Iceland Pre-Trip Packing Report

Pre-Trip Packing Report (con't)

Windsar doesn’t have formal nights. This is what they say to wear in the evening: If you’re dining in the evening, slacks or non-distressed jeans are appropriate, paired with collared, button-down or polo shirts, or fashion tops or blouses. Dress shoes, nice sandals or stylish athletic casual shoes round out your evening wardrobe. So I figure all my clothes will work and I can wear my Allbirds. I may throw in my flats, as they will dress things up.

This all fits in the IKEA suitcase (https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/vaerldens-carry-on-bag-with-wheels-black-80546172/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_campaign=shopping_feed&utm_content=free_google_shopping_clicks_Home_organisation&gad_source=1) and my backpack (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C554NPB8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1). The rolling suitcase is about 7.75 KG (about 17 pounds) and the backpack about 4 kg (almost 8 pounds). I haven’t added my purse to the backpack yet.

Despite it all fitting, I have been rethinking what suitcases to bring. My roller is full. Not overpacked and bulging, because I want it to fit if I have to put it in a sizer, but full. The backpack does have space, but putting my purse in will basically take that space. So I’ve been thinking of changing my bags. I have a Travelpro 22” US carryon. I could pack my backpack with essentials and carry my purse and my ship the roller through and it would be almost half empty. That would give me space to bring home items, while still being easy to manage. I can fit my toiletries, electronics, sleepwear and swimsuit as well as 2 pairs of pants, 5 tops and my raincoat (I’ll wear my puffer on the plane). However, I could also just bring a packable tote and ship through something on the way home. My husband is definitely shipping a bag through, so we’ll have to stop and get his anyway. It's also nice at the end of the trip not to have to pack so “perfectly” to make everything fit.
I’m not a huge souvenir person, but do want to bring some food back as gifts.

I still have 6 days before we leave so I have time to make up my mind what to do. I don’t know why I overthink packing so much! We leave Saturday....my husband will likely pack Friday!

Wow, impressive list and impressive packing. Amazing that you can keep the roller bag below 8kg. I suggest that you bring a warm hat with you. Apologies if it's on your list and I missed it. Have a great trip.

How many days will you be gone? And I take it this is a cruise around Iceland?

Do you need both cardies with the puffer jacket? I'd keep the puffer jacket and of course the rain gear but just thinking about your intermediate layers.

W

ow, impressive list and impressive packing. Amazing that you can keep
the roller bag below 8kg. I suggest that you bring a warm hat with
you. Apologies if it's on your list and I missed it. Have a great trip

.i don’t have a warm hat in my list. I was planning on wearing my pashmina over my head and then wrapped around my neck and I’ll have my raincoat hood as well. I hope that’s enough. I don’t even own a warm hat, I just have always used the scarf and hood.

Maybe I should look on Amazon?

How many days will you be gone? And I take it this is a cruise around
Iceland? Do you need both cardies with the puffer jacket? I'd keep the
puffer jacket and of course the rain gear but just thinking about your
intermediate layers.

The trip is a total of 15 days. We have basically 6 days in Reykjavik and then a 7 day Windstar cruise around Iceland. Plus travel days of course.

I hadn’t thought about reducing 1 of the cardigans, but you’re right. One is a navy fleece like cardigan so is heavier. The other is black and quite lightweight….its good on the ship when you don’t need a jacket weight but need a little more than a shirt (I get cold). I could wear the puffer jacket instead of the cardigan.

I was more thinking for dinner. Windstar is pretty casual (from what I’ve heard, I’ve never sailed on them before) but likes a little nicer wear at dinner. I’m not sure the puffer is nice enough. I know it would have been fine for Princess or NCL.

I don’t even own a warm hat, I just have always used the scarf and hood

That will probably work, although I would worry that the wind would blow one or both off the top of my head and then the rain would get me wet and cold. A fleece beanie would take almost no room and you could just stuff it in a pocket if you don't need it.

That will probably work, although I would worry that the wind would
blow one or both off the top of my head and then the rain would get me
wet and cold. A fleece beanie would take almost no room and you could
just stuff it in a pocket if you don't need it.

I looked on Amazon and ordered an inexpensive beanie. Turns out I do have one...a big. bulky San Francisco 49ers beanie from when i went to a game a few years ago. Totally forgot I had it! Worn once, at the game. But it's way bigger than I would want to take and a little "loud" (perfect for a fan at a game, but otherwise...not something I would wear.)

Thanks for your input...it convinced me.

You will be very happy to have that beanie! I just skimmed this right now as I am rushing out this morning, but will read more later. We have been many times and I head back again next month.

It sounds like the Black cardie will be helpful to have on the cruise and you can save space without the navy one.

Although you've already bought a beanie, I was going to suggest that you look in Reykjavik for something memorable to wear on your head! I wound up buying a beanie in Orkney last year because it was windier than I realized. I have plenty of winter hats at home but hadn't thought about it for August on Orkney, lol. So yes, all winter I wore my Orkney hat!!

I had time to read now;) I don't do cruises so can't help with that at all, but have been to Iceland many times. I agree, find a wonderful hat there. Mjuk is my favorite store for the softest hats and headbands, but they also have wraps, etc. They are exceptional. Try the Handknitting Association store (one is one the rainbow road just down from the church) for wool hats and gloves. These are the traditional Icelandic wool items, all hand made. I swear by these hats.

With 6 days on land, I would really make sure that you are set on outerwear. Waterproof gloves are a must. Yes, the wind is like nothing else you have ever experienced. I had a pony tail holder ripped out of my long ponytail one summer, to give you an idea. Pashimas will be useless outside.

I would not reply on waterproof sneakers. You are going to want something with more rugged soles if you go anywhere outside of Reykjavik.

Icelandair at SEA is very strict with luggage. Even though you get more bags with Saga, they will still make you put them in the sizer and weigh them.

I always recommend bringing two swimsuits. We hit as many hot springs/lagoons as possible on our trips, and there is nothing worse than having a wet suit. So we bring two to alternate. My husband is there now and only brought one pair of swim trunks and got tired of them not drying in time each day, so he ended up renting them a few times.

Skip the laundry pods and get sheets instead. They are much easier and less messy, and take up less room. My husband did laundry there at the Laundromat cafe today. If you want to skip bringing those, you can buy detergent there at the cafe.

My trip is almost over. We leave in 36 hours.

We have had amazing weather. We have never used our rain pants. I did wear my raincoat, but as a second layer for warmth, not rain. That wind can blow! I love Costco puffer coat….it seems so light and thin, yet I often wore it as my only jacket. For plus sized ladies…they often don’t have plus sizes in the stores, but they do sell online and they run big. I ordered a 2X and 3x, expecting to keep the 3x and the 2X was large enough to wear with a sweater or sweatshirt.

Why do I bring 5 pairs of pants? 4 is the perfect amount for me! I am going to write a note on my permanent packing list to remember this. Obviously I need multiple experiences for it to sink in!

I did buy a beanie and was glad I had it. I used my gaiter a lot. I also used my pashmina frequently. I wrapped it around my neck and tied it, and was glad I had it. A number of people told me not to bring it but I was glad I had it. I also wore my gloves often.

Also, for me, I liked wearing performance wear pants (Athleta Brooklyn and other similar styles) with a pair of tights, rather than a heavier pair of pants.

I did decide to bring my Travelpro 22” roller and ship it through. We had terrible weather in Seattle changing planes and our bags did not make it to Reykjavik. No biggie…I had packed my swimsuit for the Blue Lagoon, my sleepwear, an extra pair of pants, extra tops, undergarments, warm weather stuff and my raincoat and rain pants (I had worn my puffer jacket) in my personal item. Our bags were delivered to our hotel about 24 hours later.

Will the baggage delay keep me from shipping through a bag in the future? Nope. But it did reinforce my belief to carefully pack needed items in a personal item for every trip every time.

The unexpected item I brought for the first time….an absorbent hair turban from Dollar Tree. I use one at home everyday but never have it when I travel. It’s basically a triangle shaped absorbent towel that has a small piece of elastic and a button. You wrap your hair and the bottom is pulled up. I have short hair and I put it on as I dried off and my hair needed just a minute with the blow dryer and was dry. This dollar Tree one was much smaller than what I use at home and fit in my small Sea to Summit toiletry kit. Absolutely not necessary but it’s such a lovely small luxury for me. It will now travel with me all the time.

Iceland was a bucket trip for me. I’d love to return but don’t know if I ever will. It was amazing!