The 2010 Baltic Thread--Cruise Tips and Planning

[OurDogCisco]

Any luggage suggestions? I bought what I thought was a good bag: samsonite luggage. I bought the bags in 2007 for our Med cruise. It is a soft cover and I notice right away it didn't look as durable as our old luggage which we had since 1995 but had to give them up because of their weight. They weighed 20 lbs and that only gave us 30 lbs to work with. But we seem to always manage. But I knew for Europe we'd need more stuff and had to buy lighter luggage. So, I bought a set of 4 pieces of samsonite luggage. Anyways, on our last trip in November 2009 the seam ripped and now I'm short one bag. The bag was very light weight but not constructed very well. So, does anyone have a favorite piece of luggage that they love and is durable. Thanks!

 

[OurDogCisco]

looking over insuremytrip.com
there are so many to pick from...I have NEVER gotten insurance before.....
any suggestions? What company have you picked?

I know isn't it crazy. I think, I picked TravelX because it was free for the kids. Good Luck!!!

 

[dylan'smom]

Any luggage suggestions? I bought what I thought was a good bag: samsonite luggage. I bought the bags in 2007 for our Med cruise. It is a soft cover and I notice right away it didn't look as durable as our old luggage which we had since 1995 but had to give them up because of their weight. They weighed 20 lbs and that only gave us 30 lbs to work with. But we seem to always manage. But I knew for Europe we'd need more stuff and had to buy lighter luggage. So, I bought a set of 4 pieces of samsonite luggage. Anyways, on our last trip in November 2009 the seam ripped and now I'm short one bag. The bag was very light weight but not constructed very well. So, does anyone have a favorite piece of luggage that they love and is durable. Thanks!

I'm curious about this too! Had a similar experience -- I bought a few Samsonite pieces for the Med cruise in 2007 & they really were a disappointment.

We had a few replaced by BA when they were damaged, but I'm thinking it had a lot to do w/ construction as much as mishandling.

I'd love to know a good, well constructed, light weight option!!!! We're on Virgin Atlantic & they only allow 1 carry-on as well (rather than one + personal item), so need to get something that holds STUFF!!

bev

 

[auntsue1]

Any luggage suggestions? I bought what I thought was a good bag: samsonite luggage. I bought the bags in 2007 for our Med cruise. It is a soft cover and I notice right away it didn't look as durable as our old luggage which we had since 1995 but had to give them up because of their weight. They weighed 20 lbs and that only gave us 30 lbs to work with. But we seem to always manage. But I knew for Europe we'd need more stuff and had to buy lighter luggage. So, I bought a set of 4 pieces of samsonite luggage. Anyways, on our last trip in November 2009 the seam ripped and now I'm short one bag. The bag was very light weight but not constructed very well. So, does anyone have a favorite piece of luggage that they love and is durable. Thanks!

My family swears by the Delsey Suitcases. I think I will also get one of the 26inch and a smaller carrier on bag for the cruise.

I can't believe it we are @ 77 days till the cruise!

 

[gydell]

Any luggage suggestions? I bought what I thought was a good bag: samsonite luggage. I bought the bags in 2007 for our Med cruise. It is a soft cover and I notice right away it didn't look as durable as our old luggage which we had since 1995 but had to give them up because of their weight. They weighed 20 lbs and that only gave us 30 lbs to work with. But we seem to always manage. But I knew for Europe we'd need more stuff and had to buy lighter luggage. So, I bought a set of 4 pieces of samsonite luggage. Anyways, on our last trip in November 2009 the seam ripped and now I'm short one bag. The bag was very light weight but not constructed very well. So, does anyone have a favorite piece of luggage that they love and is durable. Thanks!

We love our Sub-0 luggage. It's the lightest made. We are planning on bringing the largest bag, which is the largest that the airlines allow, on our cruise. It weighs about 6lbs. You have to be careful not to go over the 50lb weight limit because it is so big. I've used it on other cruises and trips with no problems. It's not expensive either!

 

[cindy18]

Any luggage suggestions? I bought what I thought was a good bag: samsonite luggage. I bought the bags in 2007 for our Med cruise. It is a soft cover and I notice right away it didn't look as durable as our old luggage which we had since 1995 but had to give them up because of their weight. They weighed 20 lbs and that only gave us 30 lbs to work with. But we seem to always manage. But I knew for Europe we'd need more stuff and had to buy lighter luggage. So, I bought a set of 4 pieces of samsonite luggage. Anyways, on our last trip in November 2009 the seam ripped and now I'm short one bag. The bag was very light weight but not constructed very well. So, does anyone have a favorite piece of luggage that they love and is durable. Thanks!

We use our LL Bean duffel bags for everything. They roll up/fold up for easy storage, fit a ton of stuff and are really durable. Each member of our family has one in size large (I think the x-large are too big for regular baggage on the planes), with a monogram and a strong color, so they are easy to identify at baggage claim. And they are well-priced!

 

[OurDogCisco]

We use our LL Bean duffel bags for everything. They roll up/fold up for easy storage, fit a ton of stuff and are really durable. Each member of our family has one in size large (I think the x-large are too big for regular baggage on the planes), with a monogram and a strong color, so they are easy to identify at baggage claim. And they are well-priced!

Great idea. We use duffle bags when we go camping and the only thing I don't like is the messy part of it. But when we camp we live out of the bag unlike a cruise we'd unpack everything. Also, do you miss the wheels? I know, I would so, I'm not sure but I do like the duffles on wheels so, that might be an option. Thanks for the idea.

 

[OurDogCisco]

We love our Sub-0 luggage. It's the lightest made. We are planning on bringing the largest bag, which is the largest that the airlines allow, on our cruise. It weighs about 6lbs. You have to be careful not to go over the 50lb weight limit because it is so big. I've used it on other cruises and trips with no problems. It's not expensive either!

I'm checking those out right now. Great bag. I've check several sites and I can't find it except for on their home site. Where did you buy it? I'm hoping to the buy the digital bag scale. I can see how big bags can cause you to over pack.

 

[OurDogCisco]

My family swears by the Delsey Suitcases. I think I will also get one of the 26inch and a smaller carrier on bag for the cruise.

I can't believe it we are @ 77 days till the cruise!

I like these too. Great colors, too. This is gonna be tough just picking one type of suitcase.

I know, I can't believe the trip is almost here.

 

[gydell]

I'm checking those out right now. Great bag. I've check several sites and I can't find it except for on their home site. Where did you buy it? I'm hoping to the buy the digital bag scale. I can see how big bags can cause you to over pack.

Mori luggage has them.

 

[rotary2808]

I'll second Delsey as well. Also if you have a Marshall's near you check their luggage section. I know our Marshall's frequently has Delsey luggage at really good prices.

 

[dietcokefan]

We use our LL Bean duffel bags for everything. They roll up/fold up for easy storage, fit a ton of stuff and are really durable. Each member of our family has one in size large (I think the x-large are too big for regular baggage on the planes), with a monogram and a strong color, so they are easy to identify at baggage claim. And they are well-priced!

I use the Eddie Bauer duffle bags on wheels and they are especially great for the cruise because they slide right under the beds if you empty them out. The XL in these do exceed the measurement restrictions for airlines; however, I never fully pack it so it has been okay to take. The only issue I've run into is since they are large and lightweight, they can be very easy to exceed the weight limits on! I did order the LG for this next cruise because didn't want to risk the measurements on international flights. They work wonderful and I highly recommend trying them out.

I also use packing cubes which make it convenient and organzied when packing in a duffle.

 

[Madisonznana]

I use the Eddie Bauer duffle bags on wheels and they are especially great for the cruise because they slide right under the beds if you empty them out. The XL in these do exceed the measurement restrictions for airlines; however, I never fully pack it so it has been okay to take. The only issue I've run into is since they are large and lightweight, they can be very easy to exceed the weight limits on! I did order the LG for this next cruise because didn't want to risk the measurements on international flights. They work wonderful and I highly recommend trying them out.

I also use packing cubes which make it convenient and organzied when packing in a duffle.

What is the biggest bag size you can take on an international flight?

 

[jilljill]

What is the biggest bag size you can take on an international flight?

Check with your airline since they can vary. Also, check with the airport's website that you are flying out of in Europe. Sometimes their restrictions are different than the airline's restrictions - this goes for carry-on and checked bags.

 

[cindy18]

I'm checking those out right now. Great bag. I've check several sites and I can't find it except for on their home site. Where did you buy it? I'm hoping to the buy the digital bag scale. I can see how big bags can cause you to over pack.

I bought them directly from LL Bean and they did the monogramming too. I think they come both with and without wheels, but I haven't looked in awhile. They probably will fold up a bit better without the wheels. We haven't really missed the wheels, because we get a cart at airports for a few dollars, and of course on cruises, DCL takes care of carrying them! I try not to think that roomy bags make me overpack. Rather, I get to take what I want because I have room in the bag!!!

 

[aurorafan65]

We booked our hotel in London & when I got my CC statement (disney Visa) I had a $29 foreign currency fee - I was wondering if anyone else has gotten one of those when you either booked or when some of you got your Oslo city passes?

I was wondering is this is a 'new' standard fee - I don't remember ever having a fee like this before. I'm also curious as to if this will now be on anything we purchase while in Europe

 

[jilljill]

We booked our hotel in London & when I got my CC statement (disney Visa) I had a $29 foreign currency fee - I was wondering if anyone else has gotten one of those when you either booked or when some of you got your Oslo city passes?

I was wondering is this is a 'new' standard fee - I don't remember ever having a fee like this before. I'm also curious as to if this will now be on anything we purchase while in Europe

Wow, that seems like a really high conversion rate for a charge - usually the credit card companies charge 3-5%. I'd call them to see why the charge is so high.
Yes, for every charge in a foreign country you make you credit card company may charge a currency conversion fee. I use a credit union credit card when traveling overseas since they do not charge the fee. I've heard that some Capital One credit cards do not charge a conversion fee either.

 

[sshaw10060]

We booked our hotel in London & when I got my CC statement (disney Visa) I had a $29 foreign currency fee - I was wondering if anyone else has gotten one of those when you either booked or when some of you got your Oslo city passes?

I was wondering is this is a 'new' standard fee - I don't remember ever having a fee like this before. I'm also curious as to if this will now be on anything we purchase while in Europe

The rules for charges on foreign currency vary depending upon your card issuer. It definitely pays to call around and use the card with the lowest fees.

 

[Doingitagain]

We booked our hotel in London & when I got my CC statement (disney Visa) I had a $29 foreign currency fee - I was wondering if anyone else has gotten one of those when you either booked or when some of you got your Oslo city passes?

I was wondering is this is a 'new' standard fee - I don't remember ever having a fee like this before. I'm also curious as to if this will now be on anything we purchase while in Europe

I have traveled a lot in Europe the past few years and didn't get hit with a fee like that until this year. I have been using the same types of credit cards. I would bet it has to do with the new rules for credit cards, they are trying to make money with fees since their traditional profit sources have changed, just like the airlines starting to charge bags for luggage, food, etc.

 

[sbell111]

Any luggage suggestions? I bought what I thought was a good bag: samsonite luggage. I bought the bags in 2007 for our Med cruise. It is a soft cover and I notice right away it didn't look as durable as our old luggage which we had since 1995 but had to give them up because of their weight. They weighed 20 lbs and that only gave us 30 lbs to work with. But we seem to always manage. But I knew for Europe we'd need more stuff and had to buy lighter luggage. So, I bought a set of 4 pieces of samsonite luggage. Anyways, on our last trip in November 2009 the seam ripped and now I'm short one bag. The bag was very light weight but not constructed very well. So, does anyone have a favorite piece of luggage that they love and is durable. Thanks!

Bummer about your bag.

Our Samsonite spinners have been to Europe twice, Asia once (but three destinations w/in), and dozens of trips within the US. They are still in perfect shape.