This is for all you lurkers out there who are too afraid to post because you think your question is dumb. After you read this question, you won't have any more qualms about posting yours!!

I just ordered some of those Space Saver vacuum bags for all the coats I am bringing on MUSH (two ski jackets, two raincoats, two windbreakers,etc). Since I don't have a "thing" for coats and they are going to take up precious shoe space, I thought the bags would solve the space problem. But Robert pointed out that I need a vacuum cleaner with a hose on it to suck the air out of the bags, which will be no problem here at home. But,

Drum roll please....

Does our cabin stewards have attachments on their sweepers?
If not, I am going to end up with a space problem on my way home!

Oh Karen, that's so funny... I don't have an answer for you but at least you thought of it before you got there!!

Not a weird question at all!

Karen, a vacuum cleaner is the best way, but before you leave try packing them, rolling them first and then SITTING on them to get as much of the air out as possible, then do it again with the vacuum to compare. I have some space saver bags (pre vacuum) and it was OK, but not great.
Lynn

LOL Lynn, I will make Mark practice that technique before we leave!

Ha ha ha ha ha ha....lurkers come out - Joanna

LOL! I love your question, Karen. I hope you do ask the cabin steward your question. Actually, Don & I used 2 gal. Glad Baggies for our jackets, vests, safari clothes, etc., to aid us in meeting the small duffle (& 26 lb.) packing criteria for the Botswana part of the ROAR trip. We put them on the floor, rolled & smashed the air out of them with a knee. It worked beautifully for us. Space Bags should work better with a better sealer. - :) Michele

Karen, how about using those bags designed not to need a vacuum?

space saver bags

Darn Marsha, I wish I would of seen those before I ordered the other ones!

Karen,

Maybe you are taking TOO many coats? I realize you're going later in the season than we did (7/20/05) but I only had a microfiber (unlined) jacket and a fleece jacket. Only used the fleece on Tracy Arm Excursion and VERY early AM bus trip into Denali Park. (AND being from where you are, you're "supposed to have "thicker blood!!) :D

Karen, I should make it clear, after the first trip I never used those space saver bags again!!
Lynn

Karen, don't worry if the cabin stewards can't attach their vacuum cleaners. Just hook up the bag to the toilet and flush. That'll suck all of the air out of it. Tom.

Karen,

You only need one coat for the Glacier/Fjord days.

I find those space bags make my suitcases too heavy cause I can put too much in that way. We paid a overweight charge on the way out.

Agree with Kathy. Careful with the weight - those bags just decrease volume but weight remains the same - makes it awfully easy to overweigh a bag.

Too bad you didn't see the ones that don't use a vacumn, Karen. :) I use those and they work fairly well. I also agree that you seem to be overpacking a little ... ;)

Masaki

Karen,

Haven't been on Mariner, but on Voyager, they had the canister vacuum cleaners with the hoses. There were vacuum cleaners in the hall from about 7am to 2pm everyday. So, if you decide to take your vacuum bags and Mariner has the same setup, you should be fine.

Debbie

Karen, I think you've asked a question many want the answer to, if using those bags.

We have space bags and honestly, find them a challenge at times to use. It takes numerous times to roll those bags and squeeze the air out as the "seal" keeps poppping open. Back to square one. Roll and seal pop. Very frustrating. Maybe it's operator error.

Agree about the weight. Things look very compact, which is great when trying to make room for more in your luggage. But, the compactness can be deceiving as far as the weight is concerned.

Karen,

LOL!!! Why am I not surprised that you are concerned most about "shoe space"? I have a feeling that if it come to a choice...shoes...coats?....coats..shoes???, poor Mark is going to get cold!!!!!! :D

Tom, hahahahahahahaha!!!!

Karen,
Well here is the definitive word from the over packer. Yes, they do have vacuum cleaners with hoses, and will help you out with that. They have done it several times or so I was told when they were vacuming out my pillow...........embarrasing to admit that I was so tacky to bring my pillow, but remember, we were flying into Sydney COACH. I like those bags, but have heard the other ones are nice as well. Pack away sweet girl..............

Masaki writes

Do you enjoy living dangerously, Masaki? :)

Just to be clear, all those coats aren't for me!! That included Mark's coats as well. As for bringing too many, I asked earlier if I really needed the ski coat and everyone said yes!

I would rather just leave the ski jacket at home!

Karen, great question! I also considered using that type of bag. Curious to know how you pack your shoes? I also have lots of shoes and find it very hard to limit my shoes as well as everything else.

:D :D

Nancy

Cindy, I always miss my pillow!! It is foam, all smashed down and folds nicely under my head. When we travel, those new, fat pillow annoy me!

Nancy, I just dedicate a suitcase to shoes :) Don't ask me why I bring so many, my feet always swell and only a few will fit on my pumpkin feet.

Karen ,

When I went on the Alaska cruise I only brought a rain jacket of Gore-tex material. There was only one day that was really cold ( the day the ship went to Hubbard glacier) and I also wore under it a polartec/fleece vest and gloves and hat.
I suggest you leave the ski jacket behind (but apparently I'm in the minority).

Maria, I am thinking we don't need ski coats too. I guess I will just pack and if there is room leftover, I will bring them.

Karen, you know you could always plan on "wearing" your coats for embarkation and debarkation; then no need to pack. :D

LOL Marc, I thought of that but since we are leaving hot Pittsburgh and flying to really hot Scottsdale for 3 days, we might look like we have ulterior motives if we are wearing ski jackets on the airplane.

Karen, ditch the ski jacket. We went on our Alaskan cruise at the beginning of September last year and while it was cold for us, no need for a ski jacket.

I'll admit that between myself and my husband we have packed a suitcase just for shoes as well!!!!

Nancy

Karen, we were on that same June 4, 2001 Mariner embarkation to Alaska with ChatKat and Pam. I agree no ski jacket necessary. Cruising Hubbard Glacier I layered with turtleneck, fleece jacket, Gore-tex jacket, fleece gloves and knit hat. I never needed that much protection anywhere else.

A couple of days it was nice and warm and we went swimming in the Navigator pool, so do bring your bathing suit!

Karen- I went on Crystal Harmony 2004 late July early August... Bring the ski jacket! Some days we were in bikini's and some days in Ski Clothes, My friends just got back 3 weeks ago and I told them to take ski clothes. They called to thank me, said they would have been miserable without them!
Ashley

Hi, Karen

Your posts are funny & enjoyable!!! :app:

If you don't think layering under your windbreaker and wearing knit hat & gloves will keep you warm enough, bring the ski jacket but ditch the raincoats. Does your windbreaker have a hood for rain? If not, I read there's an umbrella in the suite.

DH & I will be doing Alaska the week after you. We plan to bring our light Goretex parkas with hoods for visiting glaciers & while viewing on deck ('cos living in sunny CA has thinned our blood!), and windbreakers with hideaway hoods for general wear. We'll also bring a little travel umbrella for when it pours.

After researching the temps and weather condtions, I think we will be more damp than cold, lol. Twobits, scroll down to the bottom of this chart and you can see the weather for the month last year. You can enter each port and then scroll down and click on "Detailed History and Climate". You can go back years and see what the weather in each port was like. Rainy is a good word to describe it!

Thanks, Karen! Good info. Knowing this, I think we'll be fine. We were more concerned about the cold. I've experienced short torrential downpours in Asia as well as the steady drizzle/rain of SoCal winters (temps are about the same as Sitka in Sept), so if the rain data is similar this year, it looks quite manageable.

Short answer, you just never know in Alaska. On my two cruises, it was cold, cold at Hubbard first time (I mean bone cold, bring out everything you have, including hat, gloves, hard to take pictures it was so cold) Next time, better. You cannot count on ANYTHING for Alaska weather! Hat, gloves and scarf may be essential, to make up for no ski parka, and don't take up much room. Hubbard is the coldest part, so close to glacier. When in Chile watching a Glacier, it was raining sideways, and we were confined to Observation Lounge. At least they keep rotating the ship, and if you are in your room, there is commentary on TV. If you go to Alaska expecting post card perfect weather as the norm, you are most surely going to be disappointed!

Layering is the key. If nothing else, invest in silk long underwear. It can be a life saver. And bring some sort of rain gear, even if it is disposable. When I went to Alaska in August, 2002, it rained EVERY day! That made it cold and damp,,but not ski jacket cold.
Lynn

Just a suggestion to layer instead? I don't pull out my ski jacket till it dips below 30 or 35 if there's a wind chill. I prefer to layer.
short sleeve (or sleeveless) cotton tee shirt
Long sleeve cotton turtle neck
medium weight cotton sweater (i can't wear wool but if you can...go with a lightweight wool)
Polar fleece "hoodie"
then a windbreaker or raincoat.
Add gloves, scarf and hat as needed.

This way, depending on the weather that day you can layer as much or as little as you'd like and one (or two) sweater(s), one hoodie and one thin windbreaker take up less room then a bulky ski jacket if folded flat.

I'm going rock-climbing with Karen in Skagway. What do you think, Marsha? :D

Masaki

Karen, we used those bags to pack jackets (which we only needed once in glaciers) for SA cruise. I didn't use the vacuum attachment, just rolled out excess air. They work great!

Karen,
When I went to Alaska in August,2004 I packed all the wrong things. I brought a ski jacket (never wore it). I also never brought any shorts and it was in the high 80's every day. In Skagway it was 92! The day we went into Glacier Bay to watch the icebergs calve, everyone was wearing shorts and t-shirts (except me of course). And it didn't rain once.

Karen- I know you will have a case just for your shoes. The airlines are cracking down on luggage and we had problems flying out with United last summer. (we purchase things in Seattle and had them shipped home)

We went to Alaska my first time, the end of Aug- into the beg. of Sept last year. I will send you the link of the photos.
We only took light weight rain jackets and was told to wear layers- it was actually warm and even cruising through Tracy Arm- we used our bathrobes and the lightweight jackets that we had gotton on the Mariner. We might have broken out our vests a couple of times- and that was because of the rain. Think of Oct weather in Pittsburgh.

Happy packing..We use the jumbo ziploc bags and that works wonders.
Jan

Jan, I got your pictures, they were fantastic!! I am going to show them to Mark next!