Let's play the packing game!!

[luvstiggertoo]

Okay all of you experienced cruisers out there I need your help.
41 days to go for our very first cruise....4 day Wonder sailing 5/18.

I've read through many posts on what to bring, what to wear, etc and my mind is spinning! Traveling will be me, DH, DD12 7 DS9

If it was up to me, we'd have enough clothes for a month, including a shore excursion to Alaska!
If it were up to DH, we'd have a bathing suit and a pair of shorts.
So, if you would, please complete this sentence.

I'm packing for my cruise and I'm going to bring.......




Thanks!!!

 

[mmouse37]

Wow...if you only have 41 days left we only have 40...we are on the 5/17 Magic!!!!

For a 4 day cruise

For me:
2 pair of capri's (I do not wear shorts)
4 blouses
1 or 2 t-shirts
cocktail dress
pair of black slacks
pair of dressy shoes
pair of sandals
sneakers (I always wear sneakers on a plane)
underwear
2 bathing suits
beach coverup
1 sundress
accessories
toiletries
pj's

For hubby:
2 or 3 pair of shorts
2 pair dockers
3 polo shirts
1 button down shirt
Tie
2 bathing suits
t-shirts for beach/pool/shore excursions
nicer shoes
beach sandals
sneakers
underwear

I often try to pick things that will mix and match and I wear things more than once
.
My teens pack their own things..each are allowed one suitcase and I do not care what they pack in it, as long as there is one.

Even on 7 day cruises we each only take one suitcase and a carryon.

We learned after our first cruise that we had overpacked and from then on, we knew better what to bring.

MJ

 

[luvstiggertoo]

Thanks MJ!

 

[MNmom]

I always pack better for the kids than I do for myself. For them, I pack what they will wear each evening in large ziplock bags and label them (evening#1, #2 etc..). I then add one bag of undies and socks.One more bag of swimsuits/ coverups and a bag with thier travel-home clothes. Finally, I throw in a few pairs of shorts and T-shirts, sweatshirt and jammies, tennis shoes,sandals and evening shoes, oh yeah..another bag of bathroom stuff. I can pack my 3 kids (3,6,10) in about an hour if their clothes are all clean

On the other hand.... it takes me about 3 weeks to pack myself and decide what I am going to bring. I always pack too much and try to remember the old saying...

Bring half as many clothes and twice as much money!!

Good Luck!!

Happy Cruisin' MNmom

 

[luvstiggertoo]

MNmom...I've seen the ziplock bag tip mentioned many times.
What is the purpose for packing outfits in ziplock bags? Is it just for organizing/helping the kids know what to wear?

I can see using them for swimsuits...to pack the wet ones to go home.
Do the zippies help with wrinkles, etc.?

Just curious!
Thanks!

 

[Auntie Bon]

I am planning on ziplocs for my personal items because with the new TSA security guidelines they can open you bag and search at random. I certainly don't want some stranger touching my unmentionables

 

[luvstiggertoo]

AH!!! Makes sense!
Thanks

 

[winddancer]

Ziplocks are multi purpose.

1. They protect your clothes from inspectors dirty hands.
2. They serve as generic SpaceSaver bags.
3. They keep you (or yours) organized.
4. If labeled properly, inspectors can match the item with the luggage.
5. In the event the inspector was fired from McDonalds for forgetting "Would you like fries with that?" And they can't match your ziplock with your luggage, You will know precisely what is missing when you go balistic on the poor airline person.

 

[jilljill]

My motto is: "If I forget it I will buy it when I get there".
If you know you are planning on buying a new tshirt, pack 1 less and wear your new one one day. On the cruise you have to remember to pack your undies, about the only thing you can't buy on board. If you forget your dressy clothes, there's always Topsiders/Beach Blanket or room service. Have a great time and don't over pack - just buy it.

 

[MNmom]

Wow--I never even thought about inspectors going through my luggage!! EWWWW!!

We have always used them to help the kids getting dressed. I just tell them to go pick out the right bag and it has everything they will need. There is no "I can't find my sweater" or "I don't want to wear thaaat!!".

We keep a drawer with the empty bags and always find something to use them for...chocolate chip cookies fit very nicely for excursions sunscreens and shampoos are also good to put into the baggies.

Wouldn't live without them.

Happy Cruisin' MNmom

 

[d'Isigny]

My wife packs the kids outfits in a zip loc bag. Each bag contains a complete change of clothes. We were able to put all 3 DD's items (hang up excluded) in the upright trunk.

Someone passed on a suggestion to avoid overpacking. Lay out everything you want to take on your trip. Invite a 'good' friend to pack for you...whatever does not make it into the suitcase - does not go. Now, I've not tried this...but considering it. Last time - we just had too many clothes. Some things we only wore for an hour or two.

 

[rae519]

Lots of money.

Rae

 

[Tinkerbel129]

Hi Geri,

Now we haven't cruised yet, but that will change come November. One thing I have learned to do when we come home from WDW on past trips is, as soon as I am done un-packing, I automatically put those rain ponchos and that Mickey umbrella right back in. For a couple years I did notdo this and every year I had to buy them again. We are a family of 3, but I bet I have at least 15 ponchos.

Have a Great Cruise!!

 

[heart4dis]

A friend of mine returned from a cruise in Feb. and wished she had packed 3 bras....one to wear, one to wash out, one to dry...
you get the idea.

 

[luvstiggertoo]

Thanks for all of the great suggestions.
I'm writing them all down!!


Heart4dis....I learned to pack several bras on our trip to Vegas last year. We were only going to be there for 2 nights so I packed my black bra and wore a white one. Well, my white one broke on the flight over!! And of course, with the exception of my black "going out clothes" everything else was light colored!

Hey, yet another use for duct tape?????

 

[Dayna]

I brought up th e ziploc bag idea to my husband, as I thought it was a good idea. He thought I was crazy. He is a police officer and said that would make him search my bag more. Who knows what could be found between the clothes inside the ziploc bag? So instead of quickly rummaging through your unmentionables, they are really putting their grubby hands all over them. \

I'll be packing normally. The only things I do put in ziplocs are my toilettries, I don't want any spills.

Starting to pack...26 days till land and sea, Beach Club/ Wonder. May4-11, 2003.

Dayna

 

[Auntie Bon]

I would hope that they would squeeze the bags and be able to tell that they are only my clothes etc and nothing else.

 

[lisa_from_nj]

Hi! Don't worry about the inspectors opening your Ziplock bags. I have never seen them open one. They are more concerned with wiping down the insides of your suitcase with a small piece of paper or cloth that they then put in some sort of scanner to look for traces of explosives. I definitely put unmentionables in a Ziplock. The thought of hands that have shuffled through tons of other suitcases, or falling out and on the floor or counter is too gross for me!

 

[jilljill]

I was in airports in New York, London and Paris in February. Our suitcases were not opened at any airport. I know this because we used the zip ties and they were all in tact at each destination. In fact we were flying to London from Paris the day they found a hand grenade at one of the London airports so I thought for sure our bags would be searched. Please don't think they open and inspect each and every bag that is checked. Pack as you normally would and don't think about what could happen.

 

[rae519]

Duct tape - ohhhh, my word! That's the best use I've heard so far!!!!!

Rae