What is the best checked in luggage for Greece, Italy, France?

Denny, the debates between 4-wheeled spinner versus 2-wheeled non-spinner gangs are as lively as that between the carry-on-only versus checked-bag gangs! There appears to be no wrong answer as long as that answer works for YOU.

My husband and I are devoted checked-bag, 2-wheel folks. We both have 24" Travelpro soft sides that have been going strong for at least 15 years, and which I hope will outlive us. Yep, you'll pry their extension handles out of our cold, dead hands. HA! We have dragged their sturdy wheels considerable distances on all sorts of nasty surfaces I personally wouldn't trust more exposed spinner wheels on, and the fabric is tough enough not to rip or tear when abused by airport baggage handlers.

I will question whether you really need a 26" bag? My other half does fine for our 3-week trips with a 24" inch, and a bigger bag would just encourage overpacking, extra weight, and some potential awkwardness carrying it up and down stairs. Yes, stairs. Lots of stairs. Welcome to Europe. Understanding that bags are very much personal preference, you might look at this one? It's probably what I'd buy if, heaven forbid, one of our bags bit the dust as it's very similar to what we have. It's only drawback is that it does run heavier than some other bags but I chalk that up to the sturdy construction.

https://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/sep/11042

I've got an Away (carrry-on), husband has a Briggs & Riley (he's a business traveler). Both have been overseas and performed fine, but we don't often drag them for blocks along cobblestones (though come to think of it, we did on our last trip, lol). I would also stick to less than 26".

I was at an Away retail store yesterday and had a moderately favorable impression of the Medium procarbonate (hard).

Because I'm going on a luxury 14-cruise as well as staying an additional 9 days in Athens and Lisbon, at the beginning and end of the cruise, I thought of getting a 26." Unfortunately, there is a dress code for the cruise, in the evenings and for the formal Captain's Night. (I'm paying out of my teeth, $700/day).

Normally, I wouldn't care, as I spent 19 days in Rome in March using the same 22" Osprey Meridian rolling backpack without problem.

This time, I'm packing more shoes as well (Merrell hiking shoes, Keen's sandals, lightweight loafers (for dinner), and lightweight running shoes). I don't think I'll be able to get all into the 60 liter backpack, even if I decide to only bring two trousers, one T-shirt, one knit shirt, and oen each of button-down longsleeve & short-sleeve shirts.

But you're absolute right: I had enough trouble carrying the Osprey backpack up and down stairs in Paris, Bangkok, etc. I'm not sure any of the places I will be staying have elevators!

Yeah for a cruise I don't see how you'd get away with not checking. I'm mostly a carry-on person, but I don't sweat it when I need to check.
For nicer clothing, the B&R bag is going to be better. The suit carrier is excellent. I don't even use the suit/dress bag that came with my Away--it is just not large enough. I'm thinking of getting the bigger carry-on Away, so I like the bag a good deal for casual travel, but for your trip, I'd recommend B&R, we've been impressed with the quality!

Unfortunately, there is a dress code for the cruise, in the evenings and for the formal Captain's Night. (I'm paying out of my teeth, $700/day).

You must have done something really bad to get that kind of penance. :-)

(You are right, I am not a cruise person.)

Yesterday, I was leaning towards Away. Now I'm leaning towards Briggs. I would have liked not to have to spend so much money.

But the same problem exists with a larger than 21" checked in piece of luggage, soft or hard. The bigger the suitcase, the harder it is to lug around, especially up stairs.
I'm going to have to ascertain how many staircases I'm likely to have to go up or down before making a final decison.

I think my $700/day figure includes (1) air ticket; (2) excursions (not included); (3) insurance. It actually might be more.

One only lives once.

If the need for a large suitcase is a one off type event, perhaps a trip to a thrift/second hand store would be a solution, vs the $300+ bag.

For a not as expensive new bag, have you looked at Travelpro? We have the 20" carry-ons and they have served us well.

That's a good point. I think, though, that I would use the 26" suitcase, if I got it, for other trips, if I didn't have to lift it a lot (like up stairs, as in most of Europe, in buildings and on the Metro).

Briggs & Riley are much better made bags than Away and it shows in the price.

I've used an Away bag (carry on) for awhile and found it didn't roll as well as other bags. I now prefer my Samsonite as the quality of their bags has drastically improved.

But before you put down money for the Briggs & Riley, go to one of the larger discount stores--TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshalls, etc--and look at what they have to offer in bags. You might be surprised to find a very good quality bag for a reasonable price.

Travelpro, Delsey, and Samsonite all have excellent bags.

By the way, I've used a spinner (carry on size) in all the countries you mention without a problem.

Briggs and Riley is the way to go for my money. Their lifetime guarantee can't be beat. My bag had a wheel that went bad after about 8 years and they replaced it no questions asked.

By the way, I've used a spinner (carry on size) in all the countries you mention without a problem.

Hits it on the nutshell. What'd work in Boston or San Francisco or St. Louis might not work in a large European city. Just looking at photos of central Athens makes me recall how difficult it was even with an Osprey wheeled backpack to get down sidewalks or cross streets only five years ago.

I'm really wondering whether I could carry a 26" checked-in piece up three flights of stairs.

Let me ask you a simple question: You are worried about being able to handle a 26" spinner in Athens and Lisbon. The only time this will be a problem is gettng from cruise port/airport to your hotel, right? You're not going to take it with you every day you go sightseeing.

Considering how much you are paying for the cruise, would it really be that much more expensive to take a taxi/car service instead of public transportation? You would then only have to deal with the luggage a few feet on either side.

And are you sure your hotels won't have elevators?

Considering how much you are paying for the cruise, would it really be that much more expensive to take a taxi/car service instead of public transportation?

Good point. But I do find it an adventure taking public transportation and prefer it. So it's not a question of expenses per se. People who go around from airport to hotel to hotel miss out on being really engaged in the place they're visiting.

I'm staying at boutique hotels, with only 3-5 rooms, both of which are more than a century old. One has stated they will help me my luggage up the steep, narrow stairs.

I've always traveled light. Being a short guy, I'm thinking 26" is going to be too cumbersome.

But you're right that taking a taxi is going to simplify things. Uber doesn't operate in Athens, as I recall reading.