Luggage for cruise - opinions (soft vs hardsided, etc.)

[Masonpips]

We're in the market for new luggage and I've been searching on-line and wanted to see if the experts had any opinions.

We've always cruised with wheeled soft luggage (fabric) but have once skied w/hardsided and honestly loved it - once it's checked, you have no worries whatsoever re: damage to your stuff.

A lot of the hardsided stuff now has the option to expand (much needed on my cruise travels thus far, LOL) and as long as we're careful on the weight restrictions (the shoes, my God, the shoes) I think we'll be fine.

What luggage do you use to cruise and why?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

I use soft sided luggage. I like how it expands so easily, and is lightweight. I also found a great soft-sided wheeled bag in Costco that I just loved, I bought 2!
They have so many compartments, and I can't wait to use them on our next cruise.

 

[sweet angel]

I just bought soft-sided American Tourister luggage from Ebags.com with the link through mousesavers. I can't wait to use it!

 

[Billinaz]

I really like the Atlantic Travel Vault I got from Ebags.com

They are hard side luggage with a seal so that no water (or jet fuel) can get in. They open like a clamshell and swallow a ton of stuff!.

They have a combo lock built in. I like that because it gives a small measure of security for what I out in them while I am away from the hotel room....

 

[aliwas]

My mom and I both bought new soft-sided luggage for our cruise and came home with oil or grease stains from the airlines on them. If flying, buy something that will clean easily. My Mom did have to pay, flying in, a $25.00 fee for luggage overweight. On the way back, they didn't even weigh it at MCO.

 

[TheWog]

soft sided luggage we have nests in side itself to help with storing. three peices fit in the space of one.

 

[daisy112878]

We use soft sided now. We use to use hard sided until they started checking bags and you couldn't lock them. My dad is on a airplane four or five times a week for business. He has seen more then one hard sided suitcase come open and clothes thrown since you can't lock them. He decided to buy soft sided and I trust his judgement since he flies so much. We brought the Samsonite 550 series. We love it. And so easy to roll and get around with.

 

[tvguy]

When I was single I traveled a lot for business, and I never could get more than about 2 years use out of softsided luggage. Never did have a problem with breakage of stuff inside.
My wife and I bought a set of Delsey hardsided luggage 24 years ago. We always use a luggage strap on them, and while they are scuffed up, we know they are always going to arrive intact. They are huge, and yes, they weigh more, but we got everything we needed for a 7 day Disney cruise for 4 big people (my son and I are both 6'2", my wife and daughter are both 5'8") and they both fit under the bed on the ship.

 

[Skallywag]

Just wonder if there is sufficient room in the stateroom for suitcses or where can they be stored. Dont want to be like a hotel room and falling over them all the time.

 

[wannabecruiser]

Since this is a thread about luggage I just thought I would share my exciting (to me) story. Over the weekend I went to an estate auction in my town. If you have ever been to an auction you know how things go, well towards the end of the auction there were a bunch of boxed items and other misc. items that were up for bid. Once people bid and got the items they wanted there usually is a lot left and one person gets the rest for real cheap or they just throw it away. My husband and I were loading up our purchases and I happen to see a whole bunch of stuff that was not taken, and people said, if you want anything here you can have it or we will just throw it away. Low and behold ther happen to be a 3 piece luggage set sitting, and I said does nobody want this and nobody did. So I got a 3 piece Pierre Cardain luggage set for free!!! It is practilly new condition, and I said This is great, now I do not have to buy any new luggage for my cruise!!! I was so excited!!! Mainly thinking now I don't have to go to the other expense of buying luggage.

 

[SandraLee]

I used to travel for business A LOT and I must say the BEST luggage is by Atlantic. Lightweight and rugged. I love the features and it is worth the money. But, I did get a bargain on some very nice TravelPro stuff lately. I bought it for me for Christmas and put it away for DH to wrap up. LOL.

I perfer multiple pieces of softsided stuff with the hooks you can string together than a huge hardsided piece. Remember, most airlines have a 50 pound limit and you can get there pretty fast in a large hardsided piece.

 

[TheWog]

Originally posted by Skallywag
Just wonder if there is sufficient room in the stateroom for suitcses or where can they be stored. Dont want to be like a hotel room and falling over them all the time.

the closets are pretty good for storing luggage, but you can also pick up the bed and store it under there. If you really find yourself in a bind tell your steward and he will check to see if he can store it for you in his area behind the closed doors...