new suitcase regulations

[hulababy]

hi everyone hubby and i are heading to Italy in couple months with 5 days in Italy then getting on a cruise to Sicily, Turkey and Greece!! Tell me ladies how do you pack ONE suitcase for this amt of traveling, especially with two formal nights on a cruise.?? I'm used to packing Three suitcases!! This will be impossible and of course we need room to buy something!! ha I don't know how I'll do this trip with One large suitcase and a carry on.

[Joaniesmom]

A hint given to me by a traveling friend. Use your old underwear. When soiled, throw it away. Space in suitcase. Worked for her!

[jmm2760jmm]

My one regret when we traveled to Italy a few years ago was over packing. Wear skirts several times with different tops...same for pants. I thought I'd need 2 fresh outfits every day...one for day and one for evening - Never happened. One pair of comfortable sandles that can go with everything. All the streets are uneven cobblestones so don't even think of wedges or heels (except maybe one pair for the cruise ship). You'll be so busy seeing the sights you only need one outfit per day. Also, everythihng is pretty casual. One suitcase is really enough. There are some packing tips on Rick Steve's website under Europe travel tips...a lot of great informaiton there. Have fun and pack light!

[RichieB]

Let's face it - this crap isn't going away, it's only going to get worse, as the airlines think of ways to get more money from the flying public.

I know what you are going through, but for a trip like that, I might just bite the bullet and pay for an extra suitcase or two.

:cus:

My wife an I do NY - San Diego couple of times a year, and the "fight" for overhead storage space is a PITA, and now they have an order of boarding that could potentially shut you out of storing your luggage overhead.

[jojo]

I spent two weeks in Europe last summer and just took a 21 inch carry-on and a small bag that fit under the seat with my purse in it. Granted did not take formal wear. I roll clothes - takes less space and results in fewer wrinkles. Much easier now that I put guide books and reading material in the Kindle. Reducing the number of shoes is key!

[salpal]

Bring a long black skirt or palazzo pants (spelling???) and a couple different tops. That way, you can pack just one pair of black shoes and if you're smart, they will be flats.

We always pack our old underwear and toss along the way. For sightseeing days, we pack clothes we are about to give to Goodwill. If we buy something and don't have room in our suitcase, we get rid of the "Goodwill" clothes.

The truth is, nobody's really going to remember your clothes and you don't need to wear a different outfit every day. I love packing tops and slacks made from jersey. Here's a great source: travelsmith.com


Funny story: I once left "Goodwill" clothes in a bag in my hotel room thinking the maid would like them (we were in a very poor country). She managed to catch me while I was checking out and said I must have forgotten them. I thanked her, took the bag and walked out the door. So now, I do not leave them in a hotel room. I look for a donation box and if I cannot find one, I leave them in the hotel hallway near the elevator/stairs.

[2newyorkers]

If you feel you need multiple pairs of shoes , take ballet slippers that take up no room and wear your sneakers on the plane. Our friend always wears his suit on the plane so he does not have to pack it. Capris are great, you can wear them during the day and for dinner. Do not forget that they have laundry rooms on the ship. Just pack dryer sheets and you can now buy Tide in small travel packets. Check the airline to see if they allow a carry on that is the size of a 20" suitcase.

[duffysmom]

We will be going to Italy and sailing the Adriatic for two weeks and I will have one suitcase and a backpack. As was mentioned one way to have a miserable trip is to have too much luggage and I've been guilty of that. Love the tips about palazzo pants and jersey clothing and rolling clothing to save room. We do not participate in formal nights and eat in the Lido or Windjammer in comfort which delights my husband no end. Remember, the dress code is only a suggestion and in the warmer climates people tend to be casual. I'm not much of a shopper so that simplifies things. Have a wonderful trip and enjoy the fabulous food in Italy. :wave:

[kyblue]

For those that have gone to Italy - have any of you gone to the Vatican or St. Peters Basilica - and if so - are jeans acceptable?

[Sable99]

I have taken several trips over three week and have always taken just one suitcase and a carryon. I always try to take clothes that have the same colors so I can switch them out and take fewer shoes. I also like to travel with fabrics that wrinkle less and clothes I can wash in a bathroom sink. It saves a lot of hassle. I only take one gown for formal nights on a cruise. The most important thing is to take comfortable shoes. This is not a time to be fashionable!

My suitcase has an extension that you can open when the suitcase gets full. I try not to use the extension when I leave for the trip so I can open it up on the way home for the things I bought. I have also shipped some purchases back to the states and it wasn't that expensive. My aunt is a retired airline employee and she uses those space bags when she travels and she loves them. I haven't used them.

I hope one of your stops in Turkey is Istanbul. I haven't been there in years but they had a great underground mall full of 18k gold and all kinds of carpet when I was there. And, I think the palace we went to was the Dolmabahçe Palace -- all I remember is the crystal staircase. I wished I could have spent more time there but my boss was ready to go!!

[Sable99]

Oops, I forgot until I saw the post about the Vatican. I have been there but I can't remember about the jeans. I would think you could find out on the Vatican's website or by using Google.

But, a long time ago I was in Egypt or Israel and they weren't going to let me in a church because my dress was too short!! My dress came to my knees! One of the guys on the tour loaned me his coat!! I was there a couple of years ago but I didn't wear a dress on that trip so I don't know if that custom has changed or not.

[villager]

I have done a bunch of traveling in my life, so far. I agree with many of the suggestions. The space bags work nicely, but keep in mind, if you use the vacuum to get the air out, you won't have that vacuum coming home. When you roll the space bags, they will still work, but you won't get them as flat. I can guarantee, NOBODY will remember what you wore that morning vs. the night before! If you feel you have to participate with formal night, a nice sundress that you can dress up with jewelry and a shawl will be just fine. You won't get thrown out of the dining room if you're not in super formal wear. You will also see people in very casual clothes on formal night on the ship, so dress for you, not them. I have a friend who travels with hardly any luggage. She goes to a local thrift store when she arrives and donates the clothes when she leaves. Take a small bottle of laundry soap and fabric softener (8 oz of soap, 4 of softener MAX) and do sink laundry so you can have clean clothes you can wear over and over. Take a few hangers to use. And, there's the old addage - take 1/2 the clothes and twice as much money. Pack what you think you need, wait a couple days, then repack and you will find you really don't need all you initially wanted to take. That always worked for me. Have fun!

[salpal]

Pack a large scarf....if you visit any mosques, you will be required to cover your head. If you are wearing too short "shorts", the scarf can be tied around your waist as a "skirt".

You can wear jeans in the Vatican.

Do yourself a BIG favor, leave all "good" jewelry at home, only wear costume jewelry and not too much of it. It is not smart to be flashy when traveling.

[hulababy]

Do you think they will have washer/dryer on cruise?? I know we cruised Holland America for 14 days with NO washer/dryer?? this trip is Royal Carribean? It would help if they do have washer/dryer. My problem is I do love formal nights so don't see how to go without them, or even one. And shopping (yeeks) wish I could say I didn't enjoy it!! ha
I do roll the clothes but I always find my clothes still wrinkle. I did hear to wear sneakers in Italy. any other tips for Italy?? We're going Sept? Will it be hot? some friends say bring jackets just in case. I feel overwhelmed because I always tend to overpack. I think maybe I'll wear skirts during day sightseeing then I'll be dressed appropriately for dinner also?? But skirts with sneakers? Can't do sandels in Italy because of streets? Will they have hairdryers in the hotels in Italy? can't live w/o one?

[Dayzee]

I'm a bit envious - sounds like a very nice trip.

You may find it helpful to research bundle packing or bundle wrapping. This is an effective way of packing to minimize wrinkles. There are several different web-sites that demonstrate the technique.

Hope you have a great time.

[gingersnap]

Minimize the pairs of shoes you take by taking "Switch Flops". I have the style with the slight platform in black and brown, as well as the cork platform. I have about 12 sets of various color tops to switch out to match my outfits. You can go from pool to evening with these shoes. Also carry a "Miche" handbag that has the switchable (magnetic held) covers. They are great additions to your wardrobe.
Enjoy your trip!

[tommy steam]

hi everyone hubby and i are heading to Italy in couple months with 5 days in Italy then getting on a cruise to Sicily, Turkey and Greece!! Tell me ladies how do you pack ONE suitcase for this amt of traveling, especially with two formal nights on a cruise.?? I'm used to packing Three suitcases!! This will be impossible and of course we need room to buy something!! ha I don't know how I'll do this trip with One large suitcase and a carry on.

Go to the cruise web site.They usually have information for what you should pack.

[duffysmom]

Hulababy Royal Caribbean does not have washer & dryers. They do offer laundry service. Have a wonderful trip.

[dotti105]

We are sailing from Hi to Sydney, Australia for a repositioning cruise on Sept 30. It is 17 days and then we are spending 10 days in Australia, splitting our time between Sydney and Cairns.
We are each packing in a single 20" carry on for this 27 day trip. We have packed and unpacked to be sure we can really do it!
It has been fun to see what we really need and what we can do without. This will be our 14th cruise with Carnival, so we know what to expect. (take half of what you think you need!)
My hubby did buy a Scottevest which has 22 pockets. Sounds weird I know, but they are made for travel, pocket for the ipad, pocket for the kindle, pocket for the iphone, sunglasses, keys etc. It looks very nice, not fishing vest looking at all. Most of the pockets are concealed.
Because the airlines in Australia weigh all your luggage including purse or backpack, this will take the place of his backpack. He traveled using it last week and loved it.
Just take it off at TSA and fold it up and place in the bin.
We are really having fun with traveling much, much lighter than we ever thought possible!
And although we are Gold medallion with Delta and can take 3 checked pieces free, that won't help us with JetStar in Australia. So we adapt!!
Trust me, it can be done!!!

[Barefoot]

hi everyone hubby and i are heading to Italy in couple months with 5 days in Italy then getting on a cruise to Sicily, Turkey and Greece!! Tell me ladies how do you pack ONE suitcase for this amt of traveling, especially with two formal nights on a cruise.?? I'm used to packing Three suitcases!! This will be impossible and of course we need room to buy something!! ha I don't know how I'll do this trip with One large suitcase and a carry on.

We are heading to Spain in late September to cruise the Mediterranean for 12 days. Will I need bulky clothes for cooler weather? My usual way of packing is to take three suitcases containing all my favourite clothes, and then decide later what to wear. So I can see that I need a sharp attitude change. :boom: The most helpful hint I've found in this thread is to pack ahead, and then remove half of it.

[Geewiz]

Bring clothing you expect to throw out in Italy. You're in Italy! It's time for new outfits! Figure out where to shop where Italians shop...not the stuff you can buy here. Also - gelato...eat gelato. And bread....you can't take it with you..but, enjoy it warm out of the oven.

[mickey100]

I spent two weeks in Europe last summer and just took a 21 inch carry-on and a small bag that fit under the seat with my purse in it. Granted did not take formal wear. I roll clothes - takes less space and results in fewer wrinkles. Much easier now that I put guide books and reading material in the Kindle. Reducing the number of shoes is key!

You travel like I do Jojo! I did take a Chico's traveler's outfit - long skirt, with a sleeveless top that I dressed up with jewelry. You can crumple it up and it comes out looking great. I had a carryon suitcase, and a small day pack as my personal item that went under the seat. We were doing hiking in Italy, so had to wear my hiking boots on the plane for space reasons. Take tee shirts, rinse them out when necessary. Like you mentioned, rolling the clothes up is a real space saver, and if you do it carefully, you get few wrinkles. We weren't on a cruise, so had to make our own connections, and there was no way I was going to schlepp around a bunch of suitcases down narrow cobbled streets, up flights of stairs, etc. In fact, my carryon suitcase has straps and can be easily converted into a backpack. Rick Steves website is a good starting point for packing and traveling in Europe.

[CFrance]

For those that have gone to Italy - have any of you gone to the Vatican or St. Peters Basilica - and if so - are jeans acceptable?

Jeans and sneakers are generally not worn in western Europe, unless they're $400 designer jeans worn with boots or stilettos, or on teenagers. Sneakers are only worn by Americans! People tend to dress casual/dressy in Italy. In the evening they participate in a passegiata (sp), wherein everyone congregates in the piazzas (town squares). They walk around and talk to each other. And they are all dressed up.

It's true that you will never see these people again, and it's true that much of Italy's streets are still cobblestoned, straight uphill or downhill, and not overly comfortable to walk on. However, I believe it's a matter of respect to the country you are visiting to dress as nicely as you can. You can still be comfortable in nice slacks and a top and classy walking shoes without having to wear jeans and cross trainers. JMO

[Sable99]

Jeans and sneakers are generally not worn in western Europe, unless they're $400 designer jeans worn with boots or stilettos, or on teenagers. Sneakers are only worn by Americans! People tend to dress casual/dressy in Italy. In the evening they participate in a passegiata (sp), wherein everyone congregates in the piazzas (town squares). They walk around and talk to each other. And they are all dressed up.

It's true that you will never see these people again, and it's true that much of Italy's streets are still cobblestoned, straight uphill or downhill, and not overly comfortable to walk on. However, I believe it's a matter of respect to the country you are visiting to dress as nicely as you can. You can still be comfortable in nice slacks and a top and classy walking shoes without having to wear jeans and cross trainers. JMO



You beat me to sneakers are a "no no" in Europe! You can buy nice looking walking shoes now and not the clunky looking ones that our grandma's used to wear. I bought a pair of Naturalizers yesterday for a trip I am taking in the states this fall. They are really cute and comfortable but I liked them because I will be able to slip them off and on easily at the airport -- easier than tennis shoes! Its always a busy time for me with the TSA because I have to watch out for my stuff and my 88 year old mothers! They always have to take her aside to check out those artificial hips!

[784caroline]

Celebrity Cruise Line has laundry where you can get a bag of laundry done for $20-25....bag fits about 20 items in it. Depending upon your cruise status level, some lines proovide free or discounted coupons for you to use...great bene on a long trip.

AS far as shoes, take something comfortable..if its sneakers so be it. You most likely will be doing alot of walking so you should care less about style and appeal. True not alot of Europeans will be wearing sneakers but who are you trying to impress...again wear something comfortable.

[CFrance]

You beat me to sneakers are a "no no" in Europe! You can buy nice looking walking shoes now and not the clunky looking ones that our grandma's used to wear. I bought a pair of Naturalizers yesterday for a trip I am taking in the states this fall. They are really cute and comfortable but I liked them because I will be able to slip them off and on easily at the airport -- easier than tennis shoes! Its always a busy time for me with the TSA because I have to watch out for my stuff and my 88 year old mothers! They always have to take her aside to check out those artificial hips!

A toast to you and your mom, Sable99--that you travel with an 88-year-old, and that an 88-year-old is willing to travel!

And thanks-- you just gave me a good suggestion for walking shoes for a trip we're taking over Christmas, where it's likely to be raining a lot. I was thinking Danskros, but they're hard to find in my width, not to mention $$$.

[amazongal]

hi everyone hubby and i are heading to Italy in couple months with 5 days in Italy then getting on a cruise to Sicily, Turkey and Greece!! Tell me ladies how do you pack ONE suitcase for this amt of traveling, especially with two formal nights on a cruise.?? I'm used to packing Three suitcases!! This will be impossible and of course we need room to buy something!! ha I don't know how I'll do this trip with One large suitcase and a carry on.

What airline limits you to only one suitcase. Oh, did you mean a free one?

[CFrance]

You can take two suitcases each on an international flight, up to 50 lbs each, no charge. At least as of last June. I assumed hulababy only wants to take one because one is easier to lug around to different places. I think the packing tips given here are all good ones, and she should be able to pack in one suitcase. Since she will be in different places, she can keep in mind that she's changing venues and each outfit will be new again when she changes locations.

I too am an over packer. I've been going to meetings--OPA. I'm almost there! Went to Australia for three weeks with only one suitcase (albeit not a carry-on size) and no carry-on. It was heaven. Kindle and ipad helped abolish the carry-on.

It doesn't help that my husband packs in only one small suitcase, making me feel a failure. BUT, when he gets there, he has inevitably underpacked and lacks essential items. (One shirt for three weeks???) I then feel vindicated. ;-D

Hulababy, your itinerary sounds wonderful.

[PennBF]

Some thoughts. Yes, you can wear sneakers. We travel extensively in Europe and in particular a lot in Italy. You have to have very comfortable walking shoes or sneakers. You cannot/should not wear shorts in the Vatican. A good practice is to take a real good back pack which you can also attach to a suitcase as you walk. With the right backpack you can pack a lot of stuff.
There was an old rule..Pack your suitcase and then take 1/2 out. Also the backpack can go under the seat. PUT ALL VALUABLE THINGS IN THE BACKPACK AND PUT LOCKS ON THE PACK. DON'T LET IT OUT OF YOUR VIEW.
When you leave the ship or if using an apartment/villa you can always take the backpack and not leave key stuff behind.
If your driving in Europe don't leave valuable items in view in the car. They don't have the violent crime (usually) but they do have pickpocket, thefts, etc. Regarding dressing up on the ship. It is optional and you have to ask yourself if it is worth carrying all of that stuff for a couple of nights walking around the ship? Actually, it is fun sitting in the lounge and watching the ones that dress up. :pepper2:

[Dancing Queen]

A friend of mine had her money, and passport together, the pickpocket took both in Italy from her backpack in a crowed square, so I like the addition of locks on them, just make sure they are TSA approved.
A friend in Manhattan always keeps a couple of large bills in her shoes in case she is mugged, so I do that too when traveling in other countries in hopes that if someone pick pockets me I will still have spending money.
I love to dress up too, but I have a couple of formals that pack well for just such an occasion, they are both stretchy fabrics, roll up small, and never show wrinkles maybe you can find something like that online that will work for you.
Have a great time.

[buggyone]

I travelled with some friends from The Villages last November to Italy. One of the ladies had sore feet after walking on the cobblestone streets in Florence and did not have any sneakers with her. So, in Florence, Italy - one of the shoe capitals of the entire world - she finds a Foot Locker and buys a pair of sneakers! We all kidded her about that but she was comfortable for the rest of the walking in Italy.