When it comes to going on holiday there is one thing that I constantly think about, what will I actually take with me. For years I backpacked, everything that I took had to fit in my ruck sack and then I had to be able to carry it as well. I quickly learnt to pack light “REALLY LIGHT”. When I married my husband, I discovered that not everyone was frugal as I was with the weight limits (often my packs were under 10kg and even lighter when the sun cream was all used up), he, on the other hand, packed to the limit and that was after weighing and reweighing his bag to make sure that it was actually under the limit. My in-laws are even worse, the time we went away with them they paid excess luggage allowance for the plane ride. What I didn’t realise until recently that if you take a trip on P&O Ferries across to Europe rather than by plane then there is no weight limit on your luggage a real bonus for those like my husband and in-laws.
Packed luggae in hallway via Shutterstock
Challenged by P&O Ferries to put together our Ultimate Holiday Suitcase I thought it was high time to let my husband pack for the family and not go through my normal filtering system. He started out with our largest suitcase and went to town, packing everything that we wouldn’t normally take for him, me and the two kids.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of P&O Ferries
Our Ultimate Holiday Suitcase with P&O Ferries
So what do we normally leave behind and what would we add if there was no weight limit?
First off – BOOKS, myself and J are avid readers, his favourites some nonfiction animal books, me the HUGE pile of crime and thriller fiction books my mum has been bringing back over the last 3 years that I am still not yet round to reading! Books weigh a tonne and it’s the only reason I switched to reading on my Kindle, as that way I could pack a lot more books in without having to increase the weight of my suitcase at all.
Then beach toys for the kids – I don’t know whether you do this as well, but every holiday we head to the local supermarket and buy some beach and/or pool toys. Play with them for a week and then end up leaving them there for the next family to use. I know we aren’t alone in this as often there are some things there already but something always happens and we end up buying some more.
As a family that likes to explore taking shoes that work for taking a hike, down at the beach and exploring the town means that we have always reduced it into 1 pair of shoes that can be used for everything. With unlimited luggage allowance, it means finally, flip flops, walking boots and sandals are all possible.
Travelling with kids it’s always a challenge to decide what toys to pack to keep them entertained especially if like us you go on a villa or camping holidays more than holiday resorts. So in when the Star Wars toys and the Playmobil!
Home comforts is one thing that we all miss when we are away – but you know what our favourite pillows were able to fit in as well, which could mean a better night sleep for us all whilst away.
With all that in there’s no run for clothes – never mind they would just go in another suitcase to take away with us.
Find out Actual Packing Lists
Elizabeth says
Hi Cerys, great to know that P&O don’t have a luggage limit. This sounds ideal for a family trip of three generations 🙂