual flip flops and dressier (flat) sandals. That's it.

After our last cruise, I made a list as to what we each wore each day (well, me and the kids) so I could use it for packing next time. I definitely brough home clean clothes that I didn't need to pack.

 

[DisneyBasket]

We found that by carefully folding our formal clothing with tissue paper and plastic drycleaning bags, they arrived aboard ship after 4 days in a suitcase with no wrinkles. We also used the packing cubes/rolling method for the rest of our clothing. The formal clothes were wrapped in tissue and drycleaning bags, folded into thirds and placed on top of everything else.

I knew that irons and drycleaning service were available if needed, but we needed neither. Good luck in your packing and enjoy your cruise!!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Do you have a good sized garment bag? If so, put the whole family's hanging attire in there with his suit and fill the rest of it up with whatever you can put in there. That can be his checked bag. Then, separate his clothes between everyone else's suitcases. A little in each and you should have it made.

That's an idea. I may have to do a test pack.

After our last cruise, I made a list as to what we each wore each day (well, me and the kids) so I could use it for packing next time. I definitely brough home clean clothes that I didn't need to pack.

Good to know!

We found that by carefully folding our formal clothing with tissue paper and plastic drycleaning bags, they arrived aboard ship after 4 days in a suitcase with no wrinkles.

So, I guess I could just ask the dry cleaner for some?

For anyone who is interested, I think this was the thread where I originally found out about the packing cubes. On page three there is a picture posted: Recommend your luggage

 

[ITGirl50]

For things I'm concerned about wrinkling too much I pack with the clothes still on the hanger and in a plastic bag (like the plastic hanging bag you get when you buy something at the department store). I fold them over once on top of everything else. It's easy to pull them out and hang them up as soon as we get the luggage in the room.

 

[DisneyBasket]

So, I guess I could just ask the dry cleaner for some?

Or use what you have from something else...I usually hold onto the drycleaning bags when we get things drycleaned, especially if we are planning a trip or event, but you can also use bags from department stores that are long enough, etc. Any plastic bag will do. I like the drycleaning bags because they are clear and I can see what folds are folded into my clothes!

 

[KBT35]

LOVE ebags packing cubes!!! I travel for work and only take carry-on's. I use them all the time but when I travel with my son they really come in useful & are a life saver going through security! I have a color for him and a color for me! He knows exactly where all his clothes are and how to repack them! He just grabs them and puts them in the drawer at the hotel or wherever. Yes rolling clothes cause less wrinkling and gives you more space too, I learned to pack this way as a military kid and again when I was in the military!
I also LOVE ebags motherlode suitcase line, they are smartly designed and my favorite part is the bright orange lining! That way you can see EVERYTHING in the bottom of your bag, no dark corners!
Here are video links to both products...watch the video's they help a lot!

This is the suitcase I have for both my son and I....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX-OY1JgUqs&feature=relmfu

In this video he's speaking about the suitcase but its packed with the packing cubes so you can see how they work!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQqslINVC30&feature=related

Here are the packing cubes set that I have...
http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/...&rlid=detail&rcode=res12041409276931780985059

And my suitcase...
http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-junior-25-wheeled-duffel/125548?productid=1325228

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Wow, love that suitcase - it looks huge for something that fits the carry-on dimensions.

Another reason I love the packing cubes - my daughters both have rolling duffels from Lands End. Since duffels just have a zipper opening, stuff tends to get rifled around in and before you know it, the bag's a mess. The cubes fit in perfectly, and then I just pull them out, unzip and tuck the top flaps under, and put them right in the drawers. Makes it a snap to pack back up again at the end of the trip.

 

[mstinson14]

I would have thought the length and width dimensions would exceed the allowable size. United's website says: "The maximum combined linear measurement (length + width + height) of carry-on bags must not exceed 14 inches x 9 inches x 22 inches (23 x 35 x 56 cm) or 45 linear inches (114 cm)."

I always take a rolling suitcase that exceeds those measurements, but it always fits in the overhead bin!

 

[Floridagram]

Just ordered my first set of packing cubes. I hope they work! There is a special right now if you order $100 worth you get $30 off and free shipping so of course I had to do that.

Did I over buy for just 2 of us? I got 5 large, 2 medium and 2 small and 2 shoes bags.

I might try a rolling duffel this trip for the first time. You guys give me all sorts of ideas! Thanks!

 

[Floridagram]

I always take a rolling suitcase that exceeds those measurements, but it always fits in the overhead bin!

While I am sure it is great for you that your suitcase always fits in the overhead bin did you ever consider the others flying on the plane with you that might need to use that bin too?

Perhaps those size limits are to insure everyone's stuff fits. I have seen others have to have their bags checked because they were the last ones on the plane and there was no room left. I have also personally not been able to put a much smaller bag up there because some people are clearly taking bags that are too big.

Pay it forward please.

 

[Ariel224]

Another suggestion is to maximize your allowance for the underseat "personal" item. My kids each have LLBean backpacks that they use for school. I can't believe how much they can fit in these things! They will carry these as their personal item in addition to their rolling carry on. Though I will try very hard to fit all of their clothes and shoes in their rolling bags (I actually feel quite confident that we can do that), knowing I will have extra room in the backpacks if needed is going a long way towards reducing my packing stress. I'm actually considering buying myself one for this trip.

And I second the love for the eBags products. I have different colors of packing cubes for each member of the family. DH and I each have the Weekender eTech Convertible carry on. It's not a rolling bag, but has straps to convert it to be carried like a backpack. It's very roomy, lightweight, has the eBags lifetime warranty, and is inexpensive....on sale for $52.49 when I googled for the product link. Looks like most of their site is 25% off right now.

 

[scrapbookmomma74]

I use space bags (purchased at Target) when packing our stuff. I have found that, for us, it is the best way to utilize our luggage space. I pack half of DH's clothes and half of my clothes into a large space bag. Then, I zip it shut and squeeze out all of the air. That usually fits into half of the suitcase. Then, I fill the other half with our shoes, toiletries, and extra stuff (snorkel gear, FE gifts, etc). Repeat with 2nd suitcase, but fill the other half with the formal wear, possibly in another space bag! lol We've always taken a rolling garment bag for formal wear, but if we couldn't, I'd gladly pay for it all to be pressed onboard, its not any more than paying for it at home, really!
Have a great trip, and don't let the packing stress you out too much!

 

[Tehanna]

I first read about the cubes on a thread here on the cruise board. I'm sure if you do a search you'll find it. One person mentioned how it was so easy just to take them out of your suitcase, unzip and fold the flap under and lay them in the drawers. Makes unpacking onboard (and repacking) a breeze. Also, it facilitates rolling your clothes, which seems to keep me better organized. I feel like I can fit more in. If you find the thread I was talking about, one of the posters added some pics of her packed suitcase to show how the cubes worked.

I think I may have found it!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2745670

 

[mdvlprof]

I must pack really light. Fit my clothes for a 12-day in a carry-on suitcase. Plus a spare change of clothes in my backpack. For DCL, everyone's pirate clothes go into a separate carry-on suitcase. Don't even own a cube. Pack using bundling technique.

Coordinate everything. Each shirt, pants, skirt can be worn with at least 2 things. Really don't need XYZ pair of shoes. If item is worn for only a couple hours, spritz with fabreeze, and it can be worn again. Sparkly shirt and black skirt suffice as 'formal'.