Main Dining Fashion – Luggage for Royal Caribbean Cruise
Trish Berry
Souvenir Italy Tee Shirt, Ann Taylor Shorts (Size 8), Sketchers Tennis Shoes (Size 9), (from left) IT Suitcase, Swiss Gear Suitcase, Dejuno Suitcase (Size Large!)
Luggage for cruising on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship depends on where you are going.
If on a short three- or four-day cruise, you can get by with a backpack. Wear that backpack on your back when boarding the ship, wear it around the ship until your stateroom is available.
Backpacks are small and hold as much as you want or as little as you want.
Backpacks and carry-ons come in various sizes. The canvas carry-ons (large, large backpacks) have handles and hold more that a large backpack, but they can be easily hefted around by the younger people.
There are many companies who make durable, affordable backpacks. When I was young many years ago, we always used a JanSport backpack because that’s what everyone else used. But there are lots of different companies making great backpacks now, including JanSport.
Eastpak
The North Face
Nike
Adidas
Under Armour, Inc.
V.I.P Industries, Limited
Osprey
Herschel Supply Company
Gregory
Patagonia
Mystery Ranch
Deuter
Gregory
L.L. Bean
Cotopaxi
Tom Bihn
Samsonite
Kanken
Timbuk
Swiss Gear
I know people who own just about every brand I have listed above. I have been told that they are excellent backpacks, come in various sizes, are quality backpacks (backpacks they will keep forever), and are made to last year after year. A lot of them are waterproof for the outdoor sportsman/sportswoman.
I don’t think there is a backpack out there that is not good. Any name brand you buy will last a good many years.
If I needed a new backpack, I would still buy a JanSport again. But, I do not need one because I still have my JanSport from 25 years ago. I will keep it forever. It has trekked many miles with me, including down into the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
Dejuno Suitcase, Swiss Gear Suitcase, IT Luggage Suitcase
If going on an extended cruise, maybe eight days or eleven or twelve days, you might want a larger piece of luggage that you check in. That luggage is then delivered to your statement at 1:00, if you’re on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship.
If you are going on a transatlantic cruise, again, you will want a larger size luggage. Possibly. Some people can jam enough clothes in a small suitcase for a very long cruise, but I’m not able to do that.
Perhaps my difficulty in packing a small amount comes down to my underwear. I should switch to using thongs. But I just can’t do that. My body rejects them. My old brain sort of rejects them on me. LOL Some things in life are for the young!
On the transatlantic cruises, you can make use of the laundry service that is provided (fee).
We like to go on cruises that are at least eight days and above. Therefore, we like the larger suitcases because we enjoy dressing for main dining.
I pack sundresses, multiple scarves to accessorize whatever dress I’ve packed (also to keep my shoulders warm), one long pair of white palazzo pants (multiple tops to match those pants), or a black pair of midi palazzo pants (with multiple tops to match those pants).
I like casual evenings where I can wear just about anything that is in my suitcase.
Backpacks are small and hold as much as you want or as little as you want and are totally acceptable for packing for many people, but not for us.
That gray suitcase above is my precious Swiss Gear suitcase that my son gave me ten years ago. He used that same suitcase to travel all over the world for business and pleasure for five years before he gave it to me, so it is approximately 15 years old.
The only reason he gave it to me was because he wanted a smaller suitcase.
I checked on Amazon, and the price on this Swiss Gear suitcase (identical size) is $160.00 (2025). It is a pricey suitcase to me, but it holds up so well that it is worth every penny.
Swiss Gear Suitcase
There are many suitcases that do not hold up as well as this much-loved 15-year-old suitcase. That Swiss Gear has been used at least eleven times a year during a 15-year period. It’s been tossed around, and it’s had heavier things slammed on top of it. It has been treated like any other suitcase when traveling, especially when flying.
Swiss Gear Suitcase that has Traveled Many Miles
Above photo shows how the handle has worn. I was very sad when my Swiss Gear suitcase needed to be replaced.
Another Photo of the Much-Traveled Swiss Gear Suitcase
The above photo shows how the edges were damaged. It has held up remarkably well. All the zippers are in great condition.
I will not dispose of my Swiss Gear suitcase that I love it so much, but will store it inside our house.
If the luggage I bought to replace it, which is not of the quality of Swiss Gear, does not hold up, then I will pull my old faithful Swiss Gear out, strap it together and take off on my travels again.
Swiss Gear items can be recognized by their cross logo, similar to the Swiss flag, but is not a part of the Swiss Army Knife manufacturer, Victorinox.
Swiss Gear makes backpacks, luggage and other travel accessories.
Swiss Gear’s items are durable and hold up extremely well, as you can see from the photos above. This now-old suitcase has gone many many places with our son, and this now-old suitcase has gone many miles and to many exciting places with us.
My gray Swiss Gear in the photos is made of polyester with reinforced stitching at the stress points.
Swiss Gear also makes hard shell suitcases. The plus side of hard shell suitcases is they are water resistant.
Spinner wheels, greatest invention during my lifetime, and Swiss Gear has them. They are multi-directional wheels. The one I’m storing away, that gray one in the photos, has eight wheels on it.
The spinner wheels make any suitcase easy to pull, tug or push.
There are plenty of compartments in a Swiss Gear suitcase, and there are tie-down straps inside that you tighten to hold your packed items in place.
You can purchase Swiss Gear items at:
Walmart
Target
Macy’s
Nordstrom Rack
Amazon
Swiss Gear Official Site
Kohl’s
Kim Rogers Skort (Size Medium), Ann Taylor Pullover(Medium), Jellypop Tennis Shoes (Size 9), IT Luggage (Large)
IT Luggage is my husband’s favorite brand of suitcase. It’s big. It’s brawny. It’s manly. And it holds all his stuff.
IT Luggage Suitcase (Closed and Standing)
IT Luggage has a zipper that goes around the middle. When it’s opened, the photo below shows you that the two sides flop apart. It has lots of pockets and a stretch strap. It is a hardcase so rain will not affect it.
(This type suitcase, the kind that has the zipper around the middle and opens out wide, is not the type I like. It is large and bulky, and it’s like I’m trying to wrestle a rhino when I maneuver it around, much like trying to put a tightly fitted sheet on a mattress. It works for my husband, but does not work for me.)
The spinner wheels do make it very easy to navigate around.
IT Luggage Suitcase (open)
IT Luggage is lightweight, affordable, very sturdy luggage. We use outer luggage straps on all our suitcases, and use the Gorilla Strap brand. It gives us added security in knowing our suitcase won’t fly open if the zipper breaks when it is being handled.
The light weight of IT Luggage makes it desirable, especially if you fly. My husband’s suitcase is large, but the smaller ones can weigh as little as four pounds.
IT Luggage uses lightly weighted materials and uses lightweight materials in the process of making it. My husband’s suitcase is reinforced with fiberglass instead of a heavier frames.
You can buy IT Luggage at:
IT Luggage Website
Nordstrom Rack
Target
Walmart
Macy’s
Ross Stores
Kohl’s
This above is a photo of me with my new suitcase. I will use this suitcase for the first time in two weeks from now and see how it works for me.
It is built the same way my beloved Swiss Gear is made. Zipper around the top so the top just flips opens. I can lean the top part of the suitcase against something and unpack the bottom part.
Remember to pack your shoes and anything else that is heavier (like books) at the bottom of your suitcase. That makes the suitcase easier to pull, tug or push around. It makes the suitcase more stable with a weighted bottom.
Dejuno Suitcase (Open)
Dejuno suitcases have been around for 30 years. The provide all sorts of luggage, carry bags and other travel accessories. They can be either hard side or soft side.
Dejuno luggage is affordable, made of good quality and are easily moved around with the spinner wheels on the bottom of the cases.
Dejuno suitcases can be purchased at:
Ross
Walmart
Target
LuggageFactory.com
Office Depot
Amazon
Whenever I need things for my travels, I always go to Marshall’s and Ross first. Their prices are the lowest I can find anywhere. I also check Belk Department Stores and Bealls here in Florida.
I would never purchase a used suitcase. Someone is getting rid of that suitcase because it is damaged in some way. The defect might be visible and it might not be visible. I would never take that risk. And it could have bugs.
From the above photos, you can tell my new Dejuno suitcase is attractive. I like something attractive trailing along beside me.
You feel free and airy when going on travels. You sort of levitate. You are leaving your precious home but going to see precious new countries.
You might be on that airplane looking out the window, or sitting or walking around a cruise ship, but you are living a good life of excitement and adventure.
Wherever you go, whatever you do, remember to be kind. People like people. We enjoy interacting and making new friends. It is so easy when you are traveling.
But be careful. Do not engage in risky behavior. Late nights in foreign countries, overindulging in beverages that will stop your instincts from shouting ‘danger.’ Stay alert. Stay watchful.
We teach our children stranger danger. The same applies to adults.
Always be safe. Keep your travel documents with you at all times, have medical travel insurance, and leave your troubles behind you. They will be there when you return (maybe), but those troubles will have less impact on your feelings when you are rested and relaxed. Or those imagined troubles might have disappeared from your life and resolved themselves without you needing to get involved.
Find the specific luggage that fits your needs, as I have done, and go forth and travel.
I will always prefer Swiss Gear as the best suitcase on the market, but at this stage in my life I went for the lower priced Dejuno. If I am lucky enough to last a long long time from now and need a new suitcase, I would go back to the Swiss Gear suitcases. To me, they are the best.
Have fun!! Be safe!!! Be happy!! That smile on your face makes you happy inside!!! Spread that happiness!!
