Fight Over Luggage Throws a Wrench in Plans for a Cruise

[conuly]

DEAR ABBY: I paid $5,000 for a seven-day cruise with my grandkids. All I asked was for them to pack a carry-on and a backpack. My granddaughter and son are having a problem with it. I tried explaining that I'm handicapped and do not want to check a large bag for her because it's a convenience issue. There's laundry service onboard the ship.

When I went to help her pack, my son said I was being unreasonable, and is now threatening to cancel our time with our grandchildren! My husband and I are heartbroken. He ordered us to leave his home and said we were being ridiculous! I don't know what to think.

Am I being unreasonable? We never told them how much we have spent. We just explained that a checked bag would cause us more stress. We also rented a compact car for after our cruise to take the grands, who are 15 and 16, to the mall and a theme park. We don't understand the big deal. -- CRUISER GRANDMA

DEAR CRUISER: Your letter proves the truth of the adage "no good deed goes unpunished." To say your son overreacted would be an understatement.

As hosts, you and your husband have the right to issue some guidelines. Inexperienced travelers are often tempted to overpack, and that appears to be true here. If you haven't raised the subject with your son of the cost of the cruise and your worry about hauling around large pieces of luggage in the small rented car, you should. At least then he will understand why you have given "the grands" a limit. If they want to bring larger bags, the kids should be responsible for paying whatever additional cost there might be. At 15 and 16, both should also be able to lug around their own suitcases. It's a teaching opportunity!

https://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/2020/2/2/0/fight-over-luggage-throws-a-wrench

Comments

[shirou]

To add a male voice: I could definitely pack for a week with only a carry-on and backpack if laundry service were available. But why would anyone pay $5k for a cruise and then spend the time on board doing laundry? Baffling.

[minoanmiss]

This, too.

[naath]

For a week I need a daily change of knickers, bra, socks, 4 tops, 3 bottoms, and 1 set of pjs; also a coat (I'll wear it) and a change of shoes. Along with toothbrush, hairbrush, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, showergel, wash cloth and a spare hair comb because they break and I don't want to be stuck shopping for hair things. Oh, and it's a cruise, so at least one 'nice' outfit for evening wear.

And my carryon fits .... about half of that (it'll do for a weekend). I guess I'm really not up for doing laundry on vacation, and I don't wear shitty flimsy crap that fails utterly at the #1 purpose of clothes "keep me warm". My backpack fits the (clearly necessary) electronics (laptop, chargers, etc.) and stuffed toy (don't judge); but I'm disabled, so it's not a big one (I find a large suitcase easier to handle, personally, but mileage varies).

I did once manage a week's hike with only what I could carry in a backpack that was mostly tent. At the end I stank and was filthy. Not doing that on a cruise!

[ambyr]

"Laundry service" in a cruise context generally means you leave your dirty clothes in a bag, and when you come back your room they've been washed, pressed, and folded/hung for you.

It's also usually quite expensive. Why that's a better option than tipping a skycab/porter/similar to deal with a suitcase is beyond me.