Packing for two weeks (PC) - any hints?

[arlopop]

We've done 7 days, but two weeks feels a bit more daunting when it comes to getting the right amount of clothing without going overboard (or throwing the suitcase overboard). Anybody have any hints? The PC will be tropical but I'd take suggestions from any TA trippers. Don't mind hauling more; just don't want to take too much.

 

[summerskye]

I'm thinking laundry detergent...

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We've done 7 days, but two weeks feels a bit more daunting when it comes to getting the right amount of clothing without going overboard (or throwing the suitcase overboard). Anybody have any hints? The PC will be tropical but I'd take suggestions from any TA trippers. Don't mind hauling more; just don't want to take too much.

Just pack the same as you do for a 7 night and do laundry. Seriously, no one is going to remember that you wore that shirt 4 days ago. Also, pack things that can mix and match (makes it seem like more outfits). One shirt that goes with 3 shorts/pants. One pair of pants that goes with 3 or 4 shirts. That goes a long way.

 

[thumpie's mom]

I bring the same amount of clothes for the 14 night as I do for the 7 night. I pack Tide pods and some fabric sheet and do a load as needed. Have a great trip!

 

[MickeyEarrings]

I'm on the WBPC next spring. Originally I was thinking of taking a solo trip with carry-ons only, since I can't risk losing a suitcase (I am pooh-sized and DCL shops have little that fits me). Since I've been talking it up so much it seems I've talked DH into going. We're thinking of taking a roller carry-on bag each, a backpack for me and messenger bag for him, and one large rolling garment bag between us. I hope everyone likes my little black dress because I'm wearing it to Palo brunch x2, formal night x2, semi formal night and any other fancy dress thing that comes up (it's washable!). I will do as was mentioned above and very carefully coordinate my clothing so everything goes with everything. And I will do laundry twice. I think the hard part will be deciding which items to bring. I may make "paper doll" cutouts to make sure things mix and match before I commit to taking them.

 

[SpaceSquirrel]

On land I never wear the same clothes two days without washing but on sea I almost always do. We bring tide packs and do laundry (what we need) in the tub. Our clothes dry really quickly on the balcony (not so much in the room though).

 

[Vijoge]

I pack for about four days and let the ship's laundry take over from there.

 

[MickeyEarrings]

I pack for about four days and let the ship's laundry take over from there.

That's a thought...I may send things out for laundering!

 

[Pooh2]

We d0 carry-on only and do laundry every 4-5 days and pack carefully.

 

[MickeyEarrings]

And truthfully, on a cruise to a warm destination, you wear your swimsuit a lot of the time during the day. I find I usually bring too many casual clothes (shorts and tops) because I'm in my suit. And I take two suits!

 

[Amunet]

We're on the EBPC this August PLUS have WDW after the cruise. We'll probably pack a bit more but will also end up doing some laundry while on board

 

[Snyders22000]

We are going in the 12 night Norway/Iceland cruise this summer with 5 days added on land before/after. We have 3 kids so that definitely makes luggage space a premium. We are trying to limit ourselves to 3 suitcases. I am packing enough clothes for 6 days and washing twice. Everything I pack is a similar color scheme and can be mixed and matched to make different outfits. Trying to bring one pair of dressy shoes, sandals, and tennis shoes per person.

 

[mmouse37]

I have been on 3 2-week cruises and I really don't pack much more than I would for a 7 day cruise. I will bring an extra bathing suit. I agree with a poster above who said no one really notices what you are wearing.

MJ

 

[mmouse37]

I'm on the WBPC next spring. Originally I was thinking of taking a solo trip with carry-ons only, since I can't risk losing a suitcase (I am pooh-sized and DCL shops have little that fits me). Since I've been talking it up so much it seems I've talked DH into going. We're thinking of taking a roller carry-on bag each, a backpack for me and messenger bag for him, and one large rolling garment bag between us. I hope everyone likes my little black dress because I'm wearing it to Palo brunch x2, formal night x2, semi formal night and any other fancy dress thing that comes up (it's washable!). I will do as was mentioned above and very carefully coordinate my clothing so everything goes with everything. And I will do laundry twice. I think the hard part will be deciding which items to bring. I may make "paper doll" cutouts to make sure things mix and match before I commit to taking them.

Leading up to the cruise I lay out an outfit on the bed and take a pic with my phone, then lay out another outfit take a pic, mix and match things, take a pic, etc. That way I remember what pieces went nicely with others and it makes it easier to pack when it's time to do so.

MJ

 

[Flossbolna]

I have done a PC cruise and we did not pack that differently from a 7-night cruise. We did laundry, but with so many sea days it really was not an issue to find time to do laundry.

I also rewore my outfits for formal and semi-formal nights, but changed up accessories, so I did not bring more formal clothes.

 

[RedSox68]

Just pack the same as you do for a 7 night and do laundry. Seriously, no one is going to remember that you wore that shirt 4 days ago. Also, pack things that can mix and match (makes it seem like more outfits). One shirt that goes with 3 shorts/pants. One pair of pants that goes with 3 or 4 shirts. That goes a long way.

Exactly. I used to overpack and it drove my family nuts. Even on our 20 day trip last year to the British Isles and London, I did laundry onboard and we saved so much on suitcases!

For casual dinners, wear your blouse/shirt for dinner and then wear it the next day for the excursion. For formal dinners, I took one pair dress pants and one blouse. Who cares if you wear the same outfit twice! Bring a nice silk scarf for the second night to make the blouse look "different".

 

[arlopop]

We are going in the 12 night Norway/Iceland cruise this summer with 5 days added on land before/after. We have 3 kids so that definitely makes luggage space a premium. We are trying to limit ourselves to 3 suitcases. I am packing enough clothes for 6 days and washing twice. Everything I pack is a similar color scheme and can be mixed and matched to make different outfits. Trying to bring one pair of dressy shoes, sandals, and tennis shoes per person.

We have 3 kids as well so that was my concern. We normally pack the girls in one case, my son gets a duffel (with the extra space used for general needs: laundry soap, day bags, kid books.) I usually have a carry on. My wife brings the big case. It isn't clothes for her so much as hairdryer, curling iron, curlers, makeup, etc. She just doesn't feel comfortable without.
So, with two weeks scheduled I wanted some help talking us down from overdoing it. Feeling more confident now after these responses.

 

[arlopop]

Oh, and my MIL just booked a cabin on the cruise to join us (and yes, I genuinely like my MIL), and since this is her first cruise I wanted some help convincing her to ease back as well.

 

[MickeyEarrings]

Oh, and my MIL just booked a cabin on the cruise to join us (and yes, I genuinely like my MIL), and since this is her first cruise I wanted some help convincing her to ease back as well.

Just remind her of that old saying: bring half the clothes and twice the money you planned on. It's the truth!!

 

[cisobe]

We had 3 large suitcases and a stroller for our EBPC last year. That's with 2 adults a 3 year old and 1 year old. My wife also had a large diaper bad and purse, and I had a backpack/camera bag that could carried my camera, extra clothes and some stuff for our kids. We did 4 days in San Diego before and 1 day in Houston after.

I think we could have gotten by with smaller suitcases or possibly just two suitcases but since it was a Halloween on the high seas cruise and we actually spent Halloween on board, my wife packed about 3 costumes for my daughter and 2 or 3 (including pirate garb) for my son.

For our 20 day trip, I packed:
1 suit w/ 2 long sleeve dress shirts, 2 ties (formal nights, and 2 dinners and 2 brunches at Palos)
10 polo shirts
4 shorts
2 jeans
10 days of socks
2 swim shorts
2 gym shorts
10 days of underwear
1 pair of dress shoes
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of slippers/flip flops
1 rain jacket

All of that fit into about half the large suit case, the rest was filled with an extra duffle to bring back all souvenirs and stuff my wife bought, and toiletries...

We did laundry twice, one on day 5 or 6, and once more on day 12 or so. The second time was more to minimize the amount of laundry when we got home, that plus our kids were knocked out for 4 hours on a sea day...