The suitcase is bursting?

Not really. Pack my suitcase maybe 4 to 5 days prior to travel. I make a list of necessities and ensure they are packed. that way if i miss anything I can always buy enroute.

We have had several enjoyable threads on this. All kinds of suggestions, lists, procedures. I just think its part of "the process". A physical reinforcement of "we're going!" Sort of like flying used to be. Packing is fun for us, but its really no big deal. Its almost always the same stuff. Which brings us to your question...the rule, after skeighty eight cruises is …"If you didn't wear it, or use it, why'd you bring it??" That rule may be ignored hehehehe

I would just take a couple grocery sacks if the wife would let me. She does all the packing and she is very efficient. Pack clothes that are mix&match, so you can wear them more than once and still be different.

We have a variety of suitcases in a variety of sizes .. usually have wife and I lay out what we want to pack .. eye ball it and choose the appropriate suitcase. We can usually get 2 weeks worth into a single suit case.

We used to have tons of whatever mismatched Tumi pieces we could get on clearance. A few years ago we upgraded to matching Rimowa and the difference in organization makes a big difference. Adding packing cubes to the mix and you get a lot of bang for the space.
Anyway, since then we’ve become much better packers and have become more efficient. Mix and match outfits with lightweight fabrics and layers. This past Feb ‘19 we were able to do a 5 night trip out of just our carryons, a PALO night included.

We have gotten really good at packing over the years. No wasted space, and rarely do items go unused during a trip. We may start putting things aside a week before travel, but suitcase packing is usually the night before departure.

Our dream is to always have bags packed and ready to go if a great opportunity comes up, but reality is we need to plan trips months – or years – in advance to accommodate work schedules. When can we retire?

I put all my cruise clothes in one section of my closet. Since I have a list prepared, I just have to chuck them into the suitcase the night before I leave. Takes me all of about 10-20 min. to pack that and the carry-on.