How To Carry On Like a Pro

Working as a cruise director 15 years ago, Anne McAlpin would often see passengers with far too much luggage and clothing inappropriate for a Caribbean trip. Inspired, she decided to offer onboard packing seminars. "People would tell me they wished they'd had this information before they came on their trip because it would have saved them money, time and effort," says the packing expert, who now shares her tips on Oprah and The View.

Like many frequent flyers, McAlpin avoids checking bags and is quick to extol the benefits of traveling light. "You don't have to deal with delayed or lost luggage," she says, "and you'll spend less time packing and unpacking." While it's easy to toss a bunch of stuff into a checked bag, if you're trying to fit a week's worth of clothing into a single carry-on, you'll need to pack smart.

First things first: Make sure your carry-on is within the airlines' size and weight restrictions. Generally, its combined dimensions should total no more than 45 inches, with a maximum weight of 40 pounds (30 pounds on Air Jamaica). But with ever-changing rules, and to avoid unpleasant surprises at the counter or gate, it's wise to check with your airline in advance.

The wheeled carry-on case (invented by a Northwest Airlines pilot in 1989) offers plenty of packing space and easy maneuverability. When it comes to filling it, you can either fold or roll your clothing, but regardless of the method you choose, McAlpin suggests packing in layers. Start with the heaviest items, such as shoes, placing them on the bottom, next to the wheels. (Wearing your heaviest shoes and clothing is a good idea, and men who anticipate needing a sport coat should wear it instead of packing it.) Toiletries come next, followed by clothes on top. She also recommends using a packing board, a rigid divider that separates layers of folded clothing from bulky items and helps to minimize wrinkles.

Of course, deciding what to take with you is the real challenge. Most vacationers fear packing too little, but the most common mistake, McAlpin says, is "packing too much, and too many dark clothes for warm weather." The easiest way to avoid such blunders is to ruthlessly edit your clothes, bringing a capsule wardrobe of basics in no more than two colors so you can effortlessly mix and match (see the packing lists below). "I love khaki because it goes with any color in the world," says McAlpin. "Take a variety of tops or shirts, but reuse the same pants, shorts, capris or skirts." Don't forget multi-purpose items, such as a sarong. "You can use it on the plane as a blanket, on the beach as a towel and then as a cover-up when walking through the hotel," she says.

Many travelers are tripped up by the Transportation Security Administration's restrictions on the carriage of liquids in flight. As of press time, the 411 on their 3-1-1 rule is that any liquids, gels or creams carried onboard must be packaged in containers of three ounces or less and fit comfortably in a one-quart, zip-top, clear plastic bag (only one per person, please). You can transfer toiletries from home into small plastic bottles (widely available in drugstores), but most resorts and hotels provide complimentary soap and shampoo, so you might not need to bring your own. But if you simply can't fly without your favorite shower gel, check out minimus.biz for travel sizes of many mass-market brands. You can always purchase sunscreen at your hotel gift shop or at a nearby market, but it's just as easy to toss a few sunscreen towelettes (try Shady Day, shadydayinc.com) into your carry-on.

Of course, if you're hauling golf clubs or scuba gear, there's no way around checking bags. But for the rest of us, squeezing a seven-day wardrobe into a carry-on really is achievable, especially since airlines allow travelers an additional personal item like a purse or backpack.

Pack strategically, and you'll breeze through airport security with your essentials and enough space left over to bring back a souvenir or two. (The bummer is that you usually won't be able to tote duty-free booze and other liquids.) When you've got your swimsuit and hat with you, delayed or missing luggage need never come between you and the beach.

For more packing tips, check out Anne Mcalpin's website, Packitup.com.

Online Editor's Note: Planning that next trip with the family? Here's everything you need to know about Hassle-Free Flying with Kids.