Let's Talk Luggage

[mrsp1030]

The title says it all. Family of 5 traveling on a 7 night cruise and curious what others bring in terms of luggage. I am leaning towards are 3-25" suitcases and 1-2 large duffles but still unsure. Anyone else always on the quest for the best luggage combo. Thanks.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Sounds right, but we always have our kids deal with their own packing and luggage. So for us, two large checked and prob 4 carryon for a 7 nt. But now that airlines we fly have instituted stricter carryon sizes with higher costs for those and checked, were trying to limit the amount of luggage overall. So, now for our family of 5, we're doing one checked and 5 carryon for 8 nts (7 nt plus hotel stay). But we have no actual "formal night" only Optional Dress Up, so that definitely lightens our load.

 

[Tractortom]

When the wife and I travel, either cruise, or in the car, we have a two bag system. One large 25-28" bag and one smaller carry on with the stuff for one night. So if we are on the road, we simply carry in the small bag, and restock it from the large one. On the cruise, we each pack a large bag with stuff for the entire week, and then a smaller carry on with things enough to live the first day and night. It really works for us. My old 27" large bag exploded a wheel getting off our last cruise, it was cheap so I tossed it rather than do a repair, and I'll be getting a new 28" hardshell bag with 4 wheels for the next trip in February.

Tom in Okeechobee, FL

 

[mrsp1030]

Sounds right, but we always have our kids deal with their own packing and luggage. So for us, two large checked and prob 4 carryon for a 7 nt. But now that airlines we fly have instituted stricter carryon sizes with higher costs for those and checked, were trying to limit the amount of luggage overall. So, now for our family of 5, we're doing one checked and 5 carryon for 8 nts (7 nt plus hotel stay). But we have no actual "formal night" only Optional Dress Up, so that definitely lightens our load.

Do you use a large 28" size? My concern was always the weight on those but maybe if I get a lighter model.

 

[reimero]

If you're driving, it doesn't matter too much. If you're flying, check your airline's baggage allowances both for weight and for dimensions. I'm able to use an un-expanded 29" soft side Travelpro. A 27" suitcase will always work. Having said that, with larger suitcases, weight is going to be your main issue.
The other issue is that with the 27s, 28s and 29s, if you plan to put them under the bed, it can be a tight fit. But my wife and I each have a soft-side 29 we use for cruising (due to other reasons, we're rarely there just for the cruise) and they do fit. But it's tight.

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

We are a family of five going on a seven night. We are flying on a budget nonstop flight, so our luggage plans are revolving around that. My kids will be 6, 8, and 9. Each of us will carry on the max limit bag. For our budget flight that is 18"x14"x8". Assuming that I can get all of the girls clothes in their carry on, I'm hoping to be able to only check in one 28" piece of luggage. Guess we will see! It may also lead to a load of laundry while on the ship, but I'm okay with that!

 

[laceltris3]

We are also a family of 5 and use the LLBean rolling duffles. When we fly two large duffles are our checked bags (that I get free from my airline credit card), but we still pack the same whether flying or driving. We use packing cubes (each of the kids can pack for a week in one large cube and a small one for underwear and socks), so we shift things around to make it fit best with FE gifts, pirate stuff, etc. When flying we also arrange so that everyone has a couple changes of clothes in the carry ons. The kids each have the LLBean small rolling duffle that can pack all their clothes plus extra. I love the duffles because they all fit so easily under the bed, and are light when you're dealing with strict airline weight limits.

 

[mrsp1030]

We are also a family of 5 and use the LLBean rolling duffles. When we fly two large duffles are our checked bags (that I get free from my airline credit card), but we still pack the same whether flying or driving. We use packing cubes (each of the kids can pack for a week in one large cube and a small one for underwear and socks), so we shift things around to make it fit best with FE gifts, pirate stuff, etc. When flying we also arrange so that everyone has a couple changes of clothes in the carry ons. The kids each have the LLBean small rolling duffle that can pack all their clothes plus extra. I love the duffles because they all fit so easily under the bed, and are light when you're dealing with strict airline weight limits.

We have the large non rolling duffles and I LOVE THEM! I haven't yet considered buying the rolling ones yet because the one medium one we bought felt like so much less room. Packing cubes save us too!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

We are a family of five going on a seven night. We are flying on a budget nonstop flight, so our luggage plans are revolving around that. My kids will be 6, 8, and 9. Each of us will carry on the max limit bag. For our budget flight that is 18"x14"x8". Assuming that I can get all of the girls clothes in their carry on, I'm hoping to be able to only check in one 28" piece of luggage. Guess we will see! It may also lead to a load of laundry while on the ship, but I'm okay with that!

This is exactly what we're doing; family of 5, too. My girls all have Vera Bradley soft sided totes that are extremely roomy but fit the above guidelines. I just purchased a new LV tote, again w/those exact dimensions. My husband's using a large LLBean backpack. Then we are checking a large 28" for overflow and liquids/sunblock. We did it for WDW twice; although that was just 5 days; I predict we can do it again! lol

Do you use a large 28" size? My concern was always the weight on those but maybe if I get a lighter model.

Yes, 28" we pack it to the gills, and it's always been fine. The only time we were even near the limit was when we checked a case of water and a blow up mattress.

 

[mrsp1030]

This is exactly what we're doing; family of 5, too. My girls all have Vera Bradley soft sided totes that are extremely roomy but fit the above guidelines. I just purchased a new LV tote, again w/those exact dimensions. My husband's using a large LLBean backpack. Then we are checking a large 28" for overflow and liquids/sunblock. We did it for WDW twice; although that was just 5 days; I predict we can do it again! lol



Yes, 28" we pack it to the gills, and it's always been fine. The only time we were even near the limit was when we checked a case of water and a blow up mattress.

That is good to know. Currently debating between expanding our luggage set to either a 28" hard side or 29" soft side. We've been slowly upgrading our luggage this year and now deciding what to add.

 

[oakleycat]

We are a family of 4 and do two hard-sided 28s and two carryons for 10 nights (3 at parks, 7 cruise). Plus everyone carries a backpack. They all fit under the bed fine.

 

[KashasMom]

Family of 3 - probably one 25" and then a couple of carryons. We don't do formal, we don't bring 10 pairs of shoes, and just try to pack as light as possible. We've gotten much better at NOT over packing!

 

[joannamet]

For our family of 3 we use 1 carry-on size suitcase for each person whether we're flying or not. DD carries a backpack and I carry a tote. For short trips DH and I sometimes pack in 1 larger suitcase plus the smaller one for DD. We've gotten pretty good at not over packing. I'd much rather do a load or 2 of laundry instead of lugging around huge bags. They call it 'lug'gage for a reason.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Take a scale with you to purchase luggage. I also take a measuring tape to make sure the carry-ons fit our Airline dimensions. Just because they advertise a certain weight, doesn't mean each suitcase is exactly that. Sometimes those few ounces of difference count.

I like a 29" if I can find one under 10lbs (I've done 10.5lbs, too). The lighter, the better, but beware of construction. Sometimes there's not much between the world and your things besides a piece of material. I do have a couple of 28" ones that are only 8.5lbs (what a find!) The kids use those.

Another tip, do a "trial packing" in cubes (or bags) and weigh your stuff. This will tell you how many lbs you have left for the suitcase, itself.

 

[SteveMP]

Whenever we need bags we go to TJMax, Marshals, Ross, and other discount stores to pickout bags that we think will make our next trip better. The one thing is wheels so the kids can roll their own. I also have a travel backpack that has a hidden flap that slides over roller luggage handles so stays tightly attached to big rollaway.

 

[sharonabe]

We use packing cubes (each of the kids can pack for a week in one large cube and a small one for underwear and socks), so we shift things around to make it fit best with FE gifts, pirate stuff, etc

We have the large non rolling duffles and I LOVE THEM! I haven't yet considered buying the rolling ones yet because the one medium one we bought felt like so much less room. Packing cubes save us too!

We are first-time users of duffles on our next cruise. I can't decide if I want packing cubes or not. Do you have any pictures of how you use them/fit them into your duffles? What size cubes do you find are the most practical? We are a family of four, 2 adults and 2 teenagers. I can't imagine a cube big enough for one of my boys' clothes to fit in and it be any different than just putting in the duffle. Any helpful tips?

 

[GPaLarry]

Remember that all DCL ships have laundry rooms and services. I know they can be frustratingly busy and you have to pick the right time to get in. However, when we did an 18-night B2B last Sept., they were much needed and you must adjust. Read Rick Steves' books to see how he travels light...or watch his videos on YouTube.

 

[laceltris3]

We are first-time users of duffles on our next cruise. I can't decide if I want packing cubes or not. Do you have any pictures of how you use them/fit them into your duffles? What size cubes do you find are the most practical? We are a family of four, 2 adults and 2 teenagers. I can't imagine a cube big enough for one of my boys' clothes to fit in and it be any different than just putting in the duffle. Any helpful tips?

So for adults, we do two cubes. I do the large ones and a lot of the small ones for organizing things. So aside from the cubes for the clothes, I have separate cubes for medicines, sunblock, all the bathing suits, sun hats and sunglasses, device chargers and cables. Sometimes it's easier to put everyone's formal night stuff together, or if we have matching shirts, they go together. Snacks for my food allergy kid go in another. We've used packing cubes for 3 years and I keep buying more and different sizes. It makes unpacking so much easier because every kid has a drawer and their cube with clothes and small cubes with underwear, etc go in it and we are done. I also bring some empty cubes for dirty clothes to take home. We never run out of things to put in them and it makes keeping things organized so much easier.

 

[mrsp1030]

Remember that all DCL ships have laundry rooms and services. I know they can be frustratingly busy and you have to pick the right time to get in. However, when we did an 18-night B2B last Sept., they were much needed and you must adjust. Read Rick Steves' books to see how he travels light...or watch his videos on YouTube.

This is why I am thinking we may not need a huge suitcase since we already own 3 25" and several duffles and have a variety of carry ons to work with. My only need to maybe get one larger is to minimize for our transfer services as they limit the amount of luggage overall. I love Rick Steves and we have become much better packers thanks to him for sure! Plus I will be using laundry services for sure and I have 3 boys so that makes it easy!

 

[CM Dad]

If we fly to FL for a cruise, we use Southwest, which unfortunately allows 2 free checked bags per passenger, so that is what we have taken :-(. We just got off the Fantasy this past Saturday and did express walk off for the first time. There were 16 in our group, including 7 grandkids from 2 to 8, and a couple of strollers. It was a pain trying to wrangle all of the luggage and the kids on disembarkation morning, and may have convinced my wife that for our next cruise we can pack less