Shipping luggage back to the US

In advance check with UPS, Fedex and DHL to see which might have an office in Istanbul and whether or not they'll take something as large as a suitcase. You can rest assured that it will cost a pretty penny. Also check by phone or email with Turkish Airlines and/or whichever airline you'll be flying out of Istanbul to see what they might offer in the way of air freight services. If you make friends with someone on your cruise who can take it back for you with you paying the extra cost that might work too. It won't hurt to ask them while you're cruising. You might even be able to get the airlines to ship it to your nearest airport where someone you know can pick it up.

Will you return through the same airport/train station? If so, leaving your luggage somewhere and picking it up before flying home will be your cheapest option. The price for shipping is pretty harsh.....I did this one trip to Germany. I was there a month for business and added a week of vacation at the end for pleasure. I flew home out of Frankfurt and left my business stuff at the airport left luggage until I returned. It was easy to train in, drop my stuff then head out for the week.

That's good advice from Brad. If IST has a "Left Luggage" facility chances are it won't be expensive.

Cruise cloths don't need to be very formal anymore. Casual (nice) with a shawl, decorative scarf etc. more than cover all the bases. On "Formal" nights I have a cotton reversible jacket that weighs ounces. Now I'm not talking about t-shirts and jeans with flip flops here when you go to dinner in the main dining room. Anywhere else, well, we're both in t-shirts and light weight pants (don't take jeans - to heavy to be practical and hard to launder). My husband wears dockers and a nice (read no hula girls or surf board motifs) tropical shirt most nights with a pair of loafers. We're getting ready to spend a week in Rome and two weeks on a cruise and are each taking one medium suitcase and a small carry on. Utilize the laundry service on board a couple days before you disembark and a little hand wash after that.

Brad, Lee and Marie Thank you so much for your suggestions. We will incorporate them in our packing and planning. You're the best! Linda

Turns out that "left luggage" at the Ataturk Airport is not so cheap after all, almost $8/day for a suitcase and $10/day for a large bag (whatever that is)! http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Transport/emanet.html

The easiest solution is to rethink your cruise wardrobe. My husband and I took a 12-day transatlantic cruise, followed by 10 days in southern France, with just carry-on bags. It takes some planning but it's doable. My husband rented a tux from the cruise line to take care of formal nights. I like Chico's Travelers line, which packs easily & weighs nothing & can be accessorized to change your looks.... Lots of people on this board can attest to the pleasures of packing light. Once you figure it out, it makes travel so much easier.

Check the options for leaving at the main train station. It's probably significantly cheaper...........My wife and I also did a 10 night Baltic cruise with time in Copenhagen before and after, all with only a carry-on. That included a few changes to my normal pack list (biggest: adding a black blazer and tie). My wife included two black cocktail dresses and a pair of black high heels (I would have suggested one cocktail dress and a pair of black sandals). She still stayed inside of SAS's 18 lbs requirement. It's possible if you're up for packing light.