Cruise Gear Review: Travel Totes

Cruise lines can provide just about everything one might need to have a good vacation, whatever that might mean to them. Action, adventure, quiet, relaxing; cruise lines have it. Some things that cruise lines do not provide are cash for the casino, transportation to and from the ship unless we arrange it and personal travel totes.

“Did he just list “personal travel totes” with cash for the casino and getting to and from the ship?” one might wonder.

Yes, he did because, believe it or not, travelers are dead serious and focused on what they want from a personal travel tote.

These are the little bags that grew out of the “fanny pack” craze of a dozen years ago and there are a bunch of them out there to choose from. These things have become so popular that cruise lines sell them as Bon Voyage gifts.

The basic idea is to have a small, hand held, well-made, well-organized device/bag/wallet/purse that holds just what one might need ashore while on a cruise. The size and complexity of them varies from wallet-size to you-need-wheels-on-that and everything in-between.

Scared off by the supposed silliness of “fanny pack”, even real men who drive big pick up trucks and spit are using them now and the choices are many. That’s a good idea too. Today’s traveler can carry their own water where the local water may be unsafe to drink. When the vacation is over, personal travel totes are also great for walking, hiking, sporting events or the beach.

Let’s take a look at some of the more popular personal travel totes.

Rick Steves Avanti 14″ Flight Bag from Ebags is a good choice and the perfect personal travel tote for everything you might need during your flight. It’s easy to carry-aboard and stow under your seat – and cleverly slides over the handle of your Rick Steves’ Roll-Aboard (or any other rolling bag). Made of 100% recycled, UV and water resistant exterior fabric, it’s tough enough for the most frequent flier, yet weighs only 1½ lbs.

The Original Travel Sham-Bed Pillow Travel Tote at Amazon.com is a unique patented standard size bed style pillow sham that converts into a compact pillow tote. Now protect your favorite bed pillow and pillow case when traveling. Extend the life of your pillow and pillow case by keeping them clean and fresh. The Original Travel Sham is specially designed for leisure travelers, who use their bed pillow and pillowcase to sleep on once they reach their destination; example hotels, Resorts, or when visiting friends or relatives.

Executive Rolling Case by PersonalBags.com features full-grain cowhide leather, with four sections: an organizer, with places for pens, cards. sunglasses, cell phone, etc; a middle section with an expandable and removable laptop case which can be used separately; organizing pockets; and a back section accordion file folder. Wheels and retractable handle. 15 1/2″ x 16 3/4″ x 9 1/2″.

One we will have with us on our sailing of new Carnival Breeze later this month is the Go Caddy. This one we wanted to field test because it is promoted as “a compact travel tote and water bottle holder just the right size to conveniently hold a water bottle, identification, cruise pass, money, passport, camera, cell phone and maps.” It sounds like this one has it all. Stay tuned for an in-the-field report from Lisa (@LisaROwen).