Glad you enjoyed the blog. You ask an excellent question. There are a couple of methods people used.
Many people mailed boxes home from Guam. Being a US territory it had US post offices with reasonable rates. Some people mailed things home at other ports.
Many people left alot on the ship or threw things out. I threw away 3 shirts that the laundry ruined, some socks that had become worn and left my industrial size hand sanitizer along with my laundry hamper on the ship. Both these I had planned to not bring back home. I also had brought too much sun block and sold some at the white elephant sale.
I suggest buying lightweight luggage. Several years ago I replaced my big bags which weighed 18 lbs empty for ones that weigh < 10 lbs. They aren't that expensive (< $100). Many on-line baggage stores have the weights so you can compare. Also TJMaxx and Ross have lightweight luggage. You can really tell the difference just by picking the individual bags up. When the luggage limit is 50 lbs that extra 8 lbs of stuff vs. bag makes a difference.
I packed my bag with my gluten free food and consumable (like shampoo, vitamins etc) that I would use up during the trip. This was at least 3/4 of a suitcase.
Even with all that I still was right at 50 lbs per bag on the way out. And on the way back both bags were over 60 lbs but under 70. I was in first class so my luggage limit was 70 lbs so I was OK.
I think some just factored in the extra bag cost as part of the cruise. I know some people paid the (really high) cost of having Princess ship their excess bags home.
To see what your airline allows you can check the web site.
Other tips for packing - don't bring more than one or two t-shirts. You will want to buy some for souvenirs. I only brought one piece of jewelry and picked up the rest as souvenirs. I only brought one basic black sweater and then picked up a gorgeous alpaca wool one in Ecuador which I planned to wear in the colder weather in Beijing. It is so gorgeous that I wish I had bought more.
I wish I had brought two more pairs of buzz-off convertible lightweight pants as I could have used more shorts in hot weather and more long pants in cold weather. I could have been smarter and packed only super lightweight formals. Two of my three dresses took up too much room and weight.
Thankyou for such a great blog. Enjoyed your posts every day and will miss them. I am flying into Incheon airport for an overnight stay next Monday -before a trip to the UK. Do you know of any good tours available for a few hours? I will be staying at an airport hotel.
Thank you so much - I have already been doing some of what you suggested - I thought there was a horror getting stuff home - just don't buy big bulky stuff !!
I am now checking into taking the 2010 cruise. Thanks, again,Wowzo on Cruise Critic, MaryAnn
I didn't use this tour guide but another world cruiser did and had only good things to say. May want to send them an e-mail with your time restrictions and see what they suggest.
I hope you get to go! It is an amazing experience to see all the different places and experience the different cultures.
The souvenirs are incredible too. You may just want to redecorate your house with them. The wall hangings, musical instruments, display items etc. are amazing. Hand crafted, unique and beautiful items are hard to pass up! I got away with just 4 display items and I intended to buy none. I also got a few new outfits. I still really love my Indian outfit. If you have room in your house I would say allocate some $s to extra baggage and enjoy yourself if you like to shop. It is alot of fun!
7 comments:
Thank you for all you efforts with doing such an interesting blog. Glad you are home safe & sound.
How did you get all the luggage, souvenirs, patters home. Were there extra fees from the airlines or shipping charges, etc.
I want to go on the 2010 RTW but would like to know in advance how to get everything home, Thanks, MaryAnn
Hi MaryAnn,
Glad you enjoyed the blog. You ask an excellent question. There are a couple of methods people used.
Many people mailed boxes home from Guam. Being a US territory it had US post offices with reasonable rates. Some people mailed things home at other ports.
Many people left alot on the ship or threw things out. I threw away 3 shirts that the laundry ruined, some socks that had become worn and left my industrial size hand sanitizer along with my laundry hamper on the ship. Both these I had planned to not bring back home. I also had brought too much sun block and sold some at the white elephant sale.
I suggest buying lightweight luggage. Several years ago I replaced my big bags which weighed 18 lbs empty for ones that weigh < 10 lbs. They aren't that expensive (< $100). Many on-line baggage stores have the weights so you can compare. Also TJMaxx and Ross have lightweight luggage. You can really tell the difference just by picking the individual bags up. When the luggage limit is 50 lbs that extra 8 lbs of stuff vs. bag makes a difference.
I packed my bag with my gluten free food and consumable (like shampoo, vitamins etc) that I would use up during the trip. This was at least 3/4 of a suitcase.
Even with all that I still was right at 50 lbs per bag on the way out. And on the way back both bags were over 60 lbs but under 70. I was in first class so my luggage limit was 70 lbs so I was OK.
I think some just factored in the extra bag cost as part of the cruise. I know some people paid the (really high) cost of having Princess ship their excess bags home.
To see what your airline allows you can check the web site.
Other tips for packing - don't bring more than one or two t-shirts. You will want to buy some for souvenirs. I only brought one piece of jewelry and picked up the rest as souvenirs. I only brought one basic black sweater and then picked up a gorgeous alpaca wool one in Ecuador which I planned to wear in the colder weather in Beijing. It is so gorgeous that I wish I had bought more.
I wish I had brought two more pairs of buzz-off convertible lightweight pants as I could have used more shorts in hot weather and more long pants in cold weather. I could have been smarter and packed only super lightweight formals. Two of my three dresses took up too much room and weight.
Hope this is helpful.
Thankyou for such a great blog. Enjoyed your posts every day and will miss them.
I am flying into Incheon airport for an overnight stay next Monday -before a trip to the UK. Do you know of any good tours available for a few hours? I will be staying at an airport hotel.
Thanks again
Alan
Do you know of any good tours to do around Incheon South Korea.
Thanks for a great blog.
Al
Thank you so much - I have already been doing some of what you suggested - I thought there was a horror getting stuff home - just don't buy big bulky stuff !!
I am now checking into taking the 2010 cruise.
Thanks, again,Wowzo on Cruise Critic, MaryAnn
Alan,
I didn't use this tour guide but another world cruiser did and had only good things to say. May want to send them an e-mail with your time restrictions and see what they suggest.
Mr. Kim (Sung-Yoon Kim)
sungykim@CHOL.com.
Have fun!
Michelle
Hi MaryAnn,
I hope you get to go! It is an amazing experience to see all the different places and experience the different cultures.
The souvenirs are incredible too. You may just want to redecorate your house with them. The wall hangings, musical instruments, display items etc. are amazing. Hand crafted, unique and beautiful items are hard to pass up! I got away with just 4 display items and I intended to buy none. I also got a few new outfits. I still really love my Indian outfit. If you have room in your house I would say allocate some $s to extra baggage and enjoy yourself if you like to shop. It is alot of fun!
Michelle
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