View Full Version : How to Pack for 10 days using only carry on
Andrea J.
12-30-2014, 10:17 PM
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/05/06/business/businessspecial/20100506-pack-ss.html
unsure if this will be helpful for all, but maybe for some ;)
our last trip to aruba was for 17 days. I packed a carry on for me and one for my hubby. since his basics are one pair of sandals and one toiletry bag that part was easy. for me its 5 pairs of shoes, 3 handbags, jewelry, hair products, belts, etc. so by using the travel roll bags, all clothes and his toiletry bag go in his carry on. in my carry on is all my "accessories" stuff, lol.
now granted, we have a washer/dryer at the place we rent. so we bring enough for one full week. I usually wash at least 3 times while there and definitely our last day so I bring home clean clothes.
Now I bring two pairs of shorts, 3 skirts, 2 maxi dresses, 3 bathing suits, cover ups, 5 or 6 tank tops, one sweater, pajamas, undies, etc. All of this fits in one large and one medium travel space roll up bag. I need another large and medium for my husband. we are good to go. Then he carries one of those Divi linen bags they give you when you land and i carry a large tote bag (which is my daytime bag in aruba). It is difficult when you go somewhere for the first time to know what to bring. But this was our 5th time so I have it down to a science. Next year will be even less, lol.
Oh, by the way===HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone!!!!!!
schexc
12-31-2014, 08:12 AM
At this point in our lives we stay in two week time periods and only bring one carry on each, but like gaby, we have free use of a washer and dryer in our condo rental, which makes it easy to do so. We just bring the essentials which include sandals, bathing suits, etc..We've gotten to the point where even pur carry on bags have gotten smaller.
Jacki
12-31-2014, 09:46 AM
Jealous! Some day we will be there I hope. For now we cart quite a bit of stuff for our 2 week stay
Traceyd14
12-31-2014, 11:33 AM
For those doing carry ons, I assume you are buying your sunblock on the island. Do you find the cost is worth it to just travel with carry ons?
Yes, it is worth it. I found that the sunblock at Lings is really not that big of a difference that warrants me checking a bag for this stuff. Also, if we upgrade to first, I pack a box with all the stuff and then throw the box out once I unpack it. we did that this past trip and it worked out great. I packed in the box suntan lotion, paper products, coffee, stuff I got at the dollar store, harmon's with coupons, etc. we checked the one box since it was free, took our carry ons and threw the box out in aruba so we didn't need to go through the horrendous baggage line in Newark on the way home.
And to Schexc, you're right. I couldn't agree with you more. we started to pack less and less the more times we go, too. you realize that all that "just in case" is never used when it comes to clothing, etc. but like you said, we're lucky to have washer/dryer in our townhouse. makes a huge difference.
schexc
12-31-2014, 10:01 PM
For those doing carry ons, I assume you are buying your sunblock on the island. Do you find the cost is worth it to just travel with carry ons?
We put a little bit of sun block in our carry on to get us through the first couple of days and then we might grab them at the store. We progressively extend our time in the sun with some protection, usually an extra 15-20 minutes a day or so. Over a two week period we ramp up to 3 1/2- 4 hrs. of 100% sun a day and by the end we're out most of the day with minimal protection. Everyone is different and it works for us. We're a little extra cautious as we're fair skinned and Casper white when we arrive. This schedule works for us and enjoy our time without turning into a lobster or experiencing sun poisoning.
As far as the savings being worth it, I'd have to say absolutely. If we watched checked a bag each way it might cost an additional $100+. We might spend $15 on sunscreen. And as ad added plus, we don't have to lug the heavy stuff around and worry about lost luggage, etc..
WaltVB
01-02-2015, 09:32 AM
So if I got this right, most people travel with carry ons just to save the baggage fees? I buy our tickets using a US Air charge card, one free checked bag each, first class check in and zone 2 boarding. Of course if flying first class it's not an issue. I know a hundred bucks sounds like a lot, and I think it's a rip off, but to me it seems like a hassle trying to pack everything in a carry on for a two week trip. It's a bit of a pain lugging the bags around for the first few minutes of the airport experience, but does it get you through the lines faster when leaving Aruba? Like instead of getting to the airport 3 hours early, you could get there an hour early? We fly out of a small airport, so there is no time savings there. I just ask to see if the carry on option would be something for us to consider.
Andrea J.
01-02-2015, 09:49 AM
the carry on, does not get you thru the lines too much quicker departing from aruba.
yes there is the time saved going into the luggage room room prior to the customs officers.
yes there is time saved, when checking in.
i think that the benefits of carry on include knowing that your bag is in the cabin (overhead) with you, instead of taking the "slow boat to china"
all bets are off re: carry on (like a rollaboard bag) when you are flying a small commuter jet, as the rollaboards will not fit in the overhead or under the seat.
i think lots travel with the carryon to save the fee and to have the convenience of not having lots of "stuff"
So if I got this right, most people travel with carry ons just to save the baggage fees? I buy our tickets using a US Air charge card, one free checked bag each, first class check in and zone 2 boarding. Of course if flying first class it's not an issue. I know a hundred bucks sounds like a lot, and I think it's a rip off, but to me it seems like a hassle trying to pack everything in a carry on for a two week trip. It's a bit of a pain lugging the bags around for the first few minutes of the airport experience, but does it get you through the lines faster when leaving Aruba? Like instead of getting to the airport 3 hours early, you could get there an hour early? We fly out of a small airport, so there is no time savings there. I just ask to see if the carry on option would be something for us to consider.
I do carry on because one, the airlines are unreliable getting your luggage there but most importantly, waiting for luggage in Newark and having to leave out that door and having a ride pick you up is a pain. when we land, we tell our ride to meet us at end of united terminal bldg at international departures. there's no one there, they can wait without being told to move and we are out of the airport within 5 minutes of deplaning.
Chrisinhouston
10-16-2016, 10:49 PM
For us our problem is that our carry-on bags usually each have a laptop and I have a lot of camera gear that I won't check. So we each check a bag but our United status gets us one or two bags free. Sadly we now just accept the fact that most airlines charge something for checked bags and we just figure that into the price of the trip. If you just have essential clothing a carry on suitcase works but if you have tech gear and cameras our clothes go in the checked bags.
wannagoback
01-30-2017, 10:04 PM
I would love to just bring our carry ons but we bring our snorkel gear and need the big suitcase for the fins. depending on the location, we will bring our bags on the plane going to our destination but check them going home. Especially if we have a long layover and go into town.
Susan&Sunshine
03-21-2017, 10:32 AM
I love this topic. We have 5 people. We will have 5 carry ons. I just bought some ebags to help organize the packing. One of the reasons we chose Aruba was because it is casual (less stuff). My husband dresses up all week, he has the only shorts rule on vacation. We aren't going for 10 days though.
I am going to buy one of those personal vault type things to attach to a lounge chair. Does anyone know if the plastic ones give you any grief with TSA? There is a soft packable one that I found on Amazon also. (btw, I got this idea from reading a trip report on this forum. Thank you!)
The reason we are going with carry ons is $25 per bag, per flight with JetBlue. Its not cheap getting 5 people to Aruba. Convenience! One bag each to keep track of.
We will each have a travel size sunscreen in our bag.
Oh, does anyone know if a backpack is ok as the "personal item". My daughter is being taken out of school for this trip. Thank you!
Andrea J.
03-21-2017, 10:56 AM
i hope travel size sunscreen in enough. hopefully you will each have 3 or more!
a school backpack/daypack is a personal item as long as it fits under the seat.
no issues with the vacation vaults or the pac safes with tsa
SS....i am waiting for your kids to have you ask about internet/iphone usage ;)
I love this topic. We have 5 people. We will have 5 carry ons. I just bought some ebags to help organize the packing. One of the reasons we chose Aruba was because it is casual (less stuff). My husband dresses up all week, he has the only shorts rule on vacation. We aren't going for 10 days though.
I am going to buy one of those personal vault type things to attach to a lounge chair. Does anyone know if the plastic ones give you any grief with TSA? There is a soft packable one that I found on Amazon also. (btw, I got this idea from reading a trip report on this forum. Thank you!)
The reason we are going with carry ons is $25 per bag, per flight with JetBlue. Its not cheap getting 5 people to Aruba. Convenience! One bag each to keep track of.
We will each have a travel size sunscreen in our bag.
Oh, does anyone know if a backpack is ok as the "personal item". My daughter is being taken out of school for this trip. Thank you!
Andrea J.
03-21-2017, 11:08 AM
SS here is the pacsafe
way better than the plastic vacation vault
http://www.ebags.com/product/pacsafe/travelsafe-12l-gii/275530?productid=10308666
schexc
03-21-2017, 11:40 AM
We're now up to 21 days with just a carry on, with laptops, tablets included. It's going to even easier and we'll start storing some clothing in our condo.
Susan&Sunshine
03-21-2017, 12:26 PM
i hope travel size sunscreen in enough. hopefully you will each have 3 or more!
a school backpack/daypack is a personal item as long as it fits under the seat.
no issues with the vacation vaults or the pac safes with tsa
SS....i am waiting for your kids to have you ask about internet/iphone usage ;)
It probably won't be enough sunscreen.
That was it! I knew there was another question. Cell phones. I want to be able to text if we split up and I am sure the kids will be "snapchatting" their adventures. What do I have to know about this?
Susan&Sunshine
03-21-2017, 12:29 PM
SS here is the pacsafe
way better than the plastic vacation vault
http://www.ebags.com/product/pacsafe/travelsafe-12l-gii/275530?productid=10308666
That is a bit more than the others I was looking at. Worth the price? Its seems pretty big. Phones and money. No laptops or ipads going with us.
Edited to Add: I see a smaller version. Its in my shopping cart. Thank you!
24 days in aruba and just a carry on but we do have a washer/dryer and after many trips, you know what you wear and what you don't. and i bring alot of basic tops that go with everything. seriously, no one is paying as much attention to what you wear as you do. you could wear the same thing every 5 days and no one would know (even my husband doesn't know, lol)...