Am I overpacking?

[cwf1028]

I'm getting paranoid about over packing. I keep hearing to pack and then take out half. I have been on two other cruises 10 years ago, but they were 4 nights and only 2 adults. This is 7 nights with 2 adults and 2 kids. As far as luggage, we are looking at two large suitcases, 1 large garment bag, a carryon (cosmetic case size) and a carryon laptop bag. That's only a total of 5 bags for the 4 of us (however they will be packed to the gills!). What I am really concerned about is the clothes, I already plan on only packing about half of the undergarments and socks that we need and doing at least 1 load of laundry. I also plan on wearing some dining clothes twice here and there (will change out of them right after dinner) so really only about 5 outfits each (we are just wearing a coctail dress and dark suit for both semi-formal and formal nights to conserve space, the girls will have their princess dresses just in case they want to join us). I am however packing 1 casual shorts outfit for every day for everyone. Also a light sweater for us girls and light jacket for DH and a pair of long comfortable pants just in case (1st week of April). Is that too much? Don't we need a shorts outfit for everyday? My kids will swim (packed 2 suites each), but not all day. HELP

 

[WMILLER86]

If you have to ask, the answer is yes! We tried and tried to figure what we would need. And still over packed! You will buy a few tshirts, etc and wear them. I swear this year we will NOT overpack! (SUUUURE!)

 

[cwf1028]

I was afraid of that...

 

[mommasita]

Yes, you probably are overpacking, although it sounds justified. We always overpack, because I find that everyone has their favorite outfits, that get washed and worn more often. We also wore our outfits more than once for dinner, seeing as how we do not have them on long.

I did laundry about twice during the week, to not be overloaded at home.
So, as you see, I really am not much help am I?

 

[zacsmom]

Take out half of the shirts and shorts that are casual. You really don't need one for every day as you are not in them for a all that long and you are doing laundry.

 

[cwf1028]

Maybe I'll take some of the adult clothes out. Knowing my kids they will get anything they have on for more than an hour dirty, but good thought that DH and I might not have to wear a new one everyday. Thanks for the tip

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Better to overpack then underpack, I always say!

What you have sounds reasonable. I noticed that we often wore the same shorts more than once because between changing for the pool and dinner, they just don't seem to get dirty. I tried underpacking on our last trip and ended up needing things I wish I'd brought. I always end up doing laundry too, regardless.

Guess I'm not much help either! Of course, this is coming from someone who always gets the award for Most Luggage!

 

[minniemouse1]

On our last cruise with 2 adults and 2 children we had a large suitcase, medium suitcase, large garmet bag, and extra large LLBean duffle bag (this bag is HUGE) and about 2 other small bags plus a backpack so you seem to have pack light compared to us! we wore everything and I still had to do laundry. this time I have to pack for 3 kids and one is an 8 month old that I will have to bring diapers, wipes and food for so this otta be fun!! I thinks its worse at the airport because of the carseats than it is at the ship port. GOod luck and have fun no matter how much luggage you haul with you.

 

[aprilgail2]

With 3 people-2 adults one child I have one bag for me, one for my mother and one of those small kids suitcases on wheels for my daughter. I would rather underpack than overpack at this point. Each cruise I am cutting back on what I take. I would rather do laundry twice than have to deal with a lot of suitcases.

 

[anlashokna]

And here I was thinking a trunk would be more convient than a suitcase...Yes I'm definately overpacking....no wait its called choices.

 

[taekwondo mom]

Oh did I ever over pack for our cruise in Oct.. 3 adults DD 12 and her friend 12.. we had 10 or 11 suitcases.. so 5 sounds fine but I'm the queen of overpacking..

 

[ambushangel]

By reading all of these posts, I am starting to think that I have way to much stuff packed.

What would be an "ideal" amount of luggage per person?

 

[JungleCruiser]

Sometimes I get this idea that I will wear certain items in my wardrobe on vacation. If it doesn't really fit, is kinda uncomfortable, or you don't really enjoy wearing it...it stays in the suitcase. Pick only the items you know you will wear - for sure- and leave behind the items that have dust on them from last summer. Bring some laundry $$ and wash your favorite clothes half way through. More room for everyone in the stateroom.

Of course, this rule: (IF YOU DON'T WEAR IT AT HOME, YOU WON'T ON VACATION) does not apply to Pirate Night clothes.

 

[MarknTammy]

Sounds like I've overpacked also. I guess I'll go through my bags and try to combine into a little more than Half. I have one large suitcase for each person (4 of us), and one carryon for each person. I did that because we are staying at a resort for 2 nights before the cruise and I didn't want to unpack the large suitcases.

Glad I found this thread

 

[lbgraves]

IMO you are not overpacking. You are right about the kids. I took an outfit for everyday and 4-5 extras just in case. I was determined NOT to do laundry that cruise. We always pack one big suitcase for DH, one for me and the kids have a medium sized one. I pack using ziplock bags for each outfit for them so that lets me fit more. Also, DD was newly PTd on the last cruise so I probably brought extra outfits for her that I didn't need but I had no idea how she was going to do in a new situation. Turned out I didn't have anything to worry about. We brought a garment bag with DH's suit 7 8 dresses for me for dinner...I couldn't decide on 2 of them. We had a medium sized bag with everyone's shoes and a couple carry ons. Since we have gone to WDW before the cruise I have packed a medium bag with just our clothes for that. It made it much easier to only take one bag into the hotel with us. We will be going after the cruise this time & will do the same thing.

 

[videogal1]

I'm getting paranoid about over packing. I keep hearing to pack and then take out half. I have been on two other cruises 10 years ago, but they were 4 nights and only 2 adults. This is 7 nights with 2 adults and 2 kids. As far as luggage, we are looking at two large suitcases, 1 large garment bag, a carryon (cosmetic case size) and a carryon laptop bag. That's only a total of 5 bags for the 4 of us (however they will be packed to the gills!). What I am really concerned about is the clothes, I already plan on only packing about half of the undergarments and socks that we need and doing at least 1 load of laundry. I also plan on wearing some dining clothes twice here and there (will change out of them right after dinner) so really only about 5 outfits each (we are just wearing a coctail dress and dark suit for both semi-formal and formal nights to conserve space, the girls will have their princess dresses just in case they want to join us). I am however packing 1 casual shorts outfit for every day for everyone. Also a light sweater for us girls and light jacket for DH and a pair of long comfortable pants just in case (1st week of April). Is that too much? Don't we need a shorts outfit for everyday? My kids will swim (packed 2 suites each), but not all day. HELP

Keep it to three pairs of shorts/tops, undies, socks, shoes, your dresses, cosmetic/first aid bag. One pair of long pants, one sweater/light waterproof jacket.

 

[cwf1028]

I didn't mention the duffle bag I packed for the night before as it will not be boarding with us. Now I feel like I should pack more for my kids . Not only that, I forgot about the shoes....Way too much stress. I do not want to do laundry except for undergarments. Wish me luck!

 

[webray]

You definately won't want one short outfit per day...way too much.

 

[diz_cruise_rocks]

My suggestion, just ignore the 'take out the half '. As long as your stuff fits in your suitcases, leave it

 

[la37]

It doesn't sound like you are overpacking at all to me expecially for a 7 day. I would enjoy every minute of my cruise and save doing the laundry for home.