Luggage query

[snowy2]

Hi. We can have 25kg pp on our Monarch flight, I have packed this weekend and although everything we need is in our cases there is no room for any purchases. The two cases weigh 18kg each, less another 6kg when I've used up all the toiletries, so I have kilos spare just not space, can I take an extra case/holdall to make up the spare kilos for on the way home? Does it matter how many bags you have if it adds up to 50kg? Many thanks.

 

[2Tiggies]

Check the Monarch luggage guidelines. Airline policy varies but generally the luggage is restricted per piece as well as by weight and/or dimensions. 18kg per person is a lot of luggage to take on the outbound. Can I be cheeky and ask if there is anything in particular, aside from toiletries, that is filling up the cases? We make use of the washing machines onsite and on a 3 week trip, we are only taking 5-6 outfits each, one pair of shoes which we will wear on the plane and one in the luggage which will be our second pair there.

See what the Monarch rules are, but I would expect you will be charged for an additional piece, regardless of the weight you are allowed and I don't know what they charge but circa $100 per bag is not uncommon.

 

[2Tiggies]

Just had a quick snoop at their website and it looks like you might be able to pre purchase, but go through it carefully. It looks like it might be on a per kilo basis! I have no experience with airlines where the baggage is charged separately to the tickets. It might be worth just calling them and asking.

This from their website:

Can I pre-book and pay for excess baggage?

You can pre-book excess baggage online before you fly and receive a discounted online rate. You can upgrade your 20kg bag to a 23kg bag for just £10.00/€12,00 each way. Additional kilos thereafter are charged at £10.00/€12,00 per kg.
Excess baggage booked via our call centre or at the airport will incur charges of £10.00 / €12,00 per kg.

 

[chmurf]

18kg pp is indeed a lot of luggage.

when we go for 3 weeks we have less than 20kg between the 3 of us (and this includes medical equipment for myself)

people tend to overpack, but you need to make use of the hotel ammenities.
A batch of laundry can easily be done while you're at the pool and it saves a couple of kilos per person in the suitcases and make room for the same weight in souvenirs.


the standard extra bag is $100 per bag
Monarch has a different policy.

If you fly a charter flight (flight # starts with MON), it's £50 for 5kg each way.
If you fly a scheduled flight (flight # starts with ZB), it's £15 per kilo from the UK to the US, and $20 per kilo from the USA to the UK

your bag can't exceed 32kg and may not be checked if the operationnal capacity of the plane does not allow it (basically if many passengers check excess bags or if Monarch uses the flight for freight, they may tell you that your bag can't be checked (not sure if they actually do that, but their policy allows them to)

http://www.monarch.co.uk/faq/flights/baggage/excess-baggage#cost

 

[Elise79]

If you have spare kilos how about using a larger case?

 

[snowy2]

Thanks for replies. These are our new suitcases from last year and they aren't small but not large. We are going for 3 weeks with a cruise so need a few extra smart clothes for the evening, believe it or not I only had two piles of clothes when I finished ironing and I thought I had been ruthless this year My OH is the worst, always takes far too much, I even put 2 tshirts back in the drawer and 2 of my tops. I have planned on washing this year for the first time and still ended up with 18kg. I will start again I think, good job I packed yesterday and not next week at the last minute. When we went 4 years ago I took 3 suitcases and one spare inside as we booked with virgin when you could still have 4 pieces, they were all full on the return Those were the days.

 

[2Tiggies]

A cruise! Of course. My apologies for my assumptions; that and the 3 week trip pretty much explains it then.

Have you called Monarch? You have nothing to lose by checking if they would negotiate a prepaid third bag on the return.

I also still long for the good days when transatlantic flights gave you 2 pieces per person. We don't shop that much now (well I speak for myself, not my DD), but it takes the pressure off when you aren't messing with luggage scales and trying to see how many layers of clothing you can wear to the airport and still manage to fit into a standard seat

 

[snowy2]

Thats ok, I know Ive always taken far too much every time we go away. The only smart jeans I've got for the cruise I will be travelling in and I've only packed one change of smart jeans for the OH. I have 4 skirts, 7 shorts and about 20 tops/tshirts thoughI was at the SIL's on Saturday to see how she is going on as there are 4 of them and she's taking way more than I am.I was hoping to load her up with some of our purchases to bring home as they leave before us. I've just got in from work so I think I will empty them again and really be ruthless! Will let you know the new weigh in.

 

[disneyholic family]

what cruise are you on?
a 7 night or shorter?

i always take a half empty bag - but even then, i end up taking an extra bag back and paying for the extra suitcase.
i just love buying stuff - what can i say.
And there are such good bargains sometimes i can't resist.

 

[disneyholic family]

you're taking 20 tops??????????
that's a LOT!!!!!

 

[2Tiggies]

you're taking 20 tops??????????
that's a LOT!!!!!

I was thinking the same

Snowy, we are away for 3 weeks this year (admittedly no cruise) and I am taking 5-6 tops, 4 pairs of shorts and 2 summer dresses, one of which I am wearing on the plane. Right now I'm so impressed that you actually iron your clothes before you go that I can't get past that point. I have to move furniture to get to where my ironing board stays. I fold very carefully ......

 

[pickers1982]

Recommend just doing some washing when your there. Makes packing much less stressful! We only did this on our last trip and well worth it

 

[snowy2]

We are doing a 7 night Eastern Caribbean on Freedom of the seas. I've just been in the loft and found an old massive suitcase 75cm x 50 x 30cm. The clothes are floating around in there I have creased them now though I've been on the monarch website and there is no mention of measurements only weight. BA says 90x75x43 which is huge, should have flown BA I packed so many tops cause I sweat so much in the heat and change tops a lot and I haven't lost any weight and will need room to grow especially on the cruise I planned on one wash whilst there, I have never used a washing machine on holiday ever, unlike my SIL who loves to wash and iron all her clothes before coming home. I have to say I am super impressed by all the light travellers on here, it's just something I never manage. I swear everything in there is essential Don't even ask about my hand luggage.

 

[flortlebap]

I packed a 20kg bag for NY and returned with one 18kg and one 10kg case lol. Clearly I do not travel light as that was only for 5 days! Winter clothes though I suppose.

Anyway - I would take a couple of larger cases - not sure what you're planning on buying, but once you've ditched empty toiletry bottles won't you have plenty of space and weight left? Otherwise you could pre book extra baggage and take an empty suitcase...

 

[snowy2]

I am packing the large case but I will sort through my clothes too. We do buy some trainers/shoes not loads, but I do like souvenirs for people/kids and I do keep all the maps from the parks and cruise info from the ships. I do seem to accumulate stuff easily, although my small house has plenty of space as I can't stand clutter. Im off to re pack right now.

 

[snowy2]

I'm packed again The large case is now 16kg and the medium one is 15kg less approx another 7kg in toiletries for on the way home. There is quite a bit of space in the large case I've been really ruthless I do have a week to go so can play around a bit more.

 

[disneyholic family]

We are doing a 7 night Eastern Caribbean on Freedom of the seas. I've just been in the loft and found an old massive suitcase 75cm x 50 x 30cm. The clothes are floating around in there I have creased them now though I've been on the monarch website and there is no mention of measurements only weight. BA says 90x75x43 which is huge, should have flown BA I packed so many tops cause I sweat so much in the heat and change tops a lot and I haven't lost any weight and will need room to grow especially on the cruise I planned on one wash whilst there, I have never used a washing machine on holiday ever, unlike my SIL who loves to wash and iron all her clothes before coming home. I have to say I am super impressed by all the light travellers on here, it's just something I never manage. I swear everything in there is essential Don't even ask about my hand luggage.

FANTASTIC!!! have you been on royal before?
we LOVE LOVE LOVE Royal. I haven't been on the freedom yet, but it gets great reviews. It's on my to do list!

and the eastern caribbean is great. I assume you'll do nassau, st thomas and st marteen.
we had such a fabulous time!!! (we were on the allure, but it's basically the same cruise)

 

[snowy2]

Hi Beth. I read your review of Allure and it sounds a fantastic ship, I am hoping to go on it when it sails from Barcelona next year. This will be our 8th Royal Caribbean cruise. We thought we would never like cruising and reluctantly went on a big family cruise (the others had cruised before). It was a 5 night Med on Navigator in 2008 and we have been hooked ever since. We went on Freedom 4 years ago on our last trip to Orlando and did the Western which was the best cruise we have done. This is our first time on an Eastern, we do Cococay, St Thomas and St Maarten, all new ports for us. It was a last minute decision to add a cruise (only booked it last week) but we booked 3 weeks holiday just in case we could afford it.

 

[disneyholic family]

Hi Beth. I read your review of Allure and it sounds a fantastic ship, I am hoping to go on it when it sails from Barcelona next year. This will be our 8th Royal Caribbean cruise. We thought we would never like cruising and reluctantly went on a big family cruise (the others had cruised before). It was a 5 night Med on Navigator in 2008 and we have been hooked ever since. We went on Freedom 4 years ago on our last trip to Orlando and did the Western which was the best cruise we have done. This is our first time on an Eastern, we do Cococay, St Thomas and St Maarten, all new ports for us. It was a last minute decision to add a cruise (only booked it last week) but we booked 3 weeks holiday just in case we could afford it.

we're hoping to get something in the med at the last minute- if there's a super price drop..
otherwise it will have to wait a while...

i hope you write a trip report, i'd love to hear about your cruise!!!!

 

[snowy2]

Hope you find a last minute bargain. We went on Liberty last May from Barcelona which was a great cruise, though the weather was rubbish. It's still sailing this summer and I got a flyer last week that showed Splendour from Venice with 3 nights in Lake Garda and a night in Venice plus 7 nights cruise, return flights from Gatwick and all transfers for 26 Aug from £1089pp. I am a bit gutted as we have a 3 night break in Venice booked at the end of August and when all the costs are added up this would probably be better value for money. I will definitely make some trip notes and will try a trip report, once I figure out how to upload photos. Off back to work now but it's one week today so that thought is keeping me going