I was talking to a friend earlier today and mentioned that I was planning what to take on my Alaskan cruise next month. I've never been on a trip to a colder destination and although I have been watching Youtube videos on what to expect, its a totally different thing than packing for a Carribean Island Cruise.
This friend, a male friend laughed and said why plan? Throw everything in one bag , one garment bag and you're ready for a world cruise. Now for me, thats totally unrealistic. And shows the classic difference between the sexes. Minimal vs taking along the kitchen sink. Yeah I admit to overpacking quite often, although I have got better over the last few years. I often have at least 3 bags plus my laptop when roadtripping. I do try to keep it down when flying. Struggling with too much luggage at the airport or cruise ports isn't much fun.
I guess in my case there are two reasons. The first is I LOVE planning my trips, it adds to the excitement and I look forward to the adventures to come. By planning what I am going to take, I vicariously enjoy the trip twice. The second reason is I was a Girl Scout and I took it all very seriously. Be Prepared is my motto for life and vacation, so I have a tendency to pack for all instances, just in case. I guess that comes from always traveling on a budget. I suppose that if money were no object, I could be more relaxed and just buy what i forgot to pack. I have to admit there are times when that would be FUN.
So, I was wondering about all of you.. do you plan and pack? or do you do the minimal last minute thing? I'd love to hear what all of you do. Comment and let me know!
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://cruisinwithcarla.com/index.php/2018/04/17/what-to-pack-or-not/
I plan and do the last minute thing. I will plan, pack according to the plan, then add stuff at the last minute.
Packing is my least favorite part of taking a trip.
I think it looks like its a man/woman thing. So far all my comments seem to lean that way.
Probably so. My wife usually packs for us when we go on a trip. I have no idea what I am wearing until we get there :-)
Last minute for me.
Pack it all in one bag, carry on if possible. Good to go. No stress lol
Looks like my theory was right so far.. men, little or no planning and women plan on overkill.
As the 'male friend' referenced, I stand behind my statement! :)
Great post, Carla! You are finding your stride in all this, and I look forward to where this takes you.
Well as it seems all of my comments so far are from men, you made your point quite accurately. Thanks for the inspiration for todays post!
Yeah I am of the leave it to the last minute, throw everything in a bag, and forget something important school of packing :)
Thats the reason I plan what I need (most of the time) I'm always worried I will leave something I need and can't get where I am, at home.. Thanks for commenting. I appreciate it
I wait until the last day (or the day before). I don't throw everything in, I pick and choose, and I'm not even so efficient at this. It takes me 2 or 3 hours to finish packing, but my sister finishes packing quicker and more efficiently with two kids (she learned how from her husband though, lol).
Unless I am traveling last minute, it stresses me out too much to wait to the last minute. But like your sister, I could pack for myself and all 3 kids faster than my husband could pack his, and ultimately he would forget something. It finally got to where it was easier to just pack for him too! Thanks for the input!