Packing - cargo hold or hand luggage?

[Daisy]

Hello again.

Ok, I shall try to condense this as best I can.

I have embarked on our packing {as you may know} and come across a bit of a problem. I have medical luggage which has to be 'carried on', its no problem as Virgin say they wont count that as part of our hand luggage allowance. I have a colostomy so its just pouches, irrigation equipment, tablets for pain etc...

However we have a young daughter aged 6 and this is where the problem lies. She has a 'food problem' ie: she wont eat any. Well, thats not strictly true, she has a few items of food she will eat. However there is only one drink she will have which is Ribena toothkind. We are having to take that with us...about 3/4 huge bottles of the stuff as well as some paediatric food replacement drinks. I know Virgin will let us take this also as hand luggage but Im worried about where all this is going to be stored. Can you imagine the looks we will get when trying to pack all these bags into the overhead lockers in economy? So I would prefer to ship them { the plastic ribena bottles} via the cargo hold. What do you think? Im worried about it being too cold and the bottles leaking or is there another system on board where they will store medical luggage seperately for you? I know you dont work for Virgin but I wondered if you could offer advice.

I have spoken to Virgin customer assistance but they werent overly helpful, they just basically said dont worry about it. Easy for them to say but if we have taken up 3 rows of overhead luggage lockers I think we will be shot!

That wasnt very condensed was it. What can I say...Im a woman, why use a few words when I can use 300! :lol:

Daisy x

[Daisy]

I should add that the medical luggage {with Emilys food/drink} takes up 3 bags plus our own hand luggage is another 4. So 7 small suitcases/bags alltogether for the plane. I wont tell you how many cases we have for the cargo hold!! No, dont worry its only 4 and Virgin allow you 8 so thats ok. Phew!

[Falcon]

Do you need the medical kit in flight? Ribena Tooth kind could be available in the States so one small bottle and purchase what you need when there? There is no separate hold for medical stuff but your luggage should be fine in the hold. I think 747 holds are naturally heated I think ( I will check). the bottles shouldn't leak but packing each one in a carrier bag not be a bad idea. Of the replacement drinks they might be American. See where I am going with this? As for the hand luggage needs must, you have medical needs. I would brace youselves for Virgin desk on the day saying " sorry some of the hand luggage will have to in the hold". Passports in with the colostomy bags etc. It should all work out but best to be ready for a quick repack.

[Lynda]

Daisy,


They do sell Ribena toothkind in Publix, bought it for grandaughters.

[Daisy]

All the medical luggage has to travel as hand luggage. I cannot risk it going awol during the flight. The paediatric drinks are only available on prescription over here so I would have to take them with me. Assuming they are available over there I would have to pay quite a sum for them.

Lynda - I was told that Ribena was available over there but not the toothkind variety {Florida only} Are you absolutely sure it was toothkind? If they do sell it there for certain then I could buy it there.

Falcon - I wasnt competely sure what you were saying. Do you think Virgin will not allow us the medical hand luggage after all, even after what they said on the phone? They did say they would allow it as extra that wouldnt be counted as our allowance. You have me worried now.

[Lynda]

Daisy,

We did buy Ribena Sugar Free not so sure it was toothkind, toothkind is what they drink at home and they said it was the same.

If you google Publix there is a Contact us section, you could ask them.

Lynda

[Daisy]

Thanks Lynda. I have contacted both Publix and Walmart when we booked the holiday, neither of them got back to us. I will err on the side of caution and take them with us. I cannot risk her going without drink! Thank you anyway.

[WillFlyToDisney]

Daisy,

I have a Publix 1 mile from my house. I would be more than happy to go see if mine carries it. Granted I am not in FL but most stores carry the same thing. The FL stores are much bigger than the ones here and should carry more items.

Is this a soda or a juice type beverage? Does "toothkind" mean sugar free? How big is the bottle and what color?

Thanks,
Kelley

[Lynda]

Kelley,


It is a blackurrant vitamin drink that you dilute with water, sized about 1 litre, they do have smaller bottles.
In the UK it is kept with all the other drinks /
It is the colour of blackcurrants.
It is possible it may be with the baby drinks.

They did have Ribena sugarfree in Orlando in the Foreign section. I am ot totally sure that this is the same as toothkind, my grandaughters said it was.


Lynda

[Daisy]

Kelley you are a star! Thank you I really would appreciate that.

Yes, Lynda was spot on. Its a blackcurrant cordial that is diluted with water. Over here it is labelled as Ribena then underneath and to the right it says in smaller letters 'toothkind' then underneath that it says 'no added sugar'. It has a green foil covering the top of the screwcap. Whereas the normal ribena has purple foil on the top.

Thanks again!
:hug:

[Falcon]

I was thinking the other handbaggage, they can't take the medical stuff off you.

[WillFlyToDisney]

I'll check our Publix and let you know! :)

Kelley