Showerthought: I used to drag a 30 pound duffel on cruises, now I pack in a 20 inch carry on and I'm never going back
I did 4 cruises out of Miami between 2016 and 2019 and each time I hauled this giant duffel with 3 pairs of shoes, a steamer, and a full toiletry kit. Waiting at the terminal in Fort Lauderdale one time, I watched a porter actually wince when he lifted my bag onto the cart. Last month I did a 7 day to Cozumel with just a 20 inch carry on and a backpack. I laid everything out on my bed 5 days early and dropped a pair of heels, a second sweater, and that steamer that never worked anyway. The big surprise was the toiletry bag. Cruise lines give you shampoo and soap, so I left my full kit at home and took travel sizes. Now I walk off the ship with one bag and skip the whole luggage line at customs. Anyone else shrink their cruise packing over the years, or am I the only one who finally got tired of hauling too much stuff?
Laughed at the porter wincing, because that was probably me every single trip with a bag I couldn't even lift myself. Took me way too long to realize nobody on the ship cares if I wear the same shoes twice.