Carry on vs checking bags - Packing question

[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!

[Todd]

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.

[ukran1ans]

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.

[jesswade]

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

[rjonsun]

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

[Captain Oil]

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

[Ever72]

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!

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?

[LivinInThe603]

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!

[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!!!)

[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?