I successfully practiced packing light. I am taking my first RS tour next June. I just got back from a seven day cruise to Cuba with my husband. Here is what we took.
HIM: 1. 19 inch roller-- one pair of jeans, 3 Cabella's long sleeved hot weather shirts (good for business casual and casual), 2 T-shirts, 4 underwear/socks.
2. Personal item-- backpack style laptop bag-- laptop, charger, phone chargers, small hard drive (movies), two paperback books, journal, both our prescription meds, otc meds, snacks.
3. Himself-- Black Carhart cargo pants (business casual), Cabella's shirt in a fourth color, walking shoes, wallet, phone.
ME: 1. Cross body Travelon purse-- passports, money, one credit card, personal bank debit card/VISA, capital one ATM card, 3 pair of glasses (regular rx distance, sunglasses rx, cheaters), phone, pens, pad of paper, keys, Kindle.
2. 46 L Osprey-- six tops (this was more than I needed but I had so much room) (1 dressy, 3 business casual, 2 casual), 2 Travelsmith venture slacks (I wear these every day), 4 underwear/socks, one bra, first aid kit, toiletry kit for both of us. My work laptop. I did attend an educational conference while on the ship during the sea days.
3. Me--3/4 length sleeve casual shirt, Travelsmith slacks, Keen mary jane shoes.
We did not take any jackets, umbrellas, sweaters, extra shoes as I packed for what I knew we would need not what we might need. Would not have used any of these except there was snow on the ground when we got home and getting to the car was cold. We could have done with less clothing but we wore everything. I did one load of laundry on day 4 of 8.
We could have gotten away with only using my Osprey and my husband's laptop bag but we checked a bag on the way back because we bought a bottle of rum in Cuba and I did not want to check my Osprey. We didn't bring much extras back. One T-shirt 10 cigars, 2 baseball caps, painted baseball, Cuban chocolate bars and a flag lapel pin.
What was I ever thinking before when I packed a 50 inch suitcase?