What type of luggage do you like?

[tvguy]

Okay...I'm cheap. I want to spend my money on cruises, not luggage. Wife and I bought a complete set of Delsey hardsided luggage in 1983 when we started cruising. I expect them to be the last set of luggage I ever buy, and I'm 46 now. But I keep cars forever too, one of ours is 17 years old now, and other 14.
My friends who who bought softsided luggage have all replaced it at least once in that time period. I guess hardsided luggage has been out of favor for at least 10 years, but the luggage shop folks told us when were in getting our passport photos that hardsided is coming back just because of the durability.

 

[muntzfab4]

A word of caution on a large suitcase - it is easy to overload and therefore be over the weight limit for the airline. Check the weight before you leave and allow for extra weight coming home if you plan to shop.

 

[krhardy]

we love the rolling duffle bags. You can get soooo much in them. And, they squish down pretty flat when not in use, so they store easily under the beds. Target usually has them fairly cheaply. My family of 5 recently went to England, and We made the trip for 10 days with 2 rolling duffles, and carry ons.

 

[CheapMom]

http://disney.store.go.com/DSSectionPage.process?First_Row=18&Merchant_Id=2&Section_Id=14507

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Thank you all so much!

Wow, this will give me lots to do today=researching the luggage purchase. Thanks so much for the advice, stories, and links. Now it's off to do a little window shopping, maybe buying.....
Kathy

 

[tvguy]

Yes, weight is an issue with the airlines now, not total weight, but weight per bag, I think 44 pounds is the limit. Not sure why though.
There were four of us, so we were entitled to 4 bags weighing no more than 44 lbs each, 176 pound total, but the airline counter person said it isn't the total weight....one bag weighed 50 pound, one 30 and one 20, they just said to balance it out.

 

[julie junebug]

I bought a set of Ciao luggage from Mervyn's before our first cruise. They are soft sided, expandable, and have wheels with a handle extension. We've been on three cruises with them and really like them. They still look like new. I also bought a matching garment bag and it's great for dresses, my DH's suit, and other nicer clothes.

This was not an expensive set, but has held up well. If you have a Mervyn's in your area, check the Sunday paper. They usually have a 3 piece set of Ciao luggage for under $100.00. They have a set in a red color which would be great for spotting at the airport. Happy shopping!

Julie

 

[mmouse37]

Love the LL Bean Rolling Adventure Luggage.

Do not buy the extra large size....it is just too darn large. My DD just returned from a trip and used the extra large size and it was just too hard to handle. She called and they said she could return it and get the large size no problem.

The duffle itself is great because when empty it is complete flat and can fit just about anywhere. Plus...the color she now has makes it very easy to spot. The colors for the large are not the same anymore so she is going with a more subdued, but still noticeable color!!

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...1507&feat=dp50&catalog_id=TA&source=&rtnComp=

MJ

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I bought a large rolling duffle for our cruise last year when our local Kmart was going out of business. Best $40 I ever spent. The bottom of the duffel has a large hard sided compartment that is about 4 inches deep with a separate zipper. The duffle part has the center main compartment then two end compartments that you can access from the outside without opening the main area. It folds virtually flat and fit right under the bed in our stateroom...