We’re going on our first cruise and trying to figure out how much luggage we’ll need for the trip. Here’s what we’re working with:
Family: 2 adults, 2 kids (ages 8 and 10)
Trip Length: 16 days total (10-day cruise, 1 day before the cruise, 3 extra days in Paris, and 2 full travel days)
Location and Time: Mediterranean cruise in late October to early November 2025, followed by a few days in Paris.
How many suitcases do you think we’ll need for all of us? Any tips? Thanks in advance!
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u/mrjsmith82
We’re going on our first cruise and trying to figure out how much luggage we’ll need for the trip. Here’s what we’re working with:
Family: 2 adults, 2 kids (ages 8 and 10)
Trip Length: 16 days total (10-day cruise, 1 day before the cruise, 3 extra days in Paris, and 2 full travel days)
Location and Time: Mediterranean cruise in late October to early November 2025, followed by a few days in Paris.
How many suitcases do you think we’ll need for all of us? Any tips? Thanks in advance!
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It really depends on one thing… does the ship offer self-service laundry? If not, are you okay paying for laundry to be done on board? That can make a big difference.
Lyle said:
It really depends on one thing… does the ship offer self-service laundry? If not, are you okay paying for laundry to be done on board? That can make a big difference.
Exactly. Some cruise lines charge a lot for laundry. We usually take a 25-inch suitcase and a carry-on each for trips that are 10 days or longer.
@Zephyr
Once you know the laundry situation, you’ll be able to decide how much to pack.
Since your trip is in late fall, you’ll probably need warmer clothes like sweaters and jackets, especially for Paris. I’d recommend packing for about 7 days and then doing laundry on the ship. Bring clothes you can mix and match, plus extra socks and underwear.
My wife and I usually bring three bags total, or four if we’re packing our snorkeling gear. We also carry a small personal item each. We’ve seen people bring twice as much as us and others bring just a single carry-on per person. It really depends on how much you want to pack and if you’re okay with doing laundry on the ship or in a port.
No matter how long the trip is, we always stick to carry-ons only. We’ve gotten pretty good at packing light over the years, and it’s all we ever need. For our current cruise with my daughter, husband, and their 8-year-old, they packed two small carry-ons and a backpack.
It’s hard to say since everyone packs differently.
My wife and I never take more than one roller bag each, no matter how long the trip is. We’ve done month-long trips like that. We pack lightweight, quick-dry clothes that we can wash in the sink if needed. It’s easier to travel light, and you avoid the hassle of lost luggage. If you need extras, you can always buy something on the ship or at a port. No one will care if you repeat outfits, and you’ll never see anyone in the ports again anyway.