Packing list for 14 night Transatlantic, really??

[Fort Fanatics]

Ok, so if you look at the recommended packing list for the 14 night Transatlantic cruise, which we are taking in May, and packed most of what is shown our luggage would weigh about 500 lbs!!!!! My DH and I have been on cruise's (7 nights) before and he even works for another cruise line as the Cheif Security Officer, but really? Do we really need to pack all of that stuff??? I guess that it's better to be prepared for anything, but just worried about how much our luggage will cost when we fly out of Barcelona back to South Florida? Any tips would be GREAT!!!! Thanks in advance!!! (Looks like the "tickers" are not working.)

 

[tea for girls]

On the 2010 WBTA we way overpacked. Just plan on doing laundry or even better sending it out to be done.

 

[hrhdhd]

Ok, so if you look at the recommended packing list for the 14 night Transatlantic cruise, which we are taking in May, and packed most of what is shown our luggage would weigh about 500 lbs!

Can you post a link to this list? I'm a certified overpacker, so I'd love to see if the recommendations show more than even I would pack.

 

[mellers]

Ok, so if you look at the recommended packing list for the 14 night Transatlantic cruise, which we are taking in May, and packed most of what is shown our luggage would weigh about 500 lbs!!!!! My DH and I have been on cruise's (7 nights) before and he even works for another cruise line as the Cheif Security Officer, but really? Do we really need to pack all of that stuff??? I guess that it's better to be prepared for anything, but just worried about how much our luggage will cost when we fly out of Barcelona back to South Florida? Any tips would be GREAT!!!! Thanks in advance!!! (Looks like the "tickers" are not working.)

This is my first cruise, but after dealing with a cross-state move, and multiple, long-term vacations, my advice would be to pack for 3-4 days, take along a suit (or, better yet, rent a tux) for your husband, a nice dress for you, and then do laundry as it goes.

 

[mmmears]

This is my first cruise, but after dealing with a cross-state move, and multiple, long-term vacations, my advice would be to pack for 3-4 days, take along a suit (or, better yet, rent a tux) for your husband, a nice dress for you, and then do laundry as it goes.

I agree with this. We pack very lightly -- many things on packing lists are really not necessary. We're always shocked when we see how much luggage everyone brings along for their vacations!

 

[Fort Fanatics]

I got the info from the link above under "Planning" and then "Packing". Here is the link : http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-cruise-line/packing.htm I am prepared for doing some laundry while on board and I think I got a handle on our clothing, but was just all the extra "stuff" that was recommended! Wow! Thanks for the tips on to pack light!!

 

[Anal Annie]

These kinds of lists are why we got an Owners Locker for our WDW stuff. I keep about 120 things in it...I sure do wish I could take it on our Med cruise!!

I would not (read: WILL NOT) pack all this crap for our trip to Europe this summer. I will probably have a gallon size ziplock with an assortment of "what if" items and another one for OTC meds. THAT's got to be IT. I am planning on 1 (17") international size carry-on each of us (they look like toddler size suitcases) and 1 checked bag each because that is our luggage allowance. We will have 8 nights on land and the 7 night cruise. I am packing essentials only. I am figuring that if there is room I will pack 1 collapsible duffle to bring empty as an overflow bag for our return trip. But that 1 extra bag will cost us $50 to fly it home if we USE it so I'd RATHER NOT. We shall see in 5 months how this works out for me!!

 

[disdel]

On the 2010 WBTA we way overpacked. Just plan on doing laundry or even better sending it out to be done.

Only caveat I'd add to this is do less laundry at a time (like one machine load), and send out what you can afford. The laundry rooms became an issue, and time-waster, on the 2010 EBTA. It helps if one of you is sort of a night owl and goes off-hours - there'll still be plenty of company in the laundry room

But it's still better than carrying way more than you need - especially when you add in the overseas flight.

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

Only caveat I'd add to this is do less laundry at a time (like one machine load), and send out what you can afford. The laundry rooms became an issue, and time-waster, on the 2010 EBTA. It helps if one of you is sort of a night owl and goes off-hours - there'll still be plenty of company in the laundry room

But it's still better than carrying way more than you need - especially when you add in the overseas flight.

I second disdel's comment. With so many people packing light due to personal preference and airline restrictions the laundry rooms were rather hectic.

In fact not everyone was patient or courteous when it came to sharing the laundry facilities.

 

[BigHugsForEeyore]

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[shaylahc1]

I did the EBTA last year. First off, don't pack too many clothes. I ended up washing laundry every 3 days or so (I was on the ship for 25 days since I did the first Med cruise, too). In retrospect, I would have brought fewer items of clothing. Secondly, I shopped at the Walmart near the port and bought a large rubbermaid tote. I filled it with things like bottles of water, laundry detergent, sand toys (for Castaway Cay), snacks for my picky eater, etc. I abandoned all this stuff on the ship when I left. I also purchased inexpensive clothing for my children that was also abandoned on the ship when we disembarked. Most international flights will allow 1 free suitcase up to 50 lbs per person. We recently went to France with our kids and we did fine with 3 suitcases for 9 days. I think you will be surprised at how little you truly *need*.

Have fun!!!

 

[kcashner]

I've done 3 cruises of 14 nights or longer...and really have never packed or needed most of this stuff. According to the title, this list is a compilation of stuff from the Dis boards...basically meaning that it is one person's opinion.

First section--Bonine is free on the ship. Why would you take your own along? I guess if I KNEW I'd need it, but......

Third section. I can safely say that in 20+ cruises I have never packed nor needed most of these items. If I need my verandah glass cleaned, I have a room host to do it--I'm NOT bringing windex or wipes! Again, many of the items are available free on board--I don't need to bring them! The laundry machines work on KTTW swipes, not quarters.

I always over pack even knowing this. I don't see how you can do 14 nights without doing laundry (or sending it out), but I also don't need to bring a huge bottle of detergent. I don't have the space or weight for it! My rule is that we must be able to handle our own luggage without assistance (this won't work for little kids, but....) and it must fit with the airline regulations concerning size and weight. If that means you don't wear a ball gown on formal night, so be it! you have other lovely, dressy outfits that pack better than that huge dress! (she says to her DD)

 

[lmb]

We did the EBTA with 2 large suitcases for 2 adults and DS3 DD4. We did wash frequently but my husband's an early riser so he'd get up and throw a load in at the start of the day. We never sent anything out to be cleaned on the ship. We wore things for semi-formal nights as we did for Palo so we consolidated a bit there.

 

[grmmybtty]

DH and I had 2-24" suitcases and a 17" carry on for a 10 day trip to Spain plus the 14D WBTA. We carried electronics and wine that we bought in Barcelona in the carry on. Since we were planning on traveling by train around Catalunya a bit before the cruise, we needed to be able to handle our own luggage.

I did laundry at 6am our first sea day after boarding and had enough clothes to wear throughout the cruise. The important thing was to pack 14 days of underwear. Otherwise, mixing and matching goes a long way. DH had one suit, polo shirts and slacks and I wore dressy tops with a long skirt for semi-formal, formal and Palo, less dressy tops with capris for cruise casual.

Keep in mind that you will need clothing for colder and warmer climates. It was cool and pouring rain the last day before leaving Barcelona, cool in Gibraltar and Funchal. It got warmer as we approached the Caribbean and quite warm by the time we were in Castaway Cay.

 

[allie7]

We went on the EBTA in 07, and we packed for a 7-day cruise, and just did laundry on the 7th day, and just re-use the clothes. That way we didn't need to pack more, and still had room in our suitcase for things we bought on the ship/at ports.
Good luck, though

 

[LindaBabe]

I think that list is just a compilation of other peoples lists and tips of things they found useful or desireable - for people to CHOOSE from - not saying that one needs it all.

 

[Fort Fanatics]

Thanks to all who have answered this!! It makes me and my DH feel MUCH better about what to and not to pack!! And also if needed, we can do laundry on board! I like the idea of packing for a 7 night cruise, and then we can just mix and match throughout the 14 nights! You guys are the experts! This will only be our 2nd cruise, even thou my DH is employed by another cruise line as the Cheif security officer!! All he has to worry about is his 3 uniforms!! Thanks again and hope to meet some of you if you're on the EBTA on May 14th!! Otherwise, happy cruising!

 

[su_kraft]

Ok, so if you look at the recommended packing list for the 14 night Transatlantic cruise, which we are taking in May, and packed most of what is shown our luggage would weigh about 500 lbs!!!!! My DH and I have been on cruise's (7 nights) before and he even works for another cruise line as the Cheif Security Officer, but really? Do we really need to pack all of that stuff??? I guess that it's better to be prepared for anything, but just worried about how much our luggage will cost when we fly out of Barcelona back to South Florida? Any tips would be GREAT!!!! Thanks in advance!!! (Looks like the "tickers" are not working.)

OK - I did the WBTA last year with 2 adults, a 13 year old and a 7 year old princess-diva. We also did 2 days in Barcelona before we sailed. We were limited to 50 pounds checked and a carry one bag each. Before I tell you how much of that I used, let me also say that I brought FE gifts for 20 cabins (and they included laundry detergent and magnets...), candy for 40 cabins and a fairly heavy gift for the scavenger hunt winner, about 20 Cruise T-Shirts that we had made (in addition to the 6 for us!) and special gifts for special DIS friends! All the special stuff was a full checked bag and then some.

I set off to pack 7 days of clothes for each of us. 18 days of travel, 7 days of clothing - I thought I was good... Then may daughter saw that she only had 7 dresses and that just wouldn't do. OK, her stuff is small, I will bring a few more dresses... Well at the end of the packing we were at 7 - 9 day sets of clothing for 3 of the 4 of us, 12 day sets for my daughter (who was finally convinced that what she wore on the plane would NOT be recognized by others). 8 or so sets of evening wear for DH and DS, and 9 for me because I was bringing dresses that weighed next to nothing, plus a formal gown. And, for my daughter? Yep 14 dresses. Don't ask about shoes - we did very well. We each had flips, dress shoes - 1 for the guys, 2 for us gals and then the shoes we traveled in (tennies/trainers).

We filled 4 suitcases to check only one hit 50 lbs - and not an ounce over (and we had room in all of the others, so it wasn't a big deal). Our carry on bags were full - but not stuffed.

We did laundry. DH was a pro at it. It centered around sunrises, and was started on day 2 of the cruise I think and then it was on hold for a bit, but at day 9 or so it was a big day - 3 loads maybe. and we then did a load every other day.

Lesson learned - Mom will wear her outfits - she plans well (ask anyone I cruised with - or check out last years WBTA thread - I did FE, Tastings, T-Shirt orders...) Dad also plans well and will wear what he brings. DS will live in shorts, swim trunks and t-shirts, and only needed 2 pairs of long pants. DD will wear every dress and swim suit, but only her favorite 2 outfits - and she will wear them over and over and over...

We did buy stuff on the trip, but since I had 1.5 suitcases of FE gifts, t shirts, etc. we had plenty of room. We got a couple of lovely tote bags as FE gifts, and those held the FE gifts that we didn't pack. All of the candy was sorted. My kids kept some but the very vast majority (I think everyone left us a gift or candy - even if we were not on their list) of the candy was given to the entertainment and Concierge staff and our favorite 2 Mousekeepers - Maricar and Marilou for taking such great care of us! And, since we were renting a car to get back to Atlanta, I didn't have to worry about luggage getting off.

In a nutshell, we were 2 checked bags - as big as you can check without paying fees, 2 mid size checked bags, 3 small roll a boards, a pac-safe back pack full of camera gear and my Mickey laptop bag.

My one piece of advice... buy a luggage scale. Get a good one and test its accuracy. Then make your list, pack, zip and weigh. Remove, shuffle etc. Don't leave home with a bag that weighs in at over 45 pounds.

Happy packing and have a great trip!!

 

[jettybean]

Thanks to all who have answered this!! It makes me and my DH feel MUCH better about what to and not to pack!! And also if needed, we can do laundry on board! I like the idea of packing for a 7 night cruise, and then we can just mix and match throughout the 14 nights! You guys are the experts! This will only be our 2nd cruise, even thou my DH is employed by another cruise line as the Cheif security officer!! All he has to worry about is his 3 uniforms!! Thanks again and hope to meet some of you if you're on the EBTA on May 14th!! Otherwise, happy cruising!

Hey Fort Fanatics, We will be sailing the EBTA with you. We are doing the
b2b Med. We will be on the ship for 25 days. Needless to say, I too am concerned about packing. I am planning to pack for 7 days and do laundry. I know we always use less than we think. Last year we did the 12 day Baltic and only sent a few things out to be cleaned the last day.
Looks like we might be meeting up with you in the laundry room.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've done 3 cruises of 14 nights or longer...and really have never packed or needed most of this stuff. According to the title, this list is a compilation of stuff from the Dis boards...basically meaning that it is one person's opinion.

First section--Bonine is free on the ship. Why would you take your own along? I guess if I KNEW I'd need it, but......

Third section. I can safely say that in 20+ cruises I have never packed nor needed most of these items. If I need my verandah glass cleaned, I have a room host to do it--I'm NOT bringing windex or wipes! Again, many of the items are available free on board--I don't need to bring them! The laundry machines work on KTTW swipes, not quarters.

I always over pack even knowing this. I don't see how you can do 14 nights without doing laundry (or sending it out), but I also don't need to bring a huge bottle of detergent. I don't have the space or weight for it! My rule is that we must be able to handle our own luggage without assistance (this won't work for little kids, but....) and it must fit with the airline regulations concerning size and weight. If that means you don't wear a ball gown on formal night, so be it! you have other lovely, dressy outfits that pack better than that huge dress! (she says to her DD)

Bonine is available for free on the ship? Where?