Using space saver bags for packing

[AdaraRae]

I'm considering buying space saver bags (ya know those bags you vacuum the air out of) to use to pack for the cruise. We have 2 toddlers to pack for plus diapers for one of those kids and we are driving from Illinois. So I'm going to minimal space.

Anybody have experience with these? I know you can "roll" the air out, does this work well? Or does the ship have a vacuum w/hose you can use to suck the air out?

Sounds crazy to try these but I think they would save a TON of space with the diapers alone. Any feedback with past use or people that have tried these at all let alone on a cruise! Please & thank you on advance!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[k3chantal]

I'm considering buying space saver bags (ya know those bags you vacuum the air out of) to use to pack for the cruise. We have 2 toddlers to pack for plus diapers for one of those kids and we are driving from Illinois. So I'm going to minimal space.

Anybody have experience with these? I know you can "roll" the air out, does this work well? Or does the ship have a vacuum w/hose you can use to suck the air out?

Sounds crazy to try these but I think they would save a TON of space with the diapers alone. Any feedback with past use or people that have tried these at all let alone on a cruise! Please & thank you on advance!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Actually contemplating the same idea. My concern is that once I have everything in the bags and can fit more into the suitcases, I may go over the 50 lb limit on suitcases on airplanes thus paying more per bag (since you are driving; this isn't an issue for you though).

I will be interested in what other posters report.

 

[AdaraRae]

Actually contemplating the same idea. My concern is that once I have everything in the bags and can fit more into the suitcases, I may go over the 50 lb limit on suitcases on airplanes thus paying more per bag (since you are driving; this isn't an issue for you though).

I will be interested in what other posters report.

Ohhh good point. I always used to weigh my bags at home on my bathroom scale when I flew. Now the only flying I do is with the Army and commercial flights have never restricted me in uniform w/ ID. I'veGotten lucky!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm considering buying space saver bags (ya know those bags you vacuum the air out of) to use to pack for the cruise. We have 2 toddlers to pack for plus diapers for one of those kids and we are driving from Illinois. So I'm going to minimal space.

Anybody have experience with these? I know you can "roll" the air out, does this work well? Or does the ship have a vacuum w/hose you can use to suck the air out?

Sounds crazy to try these but I think they would save a TON of space with the diapers alone. Any feedback with past use or people that have tried these at all let alone on a cruise! Please & thank you on advance!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

If you really need to use them, you'll do better getting the ones that roll the air out.

Access to the onboard vacuums is highly unlikely. I know this question has been asked before, and I've never read of anyone being able to use them.

 

[Grooovertoo]

Love these. They are the only way to pack for a cruise, but as others have said, be sure to weigh your bag and use the kind that you can roll up to push all the air out.

 

[dreamcat78]

I saw a video on you tube but she was going to WDW with her space bag but highly recommended them! What do you have to loose? I think it's genius

 

[AdaraRae]

If you really need to use them, you'll do better getting the ones that roll the air out.

Access to the onboard vacuums is highly unlikely. I know this question has been asked before, and I've never read of anyone being able to use them.

From what I've read you can vacuum or roll the air out of any them. I guess I'm just wondering now if rolling the air out works just as well or should I not even waste $20 on ordering the bags?

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[AdaraRae]

I saw a video on you tube but she was going to WDW with her space bag but highly recommended them! What do you have to loose? I think it's genius

Lets hope so. I figured I would be wasting an entire suitcase to diapers and wipes alone so why not try it. =/ I guess after my cruise I'll have pictures and a review.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[TLSnell1981]

I use space saver bags when we travel. Yes, you can roll out the air, although a vacuum is best. I pack 2-3 days worth of clothing in each bag. I pull one bag of clothing and one of "necessities"...no need to unpack an entire suitcase. Also, if TSA checks your luggage? No worries..your items won't be lost, they are secure in plastic bags.

 

[Keurigirl]

I would never travel without these! I sew custom outfits for our Disney trips and sometimes my kids change three times in a day. (Yes, I know I'm crazy. We just returned from 9 days at Disneyworld and then a 7 day Fantasy cruise. I had 5 suitcases for 4 people!). BUT the space bags really do make packing much better! You do have to be careful about the weight limit on suitcases but as long as you know about that you'll be fine.

 

[AdaraRae]

I would never travel without these! I sew custom outfits for our Disney trips and sometimes my kids change three times in a day. (Yes, I know I'm crazy. We just returned from 9 days at Disneyworld and then a 7 day Fantasy cruise. I had 5 suitcases for 4 people!). BUT the space bags really do make packing much better! You do have to be careful about the weight limit on suitcases but as long as you know about that you'll be fine.

Well you guys answered my question. I guess I'll order them and test them out! I made tutus for my daughter for each night of our cruise so these will help with those too I guess!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[chris31997]

Close them well and roll them; then lay on them and press more air out

Yes, it is very easy to go over the 50lb weight limit. We stick to the small suitcase now because of it.

We get our space saver bags at the cheapest location I have some from WallyWorld that are about 10yrs old We don't travel without them.

 

[clten]

I use the travel ones (where you roll the air out). I wish I had started using them before I bought my suitcase because I would have bought a smaller one. I pack the same things for each cruise so I know I am just about at the 50 lb mark each time. But these free up so much room, it's tempting to add more things to the suitcase.

But the reason I wanted to comment was why I started using them. A year or so ago, there was a fuel spill (I want to say w/Carnival but maybe it's just feeling like it was them because of all the bad things that happen.) on the pier. It ruined many pieces of luggage and there were bags floating in the ocean. I know it wouldn't keep my suitcase from being harmed but at least the contents should be protected. It also makes me feel better when I read all the posts about people checking liquids because the porters will take them and it's no great loss if something would happen to their case of water/bottle of wine, etc.

 

[lbgraves]

I used them for DD's multiple princess costumes. When the kids were smaller, I used the 1/2 gallon and gallon ziplock bags to package complete outfits and sat on them to get the air out of them. It made it very easy to unpack. I just put the bags on edge in the drawers or on the shelf. It made sure that when DH dressed the kids he had the entire matching outfit right there in the bag. That kept me from being stuck with a bunch of mismatched clothes halfway through the cruise.

 

[abayaflowers]

I'm considering buying space saver bags (ya know those bags you vacuum the air out of) to use to pack for the cruise. We have 2 toddlers to pack for plus diapers for one of those kids and we are driving from Illinois. So I'm going to minimal space.

Anybody have experience with these? I know you can "roll" the air out, does this work well? Or does the ship have a vacuum w/hose you can use to suck the air out?

Sounds crazy to try these but I think they would save a TON of space with the diapers alone. Any feedback with past use or people that have tried these at all let alone on a cruise! Please & thank you on advance!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

This was the best investment especially packing for a 11-night MedCruise in Aug2010. It was so nice that when TSA looked through the checkin luggage and the carryon, it was nice that things were not flying out of the luggage.

We rolled out the air; then, we used a vacuum to suck out the rest of the remaining air. On board, we used the vacuum cleaner and our wonderful attendant was amazed. We plan on bringing a box of them for our next attendant as a gift.

It will save a TON of space in your luggage especially diapers. It also prevented the liquids (shampoo, lotions, etc.) from popping in check-in luggage.

Buy a portable Digital Travel Luggage Scale (lb./kilo). We purchased ours at The Luggage Center.

 

[Forever a Princess]

We've used the Space bags to pack our Halloween costumes for Disney World. Keeps all of the pieces together and the costume stays clean. Works great!!

I've thought about trying a couple of the huge ziplock bags to see how they work.

Keep in mind though that you will bringing a lot of stuff home from the cruise. Souvenirs and such. Perhaps the duffle bag or suit case that you fill with diapers/wipes for the trip may come back packed with all of the stuff that you acquire on the ship.

 

[chimpwars]

we just got them at Target and they were great! for the way home I just sat on them and pushed down, it was just fine.
Also each kids got one bag, that meant no more clothes!!!
It helped me from adding more "just in case"
DH and I each got an xl bag and then our socks, unders etc went around the bags. And yes check weight! so easy to go over the weight.

 

[AdaraRae]

This is awesome. Thank you for all the feedback! I'm in the army too and I think I might just use them for when I go into the field for two weeks and have nothing but a ruck sack and cot! eek now I'm excited to go buy some!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

I use gallon and two gallon ziplock bags. Zip them almost closed and then sit on them before I finish zipping. Works great. I have even went as far as to print labels with family member name and type of clothing (casual, dressy, swim, bed, etc) and stick those on the outside of the bag so I knew at a glance what was inside. Then I divided them among our suitcases so that if one piece was lost it wasn't all of one persons clothes just a little from each of us.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Magic3forme]

I just bought a new space bags for our trip to Alaska... winter type clothes take up so much room vs shorts/ tank tops.

we used them in the past... they worked out great.