Carry on vs checking bags - Packing question

Happy Beautiful Monday! And this isn't so much of a Negril question as a packing question. In our many trips to Negril we have always checked our bags, and I always pack WAY TOOOOOO MUCH (clothes, shoes,bathing suits, lotions) and I always end up wearing the same things over and over lol! So the hubby has challenged me for our next trip to only take enough for each of us to do the carry-on thing. I don't see this happening, as I always need stuff and I cant imaging its going to fit. For example, what do you guys do about lotion, sunscreen, shampoo...I know they have limits when it comes to carry-ons so I was just wondering what you all do? Thanks in advance!

The wife and I used to over pack all the time too. We now go on 15 day trips to Negril with just carry ons. We bring a “clothes line” so if we need to wash something out in the sink we can hang it up to dry. As for lotion, sunscreen, shampoo….. What we can’t fit, we buy when we get there and leave what’s left for housekeeping.

My last 12 trips I've done carry on for 9-10 day trips but I cheat a lil by bring a backpack as my 'personal item' that goes under the seat on the plane. As a guy, I have no problem with fitting the liquids in a quart bag (you can buy a small plastic travel bag at walmart though that's a lil bigger than a quart zip lock bag). As for extra liquids, I'd have your driver stop at a small market in either Lucea or Green island (where it's a lil cheaper) to pick up what you need once you've landed.


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Thanks Todd and ukran1ans! Sounds like I will be doing a little shopping when I get there. :friendly_wink:

My wife takes a checked bag and all the fluids go in there along with snorkel equipment and things to give away. I take a carry on and can often pack it my wife suitcase when we leave. This saves $25 baggage fee each way over 2 checked bags.
Regards,
Bob

Fly Southwest ................... two FREE pieces of luggage per person plus usual carry on items ....................... no problems

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Originally Posted by jesswade

Happy Beautiful Monday! And this isn't so much of a Negril question as a packing question. In our many trips to Negril we have always checked our bags, and I always pack WAY TOOOOOO MUCH (clothes, shoes,bathing suits, lotions) and I always end up wearing the same things over and over lol! So the hubby has challenged me for our next trip to only take enough for each of us to do the carry-on thing. I don't see this happening, as I always need stuff and I cant imaging its going to fit. For example, what do you guys do about lotion, sunscreen, shampoo...I know they have limits when it comes to carry-ons so I was just wondering what you all do? Thanks in advance!

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This topic is of great interest to me, as I am guilty of completely over packing every time we go to Negril. Each trip I say I wanna try to do a carry on but I haven't yet. We're going back for a week in August and I think this will be the trip I try the carry on only... although - I do like the big suitcase to pack beach towels and wine. And we usually bring inflatable rafts, too. Maybe Husband will pack a big bag to check and I'll do carry on as a tester!

Anybody have any good recommendations for awesome carry on bags that fit in the overhead compartment?

I know that southwest and JetBlue differ by one inch.... I haven’t tried taking my 21 inch samsonite on JetBlue as a carryon because I don’t want to get stuck paying or having the hassle, but it’s perfect for southwest flights. Ironic because bags fly free with southwest, but it is nice to just roll off the plane and on to the next adventure!

I try to do carry-on only as it does help me to not over-pack and saves a few bucks in the process. Yes, sometimes difficult decisions need to be made on what to leave behind.

Most of the times that I have gone carry-on only I ended up checking my bag at the gate anyway at no charge. Airline employees at gate seem to always be requesting that on my flights. As more and more people do carry-on only, the overhead bins fill up faster and they run out of space. So they ask people to gate check. I pull out my tablet and anything else I want on the flight and go ahead and check it. Especially if my wife has already checked a bag (and seemingly almost every pair of shoes she has purchased over the last 23 years...but I get it...a woman has to accessorize!!!)

Why worry about a $25 baggage fee when you're going somewhere to enjoy yourself? I prefer to pack light, but my wife likes a variety of apparel. She checks a bag and feels good because she knows she has what she needs, and then some. We're already paying a pretty penny to be vacationing, why sweat the $25?

Remember, it is @25 each flight, so $50 per trip per bag. To me $50 is still a poke of money. It is the same reason I don't stay in expensive hotels, look for the most reasonable transfer prices from the airport to Negril, use route taxi's, eat mainly in mom and pop restaurants and don't bring home "stuff" from each visit. Being stewardly is a way of life for us and allows us to take at least 2 trips for year (not always Negril) usually 2 weeks at a crack.
Regards,
Bob

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Originally Posted by rjonsun

Remember, it is @25 each flight, so $50 per trip per bag. To me $50 is still a poke of money. It is the same reason I don't stay in expensive hotels, look for the most reasonable transfer prices from the airport to Negril, use route taxi's, eat mainly in mom and pop restaurants and don't bring home "stuff" from each visit. Being stewardly is a way of life for us and allows us to take at least 2 trips for year (not always Negril) usually 2 weeks at a crack.
Regards,
Bob

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We have a similar mentality, Bob. It's not that I can't afford a few more bucks, but if I can get the same thing for less, then that's more money for something else. Rarely do we stay in an expensive hotel (though we do splurge once in a while), or eat at a "nice" restaurant.

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Originally Posted by phineasfreakears

Why worry about a $25 baggage fee when you're going somewhere to enjoy yourself? I prefer to pack light, but my wife likes a variety of apparel. She checks a bag and feels good because she knows she has what she needs, and then some. We're already paying a pretty penny to be vacationing, why sweat the $25?

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It's not really the money for us. We like traveling light and it saves a little time, nothing like flying thru customs and immigration just to wait for bags. And just can't wait an extra second to walk thru them sliding doors in to that warm air! Also, on the way back, depending on which airport and what C&I decides on any given year, can save a little time.

Thanks everyone for the ideas and experiences of what you do! And I agree with Rjonsun, TAH, and Todd - it's about the $ (for us it would be $50 each way, we have flown United /American - they offer no free bags), its about the convenience of just getting off the plane and starting the most enjoyable vacation, and its also about getting the same thing for less - who wants to give the airline $$ for the bags when you are already giving them $$ to fly and now extra $$ for the seat! lol. I would rather spend that money on more rum punches, more Red Stripes, more subs, and more 3 Dives :biggrin-new:

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Originally Posted by Johio

I try to do carry-on only as it does help me to not over-pack and saves a few bucks in the process. Yes, sometimes difficult decisions need to be made on what to leave behind.

Most of the times that I have gone carry-on only I ended up checking my bag at the gate anyway at no charge. Airline employees at gate seem to always be requesting that on my flights. As more and more people do carry-on only, the overhead bins fill up faster and they run out of space. So they ask people to gate check. I pull out my tablet and anything else I want on the flight and go ahead and check it. Especially if my wife has already checked a bag (and seemingly almost every pair of shoes she has purchased over the last 23 years...but I get it...a woman has to accessorize!!!)

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Same with us - we've been asked to check husband's carry on bag on the last 2 flights we've been on. And for me. it isn't about saving the money, really. It's more about wanting to free myself of lugging a ton of stuff I'm not even gonna use in a big bag. The mental freedom.

My problem with not checking is it forces me to buy sunscreen there in Jamaica..at an average of 16-18$ a bottle or can...its at least 10$ an item more then the states..buying 4 or 5 cans of spray or lotion in Jamaica eats up all the savings of not checking..so I will probably check from now on

don't forget that with bringing liquids, you can break it down to travel size bottles; empty bottles are pretty cheap....after having my Jamaica bags lost on route, I NEVER check them any more

BobbyMaser, good reminder! and much cheaper than buying suntan lotion in Jamaica.

Last month I arrived with 50 lbs and left with 11 lbs

I lose alot of weight in Jamaica

Cap

You can toss the shampoo if you shave your head! Respect --Marblehead

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Originally Posted by fargoman

My problem with not checking is it forces me to buy sunscreen there in Jamaica..at an average of 16-18$ a bottle or can...its at least 10$ an item more then the states..buying 4 or 5 cans of spray or lotion in Jamaica eats up all the savings of not checking..so I will probably check from now on

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This is kind of my philosophy, as well. The wife brings a lot of bath and body products (creams, pastes, etc.) that always rile-up the TSA folks, so they are better off being put in a checked bag. Plus the convenience of not having to lug a carry-on around the airport after we check in is a bonus.

Also, We have NEVER had to wait for our luggage at the carousel in MBJ. By the time we get through immigration, our luggage is usually sitting on floor waiting for us. I think this is because MBJ has only 1 working luggage carousel, so then need to clear it and get ready for the next flight.

If I were travelling solo, I could totally do a backpack or duffel bag. But for my wife and I combined, it's easier to just throw all our stiff in one checked suitcase.

I check two suitcases (Southwest) that weigh 50 lbs each

Somehow, when I go back foreign those suitcases are empty. Truly a mystery.

Cap

Okay … I'll chime in. There are many reasons to check your baggage … the obvious we all know is size, limit, contents, weight. I have paid to bring for the orphans. It's a no brainer. I fly from Canada many times a year and it's always the same thing … does the bag fit? What are contents? Customs don't care your bag, merely contents. Did you know that you can have many mini bottles of spirits as they do not break the rules of content (you cannot consume on the flight) … it gets very old for frequent travellers to be held up with all this. Check the bag, have my bag and purse. My partner have a small bag. Kids need stuff. I'm sick of the borderline measure and time to disembark. My take and you please please check the bag. I can assure you I have competed with many that did carry on and I booked. Got all my creams on board.

Nothing like what Captain says …. goodwill has no weight on return. I've heard you can get extra case waved but thus far I need to apply a little more persuasion or early notice. Crud Southwest has had some horrific and tragic events of recent weeks. It's hard enough for those suffering a loss … but we all get so affected. Luggage: Southwest … may we all be safe and give.

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Originally Posted by Captain Oil

Fly Southwest ................... two FREE pieces of luggage per person plus usual carry on items ....................... no problems

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yeah this is who mi use these days.......great airline and put airlines like Spirit to shame
mi there for months so gotta have the shampoo's, lotions, shaving creams, liquid soaps, etc so a checked bag(s) is a must
but if mi was only going for a week or ten days......mi could get away with just a carryon and personal bag.......no problem
they are so efficient now in Mobay with getting the checked bags out......there isn't much of a time difference grabbing a checked bag...
back in the 80's it was certainly a different story......yah mon

Cool Runnings, Marko



Cool Runnings, Marko

I agree with Marko ................ baggage handling is so much more efficient these days in MoBay ............ we use the MoBay Club expedited service through Immigration / Customs and our baggage is always in the terminal before we can clear Immigration ................... much different then in years past when waiting for bags to arrive was always a pain.