Suitcase or No Suitcase that is the question???

I am really struggling here with making a decision about whether to bring a suitcase or not. Tony has already decided, he is going with a backpack on his back ONLY! Well, we tried practicing last night packing just a backpack and for Tony it was easy and do-able(?sp). For me however, the clothes weren't an issue but fitting my full-size down feather pillow in my backpack was. As you all know, I don't go anywhere without this little item of comfort from home. Plus the fact it just grosses me out to no end sleeping on another pillow that someone else has sweated on and pillow drooled on, YUCK, YUCK, AND DOUBLE YUCK, GROSS!!
If it weren't for the pillow then I'd be able to go without a suitcase so I just need to decide if I want to have 9 days of horrible nights sleep and be miserable every day.
Also, and this is a BIG one, what do you do with all your luggage AFTER you get OFF cruiseship? We will have to get off ship by 8 am and our flight doesn't leave til 4 pm. That is 8 HOURS of lugging around bags around Miami. You can't check in luggage any earlier than 4 hours before a flight ( I checked with my friend, she works for Delta). Which means you will be waiting outside at the Miami Airport to go inside to check luggage for 4 hours!! Think about it people, 8 hours with your luggage! Sooooo, I asked my friend and she said there is a program called the " Luggage Express Program" with Carnival. Carnival will take your luggage for you, check it in at the airport and you won't see your luggage til you arrive back in S.L. all for $20! That would be the best $20 ever spent, except if your luggage gets lost which is something else you have to think about. Do I really want to replace all my clothes when I get back home? NO! So I go back again to the carry-on only. So much to think about for one trip.
So, for those unsure like me, which I'm sure its nobody, here are some guidelines from Delta's website for carry-on luggage and baggage rules. I still need to have enough room to pack home my Mexican rug and blanket so I might have to lug around a suitcase, grrrrrr!

3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce bottle or less (by volume) ; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 oz. container size is a security measure.
Consolidate bottles into one bag and X-ray separately to speed screening.
Be prepared. Each time TSA searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing 3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience.
3-1-1 is for short trips. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.
Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.
Come early and be patient. Heavy travel volumes and the enhanced security process may mean longer lines at security checkpoints.
TSA working with our partners. TSA works with airlines and airports to anticipate peak traffic and be ready for the traveling public.

Sharp Objects carry on checked

Razor-Type Blades - such as box cutters, utility knives, razor blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors. No Yes
Sabers No Yes
Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches Yes Yes
Swords No Yes
NOTE: Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.
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Other Items

Item Carry-on Checked
Gel-type candles No Yes

Gel shoe inserts - Gel shoe inserts are not permitted, but shoes constructed with gel heels are allowed and must be removed and screened. No Yes

Non-flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container Yes
Flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint No No

Snow globes and like decorations regardless of size or amount of liquid inside, even with documentation. No Yes

PerishablesDelta allows you to carry perishable items such as fresh or frozen foods, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, bakery products, flowers, cut flowers, floral displays and vegetable plants in the aircraft cabin as part of your carry-on baggage allowance, provided no agricultural rules are violated for the destination country.
If the item does not meet size or weight restrictions for carry-on baggage, we will accept the item within your checked baggage allowance upon completion of a limited release form. However, Delta will not be liable for deterioration or spoilage of any perishable item contained in checked baggage, whether with or without the knowledge of Delta.

Dry Ice shipments are limited by dangerous goods regulations. Customers are encouraged to use frozen gel packs or similar products to keep perishable items checked as baggage, frozen.
Wet ice shipments are not accepted as carry-on baggage, checked baggage, or cargo on Delta or Delta Connection flights.

Carry-on Baggage
All Delta passengers are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item that meet the criteria below. See Security Check-in for liquid and gel restrictions.
Size and Weight Restrictions
If your carry-on bag doesn't meet these size restrictions it must be checked, and all checked baggage rules will apply. Your bag must:
Not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height), or 115 cm. Fit easily in our SizeCheck® unit (approximately 22"x14"x9", or 56x36x23 cm). Fit in an overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you.
Personal Items
You're allowed one personal item from this sample list:

Purses, briefcases, camera cases, and diaper bags

Laptop computers (can’t be checked and must be carried on)

Items of a similar or smaller size to those above

Other Carry-on Items Allowed

You may also bring these items onboard. They do not count toward your personal item.
Food items for immediate consumption

Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches

One box or bag of duty free merchandise

A coat, jacket, or umbrella

Exceptions
Additional restrictions to carry-on baggage may exist due to available space and limitations on certain flights. If you have additional questions, please see a check-in agent for help or review our Baggage FAQs.

Checked Baggage—within the United States
When traveling within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico, customers are charged $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second checked bag (each way, for round trip). There is a $5 surcharge on each of the first two checked bags when checking in via ticket counter, kiosk, or curbside. There is no surcharge for bags prepaid during online check-in at delta.com.
*For tickets purchased on or after September 19, 2009 for travel on or after October 13, 2009 Canada will be considered part of the U.S. area for baggage purposes and will be subject to the same fees.
General Conditions of Acceptance
Delta will accept your baggage for transportation, subject to the following conditions:
All baggage is subject to search.
We reserve the right to refuse baggage whose size, weight, character, or condition is unsuitable for transportation on the particular aircraft which is to transport it or which cannot be accommodated without harming or annoying passengers.
Baggage check-in requirements, which vary by airport, must be met. Please review airport Check-in Requirements for details.
Baggage must be checked at a Delta designated city or airport office.
Your name must be on your baggage.
Baggage will not be checked to a destination that is not on a passenger's itinerary.