In need of some packing advice...

[Clarity]

With our anniversary trip to Negril approaching in less than 20 days, I realized it was time to pull our suitcases out of the closet and start strategizing...

Right now we have TWO carry-on sized suitcases (one for me & one for Markus), a huge oversized purse (1 personal item for me), a laptop bag (1 personal item for Markus). We lined them up in the living room and gazed down at them. It doesn't look like we have much to work with....

2 carry-on suitcases for 2 people for 12 days in Negril?

Markus just shook his head.

This set up always worked perfectly for our six night trips. Is it possible to make this realistically work for a 12 day trip??

We prefer traveling with carry-on bags, You don't have to pay the $30 per luggage check in fee, You don't have to re-check in all your belongings in customs, you can bypass the baggage claim and head straight to Negril. We deliberately chose seats in the back of the plane so we would have first dibs for overhead compartment space. we're going to moving around a lot to different hotels, so it's easier to go from place to place with less baggage to drag around... We like keeping things simple.

Last two times we checked in luggage, they were lost. Both times! The airport did locate and deliver them to us within 2 days, but it was just incredibly stressful.

Our longest vacation EVER was six nights, so this upcoming trip is equivalent to TWO vacations in one for us. I honestly can't even fanthom what this is going to be like. I try to imagine it and I'm just completely overwhelmed with joy... but I'm also a little anxious at the same time. I feel like I'm stepping out of my league here.

I asked two different co-workers and received 2 completely different responses:

Coworker 1# (Total hippy - Goes to burning man every year, lives in Haight Ashbury, walks around the office in birkenstocks) - "Of COURSE you can go 12 days with two carry-ons! Just shove that snorkel gear into that big handbag, along with all of your 3 ounce toiletries. Laptop in the laptop bag with your camera equipment and chargers. Shove all the clothes in your carry-on luggage. six sundresses, six tops, six shorts, 12 panties, 3 bathingsuits..just roll them up. SO easy! whatever else you need, you can buy there. DONE! I don't see the problem here..."

Coworker 2# (Glam girl from Pacific heights. high heeled boots and Prada bag) "No freaking way, girl! Are you on drugs? There is NO way! One carry-on bag is only enough to hold my shoes. Are you going to wear the same shoes every day? I don't think so. Pack 2 BIG suitcases in addition to 2 carry-ons, 2 personal items.. AT LEAST. Pay the extra money. You don't want to have to worry about anything on your vacation. Trust me on this."

I'm torn.

I figured this is the best place in the world to get packing advice. Has anyone pulled off bringing just a carry-on and personal item for a 12 day trip? Would you attempt this or just succumb to the inevitability of checking in your suitcases? I just need an honest opinion on whether or not this is logistically sane before I even start trying. lol

How do YOU pack for a trip of this length and was there anything you forgot to pack that in retrospect you wish you HAD packed?

Thank you in advance for any packing advice you can offer.

Daisy

[LittleBird]

Yup... I just wash stuff & let it air dry so I don't have to take so many clothes. Also you can use Space Bags to squeez them down ... did that once also...

[Clarity]

Little bird - thanks for the heads up on "Space Bags". I just checked out the website for it, I think that might be a good solution to our space problems. We can always pack a knapsack to carry the stuff around after it's unsealed from the bag. That's a good way of getting around checking in our luggage.

[yamon]

Clarity, last year we stayed 18 days total with the same bags that you have and we were fine.snorkel gear was included in this
had some stuff never even used. .
in swim suits 90 % of the time anyways.

[Clarity]

Yamon - thanks! You're giving me hope that I can pull this off!
You're right about the bathingsuits. It seemed like we always have a pair on and a pair that is freshly washed hanging out to dry.
This way we have another clean set to put on in the evenings for a late night swim.

[SweetSue]

Clarity, last year we stayed 18 days total with the same bags that you have and we were fine.snorkel gear was included in this
had some stuff never even used. .
in swim suits 90 % of the time anyways.

Clarity - I second the above...Unless you are determined to NEVER wear the same thing twice, you can do it. Especially if you can hand wash the basics and bring stuff that dries nice & easy. More often than not, I used to go home with a suitcase full of clothes I never used! Seems like however much I bring, there are always a few favorites that I would wash out & re-wear. Besides it is a nice excuse to pick up a new sarong or beach dress...

As for extra toiletries, you can always hit Hi-Lo or Value Master. Whatever you don't use & leave behind will be appreciated by someone.

Above all.... don't stress over it! ENJOY!

[Joe Trinidad]

5 sets of bathing suits
Eye Patch for the left eye
Some towels
Snorkle gear
One set of nice clothes for that wonderful evening
Stay up lace stockings (for use with hubbyman)
Victoria Secret Complimentary gear (that's for you Patty, getting it in there before you do.. hahaha.. For use with Hubby Man on that special evening)

Friends with Candles, lots of candles, and some Chinese Lantens to launch after midnight.. The bio degradable type.

[Jbizek]

I could never pack for 12 days in two carry ons. Are you planning on buying souvenirs? When I pack I always keep in mind I need to leave room because I always come back with more than when I left. Last trip we left all of our toiletries behind to free up room. Im sure plenty of folks could make it work with two carry ons but I also keep in mind that overhead bins are not meant for over stuffed bags,and it would suck to get to the airport, find out its to big and you have to check it anyway. Because than you could have brought yourself a real suitcase.
NPR has done a couple of stories on checking bags and overhead bins I found interesting, food for thought. Here's the links if anyone is interested http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=147992704 and http://www.npr.org/2012/03/22/149011...re-in-overhead.

[TizzyATX]

I couldn't do it no way. But that's just me....

Do believe I'll be taking my chances with checked luggage. And YES I will come back and say "Well I didn't need even close to all that stuff...." But Id rather have too much than not enough.

[Jbizek]

I couldn't do it no way. But that's just me....

Do believe I'll be taking my chances with checked luggage. And YES I will come back and say "Well I didn't need even close to all that stuff...." But Id rather have too much than not enough.

Totally, it sucks to be charged for bags but it's just the way it is.