luggage

[mommykeg]

This will be our first time on a big family vacation. My husband and I cruised on our honeymoon, but it was obviously just the two of us! We don't have any luggage at all to speak of, and I was wanting some advice on what/how much we need...I don't want to pack too much! There are four of us: me, DH, DD8, and DS4. Help!

 

[CM_Mom]

Check out the tips at http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=468132. If you look near the bottom of the initial post, there's a packing list.

I think one bag and one carryon per person sounds good. Be sure to mix stuff in each bag so if one gets lost it's just 1/4 of the family clothes instead of ALL of one person's stuff.

The main thing from the boards and experience is don't pack too much. Think multifunction and mix and match. I had three outfits that I didn't wear at all. There are washers and dryers on board if you absolutely need them.

FYI, Wal-Mart has some good buys on luggage if you don't want to spend a bundle. We spent $50.00 on a four piece set that worked well for us. (Three nesting pieces on wheels and a little cosmetic case). DD the CM purchased a collapsible duffel on wheels for $35.00 that she's taking when she returns to the Magic on Friday. Doesn't take up much space empty and easy to handle in the airport.

Have fun. I think planning and anticipation is half the fun.

 

[EmmasGrammy]

I totally agree with the above poster. Nesting luggage on a cruise is a MUST!! The storage space is limited. Nest the suitcases and put them under the beds.

Also, don't spend a fortune on the luggage. The baggage handlers throw the suitcases around without regards to the costs of the pieces. A $200.00 suitcase will get knocked around and as scrathced up as a $50.00 piece. But the $50.00 piece costs less to replace. Ha Ha.

Pack outfits that mix and match. Limit it to one suitcase per person plus one carry on.

Have a great time planning your trip!!

 

[TheWog]

Check out Target too. They were having a sale on luggage when I was there on Thursday. I recommend that you pack a soft sided duffle bag empty in one of your cases. We found this great for dirty laundry, it gives you a place to put it and then lug it home and it also freed up space to put the souveniers in your luggage on the way home.

 

[CM_Mom]

That's why I liked the WalMart set. It was FOUR pieces for $50.00. Three nesting rolling pieces and a little cosmetic bag. That's about $16 each for the rolling ones and $2.00 for the cosmetic bag. At that price, we can afford to have one of them trashed if that happens.

 

[Amberle3]

My luggage recommendation is to check out the local Army Surplus Store and see what they have.

More than 10 years ago I bought 2 "parachute bags", which apparently are used for packing parachutes in (so I'm told). They're a heavy denim-like material, drab green. I painted them both with fabric paints, one has flowers on it and the other has Disney characters. I've used them on every single trip I've taken since then, and they're in fantastic shape. I've even tossed them in the washing machine.

I figure anything for use by the army is meant to be thrown around and hold up under stress. And these things sure have.

Plus they fold right down flat, so they take up very little room. And they hold an incredible amount of stuff.

Easily personalized so it's a snap to tell what luggage is yours.