Compilation of most items mentioned in forums.
Pack a complete inventory item list of all bags and write next to each item which bag it is in. This provides a list for insurance purposes should a bag never return home. Put a copy of the list in each bag. Take a photo for extra proof trying to locate your bags. This same inventory list can be used to make sure you pack everything to bring it back home.
Do not take anything on your trip that you can not afford to lose. Do not pack anything in checked or carry-on bags if it is essential. Airline sometimes force you to check in carry-on (and pay for it also) and lose bags or thieves could steal it. If it is essential, wear it somehow. Airplanes CRJ-700 and ERJ-135 will not fit maximum legal carry-on bags, they will be checked. Some smaller airlines will make you check your carry-on bag simply because it has wheels.
Partners: Split up half of your stuff between bags so if one bag gets lost, stolen or liquids burst, you will still have some of your dry gear. Pack liquid containers inside freezer bags in case they get squished, at least they’ll be contained.
Print and carry destination policies on any questionable items as proof.
Make your luggage unique so you can find it in a group of 5 others identical to yours. Colored tape, ribbon, sharpie, iron on patch.
0. Good Attitude – you’re taking a vacation to relax and have fun, don’t sweat the small problems that come up
1. Airplanes
a. Check current luggage restrictions of all airlines you will be using a month or two before your trip.
b. Check current list of TSA airline carry-on prohibited items a week before your trip. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm (full size shampoo, etc should be okay to pack in checked-in luggage, check regulations to be sure)
c. Pack yourself with essentials (drivers license, airline boarding pass, passports, medication?)
d. Use airline approved size see-through containers for liquids/gels in carry on (toothpaste, contact cleaner, sunblock, shampoo)
e. Pack purses inside another carry-on bag or it may count as a carry-on item for airlines
f. Beware of packing aerosol cans with contents under pressure while flying (deodorant, hair spray, solarcaine)
g. TSA does not currently allow loose lithium batteries in checked luggage. Put them in your carry on.
h. Portable luggage scale (some airlines have weight restrictions)
2. Identification and Tickets
a. Drivers License photo ID / Passports
b. travel insurance info. Keep copy on you and in your room (search online for options)
c. travel tickets with phone info available (airline / bus / cruise boarding pass)
d. 3 passport/etc copies (original w/pursers desk, 1 copy at home, 1 copy in stateroom/hotel, take 1 copy with you in ports)
e. Wallet/Belt clip/Lanyard/badge holder (for room card ID for ports) leave purses in stateroom
3. Medical Items
a. corrective lenses / contacts and cleaning solution
b. prescription medication / allergy / diarrhea / aspirin / motion sickness wristband (no side effects) / ginger pills
c. antacid / vitamins / nose strips / suntan lotion / sunblock / sunscreen / lip balm
d. First Aid Kit (sunburn ointment, waterproof spray on bandages, tweezers, nail clippers, antiseptic, cotton swabs)
e. medical devices (CPAP) with power strip extension cord (estimated 8 feet)
Note: Bathroom only has 2 prong outlet, Desk has a 3 prong outlet (one 110 volt and one 220 volt)
Frequency is not 60 Hz as in the USA so curling iron wont get as hot, clocks won’t be accurate
4. Money
a. credit cards, atm, $50-$100 ones/fives for tipping taxi, shuttle, porters (leavings and returning), etc
b. cash for port excursions, leave credit cards on ship to prevent identity fraud
c. call credit card company beforehand and ask about best defense out of the US and put preventative limits you will remain within, let them know dates you may use it outside of the US.
d. List of credit card numbers and credit card company phone numbers left in room
5. Luggage
a. Label luggage with your name/address, cruise line, ship name, destination, room number – keep a copy inside luggage too
b. Make your luggage identifiable (iron on, stickers, colored ribbon,etc)
c. Attatch zip ties to luggage tags and to lock bag. Bring extra zip ties for the return home.
d. Leave some spare room to bring back items bought on the trip.
6. Clothes Clothes
a. swimsuit / slacks / belt / socks / formal wear / tie / hat / sunglasses / sleepwear / jacket . Bundle clothes to prevent wrinkles.
b. Water-beach shoes / flip-flops / slippers / formal dress shoes / comfortable walking shoes.
c. Pack shoes in grocery store baggies or ziplocks to control odor and dirt. Saves space over using special shoe packing cube.
d. light rain jacket with hood that can double as warmth in a cool auditorium room or up on the breezy deck or rainy ports
e. tide-to-go mini (for stains)
f. lint brush (duck tapes works too)
g. extra hangers. People say there usually aren’t enough of them. (about 10 per room)
h. timepiece watch for port excursions, set to current time as indicated by the ship (usually home port time)
i. Backpack for port excursions to carry souvenirs, maps, beach towels, snacks.
j. large ziplock plastic bags (to pack wet swimsuit, dirty shoes, misc other items not known ahead of time)
k. collapsible dirty clothes hamper / laundry / duffle bag to pack dirty clothes or transport clothes to/from laundromat
l. Air freshener (freshen bathroom, smoky clothes), dryer sheets use less space, maybe prevent wrinkles, help w/static cling
m. wrinkle releaser (travel steamer iron may not be allowed on flights)
n. roll of laundry quarters – $2 wash / $2 dry / $1 detergent / dryer sheets / travel detergent singles
7. Toiletries
a. Toothbrush & toothpaste, hair brush / comb, deodorant, shavers, makeup, feminine hygiene products, hair spray
b. Bar soap, shampoo, conditioner (if you need special products)
c. hanging toiletries bag (room attendants love these and prefer to not touch your personal items to clean the bathroom)
d. LED nightlight / flashlight for not disturbing others in room at night (bathroom plug may only work when light switch is on)
e. antibacterial hand sanitizer wipe singles
f. earplugs for light sleepers, nose strips
8. Other Common Items
a. camera / extra batteries / extra film, media / baggies to protect against rain (People advocate to keep camera in carry on)
b. battery operated clock (foreign electricity frequency may offset the timing in plug-in clocks) / alarm clock
c. power strip extension cord (if you need to plug in more than one item at a time)
d. chargers for shavers, cameras, cell phones, mp3 player
e. Dollar store travel umbrella, small sewing kit
f. Travel size duct/duck tape (repair broken luggage, makeshift cheap bandages, etc)
g. multi-tool without a knife blade (airline requirement)
h. diploma holder to protect pictures in luggage that are bought (also use to protect documents of insurance, passport copies)
i. Dry erase marker to leave your stewards request notes on the mirror
j. Post-It’s / pen to leave meetup notes on your friends doors.
k. travel mug for carrying around ship (coffee, water)
l. cell phone w/walkie talkie mode (may only work close to ports with international roaming), also use for clock, alarm, games
m. cooler to fill with lots of ice in room, use trash bag to protect against leaks
n. champagne / wine & corkscrew / v8 / soda / water bottles
o. business cards to keep in touch with new friends (name, phone #, email, social websites)
p. binoculars for sightseeing locations
9. Miscellaneous
a. Baby items: diapers, formula, spoon, bib, medicine, wipes, swimwear, pajamas, toys, pacifier
b. unwaxed floss (for teeth and use as clothes line)
c. rubber door stop – to force door/balcony door open or closed (or door stop alarm for extra security)
d. compass for port excursions where street signs may not always be easy to find
e. clothes pins / big paper clips (pin up wet clothes, keep drapes closed)
f. air freshener for bathroom (small car air freshener)
g. Super adhesive, glue (repair glasses, fingernails, etc)
h. door magnets, tacky putty, whiteboard to decorate your stateroom door
i. you can pick up a free deck of cards at the Purser’s Desk on some cruises
j. water toys / kid game systems / book / Farkle dice / travel games / magazines
k. non-perishable snacks / crystal light packets alternative to sugar juices
l. snorkel equipment to save money on rentals, also good for beaches
m. walkie-talkies (may annoy others)
n. cheap beach towel, beach ball
Packing Light – One Bag – Modify main packing list above using following guidelines.
The following list is for those who only want to take one carry on bag to avoid check-in luggage fees at airports. You hassle with less “stuff” and can pack and unpack quickly so your time is better spent on the fun part of your vacation.
Benefits: * less stress * less chance of lost luggage * porters not needed (nor tips) * no airline check-in charges * more free time
a. Check online for current airline carry-on restrictions. They constantly change based on size, weight, wheels.
b. Great luggage w/o wheels: check online for current onebag options
c. Cross items off your packing list that will not be used. Highlight essential items. Consider free/souvenir space with other items.
d. You should not need a dirty clothes bag. Everything should be dirty/washed. If you did not use it, it was wasted space.
e. Wear outer clothing at least twice. This cuts the number you pack in half.
f. Do laundry during the trip instead of packing more clothes. Pack a flat rubber sink stopper.
g. Minimize pairs of shoes to take. Water/walking shoes, formal/heel shoes. Combine/eliminate these if you can.
h. Only airline approved containers for all liquids/gels if flying. Buy/borrow more if you run out.
i. Use compartment packing cubes to keep organized.
j. Leave bulky electronics and chargers at home.
k. Packing lighter involves good use of double duty items:
a. Bar soap can also be used as shampoo and toothpaste.
b. Only use 2 or 3 interchangeable colors for clothing mix and match.
c. Good looking swimwear can double as casual excursion shorts for men / top for women.
d. Check the web for reversible clothing (shirts, skirts), convertible long sleeve shirts
e. Combination nightlight/flashlight (search on the web or local super-marts)
l. Pack smaller, lightweight manual razors instead of bulky electric shavers w/chargers.
m. Pack travel size items instead of their giant consumer counterparts. (more important if flying)
n. Wear a waterproof watch with alarm instead of taking a bulky alarm clock
Packing Extremely Light – No Luggage – Total travel freedom. Use lightweight quick dry synthetic wicking clothing.
Benefits: * less hassle * no lost luggage * less airline restriction concerns * wear your packing list * greatest theft deterrence
a. 1 pair wicking underwear / sportsbra, carry a 2nd pair under hat
b. swimsuit (that can double as men shorts or female top), 2nd pair under hat if you have room
c. men dress pants (casual slacks) with secret money belt or female skirt/sarong (for formal night or cool weather)
d. water shoes with heel strap (some that can “get by” with the dress pants) (prevents having to wash socks)
e. shirt #1 – synthetic wicking t-shirt (worn next to body)
f. shirt #2/#3 – reversible cotton t-shirt (worn over shirt #1 during travel)
g. shirt #4 – long sleeve shirt with convertible sleeves (worn over shirt #2 during travel)
h. bowtie for men for formal night (travel with this in a pocket)
i. waterproof watch w/alarm
j. hat (shade, rain, secret money stash, sew/glue in your own pockets)
k. travel jacket (use vest mode for excursions)
l. passport, DL, boarding pass, travel insurance, contact lists (friends, cc #), 1 copy of all for room, 1 copy to carry, 1 copy at home
m. toiletries #1: medication, motion wristband, aspirin, comb, toothbrush, razor, sew kit (seam ripper, needle, thread), deodorant
n. toiletries #2: absorber towel, toenail clippers, tweezers, bar soap (shower,shampoo,toothpaste), flat sink stopper (handwashing)
o. toiletries #3: stain pen, scented dryer sheets (air freshener, static cling reducer, perfume), un-waxed floss, cotton swabs
p. digital camera with charger and extra memory cards
q. travel duck tape
r. pen
s. multi-tool
t. led light