Packing HELP needed .... PLEASE!

[LoveMyBirmans]

Started packing today for the Oct. 23 Western cruise. It's me, DH, DS10 & DD6. I've got the dining attire under control, but so confused about how many "day clothes" to pack (shorts & tops) ... especially for the kids. Do you usually pack an outfit a day for your kids or will I be wasting luggage space? I hate to pack it if they'll be in a swimsuit and tee all day. Will NOT be doing laundry, so I don't want to underpack and have the kids wear dirty clothes either. AAARGGGGHHH! I'm driving myself crazy here! Need some advice from you seasoned cruisers ... how many shorts?

 

[Dreamer04]

Yes, pack an outfit a day for each child. One hint is to pack an entire outfit for one day, including underwear in a large ziplock bag and squeeze the air out. Do this for each child and maybe mark them with their names.

Hope this helps!

Ursula

 

[CM_Mom]

Another hint if you're flying. Mingle the clothes in the bags instead of one bag per person. Then if one bag gets lost, that person isn't without clothes. Maybe 2 adult bags with half of yours and DH in each and 2 kids bags with half of each kids clothes in each. You probably won't have a problem but it's more for my peace of mind.

 

[markmyboy]

I have actually started packing fewer clothes for my son (6 years old). He is in & out of clothes all day long, that he is rarely in one thing long enough to make it dirty. I pack 4 pairs of shorts (all for a 7 day) and 8 t-shirts (they seem to get the brunt of the spills/dirt!! ) I pack 3 pairs of swim trunks for him. I of course pack the appropriate amount of underwear & socks.

Of the four of us (me, hubby, son & daughter (2 years old)) My son takes up the least amount of luggage space!! I have also started the 4 pairs of shorts thing for my husband & myself. We pack only 2 swim suits for ourselves. The two year old honestly takes up the bulk of our luggage space. SHE gets EVERYTHING dirty. We actually pack 8 outfits for her in case she needs to change in the middle of the day for SOME reason!!

It took us a while to scale down our packing. When we first started we would end up with nearly an entire suitcase of clean unworn clothes!!

We are leaving on the 22nd on the Voyager of the seas....maybe we'll pass you in the ocean next week!! Enjoy!!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Just be sure - if you are flying - that you weigh your bags before leaving. I've found that I can fit more in the suitcases - when using the plastic bag trick. The downside is that the cases weigh a lot more! I can't count how many times I've packed up everything and then got on the scale and weighed it only to find that the case weighs over the 50 pound max.

 

[tkd lisa]

If you absolutely don't want to do laundry, then maybe you'd be better off to stay with the outfit a day. I personally don't mind doing laundry, and maybe you can go in with the idea that you don't plan to do laundry, but if there are a lot of spills, you can do it once?

Then my advice will be based on what type of kids are your children? Do you think they'll spend a lot of time in the club/lab? Or will they be hanging at the pool at least 1/2 the day? If the answer is the first, then you'll probably need an outfit a day (maybe 5 mix and match shorts with 7 shirts?). But if it's the 2nd, you can definitely get by with 3-4 versatile shorts and 5-6 versatile tops. Just watch to be sure that they don't automatically throw the clothes in the "dirty" pile when they just wore it to breakfast, then changed to go swimming!

Another space saver can be socks. My kids live in their sandals while they're on the ship, so I only take 3-4 dress pair of socks for my DS, and 2-3 white socks. DD gets 1 pair of tights/hose, and 2-3 pair of ankle socks. Most nights, DD and I go bare legged! Too hot for panythose, and if you can't be casual in the Caribbean, where can you be? If our legs show on formal night, we do wear hose then.

Good luck packing!

 

[hopelea]

My dd's were 7 & 9 the first time we cruised. They spent a total of 2 hours at the pool the whole cruise. I took more than one outfit per day, won't do that again. I brought a lot of sundresses for my dd's, a long with short outfits. I didn't realize they would want to wear the sundresses all day & to dinner! I really over packed. I had to do one load of whites.......apparently, I didn't pack enough underwear for everyone!!!

I did hear once that you should pack every thing you think you need, then take out 1/2 of it ! I agree, but don't know if I can do it

Have a great time!! Pack some halloween candy for the movies!