Excessive packing??

[HollyMD]

We are leaving this weekend for our first Disney cruise! We will be going on a 3day on the Dream, then after disembarkation, we got to WDW for 7 days. It is me, DH, DD(12), and DS(9 months). We have six checked bags. SIX!! Does this seem excessive to any of you?? And the bad thing is, I can't even come up with a lot we could leave out! I may could leave out one or 2 outfits per person, as I do plan on doing laundry atleast the last night of the cruise, but how much does that really save? And will I have anywhere to STORE all of this on the cruise? If it weren't for WDW after, we could have managed with 2, MAYBE 3 at the most. Do I need to spend time tonight figuring out a way to make due with less?? Having the baby is challenging, as he needs a lot more than the rest of us.

 

[summerskye]

If possible, I would pack for 2 trips. Maybe 2 bags for cruise, then a few for the land part. I would also leave the land bags untouched, so I wouldn't have to re-pack. If you are flying in the day before, maybe you could take the "land" bags over to the resort and leave with bell services. (If you are staying at a resort) Good luck!

P.S. We have 5-6 bags for our 7 day cruise. Me, DW, DD(14), DD(11). Thankfully, we are driving over so no checked bags...

 

[ebradley23]

Evaluate your shoe needs. I have a 3 shoe rule. 1 pair of dressy, 1 casual (touring type) and 1 pair of running shoes (we're runners though and have to get in our mileage even on vacation). I allow one extra (a pair of flip flops) for cruises. The shoes you wear to travel are not in addition to those mentioned above. We usually wear our casual shoes as they are the least pack friendly.

Don't pack hair driers either - use the ones provided in your room(s). If you use flat irons or curling irons - share them between you and your DD

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are leaving this weekend for our first Disney cruise! We will be going on a 3day on the Dream, then after disembarkation, we got to WDW for 7 days. It is me, DH, DD(12), and DS(9 months). We have six checked bags. SIX!! Does this seem excessive to any of you?? And the bad thing is, I can't even come up with a lot we could leave out! I may could leave out one or 2 outfits per person, as I do plan on doing laundry atleast the last night of the cruise, but how much does that really save? And will I have anywhere to STORE all of this on the cruise? If it weren't for WDW after, we could have managed with 2, MAYBE 3 at the most. Do I need to spend time tonight figuring out a way to make due with less?? Having the baby is challenging, as he needs a lot more than the rest of us.

Well, yes, it seems excessive to me. We travel with 2 suitcases and 2 backpacks for 2 of us. That's for all trips of at least 7 days or more. We packed the same for our 30 day river cruise trip last summer as we packed for our 21 day Panama Canal cruise, or our 19 night Alaska cruise/tour, and our recent 14 night Eastbound Transatlantic.

You really don't need 2 or 3 outfits for each day. Take clothes that mix and match. A blouse that goes with 3 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of pants that have 5 tops that go with both. And, honestly, no one onboard (or at WDW) is going to remember that you wore that same top 3 days ago. Do laundry (both resorts and onboard the ships have self-serve laundry rooms).

 

[HollyMD]

We have definitely done as you suggested, and made 2 bags strictly "cruise", 1 bag strictly "baby", and the others just for WDW. We ARE flying in the day before, but we get in too late to try and get the others over to bell services, although that is a GREAT suggestion that I wouldn't have thought of even if we were getting in early enough.

 

[RafikiTiki21]

You can also SHIP a box to yourself at your Disney Resort before leaving for your cruise (so, now!). I would pack a box of disposable, Disney World-specific items-- diapers, additional toiletries or sunscreen, snacks. Perhaps some clothing or the backpack, things you don't need on the cruise itself that could be waiting for you when you arrive at WDW.

I agree that if you're on a 3 night cruise and doing laundry the third night it only helps so much. I understand too, you need a lot of stuff!

How are you getting to your resort? Magical Express from MCO after the DCL bus? Do you have ME tags, or handling luggage yourself that part of the journey?

 

[ebradley23]

Also pack any consumables (diapers, wipes etc) in a box. You won't be coming home with them, so it's one less suitcase to bring home. I would evaluate what you need for your DS too. It's likely much less than you think. Bring about half the toys you may have already packed.

 

[HollyMD]

We only have 2 pair of shoes packed per person, and one outfit per person/per day, with a couple of extra nicer outfits for dinners on the cruise. The baby, on the other hand, I have packed 2 outfits per day, being as you just never know with a little one. We have packed him some toys and snacks and have packed some snacks for WDW. I guess I will go through the suitcases tonight and see how much I can eliminate, and if it will make enough difference to cut out a full bag. Its hard when going with a little one and trying to be prepared for their needs.

 

[ebradley23]

We only have 2 pair of shoes packed per person, and one outfit per person/per day, with a couple of extra nicer outfits for dinners on the cruise. The baby, on the other hand, I have packed 2 outfits per day, being as you just never know with a little one. We have packed him some toys and snacks and have packed some snacks for WDW. I guess I will go through the suitcases tonight and see how much I can eliminate, and if it will make enough difference to cut out a full bag. Its hard when going with a little one and trying to be prepared for their needs.

I will say the first major trip after having my son was the most I've ever packed. We did a cruise when he was around 10 months old. You can reduce the food, by not packing snacks for the cruise portion. Grab extra bananas and/or cereal at breakfast. Only bring 2 sippy cups with a sample size of dish soap to wash them nightly. I wouldn't bring 2 sets of clothes for him per day. Just a couple extra, since you have access to laundry. Also don't bring a ton of extra diapers. If you run out, you're at a resort at the end of your trip. You can always have some delivered to your hotel as a worst case scenario. Just bring maybe 1 more than his typical daily needs for every other day of your trip.

 

[bumbershoot]

Rather than going through them randomly, sit out and write out what you'll need each day.

Even if those outfits aren't worn on those specific days, pretend like they will be to really get a good count.

6 bags checked is definitely pushing it. We've done 4 for the 3 of us, plus carryons etc for the plane.

Shoes have been the biggest thing I have cut down on. I started coordinating my dresses (I always wear a dress for dinner on cruises) with ONE pair of heels, and my life is better for it, LOL. But then I make up for it with two pairs of running shoes.

 

[RafikiTiki21]

Some more thoughts...

Did you intend to work out on the ship? If so-- don't! This is several additional outfits and shoes (unless you are re-wearing the shoes at WDW).

Perhaps just one swimsuit each instead of the usual recommended two?

You can re-wear jewelry and accessories, only you would know but your photos would still look varied if you are wearing different clothes each night but stick to basic accessories.

Are you sharing family shower toiletries or relying on the ones in your ship/hotel to cut back on those bottles?

Did you pack a lot of entertainment-- books, toys, etc that may not be needed on these types of vacations?

Did you pack a lot of "just in case" items/medicine? I overdid it the first WDW trip and have since learned that I can buy anything I need there IF my son gets a fever, etc I will deal with it then rather than over pack. Perhaps not as much of a selection on the ship, but it's the shorter part of your trip and they are likely to have the first aid type items on board if you needed them.

I think diapers and snacks are the quick wins and easy things to cut back on-- as we've said, you can ship them ahead now (or order from Amazon or Garden Grocer directly instead). They are bulky too, and would be sitting there for a while before needed the second half of your trip.

 

[HollyMD]

P.S. We have 5-6 bags for our 7 day cruise. Me, DW, DD(14), DD(11). Thankfully, we are driving over so no checked bags...

This makes me fell a bit better lol. When I think about, we TECHNICALLY only have 1.5 bags per person for 2 different vacations, just back to back, AND tons of baby stuff

will say the first major trip after having my son was the most I've ever packed. We did a cruise when he was around 10 months old. You can reduce the food, by not packing snacks for the cruise portion. Grab extra bananas and/or cereal at breakfast. Only bring 2 sippy cups with a sample size of dish soap to wash them nightly. I wouldn't bring 2 sets of clothes for him per day. Just a couple extra, since you have access to laundry. Also don't bring a ton of extra diapers. If you run out, you're at a resort at the end of your trip. You can always have some delivered to your hotel as a worst case scenario. Just bring maybe 1 more than his typical daily needs for every other day of your trip.

This also helps. I'm just so worried that I will suddenly not have something I need for him and feel lost. the rest of us, no big deal if we forget something. Him, could be a big problem if nothing readily available!

 

[HollyMD]

Did you pack a lot of "just in case" items/medicine

THIS is probably a lot of the problem!

 

[HollyMD]

Rather than going through them randomly, sit out and write out what you'll need each day.

Even if those outfits aren't worn on those specific days, pretend like they will be to really get a good count.

6 bags checked is definitely pushing it. We've done 4 for the 3 of us, plus carryons etc for the plane

I think I will try this and see if it eliminates anything. All of ours are checked(Southwest, 2 free checked bags), and the only carry on we have is stuff for the first night and stuff for baby needed on the plane. 3 of our checked bags aren't very big, smaller than some people's carry ons and that may be why it seems like so many to me, the sheer number, but when I look at size, its like a checked bag and a carry on per person I guess.

 

[HollyMD]

All of you have been very helpful with suggestions, thank you! I will have to see tonight what I can do with all of these

 

[BigredNole]

I haven't even scheduled a cruise and can count up that many bags, although for 7 days. The reason is we have some specific needs that take up space. I will force a reduction when we do schedule and start packing.

1 suitcase for each of us
1 carry-on for each of us (Me: electronics backpack, DW: medical supplies, DD: who knows what)
1 extra suitcase for non-clothes items: pillow (I must have my pillow from home or the trip is over), mask/snorkel, spare medications, med kit

 

[RedSox68]

I am the WORST packer -- take everything and only use half of it. We had six bags (2 each for 3 adults and 3 carry ons) for our 20-day Alaska cruise and land tour, and for our Med/TA in 2007. It was way too much -- didn't wear a third of the clothes (especially formal dining). Last year we did the 12-night British Isles and 10 days in London with four suitcases and three carry-ons. It was the best packing I've ever done and it felt so much less burdensome (we got some complaints on the Alaska land portion LOL). We did laundry on the ship between stays in London and it made a huge difference.

If you can, pack one suitcase for the cruise, a pack two for WDW. Do a laundry on the ship on the last day and then that will give you fresh clothes for WDW and should hold you until you get home.

 

[ludari]

For my first cruise (10 days) I packed way too much (1 large checked back, carry-on and a small backpack). Nine cruises later and multiple trips abroad I have gotten my packing down to just a carry-on (I've done two separate month long land/cruise trips with only a carry-on bag). Yes, I've accepted the fact that when I cruise or travel I might have to do laundry but that's okay because you meet some interesting people doing laundry but that's a whole different story. The payoff is less things to carry and I don't have the fear of the possibility of losing luggage (yes, it's has happened to me but luckily I got it before my cruise set sail). Over the years of cruising and traveling abroad I have come up with my own packing list but my general rule is "pack half as much and take twice as much money." If you are interested in a packing list I believe someone on the boards has created one or you can download an app. Good luck and have a wonderful cruise.

 

[Quellman]

We pack a ton, but we drive to port. With a 9 month old there is a lot you have to pack on board. Diapers, wipes, some toys, books, blankets, likely also food. Laundry the last night of the ship hardly helps with your issue. Its when you are at Disney that you will burn through clothing, especially in the heat. 6 Bags is not excessive in my mind, especially if you toss fish extenders in there. Just nest some of the bags inside one another if you find yourself tight on space.

 

[Ofinn]

We are a family of 4. I usually have 3 checked bags and 2 carry-ons. Sometimes only 2 checked bags it depends. The kids and I usually fly on a different flight than my dh. I only take what me and 2 kids can manage ourselves. If I need a porter it's too much.