What Do YOU take On a Cruise, Or How To Not Overpack!!!!

[arielchickenofthesea]

You would think this is a silly question coming from someone who has been on over 20 cruises, but I always seem to take too much "stuff" with me. We always do 2 cruises, 2 seven days in a row This year we are blessed to be able to do 3 weeks on the Fantasy, so we will be out 21 days! I know, very blessed!

It seems you would think that after cruising as much as we have, that I would know exactly what I need. AND, I do! I know what I have worn, what never made it out of the suitcase and what I absolutely must have with me. We all have those favorite clothes that we just cannot do without. And, I always say, next time I am not going to do this and then I take the same things again!

Here is my dilemma: We are leaving this week for our 21 days on the Fantasy and a few days in Florida, (we are going to EPCOT for one day, it is Flower and Garden time! and I LOVE the topiaries and all the flowers! We used to go to the Parks for a week, then do a week cruise, but we fell in love with cruising! Everything right there on board, not so much walking etc. Etc...)

Anyway, to get back on track, I have a problem: A problem that I have not been able to fix!!!

I always OVERPACK! I cannot seem to weed out the clothes that I will not wear. I tend to come home with a suitcase full of unworn clothes with the exception of a week's worth of outfits that I wear then wash onboard and wear again, my FAVORITE things. How do I decide HERE at home, what I will wear THERE on the ship. It is not a question of having a different outfit everyday, it is that I MIGHT want to wear that cute little blue dress or that nice outfit to Palo and if I do not have it, I can't! For me, it is about having the choice of what to wear, just like I do here at home. But then I usually wear the same outfits anyway, and most of the clothing goes unworn. And my suitcases are too heavy!!! Even though it is 3 weeks, we wash clothes! I have the BEST husband in the world! He ALWAYS does the laundry onboard ship while I am at the spa. How lucky can a girl get? <3

Anyway, I also bring way too much jewelry, (mostly fashion jewelry, what we used to call costume jewelry) and my carry-on is as heavy as packing bricks! I just cannot seem to leave most of it at home. It really is a problem, because then we buy tee shirts, souvenirs, lots of the newest Disney Cruise stuff and presents and that just takes up more room. A couple of times we have had to buy an extra suitcase on the trip, to have room for everything.

I always say, "Women pack what they WANT, men pack what they need.". Other women have told me they have the same problem, others don't, they can pack what they know they will need and off they go. I am so envious of that... I am always afraid I am going to want to wear a particular blouse or dress and it will not be there if I do not bring it. It would not be the end of the world to not have it, just wear something else, but I just cannot seem to pack less!

So, how do all of you fellow cruisers and park goers keep your suitcase from being so heavy you need a forklift to get it on the ship? LOL...

I really need some good sound advice. I vowed not to overpack this trip! AND, I am going to be more choosy about what I bring, but as the trip gets closer, I start looking at my closet and thinking, "hmmm...I might want to wear that!". I am really going to try this time to keep it light!

Oh, and it is not just clothes and jewelry, it is the things I bring as well, books, magazines...etc....

HELP!!!!

 

[FigmentSpark]

I'm very good at packing. I weed out and double check every item. Then, in the morning of travelling, I throw "a few extra things I might need" into the suitcase, which amount to all the things I weeded out!

For a suggestion, though, try making a list of the days and what you think you'll be doing. Take out all the clothes you'd love to bring, then using that pile, go through them as you imagine the clothing changes and walk through those days in your mind. Put only those clothes in a separate pile as you go. Then go back and see if you can change out any outfits for something that's a mix and match (get rid of that one pair of capris that only goes with one top and 1 set of jewellery). If you can't wear it with at least two different things, it better be your special Palo/formal dress or a costume.

Finally, close and lock your suitcase once you're done and give the keys to hubby so you can't add in a few last minute things.

Good luck.

 

[arielchickenofthesea]

I'm very good at packing. I weed out and double check every item. Then, in the morning of travelling, I throw "a few extra things I might need" into the suitcase, which amount to all the things I weeded out!

For a suggestion, though, try making a list of the days and what you think you'll be doing. Take out all the clothes you'd love to bring, then using that pile, go through them as you imagine the clothing changes and walk through those days in your mind. Put only those clothes in a separate pile as you go. Then go back and see if you can change out any outfits for something that's a mix and match (get rid of that one pair of capris that only goes with one top and 1 set of jewellery). If you can't wear it with at least two different things, it better be your special Palo/formal dress or a costume.

Finally, close and lock your suitcase once you're done and give the keys to hubby so you can't add in a few last minute things.

Good luck.

That is good advice. I thought about packing as if I were UNPACKING on board and pictured what I would be unpacking to wear for certain days, excursions, Palo,etc...Does that make sense? It seems if I see myself unpacking on board, then those are the clothes I will take, keeping in mind what I DID NOT wear all the other times.

Thanks for your quick reply! It is helpful. I never travelled a lot when I was younger, so learning to pack is something relatively new to me. But after so many trips with hubby, (we do not have kids and are retired), you would think I would get the hang of it. DH always packs at the last minute, does not stress over it and is very happy! I think women, in general, need a few more things than men, though, make-up, fancy dress, shoes to match and all that for formal night and then all the daytime clothes...I get very stressed when I am packing, which is why I just end up throwing everything in!

 

[Aby]

I got over my problem with overpacking when I made the choice to start only travelling with carry on luggage. Drastic, yes, but I find travel so much less stressful now, and it has made me better at packing as now I can only take what I can fit in my bags. I make plans to do laundry on my travels, and I try to bring clothes that can be worn a few times before washing. I do cheat a bit on the way home by bringing an old military duffel bag that I put in the bottom of my carry on - at the end of my trip I fill this with dirty laundry and non breakable items and I check it home - this way I still have room for souveniers and I'm not really worried about delays with checked bags on the way home.I also try to plan out in advance of the trip what I'm actually going to wear each day, and I only pack those items, plus 1 extra outfit, just in case. I do not pack things I only *might* wear, only what I've mapped out.

Travelling carry on only is definitely not for everyone, and I'm still not perfect at it, but it is a valid option and I do enjoy the freedom it allows me.

Aby

 

[arielchickenofthesea]

I got over my problem with overpacking when I made the choice to start only travelling with carry on luggage. Drastic, yes, but I find travel so much less stressful now, and it has made me better at packing as now I can only take what I can fit in my bags. I make plans to do laundry on my travels, and I try to bring clothes that can be worn a few times before washing. I do cheat a bit on the way home by bringing an old military duffel bag that I put in the bottom of my carry on - at the end of my trip I fill this with dirty laundry and non breakable items and I check it home - this way I still have room for souveniers and I'm not really worried about delays with checked bags on the way home.I also try to plan out in advance of the trip what I'm actually going to wear each day, and I only pack those items, plus 1 extra outfit, just in case. I do not pack things I only *might* wear, only what I've mapped out.

Travelling carry on only is definitely not for everyone, and I'm still not perfect at it, but it is a valid option and I do enjoy the freedom it allows me.

Aby

I don't think I could be a carry-on traveller, unless it was just for a weekend, but what you say makes sense. I will definitely weed out the "maybe I will wear these clothes". That will be a huge deduction of clothing from my suitcase. We do usually bring an empty duffel for the souvenirs, presents etc...the only times I forgot to do that, we bought a suitcase at one of the ports for all the extra stuff and to spread the stuff from our suitcases out a little, so the weight would be distributed.

 

[myrtleturtle]

I make a spreadsheet with a column for each day. In the first row, I put what we are doing that day and if there is anything specific to pack for (Epcot, Pirate Night, etc). Second row, I put the projected weather for that day, third row what I plan on wearing. Next, I pull out those outfits, with shoes and accessories and lay them all out in a row. Then I see what can be eliminated, maybe a necklace that can be worn twice, maybe I originally planned on 4 pairs of shorts, but two pairs could be worn twice, etc.

My husband works for an airline, so always fly stand-by, which means carry-on only. I've done 2 weeks in Europe this way, but I'll admit, packing for our upcoming cruise this way with 2 preschoolers is a challenge!

 

[AnnaS]

Same here. We are leaving in about two weeks for our DCL Fantasy cruise and then an additional 4 nights at Disney. This will be our 7th DCL cruise. I take everything but the house. I can't stand it. I always end up wearing the same/most comfortable clothes. What if, what if, what if - I don't bring too much jewelry (costume/real) and I have cut down on the shoes/sandals, etc. - sort of.....
What I did start a few trips ago - I take my hangers with clothes still on them and just fold them in the luggage. When I arrive, just take them out and hang. I have packing and coming home to unpack!!!

 

[Sir William]

I have a cruise check list. After each cruise I go through it and add anything I thought I should have taken, and delete anything I took but didn't need (except for things like my OTC meds that may not have been needed this particular time). Most clothing is worn at least twice. When I begin planning the next cruise, I take my check list and modify it as necessary for the itinerary and planned activities.

When I pack I use the list and I don't take extra for contingencies. I just make do with what I brought. Everything has to fit into one large (checked) bag, and one carry-on, with a little room and weight to spare for anything I may acquire on the trip.

I also like to do a pre-pack about a week before departure. This is to make sure I have everything and that it fits (both on me and in the suitcase), and that I'm well under the airline's weight limits. I unpack the clothing to reduce wrinkling but almost everything else remains in the bag so I know where it is when I do my final pack.

 

[Imahikergirl]

I have a cruise check list. After each cruise I go through it and add anything I thought I should have taken, and delete anything I took but didn't need (except for things like my OTC meds that may not have been needed this particular time). Most clothing is worn at least twice. When I begin planning the next cruise, I take my check list and modify it as necessary for the itinerary and planned activities.

When I pack I use the list and I don't take extra for contingencies. I just make do with what I brought. Everything has to fit into one large (checked) bag, and one carry-on, with a little room and weight to spare for anything I may acquire on the trip.

I love your list idea. Tweaking it when you get home is the perfect way to finally "get it right". Thanks!

For a suggestion, though, try making a list of the days and what you think you'll be doing. Take out all the clothes you'd love to bring, then using that pile, go through them as you imagine the clothing changes and walk through those days in your mind. Put only those clothes in a separate pile as you go. Then go back and see if you can change out any outfits for something that's a mix and match (get rid of that one pair of capris that only goes with one top and 1 set of jewellery). If you can't wear it with at least two different things, it better be your special Palo/formal dress or a costume.

Going to use this to start my list. Thanks for the idea.

Good luck with your packing OP!

 

[FigmentSpark]

What I did start a few trips ago - I take my hangers with clothes still on them and just fold them in the luggage. When I arrive, just take them out and hang. I have packing and coming home to unpack!!!

Do you find the hangers add much weight or do you just use dry cleaning hangers? Also, if you didn't do this, would you be short of hangers in the stateroom?

 

[daisyx3]

I just went on a 4 day and I did several things to save room. I wore the same jewelry every day (well, except for earrings I do this at home anyway)--my pandora, my fitbit, my watch, and my rings. I was about two casual shirts short as i knew I'd get some on the ship. I had a cardigan for dinner and a zip up for the ship at night. I had one nice outfit for optional dressy night and I also wore it to Palo. I wore capris to dinner every other night with a nice shirt or my pirate shirt. I did have four pairs of shoes though--sneakers, slip ons, flip flops and nicer sandals (if we don't do Palo next time the sandals will stay home).
One thing I do is pack any medicine or toiletry we might need--tylenol, advil, sunscreen, sunburn gel, bandaids, neosporin, immodium, tums, bonine. Hate to pay ship(or airport) prices for any of that.
I will tell you my husband usually forgets something, but this time my son (17) left his polo for for optional dressy night (I told him we'd be doing photos) on his bed. We sent him to the gift shop but the polos he found were $100! So he wore one of his dad's, but he was swimming in it.
I also use a checklist. I've done it for so long that when my kids go places without me they say "mom, will you go through the list with me?"

 

[Sir William]

Do you find the hangers add much weight or do you just use dry cleaning hangers? Also, if you didn't do this, would you be short of hangers in the stateroom?

No shortage of hangers in your cabin. If you need more, just ask your steward.

 

[Sir William]

I love your list idea. Tweaking it when you get home is the perfect way to finally "get it right". Thanks!

I take a small notebook on all my trips. If I think of something I want to add or delete, I make a note of it so I won't forget when I get home. I save the check-lists for all my trips on my laptop. When I have a new cruise or trip coming up, I make a copy of one of the previous check lists, then begin modifying it for the itinerary, time of year, expected activities, etc. I've reached a point where I rarely add or delete anything, but I do make changes in the clothing depending on the itinerary, but the basic principals stay the same (number of shirts, number of pants, etc).

 

[dsnydaddy]

Never seem to be able to not overpack. I try and try. But the urge to throw something in just because I may need it is just too great. But since, I've been limiting my luggage to 4 carryons (for a family of four) and 1 or two checked, I have been a lot better.

 

[bumbershoot]

I read the first post. I have two opposite thoughts.

1. Pack what you want! Let the porters deal with it. Tip them extra if it's heavy.

2. If you don't have it it won't even cross your mind to want to wear it. Or of it does, note that you wanted to wear x instead of y, and next cruise bring the other one instead.

Set out your clothing and choose the jewelry that goes with the lost items. Very few people are going to notice that you're wearing the same stuff. Or ditch the fashion stuff and being a few choice good items. Last cruise I went with my teensy diamond studs every night, and I had three good bracelets I rotated depending on formal night and colors.

I'm not wearing jewelry in ports at all, I'm not wearing jewelry while lazing in my swimsuit (weird tan lines!)...so it's really only evenings where it counts.

 

[bakerworld]

We've only complete 3D cruises currently so we're going to be challenged by upcoming 5D cruise but basically it's going to be three day and two night ensembles. My hope is we can avoid dressy night but if you see a collared shirt guy with a tunic/legging women then that will be us . I'm wondering whether a bathing suit is even worth the packing space ???

 

[AnnaS]

Do you find the hangers add much weight or do you just use dry cleaning hangers? Also, if you didn't do this, would you be short of hangers in the stateroom?

We drive more than half the time so not too concerned about the weight. I do bring about half my clothes on hangers. Shorts/capris, I take them off the hanger but still pack the hanger. I double up some shirts on the hangers too, maybe two cover ups for one hanger, etc. I keep my undergarments (socks, bras, underwear, bathings suits) and some tops in the draws (after I lined them with paper ). Since I started to do this, I have enough hangers with the ones from the cruise cabin/resort. I used to ask for extras before. They are mostly plastic hangers and the ones with the clips for pants/shorts/capris. I do not normally keep the ones from the dry cleaners - maybe one or two from hubby's dress shirts.

(Many times when I shop for tops - I ask the store clerk if I can keep the clear plastic hangers w/wire handle they use - most of the time, they give them too me. These are the majority of my hangers. Some store bought plastic) - I have bought the satin/padded ones but find them too short on the ends.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I was thinking that hangers take up precious weight, but if you're driving, I get it. Totally makes sense.

 

[Starwind]

I pre-plan what I will wear (I don't always follow the plan, but I have enough and appropriate clothes to be able to switch thigns around) and that is all I bring. Mix and match is helpful as you end up with more options but can take fewer clothes; double duty works well too. And, quite frankly, I pretty much wear the same pair of pants to dinner each night -- nice comfy loose black pants that are only going to get worn for the couple hours of dinner and so can be used multiple times before laundry is required. I also reuse other tops and pants before they get washed (well, tops less so, some of them get used once then washed). If someone notices, THEY have a problem and are paying way too much attention.

For pre-planning I use a word document or do it by hand -- basically draw out a calendar (printing a calendar for the affected weeks also works for this), label it with each day, the major activities for the day, and then list the clothes needed.

We also do laundry on board, both handwash (bras) and machine (everything else). Easy enough to set a timer on the smartphone and head up and relax on the heated tile chairs in the rainforest room, then when the timer goes off come back and rescue the clothes (or, in my case, send through another wash cycle to actually get the soap out...).

Jewelry-wise I wear the same thing I wear every day at home: small piercing stud earings, MedicAlert bracelet, watch, Misfit fitness tracker. That's it. Other than the watch which I take off at night (I find it uncomfortable to sleep with for some unknown reason), the rest is worn 24/7. I have a second fitness tracker that I also wear, that is clipped to my bra strap by day and when sleeping clipped to the strap of the tank top I wear under my PJs, so other than the shower it too is a 24/7 accessory, but nobody can see it.

All that said: we travel with 2 checked bags each. I have a number of medical-related things that I have to bring and they take up space.

As for hangars: *IF* I choose to bring a dress it will get packed on a hangar (lightweight) [but I usually do not bring a dress]; I have a couple tops I throw on a hangar too as they do better that way (they share the hangar, one over the other). The hanging things go in a lightweight garment baga nd then folded into the suitcase. Everything else is rolled and put in packing cubes. I don't care if something is a little wrinkly, but I have found hanging wrinkle-prone things up in the closet on the provided hangars solves most wrinkles pretty quickly anyway. There is also the bathroom with a steamy shower to solve wrinklys. Or the iron in the laundry room (have not had to resort to that).

Quite frankly, you have to change your mindset or you won't be able to solve the issue. Choose your clothes, and they are what you will wear. Don't worry about what you might "feel" like wearing: you choose from among what you have packed, probably what you pre-planned and that is that. You have favourites you love to wear ? Bring those. If you want to have an option in case you don't "feel" like wearing what you had pre-determined, bring ONE extra blouse to give you that flexibility. But that is it. If at the end of the cruise you are wishing you had additional options, revisit that and consider packing them for next time. The reality is you are NOT at home, you do NOT have the choices you do at home. But you can choose well and be prepared and have flexibility. Accept that, and you will find packing infinitely easier.

SW

 

[xlxo]

I bring a luggage scale.... then I check airline surcharge policy.... it's a strong incentive to not over pack.