Packing months ahead of time?

[darnheather]

It just hit me. I'm going through the Panama Canal in February from an area where it snows in February. Normally in October I gather up all the summer clothes: shorts, swimsuits, sundresses and pack them in storage bags until May. Would it make sense to pack cruise things into a suitcase instead? Does anyone do this? How do you remember what you packed and what you still need?

 

[dcassetta]

It just hit me. I'm going through the Panama Canal in February from an area where it snows in February. Normally in October I gather up all the summer clothes: shorts, swimsuits, sundresses and pack them in storage bags until May. Would it make sense to pack cruise things into a suitcase instead? Does anyone do this? How do you remember what you packed and what you still need?

I guess if you don't need the suitcases for anything else before the cruise, that this makes sense. I've never done anything like that, but I don't trade out wardrobes between the seasons. It would be easy enough to remember what you packed, just make yourself a spreadsheet!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I think it makes sense if, as mentioned, you don't need your luggage before your cruise. If you do need your luggage for another purpose between October and February, then maybe just set aside in a separate storage bag what you are planning on taking on the cruise so at least it's all together.

 

[hcox31]

I have a laundry basket in the corner of my closet that I throw trip stuff into as I come across it. Clothes, sandals, sunscreen etc. Then when it comes time to pack I sort through it all and see what I have set aside.

 

[starvenger]

I keep a small area in the closet for my "travel clothing". I do the same with the kids. Summer sandals I keep together in a clear box in the basement in winter, so it's easily accessible.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

I have a suitcase just for Disney cruises. Keep things we always use (door magnets, pirate costumes, binoculars, lists, etc) and add to it when the season changes at home but the destination is just the opposite. Just toss it in one place. As the cruise gets closer, the hog-pog suitcase of necessities gets organized and adjusted as necessary (no pirates in Alaska) between my DH and my suitcases. I have lists (by destination) narrowed down to the absolute items we have used over the last ten years of cruising. Quick and easy packing, no what-ifs.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

We did that for spring break. Other than some running shorts for inside, most summer clothes get put away for winter. We just changed the away location, as it were.

 

[Deb T.]

You could always just store the clothes in your suitcases until you're ready to actually pack for the trip. Personally, the OCD in me prefers to wash the clothes one more time just before packing so that they all smell super fresh and clean for the trip.

We do a combination of most of the tips above. I have a dresser dedicated to just travel stuff (two drawers just for cruises, two drawers for general travel gear, and one drawer for miscellaneous items and paperwork). I also have a couple of large totes that are dedicated to whatever the next big trips are so that everything ends up in one place for when I'm ready to start packing. We also have a section in our closet for favorite travel clothes. I make a calendar that includes each day of the cruise, plus travel days to and from ports. Each calendar square has the date, where we'll be that day, and any extra events (Formal night, Semi-formal night, Palo, Spa, Frozen night, Tangled, night, Pirate night, excursions, etc.). I write in what we plan to wear each of those days as we pack (DH is notorious for never packing enough so this is the best way to ensure he's good for the whole trip!). As for packing early... for our bigger trips, I like to have everything packed and ready to go at least one week prior to leaving. For shorter trips, I like everything done at least 3 days before. This way, we can relax on the days leading up to the trip, starting it well-rested and stress-free!

 

[doublesided]

We have a general packing list we use for any trip so we don't forget things like sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, etc. Just general stuff, we aren't insane about it. Maybe make a list of everything you are packing and put it in your phone? We don't really put away clothes like that by season so have never had that problem. Couldn't you just dig it out again when you are ready to pack and need it?

 

[FigmentSpark]

If you're putting things away for next Feb, make sure anything that has an expiry date will still be useful next winter... ie: Sunscreen, Tylenol, Bonine, even your favourite body cream. Also, put those things in a plastic bag away from clothes.

Otherwise, yeah, separate your summer clothes in the fall so you don't waste time hunting for things you thought you had, only to find out that DH thought that was the bag of clothes you were giving to the Good Will truck.

 

[tutumomickey]

Also looking foward to the PC cruise in February. It will be our 8th PC cruise on the Wonder. I know it seems like it is sooo far away now but with the rush of the holidays, it will come pretty quickly. I plan on packing 'cruise only ' items before the holidays

 

[darnheather]

Also looking foward to the PC cruise in February. It will be our 8th PC cruise on the Wonder. I know it seems like it is sooo far away now but with the rush of the holidays, it will come pretty quickly. I plan on packing 'cruise only ' items before the holidays

Great to know I"m not the only one. See you there!

 

[kiford]

I have a laundry basket in the corner of my closet that I throw trip stuff into as I come across it. Clothes, sandals, sunscreen etc. Then when it comes time to pack I sort through it all and see what I have set aside.

I'll do this or use space bags/packing cubes. I have a standard packing list that I customize for each trip (that specifically lists how many pairs of socks, which specific shirt or pants, and other items that might be appropriate to the weather or climate). As soon as I'm ready to pack, I use that list to thin out what's in the bags/basket and then update as needed.

I have a first aid kit that has its own list and I go through to check expiry dates and amounts at least 60 days in advance of a trip. It's in its own container so it just gets tossed into the basket. Same with a small sewing kit and little emergency kit that has a small flashlight and a few other items. Speeds up the packing so much if you keep it aside and only use it for trips. DH used to laugh at me for my obsessive method of packing and preparing in advance but no longer does. Now he schedules time to go shopping for socks and things a few weeks beforehand, checks that bathing suits still fit well in advance, that shirts or ties don't need drycleaning, etc. and asks me to print out his customized packing list at least a month ahead of time and suggests things to add to the standard packing list. Of course, I still do a "test pack" with him at least a week prior to travel just so that I can take out about 1/3rd of everything he's (over)packed. Especially shoes. I'm supposed to be the one with the shoe problem but I think I've infected him after so many years.

 

[LCoulter]

I packed all the summer stuff in packing cubes months before our trip but it drove me nuts because then I couldn't remember what was in them. The next time I did that, I listed what was in cube but that still drove me nuts. Now I dedicate part of our closet to hanging cruise clothes and a laundry basket for anything that I don't need to hang and I pack it 2-7 days before our trip instead of months before.

 

[TestingH2O]

I keep all cruise specific stuff together in a bag (FE hanger, magnets, etc.) It's also where I put things I might pick up over time. (The cooling towels I found on clearance.)

I start making my packing list 4-6 weeks out and making DD try on clothes to see what still fits. I'll pack specialty items 3-4 week out (pirates) and pack in earnest 2 weeks out.

I always seem to work extra right before we go, so I need some lead time.

 

[lorimay]

We are sailing this cruise too, can't wait!!
Since we are in South Florida I pretty much need the same clothes for Panama as here, so I will usually start packing a week before.

**We are under 8 months now.