Vacation photos - reality

I came to a bit of a revelation as I was travelling recently. I had lugged quite a bit of mirrorless gear with me. I had it all in a very small shoulder bag (LowePro Event Messenger 100) and the weight was not an issue. But I still had a bag of expensive gear to babysit. I still had to swap lenses. I still had the hassle factor. And for what? What kind of pictures was I taking? I was taking vacation snapshots. And the slight bit of extra quality - is it worth it?

Reason why maybe I am doing it wrong:

1. I am at the mercy of the schedule and the weather. I probably will not have the light or the time to make an award winning shot.

2. I have other people I am travelling with who may not wait for me to "find the shot" very many times.

3. I am visiting sites seen and photographed countless times. Are my shots likely to be special?

4. What are the odds that I want to blur the background out of my photos when that background is somewhere I traveled far to see?

5. I may be visiting events or dinners where a camera bag is more of a liability than an asset. (i.e. nice restaurant, bar or a concert). Carrying a camera bag on an airplane is an extra chore and limits what else you can bring

6. Where am I likely to use vacation photos? Will it be very large prints or web and small-ish prints in photo books? Experience says the latter, regardless of quality.

For all these reasons, is a ILC or SLR and even a smaller lens kit worth it? Where am I likely to reap the benefits? For a daylight photo is a 28mm prime lens on an SLR better than a cell phone shot? Does a superzoom lens like an 18-200 beat a pocket zoom camera like a TZ70? I can pixel peep and see some differences, but for the probable output will it matter?

Just some food for thought (or at least just my thoughts.) I switched to mirrorless so I could feel better about bringing all the gear when I travel and it's really changed nothing. I do still enjoy the benefits for day to day family photos, portrait and for travel where I know photography will play a central role. But do I need or even want the camera kit for a regular vacation or trip? I'm starting to feel like the answer is no.