Thoughts on Packing (mine)

I've talked about the packing gestalt before. Really it's a whole thing in and of itself for me, and for others of you on the board, which is why I write this morning, because you will understand my dilemma. (A few of you apparently are able to just throw a few things in a knapsack and be on a plane. I cannot comprehend this, and sometimes even play a game with myself trying to choose which 10 items I would bring.) I've spent weeks planning and organizing and purchasing. I remarked to my hairdresser yesterday that it sure takes a lot of time and money to be so laid-back on vacation!

The problem - we each have our own large-as-they-allow suitcases for clothes. Son is small so there is extra rooms in his suitcase for some non-clothes items. We are large and our suitcases already weigh 42 and 45 pounds each (50 = max allowed). My hand scale, which I covet, is not clicking into it's reset position, though I can put it there manually but I'm worried it could be off a pound or two - I'm going to check for another during my final Walmart run later today. I can likely bring 1/2 of the rest of what I want, which would have to be mostly toiletries, in my son's suitcase. But I will not get to bring everything for sure. Some of my creature comforts and some of the gifts will be left behind, (no one will get nothing, but some will get less). The extra bag is $35 each way. There's a possibility I could either bring an older bag and leave it for a friend, and pack it back into one of the larger bags and not have to pay both ways.

What would you do? Spend the extra potential $70 and have what you want? The spoiled me says just do it, but perhaps your saner heads will prevail. US Air already getting too much of our money btw, between charge for first bag, and also we paid extra to sit together - saw recent thread about this on Board. Not sure I would have taken my chances and waited, but still wish I'd seen before I bought into their deal. In the end, tickets will be about 625 each - maybe the most I've paid, certainly close to it.

Buy a duffle bag and fill it just with clothes on the way down. Return trip you can just put the duffle in one of your suit cases. We too bring lots of extras and this has worked well for us in the past!

^ what Facedown said.
See you on the beach Mrs W :cool:

What a great idea!!! SO duffle bag travels like luggage? I'll check and see if there are restrictions. I had considered packed a carton, but didn't think they would allow. Years ago I recall seeing a notice that the airline would no longer accept boxes on their Jamaica flights. Think it was American airpines, but could have been Air Jamaica. Adding duffle bag to Walmart list. Thanks, Board rocks, but we all know that.

Lady Jane I so hesitate to make plans (you know how it rolls) but I'm thinking of a beach crawl ... have a plan in mind ... interested? I am old (lol not really, but can't drink all day anymore) and would like to do more walking and swimming on this crawl than drinking. Maybe north from Seasplash to the Boardwalk? Stopping at Seasplash, Barry's, through all inclusives to Cosmos, and then Boardwalk at end. Oooo so exciting right now --

That may be doable Mrs W. Not sure if hubby would go but it could be fun for us. I have never been to any of the above mentioned spots.

You have seen my picture? Look for me at Nirvana and we will see what happens. You can ask security for me. My name is Shawne ( pronounced Shawn)

No way my husband will do this. We could do in the morning and just drink on the way back. Will find you.

Sounds good to me. PS, by the looks of my bed, I need to add a duffle bag too! Hahahaa

Face Down = why did you say "clothes" specifically?

We will be checking one extra bag on the way to Negril,and it will be a folding duffle of some kind. Mrs Wilson,Lady Jane,my dinning room is very full of stuff too!

I love being a light packer! :) Flip flops, bathing suits, and a few outfits! Just curious what everyone takes that requires so much room?

Some food items,kitchen items and gifts for staff and friends. (in addition to clothes and shoes) oh and beach towels!

I am often concerned my wife plans on packing every toiletry imaginable, but I will admit to a few times of needing what she brought.

Another thing you might look into, although it may be a bit late at this point is the weight of your actual suitcases. Three trups back, my wife found these hard sided ultra light cases online. I do not think she has packed any less than usual, but I noticed this trip she did not get a heavy sticker (years ago, air jamaica had one with an elephant on it... Cracked me up, and ticked off my wife). The old luggage was substantially heavier than what we are using now, and have not seen a heavy sticker since getting it.

I did buy a third very large bag this year, and this time (getting older, getting smarter) knew to buy a light weight one. The one I got touted it was only 9.5 pounds. My other 2 bags are larger. I went the duffel bag route -- it's quite roomy and sturdy (and it was freely given by a friend, glad to get rid of it). I'm bringing it all.

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Originally Posted by Mrs Wilson

Face Down = why did you say "clothes" specifically?

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Guess I meant more "un-breakables". Plus clothes will pack in a duffle easily...almost like a stuff sack.

"I'm bringing it all." LOL

We check a scuba duffel bag - We bring two red closed foam mats. These make chaise lounge chairs more comfortable and are fun to take in the ocean. Also in the bag are tennis shoes and sandles, scuba masks, books, lots of sunscreen and other non essentials. Our luggage got lost 2 years ago (for 8 hours) so now we do small carry on suitcases. 15 days!

FYI - Found some microfiber beach towels at Bed, Bath, & Beyond that are much lighter & use less space than a regular towel for my last trip. 2 of them pack nicely into a daypack & are easier to carry around. Or I pack one of those microfiber towels they sell for your hair, they are much smaller, but good enough to dry off when needed like when I went to YS Falls.
I've noticed when travelling with friends that I usually have half the luggage than they do mainly because I try & find clothes of lighter material & dont' bring as much (wear something clean to dinner & it's still good to wear during the next day) & limit my toiletries to small sizes (use a combination shampoo/conditioner instead of one each). Definitely worth investing in the new, lighter luggage or rolling duffle.

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Originally Posted by Dconkle

Some food items,kitchen items and gifts for staff and friends. (in addition to clothes and shoes) oh and beach towels!

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We've been using rolling duffles for a few years now, our old luggage is getting dusty in the basement. We use "packing cubes" to keep our stuff organized and always pack one change of clothes and a swimsuit in the carry-on. I'm going to find my BB&B coupon and look for the microfiber beach towels, are they cushy enough to pad a bottle of rum in my duffle?