How early do you pack your suitcase?

[BrokeMack]

We started packing like a month out for Alaska. That was partly from excitement, partly from the complexity of that trip. Usually the day before.

 

[CaptainMarvel]

My family and I will often start dumping cruise specific items into a checked bag 2 to 3 weeks before a trip. While not everything will ultimately stay in that bag, it helps us start to get an idea of what we have (and how much space its going to take). Clothes starts getting packed about a week out most of the time, although some things won't be fully packed until a day or two out at most. Everyday use technology (laptop, tablet, e-reader, etc. and their assorted charging cords) gets packed either the night before or day of.

 

[AnnaS]

About a week before vacation, luggage is out and the usual list. I start laying clothes, items (accessories/hair/pool, toiletries, etc.), on a bed in an empty room. I add to it everyday. I don't pack until the day before.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

I always pack the night before I leave on any trip.

That would stress me out lol

 

[Moonspinner]

The night before

 

[china mom]

My personal item bag for the plane is always packed and I can leave for a flight with 10 minutes notice.

Regular trips, give me an hour or two to pack clothes, longer if I need to do laundry.

Cruise: I have two 6 foot folding tables in the spare room and have been slowly accumulating stuff for weeks. All clothes will be packed Saturday and Sunday for our Wednesday flight as I am working Monday and Tuesday.

 

[AquaDame]

Usually the day before, and still packing the morning of. We don't have separate toiletries and medicines and we use things right up until we leave, so we can't really do it any earlier. I've tried packing earlier with clothes and stuff we don't need day to day, but my husband always ends up repacking it all once we have everything together anyway (#engineerthings) so there is really no point to doing it early. The only thing I do ahead of time is make sure we have enough meds/toiletries and car/plane/boat snacks, and that all out electronics are charged fully in the days leading up.

 

[Calantha]

I start laying things out about 2 weeks before, and try to be mostly packed a week out (except toiletries, etc.). Depends on the season (e.g., DS will need swimsuits for camp in the days before we leave, vs in April when he didn't need them at all).

 

[brentm77]

I love traveling - I consider it one my hobbies. Each family member has a carry-on and we always travel with only that and a small personal bag. So I keep my carryon stocked with a toiletry, electronics, and travel cpap. I also keep a Google note with a packing list for each vacation type, including cruises. The weekend before, I check the list and add the rest of the items to the suitcase so that I am not packing away clothes I might otherwise needs. I enjoy the process and the challenge of packing light, while still having everything I need.

 

[radev104]

We're a little under a year out from our cruise and we have some stuff packed. I have certain cruise items that never leave a suitcase or storage bin that are always packed and ready to go. Clothes I will start planning probably a month before but I won't pack till about a day or two before. If we are doing fish extenders I will start those months before but won't pack them till about a week before.

I am a huge fan of lists so I already am starting to make one. Mostly because its' my parents first time going on a cruise and they need one too. But also its going to be our first time cruising with our baby. So there will be many lists and packing and unpacking to see how everything fits. I will probably start packing and test everything out two weeks before so I can try to condense some stuff.

 

[katyringo]

I have a "Disney stuff shelf" for both parks and cruise. I throw stuff on it as I think of it... so I'm always packing lmao