Luggage Recommendations and/or packing questions

[PHamrick]

Pardon the long-ish build up:

We are flying Spirit Airlines down to Orlando in August. I have pre-paid for three suitcases. The suitcases have to weigh 40 pounds or less and size-wise be 62 linear inches (length + width + height). It's been a while since we've bought new luggage, so I thought our cruise would be a good time to get some new suitcases!

So here are my questions:

1. Do you have any recommendations for light suitcases that are durable and of good quality? Obviously, I'd prefer to get a good deal on them and not spend hundreds and hundreds per bag, but I'm most interested in getting bags that are quality.

2. I'm thinking about packing an empty duffle bag. My thought was that we would use it to bring back clothes/laundry if we need room for souvenirs and/or FE gifts. Any recs for a good, strong, but easily rolled up/compact duffle bag?

3. I'm also wondering if I need a beach bag of any sort? We are silver CC members, so we will probably get one in our cabin? Do you find it adequate for your needs? We may bring a backpack as our carry-on and it can be zipped closed. That should be enough for Castaway Cay and excursions, right? The excursions we have planned would require us to bring some money, ID to get on/off the ship, towels, camera, etc. And we will probably buy souvenirs from everywhere we go.

Thanks for reading through all of this!! I appreciate all of your input!

 

[scootch]

I just bought these bags from Walmart. I haven't used it yet(will next week) but I am so surprised by the quality. Thick zippers, lightweight. I got 2 21 inch ones. I read in the reviews though it is more like 22 inches as most luggage companies don't measure the wheels.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/American-Tourister-Meridian-360-XLT-21-Upright-Spinner/27678279


Also the tote as a CC gift is fine for Castway Cay. I would take something that can zip with several pockets for your excursions at other ports, a good backpack would work.

 

[dcassetta]

I prefer hard-sided as rainy Florida can be tough on luggage and clothing. I have a set similar to this and both bags are great - lightweight and durable.

http://www.costco.com/Samsonite-2-piece-Hardside-Spinner-Set.product.100232004.html

 

[Plaid Princess]

I love my Heys bag. I got it at TJ Maxx about 5 years ago, and it's circled the globe a couple times now, and is still in great shape. It retailed for about $300, but I paid $50 for it. TJ Maxx and Marshalls are a great for discount luggage.

I always keep a packable duffel in my suitcase, and I bought this Bago one on Amazon. I've checked it in a half-dozen times and it's held up like a champ, and packs almost completely flat.

 

[southerngirl528]

Costco has some great buys on luggage and I have had both carry-on and large pullman in their Kirkland brand for years. Like well over a decade and they have gone all over creation and still look fabulous. These are not hard-side though, they are something like ballistic nylon denier or some such "fabric". I did pay big bucks after much research for a Rimowa all carbon-fiber large bag just a few years ago. Though I love the lightweight, 4 wheeled convenience, it has almost no pockets inside for organization and in less than 2 years one side of the locking zipper broke. I was NOT a happy camper.

Consumer Reports tests and surveys luggage every few years and is a great independent resource. Both hard side and soft side luggage have their advantages. I certainly prefer the 4 wheeled versions now though, I'll tell you that! As for duffles, I think LL Bean makes some awesome ones and that is what I have that I pack (folded flat) into my luggage for our longer trips to Hawaii so I can bring back my favorite goodies. They do occasionally have sales if you're on their email list. Oh, and Land's End makes some great duffles. I would highly recommend both companies for a high quality long-lasting duffle.

I do like Plaid Princess' idea of haunting TJ Maxx and Marshall's frequently for great buys on good brand luggage too.

 

[PHamrick]

I love my Heys bag. I got it at TJ Maxx about 5 years ago, and it's circled the globe a couple times now, and is still in great shape. It retailed for about $300, but I paid $50 for it. TJ Maxx and Marshalls are a great for discount luggage.

I always keep a packable duffel in my suitcase, and I bought this Bago one on Amazon. I've checked it in a half-dozen times and it's held up like a champ, and packs almost completely flat.

That duffel bag is amazing! I just bought it on Amazon. It's EXACTLY what I was thinking/looking for.

 

[wherespluto]

We have llbean duffles for each person in our family. We have the large size and they go on every trip. Each person has a color and their name on their bag. They can really hold up and if you ever have an issue they will replace it for free. The only thing i found frustrating at first was things getting mixed in a softsided bag like that. I actually found large heavy duty storage bag (think giant thick ziplocs) at dollar tree in the laundry section. They are perfect for keep things straight in the bag and so cheap ($7 for the family of 4) vs the packing cubes you can buy.

Plus I love the easy storage both at home and on the trips.

 

[Plaid Princess]

That duffel bag is amazing! I just bought it on Amazon. It's EXACTLY what I was thinking/looking for.

I bought it originally when I was sent out of state for a few months for work, and ended up aquiring lots of bulky winter clothes etc. (I'm from CA, and was in NY. Brrrrr!) I was a little hesitant at first, but I figured, as long as it got home in mostly one piece I'd be happy... well I've had it for a few years now and it still looks practically new!

 

[Yumi696]

We bought a carry-on and check in luggage duo from Costco and it was a really decent price for two Samsonite luggage pieces. And it comes with a 10 yr warranty.

 

[Starwind]

Pardon the long-ish build up:

We are flying Spirit Airlines down to Orlando in August. I have pre-paid for three suitcases. The suitcases have to weigh 40 pounds or less and size-wise be 62 linear inches (length + width + height). It's been a while since we've bought new luggage, so I thought our cruise would be a good time to get some new suitcases!

So here are my questions:

1. Do you have any recommendations for light suitcases that are durable and of good quality? Obviously, I'd prefer to get a good deal on them and not spend hundreds and hundreds per bag, but I'm most interested in getting bags that are quality.

I have owned many suitcases.

My current, and favourite bag of choice is eBags brand EXO Hardside: http://www.ebags.com/search/b/ebags/bc/exo-20-hardside

The EXO 2.0 Hardside 24" Spinner I found gives a nice balance for size (it is not the max size allowed) and weight -- I have yet to make it near 50 lbs, and eBags specifically designed the bag the size they did in order to make it really hard to hit the max weight. I would say they succeeded

I have owned them since soon after they came out and have bought additional pieces since (e.g. the EXO 2.0 Hardside Spinner Int'l Carry-on Mobile Office which is my primary carry-on bag).

I own a lot of eBags products and have been very pleased with them. Also, with their brand suitcases it has a lifetime warranty. I have not yet had to exercise that, as the bags have held up exceptionally well.

SW

 

[Amanda129]

I have an Ogio carry-on rolling suitcase that I won in a raffle at work two years ago and LOVE it. They don't make the style that I have anymore, but have other options that are similar. I think they retail for about $180, but you can probably find them cheaper on Amazon or another online retailer. Mine is really nice, lightweight, very durable, has lots of pockets, and even expands by about 2 inches.

Also, I shop at TJMaxx/Ross/Marshall's quite a bit and have noticed some really good deals on the higher end brands of luggage that might be older models or colors, but are still very well made.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Does Spirit charge extra for carryon? I would guess yes for checked bags. If you are trying to stay 40lbs or less, then I recommend a small luggage scale (I bought one on Amazon for less than ten bucks, just picked one with good reviews).
Luggage: the website "ebags" was useful to me when searching for our trip last year. TJ Maxx also has good choices at times, and Costco, too. We ended up with 28" luggage to check - but, it was pretty easy to pack 45-50lbs in this size, so I would recommend a smaller bag for you, maybe 24-25 inch.
I looked for a few months (various websites) and bought 4 pieces over that time for less than 100 each, but I had to get familiar with brands/reviews/sales and then pounced each time the right combo came up. The brands we eventually purchased were Dakine and Eagle Creek. They handled that trip well -several flights, cruise, international. In addition, the Eagle Creek one was handled by Amtrak on a cross country trip -not sure how rough they were, but the suitcase was dirty/quite dusty when we got it from baggage handling but not damaged at all.

 

[CScott095]

Pardon the long-ish build up:

We are flying Spirit Airlines down to Orlando in August. I have pre-paid for three suitcases. The suitcases have to weigh 40 pounds or less and size-wise be 62 linear inches (length + width + height). It's been a while since we've bought new luggage, so I thought our cruise would be a good time to get some new suitcases!

So here are my questions:

1. Do you have any recommendations for light suitcases that are durable and of good quality? Obviously, I'd prefer to get a good deal on them and not spend hundreds and hundreds per bag, but I'm most interested in getting bags that are quality.

2. I'm thinking about packing an empty duffle bag. My thought was that we would use it to bring back clothes/laundry if we need room for souvenirs and/or FE gifts. Any recs for a good, strong, but easily rolled up/compact duffle bag?

3. I'm also wondering if I need a beach bag of any sort? We are silver CC members, so we will probably get one in our cabin? Do you find it adequate for your needs? We may bring a backpack as our carry-on and it can be zipped closed. That should be enough for Castaway Cay and excursions, right? The excursions we have planned would require us to bring some money, ID to get on/off the ship, towels, camera, etc. And we will probably buy souvenirs from everywhere we go.

Thanks for reading through all of this!! I appreciate all of your input!

1. We bought the lightweight series from the Samsonite outlet, which made them more affordable and I think it was buy one get one free when we did. I have also had really good luck with eBags.com and have always loved Ricardo of Beverly Hills. Hard cases are rugged, but tend to weigh a bit more.

2. For a soft sided duffle, we use the Vera Bradley weekender because it is easy to pack and easy to carry.

3. We do not take a beach bag outside of the backpack my husband uses as a carry on. I find the free bag is enough for sunscreen, etc. and I just carry my towel if need be.

 

[IAMASTITCHER]

We use the Samsonite luggage which has held up very well. I too pack a beach bag - KYSS - for Castaway Cay. For daily use, we use the bag provided as the gift in the room.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Does Spirit charge extra for carryon? I would guess yes for checked bags.

In economy, carry-on $55, 1st checked $50. If it doesn't fit under your seat (and yes, they check) they charge you for it.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

In economy, carry-on $55, 1st checked $50. If it doesn't fit under your seat (and yes, they check) they charge you for it.

Wow! That is a lot for a carryon! We used Frontier once where they also had a carryon (and checked bag) charge. I think their charge was in the 25-35 range for carry one. They had the option for "the works" package. Which included one checked, one carryon, and seat selection in more preferred area(front) if my memory is correct. Gotta watch those extra charges!