We’ve picked up a few hard and fast rules throughout our travels, but one has come to supersede all others — Keep calm and CARRY-ON ONLY.
Yes, we know. You have a lot of stuff. You want room to bring back souvenirs. But we firmly believe the benefits of the carry-on far outweigh (or in this case, literally under-weigh) the impulse to pack more. Here’s why we think you should consider going carryon only on your next trip.
Everyone wants clean underwear
Hopefully you’ve never experienced losing your luggage, and admittedly, most of the time it arrives just fine. But that one time it doesn’t will be enough to convince you. We had friends whose luggage was lost on their honeymoon to Rome. They ended up washing out the clothes they had worn on the flight in their hotel room for a few days until it became apparent that their luggage was not going to make it in time, and then had to use valuable touring time buying a new wardrobe. All this could have been avoided by carrying on. Even if you feel like you absolutely MUST check some baggage, we recommend having an outfit or two for each person in your carry-on, just in case. You’ll be thankful when you have clean underwear even when your luggage doesn’t arrive!
Peace of mind
Items such as jewelry or other valuables should absolutely be stashed in your carry-on. This also goes for any medications or medical devices (such as a CPAP) that you will need while traveling. Knowing that your items are in your possession at all times is truly priceless. Plus, no matter how many “fragile” stickers you slap on your checked bag, it is likely to still end up on the bottom of the pile, tossed into the hold, or dumped on the conveyor belt at the baggage claim. The best way to assure that nothing is lost or damaged is to carry it yourself!
Save time and money
It’s amazing to be able to stroll off the airplane and head right to your ground transportation, bypassing all the folks waiting around at the baggage claim. You get to actually enjoy your vacation that much sooner! You also won’t have to deal with excess baggage taking up space in your rental car. taxi or hotel room. We’ve seen plenty of folks trying to balance a suitcase on their lap as they leave the airport. Plus with baggage fees going through the roof, you could easily enjoy an amazing dinner or excursion for the price of a checked bag.
You really don’t need as much as you think you do
We all do it. We go to pack our bag, and start to be plagued by the “what ifs”. Before you know it, you’ve gone from taking clothes similar to the ones you wear every day to wondering how many ball gowns you’ll need at your resort (spoiler: it’s none). But we all face those moments when we want to be prepared for anything, and end up packing something we’ll never use. But truthfully, you won’t need it. The hotel toiletries will be lovely. A foldable poncho is great rain protection. And even our beloved Mickey ears don’t need to take up that much space. Focus on what you really need, and you should have plenty of room! To make it easier, you can use a capsule wardrobe that allows you to mix-and-match, and use packing cubes and roll your clothes to save space. If you are going for a longer trip, consider using the hotel or cruise ship’s laundry service (usually available for a small fee), or bring a small amount of detergent along and wash things out in your room. It’s well worth repeating an outfit to avoid all the hassle!
Want even more packing tips? We’d be happy to help. Let us know while you are booking (or any time before you leave), and we can provide you with some additional resources for your specific destination! Give carry-on only a try on your next trip, and we think you’ll find yourself an enthusiastic convert!
