We did our test packing today for our Rome to Athens cruise. We haven't flown to Europe since 2000 [edit: last time was 2003). Our flight is from Boston to Rome. Are the rules for carry-on luggage the same as for domestic U.S. flights? Our return is departing Athens, connecting in Rome, then on to Boston. What are the carry-on rules for the ATH to FCO segment? I checked the Alitalia website, but couldn't find definitive answers. If we can carry-on two 22" bags and two small backpacks, we won't have to check anything. Are there weight restrictions? (Since we have no scuba gear, no golf gear, and no ski gear on this trip; it's awesome to think we can go with only carry-ons!!)

Thanks for the help!

Kim

Kim, are you serious? This from a girl who checks 2 70#ers and large carry on w/tote for a cruise! :eek: Guess I need to enroll in 'smart packing for a cruise' Karen and I need our shoes!

Kim, I am impressed! I am more like Suzie, except for me it is clothes, not shoes.
Lynn

Oh yeah! We're serious! But, keep in mind that we are "sporty girls"! Also, as someone who travels for work Mon-Thurs, I have packing down to a science.

Here's the plan:
1 basic black dress + 2 sparkly tops = 2 Formal nights
1 black pant + 2 silk + 1 velvet top = 3 Informal nights
1 khaki pant + 2 Paul Gauguin-type tops = 2 Casual nights
2 pairs shorts
6 golf shirts
6 sets under garmets
1 pair jeans
Do laundry half-way through a 12-day trip and you're all set!

Ah... shoes... there's the rub. Same pair of Anne Klein black flats for every night. Keen sandals for day-time. I have consulted with Karen on shoes a few times, as I have no style conscious in that department. Shoes are definitely one thing that contributes to overpacking. Our first cruise!?! We had 1 suitcase full of shoes. That was the one US Airways failed to deliver to us when we arrived in Barbados. We had to go back to the airport the next day, just before before boarding the Royal Clipper, to get our bag o' shoes!

Basically, that's our plan. I'll let you know how we do!

Hi Kim - atta girl! Your packing strategy is identical to mine. What would we do without those Anne Klein black flats? I pack those, a pair of pool deck friendly sandals and wear my tennis shoes. I have done up to 14 days with a very similar packing list and been fine on the cruise.

European carry on baggage rules - the answer is 'it depends'. Generally speaking, European air carriers define a carryon with smaller dimensions (think a 17" rollon) and weight limits (like 11 to 17 pounds). If you are flying business, you've got a reasonable shot at bringing both carry ons with you. The 22" suitcases have to be packed tightly and hopefully are designed so the wheels don't add much, if anything, to the length of the bag. Your success with the 22" bags will, to some extent, depend on the connecting aircraft's overhead bin configuration. I've switched to a 21" bag to make sure I can fit it on the overheads in most planes. Gary still uses his 22" and applies elbow grease when there's a tight fit. :D If you are flying economy, don't volunteer but be prepared to check the 22" bags.

Europeans traditionally don't bring the larger carry on bags, so you might get a dirty look or two from crew or passengers. That may well be changing, now that checked baggage charges apply. Ngaire found a great taxi driver in Athens after our CAMEL cruise if you need to arrange for a transfer from the ship to the airport. She posted that information around May 5 or so (not sure where it's posted on the board).

The last time we flew Alitalia was March, 2007. Our overall experience with Alitalia could be summed up by 'no definitive answers.' That said, there's nothing like the Italian joie de vivre on a flight. Be prepared for delays and unexpected events and you'll have a fine experience. We also had connecting flights - in our case, both ways. We had two hour delays leaving Newark (crew was at least an hour late arriving at the gate). The gathered passengers gave 'em a standing ovation and they were thrilled - sarcasm was entirely lost on 'em. All in all, we left two hours late and lost our takeoff slot. We had just enough time to connect in Rome. Despite numerous signs in Rome you can't take much carry on luggage, Gary slammed the cases on the security belt and there was no problem. On the way back, we left promptly and got our connecting boarding passes at our point of departure. We were settling in for a boring 6 hour layover in Milano. I spied a Continental jet landing. The departure screen the return Continental flight left four hours earlier than what our boarding passes said was our scheduled Alitalia departure. I asked the Alitalia lounge gatekeeper if she would wait list us on the Continental departure. Good thing - she pointed our Alitalia had moved up the time of our connecting flight by FOUR HOURS and we had only 5 minutes to make our flight. Yikes! We raced down to the gate, just made the boarding cutoff, got on the buses to board the plane and sat there for another two and a half hour delay. All in all, we made the flight and got home three hours early, so that was fine by us. Upon arriving in Newark, the immigration officer looked at our customs form and said "What are you doing here? This flight isn't supposed to land for another three hours". We said "You know, that's what we thought, too!" He waved us through. It has made for another great travel tale.

We last connected in Europe in April via Zurich. The drill was: disembark, head to security re-check point, wait in lounge area, reboard connecting flight. You must have your liquids in the zip lock bags (same as US restrictions). Enforcement is spotty, so have the ziplog bag ready if they want it run through the xray.

The rumors of Alitalia's imminent demise continue to swirl (they were alive and well when we flew in March 2007). They have been trying to find a rescue plan/buyer for years. Are you booked on Regent air or do-it-yourself air? If so and you have trouble, Regent should get you rebooked and accommodated. If not, do a little legwork ahead of time and bring with you the schedule for other airlines who can get you home. Given the serious damage done to airline finances from fuel price spikes, I do that legwork for all my flights these days. My best guess is Italy will go to great lengths to keep those Alitalia flights going (especially the trans-atlantic ones) but you don't want to find yourself waiting on interminable lines to get rebooked and not know what all the choice are ahead of time to discuss with the agent rebooking you.

Thank goodness you are not connecting through the UK. As of now, they have the most strict carry on rules. With any luck, they will get them relaxed fairly soon.

Have a wonderful trip. Can't wait to read your seamail. If you have other questions, please feel free to ask.

Cheers, Anne

I too am in awe of packing so light for a 12 night cruise ! I don't bring as many shoes as Karen (she's our Queen!) but I also can't imagine wearing the same pair of flat black shoes every night whether it's casual, informal or formal. What about the pink, or silver ...the other colored shoes, nothing with a low heel etc?

God Love those who can do that....I definitely need lessons BUT I am getting better!!

Anne, what a story you had....fiasco may be a better word.

I get easily bored with the same color....I actually know how to pack light, but on a cruise, I want to have a variety of colors and style for dinner. As for shoes, it is simple....clear lucite with gold and silver trim for most dinners, 2 pairs of walking shoes, one light colored (tan or white) and one black.
Lynn
PS Anne, I love your story. I would bet if all of us had a editor, we could make a heck of a best selling book of our travel experiences, good, bad, funny and sad.

Kim, kudos to your packing prowess :nw: :nw: . I join the crowd of "I'm trying to be a better packer." Like Marcie and Lynn, I need my wardrobe choices although I've become pretty good at mixing and matching. Shoes aren't too much of an issue for me. It's all the lotions and potions that can't go in a carry-on bag. Got to keep that curly hair straight, you know.

Kim - I bow to the master!

our Internet has been down all day,so this from my iPHone . Thanks, Anne! Great info! We are on 7-day cruise on silversea, did our own air. Doing a few nights in Rome pre and athens a post. Makes it a12-day trip. Also, I remembered we did Baltic cruise in2003, but I overpacked, so checked a big bag! More when Internet is fixed

...whew! internet is back, but spending most of the day without it was tough!

Well, I'm not saying I'll have the most impressive looking wardrobe or look like I stepped out of a salon! I keep things very simple, obviously! The only liquids we find are difficult to get in the 1 quart baggie are sunscreen and body lotion because we need more than the 3.4 oz. But, usually if we need that much sunscreen we are going on a dive trip, so have to check the gear and we just stick the larger bottles in with the gear. But, I know what you mean, Donna. If we did more that just basic grooming, it would be a problem. Oh, our last PG cruise... I thought I packed the lotion in with the dive gear but didn't. So, we ended up spending $54 to get some from the spa. grrrr

Yes, Anne, I did see the taxi driver in Athens info from Ngaire when she posted it and saved the info. Thanks! We bought a transfer on Expedia from FCO to the Cavalieri Hilton. I think we'll take the train from Rome to Civitavecchia. Even if we have to check the two 22" rollaboards, not having big bags will make a big difference when traveling by train, especially if we have just 2 minutes to get off at the Civitavecchia stop. We'll use Ngaire's taxi guy from the ship in Athens to the King George Palace hotel then to the airport a couple of days later.

Well like many others I am definitely impressed!!! No way could I travel that light, I too like a variety, and am getting better at mixing and matching, but I'm not even close to you Kim. <img src="http://smileys.sm...3Fi%253D4%252F4_19_3/image.gif">

At least the flight in question is the return. Just make sure to pack less valuable / breakable stuff in the rollaboards in case they take it from you at the gate.

Packing gets really complicated when we connect on the way to a cruise/trip. Checked bag / rollaboard / one change of clothes in the tote bag. Europeans tend to be a bit stricter in carryon rules - but we did see many with rollaboards and a smaller bag on Paris to Marseille in July.

Asian airlines (including Australian / New Zealand are even stricter), Mark's rollaboard was taken from him in Sydney on the way to Auckland in January flying Air Newzealand in Business. Mine (actually heavier) wasn't noticed. On the way back both of ours were checked while my mother's 20" was let through.

Hi we recently returned from 2 weeks in Scandinavia and did it with two 22 inch carryons. We flew Continental (but it was a codeshare too) out of New York to Stockholm, but they didn't bat an eye when we went through security or carried them on the plane. John had a small pack and I had a bag/purse combo also. Coming back from Europe there was no problems either. We did check in on the computer and get our boarding passes the day before, so we just went through security on both sides.
Love packing this way because it makes traveling so much easier.
We also did the one carryon on the Mariner Auckland to LA 19 day cruise last December. No problem on New Zealand air either. I just wouldn't take a lot of side bags with it.
Good luck and enjoy your trip.

Thanks everyone! We're still sticking with our plan, but definitely cross-packing just in case we have to check the bags.

Some of you are pretty funny that you're so impressed! :) Actually, I don't care much about variety or fashion, for that matter! Thanks to Chico's I can manage to have an acceptable wardrobe for cruises. On land, I'm very basic, and, if fact, for business travel, I wear the same things week after week. It just changes when the seasons change! Four outfits for Mon-Thur get washed on Friday and repacked for the trip out Monday morning! And, of course, each of the 4 outfits have to go with 1 pair of shoes. Running shoes are the only shoes in the suitcase. I'm sure this is horrifying some of you!! lol!

Kim: No not horrifying wish I could cut back too - I wear 60% of what I bring but it feeds my comfort packing level....just need to work on being realistic about excess packing - you have it down and I think that is great!!!!~!

What Kim is not telling you on dive trips she packs four different wet suits (blue, red, orange, black) and three different kinds of fins.

r/wes

Formal, informal, and CCC?

You are awesome, Kim. I always do carry on only for land trips (even my recent 14 days in China!), but I've never been able to pull this off for a cruise! You've given me a great goal!

On our recent China trip there were lots of worries about carry on weight restrictions even more than dimensions. Just a cautionary note. Good luck!

Wes, you crack me up! Good one, Susie!!! LOL

Thanks, Bonnie. I'm thinking that if we are forced to check them, it will be due to the weight restrictions. We're just going to try to relax about that since our outbound is BOS-FCO non-stop. That's why we chose Alitalia, they have the only non-stop from Boston. If the bags get lost on the way back, not going to sweat it too much. We do have a 3rd 22" roller I can use the next morning to DCA. Now that I think about it, I should pack that before we leave!

3.5 hour delay getting back from BWI last night. We sat on the tarmac waiting out weather delays. Then when we were ready to go, there was a computer problem. So we had to go back and get that fixed.

OK, all you shoe people... We actually have been able to add a 3rd pair of shoes! woo hoo!!! We're taking our Crocs!! oh yeaaaaahhhh! LOL

We've cross-packed our two 22" rollers. We have two small backpacks with camera equipment (video and still), documents, books, liquid baggies, and running shoes, and misc. other items like adapters for eletrical outlets, a deck of cards, gum, chargers, rain ponchos, sunglasses, jewelry, corkscrew (can't go anywhere without a corkscrew), baseball cap, Susan's card (Susan always goes with us), etc etc etc. If we are forced to check our 22" bags, we are prepared to remove the "space bags" and put them in our backpacks. Running shoes currently in the backpacks will go into the 22" bags and get checked. If our 22" rollers are lost, the contents of the "space bags", which we'll have in our backpacks, are: a swimsuit, 1 set "underwear", 1 set "excursion" wear, and 1 set "informal" night wear. If one of the 22"-ers is lost, at least we've cross-packed them.

The big packing experiment is almost underway. We'll let you know how we manage getting through at Logan tomorrow!

Kim, hope Alice and you have a great trip...bon voyage! r/wes

we made it through the Alitalia ticket agent and security with our carry on bags! Yipee! Just waiting in the NWA Club for our flight to board. My skyteam elite plus status might have helped with our carry on bags. Who knows. Well, let the vacation begin!

Great way to start the trip, Kim! :app: Have a wonderful time!

Have a great trip! Can't wait for sea mail!