My wife and I are planning a 14 day cruise next spring ending in Southampton, UK. We then plan a week or so of touring the UK and Ireland useing only back packs for the convience. We would like to send our large suit case back to the US via UPS or Fedex. We plan on traveling first to London and send from there. Has anyone done this ?
Posted by
Sammamish, WA
403 posts
Shipping is also very expensive. You could look into a luggage shipping company, which would be cheaper than UPS or FedEX, but will still run into the hundreds of dollars. Leaving it with your hotel is an excellent option. Many hotels, especially larger ones, offer this service free of charge. I imagine many London hotels would be familiar with holding luggage. I've done it several times and never had a problem.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23341 posts
Go to any of the shipping company web sites and you can get the rate for shipping the luggage. It will be expensive.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3128 posts
Check DHL. We used to ship stuff for business and they were the best.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If you're returning to London to fly home, then having the hotel you'll be staying keep it for you certainly is your best option, even if you have to pay a bit to do it. Just for the record, longer term storage is a lot cheaper if you rent a storage unit rather than using the left luggage service in a train station or airport. Check out Big Yellow. Of course, if you plan to fly home from Dublin or Shannon, then storing your suticase in London isn't an option.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Expensive, yes, very (think of US$ 200 or more per large suitcase). Difficult, now way. Gosh, you can jut order a FedEx shipment online, pay with your c/c and for a very modest fee they will schedule a pick-up in your address.
Posted by
OP
Groveland, fl, USA
3 posts
Thanks for all the ideas, leaving the suitcase in London Hotel wont work, as we will only be in London a couple days.Then take the Eurostar to Paris for a couple days then flying to Belfast eventualy flying back home from Dublin.
10 years ago we did the transatlantic cruise ending in Spain. OMG we packed for a 14 day cruise without any conception of traveling around Europe with 5 (3 very large suitcases) finally stored them at Dublin airport $190.( They woud not fit in our rental car) What a lesson in practical packing.
Posted by
Austin, TX, USA
492 posts
We've never used them but know people who have used LuggageForward.com and have been happy with the service.
Posted by
Redmond, WA
295 posts
We tried this last summer, had to take suit for our daughter's wedding in London. UPS, for standard suitcase, about 30 pounds, wanted $375. Gads. We paid the extra 50 for a second checked bag, and are doing the same for second daughter's wedding (also in London this summer).
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2129 posts
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the possibility of packing lighter, so you don't have a large suitcase to deal with. We did a 12-day transatlantic cruise ending in Barcelona, followed by 10 days in southern France, with just the carry-on suitcases and small backpacks that we normally use for European travel. My husband rented a tux from the cruise line for formal nights, eliminating the need to carry a suit, dress shoes, etc.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4408 posts
Charlene is right - many on this Helpline go on cruises, then tour Europe, with only a carry-on bag...