SUITCASES
First up, the 19″ suitcases we bought to meet Ryanair’s limited baggage limits. We bought two of the TravelPro Maxlite 5 softside expandable 19″ suitcases and in they fit the overhead bins without any issues. They were quite light when empty and managed to hold all we needed.
BUT, if anything was put into the outside pockets OR too little weight was on the bottom, the tipped over. We quickly learned to stand them with the front facing something to keep them upright. When we got back, we donated them to charity. Click image to see the product page…
Our checked bags were from our old Delsey collection of expandable hard-side suitcases. I took my 21″ and Stu took his 25″. Both worked well – until they didn’t. Mine was fine. Stu’s wheels decided to not spin easily, making it harder to navigate. Then his expandable zipper stuck half open. So it got donated to charity as well. Since we arrived back in the states just in time for Black Friday sales, we ordered a couple of newer Delsey suitcases. We’re ready for our three cruises in January!
BACKPACKS
Our original intent for these Travelon folding backpacks was to hold medications, paperwork, electronics, passports, & underwear while flying, with double duty while sightseeing. We did end up using them for our five day guided tour of the highlands along with our 19″ suitcases. Click image to see the product page…
While an excellent purchase, we were concerned about the wear and tear on them (thin material) when shoving them under the seats. We lucked out when someone recommended these backpacks, ECOHUB 16” Travel Backpack, that fit the Ryanair requirements. They were structured and wow, they held a LOT. We are selling the two Travelon backpacks and keeping these for future use. Click image to see the product page…
PACKING CUBES
Not much to say here – we used them all the time. Various sizes. I even initially added labels but that never stayed the same due to repacking multiple times. Initially we packed for the first cruise combined with three overnights beforehand. When we arrived in Barcelona, we repacked to fly with Ryanair’s baggage limits. That meant putting everything important in the 19″ TravelPro Maxlite suitcase and the ECHOHUB backpack with the rest going into the checked suitcase.
Once in Rome, we were heading to another cruise. We repacked again, this time for the cruise and sightseeing in slightly warmer temps. The hotel stored two suitcases for us! Then back to the same hotel after the cruise and the next repacking was for Scotland. Since we were flying Ryanair again, all the cold weather clothes had to go into the 19″ and the rest in the checked bag. Such fun!
Once in Edinburgh, we had our five day guided tour of the Highlands. They had asked us to limit our luggage so we took our Travelon backpacks for day use and our 19″ for clothes. Once again, a nice hotel stored our other suitcases for us.
Final repacking, flying to Barcelona from Edinburgh (Ryanair again) for our cruise home. I think you can see why the packing cube labeling was a fail. I might try it again for our vacation in Janauary.
STRAP FOR SUITCASE HANDLE
I so wanted this to work. We often carry a tote bag with two 12 pack of Diet Coke on our cruises. The tote tends to slip side to side, making it awkward. This was the third or fourth attempt to find a solution. We were hoping this strap would help that issue since it has a sleeve to fit over the suitcase handle. Click image to see the product page…
Well, disaster happened. We used it on the TravelPro Maxlite (remember the tipping issue we mentioned above), and it tipped. No biggie, we thought. Until several hours later when we went to unpack and discovered several cans had burst. The soda was all over the outside of the suitcase (my light pink one, of course) and had soaked inside. Lots of washing was done… That said, it would have been much better to put on one of the larger suitcases but we had checked those with the cruise line. Sigh…
The last two items were a wet/dry bag and a luggage scale. The wet/dry bag wasn’t needed but since it took up almost no room, I will continue to carry it. Click image to see the product page…
The luggage scale was used before each of our Ryanair flights. Easy to use! Click image to see the product page…
- Europe Postmortem – Packing
- Europe Postmortem – Electronics
- Europe Postmortem – Comfort & Safety
- Europe Postmortem – Personal Items
- Europe Postmortem – Clothing
2 thoughts on “Europe Postmortem – Packing”
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Thank God for handheld luggage scales. Won’t leave home without it!
Fortunately, we only need it when flying. But it sure came in handy during our vacation in Europe and took up very little space.