Toiletries and personal care

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Mouthwash
  • Floss
  • Tongue cleaner
  • Soap or shower gel
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Deodorant
  • Nail clipper
  • Hairbrush or comb
  • Hair styling products
  • Hair styling tools
  • Cotton swabs
  • Tissues
  • Shaving kit
    shaving gear + shaving products
  • Body lotion
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm with SPF
  • After-sun aid
    - aloe gel
  • Hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes
  • Bath towel
  • Perfume
  • Tampons
  • Pantyliners
  • Makeup
  • Makeup bag
  • Makeup remover towelettes
  • Makeup tools (tweezer, eyelash curler)
  • Skincare products
  • Nail polish
  • Nail polish remover
  • Nail file and other manicure tools
  • Perfume atomizer

Personal items

  • Glasses
  • Contact lenses
    + case + solution
  • Sunglasses
  • Watch
    Tip: Set the time on your watch to the destination time zone, and leave the time on your cell phone set to your home time zone so you don't have to do any calculations to decide whether it is a good time to call home.
  • Keys
  • Wallet

Documents and money

  • Passport or other proof of citizenship
    Check the requirements in advance.
  • Photo ID
    - driver's license
  • International driver's license
    - if you decide to rent a car when ashore
  • Visa
  • Immunization record
    - if required
  • Airline tickets
  • Cruise documents
  • Emergency phone numbers
  • Copies of itinerary and reservations
  • Copies of other important documents
    It is useful to have a couple of sets of copies in different luggage pieces. For more tips, read this blog post: http://blog.packwhiz.com/2009/01/makin-copies.html
  • Cash or travelers cheques
    Keep travelers cheques receipt separate from the cheques!
  • Currency
  • Credit cards
    + credit card companies' phone numbers in case they are lost or stolen
  • Medical insurance card
    + medical history + prescriptions list
  • Travel insurance
  • Membership cards
    - auto club, frequent flyer
  • Maps and guides
  • Business cards
    - to hand to people you meet

Luggage and security

  • Luggage
  • Luggage name tags
  • Luggage locks
  • Travel safe
  • Neck wallet or money belt or waist bag

Gadgets

  • Cell phone
  • Laptop
  • Digital camera
  • Video camera
  • MP3 player
  • Headphones
  • E-book reader
  • Battery chargers and cables for all devices
  • Extra batteries
  • Extra memory cards for digital camera
  • Power adapter and/or converter
  • Travel alarm clock

Clothing

  • Briefs or boxer shorts
  • Undershirts
  • Hosiery
  • Panties
  • Bras
  • Socks
  • Slippers
  • PJs
  • Bathrobe
  • Shower cap
  • Loungewear
  • Activewear
  • Headwear
    - hat, baseball cap, bandana, visor
  • Formal attire
    - for formal dinners
  • Outerwear
  • Handkerchiefs
  • Swim trunks
  • Swimsuit
  • Cover-ups
    - sarong or pareo
  • Flip-flops
  • Personal selection of clothes
  • Shoes
  • Accessories and jewelry

Food and drink

  • Snack
  • Chewing gum or mints
  • Bottled water

Medicine

  • Small first aid kit
    band-aid + antibacterial cream + pain reliever + antacid
  • Prescription medications
  • Birth control
  • Vitamins or supplements
  • Motion sickness pills
  • Allergy medicine
  • Bug repellent

Extras

  • Garbage bags for dirty clothes
  • Lint roller
  • Sink stopper
    + clothesline
  • Sewing kit
  • Safety pin
  • Shoe horn
  • Pre-paid phone card
  • Binoculars
  • Umbrella or parasol
  • Phrase book
  • Journal or notebook + pen
    - to make everyday notes
  • Addresses to write postcards
  • Book or magazine
  • Earplugs
  • Travel pillow
  • Swiss Army knife
  • Copy of this packing list
    - lest you should leave something when you pack for the return trip

Beach

  • Beach towel
  • Goggles
  • Snorkeling gear
  • Board games
  • Playing cards
  • Waterproof disposable camera
  • Beach bag

To do

  • Check for visa requirements at destination
  • Check for medical coverage at destination or purchase travel insurance
  • Check for required vaccinations
  • Make photocopies of travel docs and itineraries
    Read this: http://blog.packwhiz.com/2009/01/makin-copies.html
  • Call credit card company to notify them about your travel plans
  • Turn on international roaming
  • Buy or recharge phone card
  • Check weather at destination
    http://www.weather.com/
  • Prepare all clothes
    - dry clean, wash, press
  • Put mail on hold or arrange for mail pick-up
  • Get cash from ATM
  • Make arrangements for drop-off and pick-up
  • Water plants or arrange for plants to be watered while you are away
  • Make arrangements for pets to be fed
  • Charge all batteries
  • Upload music to MP3 player
  • Pay bills
  • Set TiVo or VCR to record programs
  • Clear answering machine
  • Set up auto email response
  • Adjust AC to save energy
  • Turn off appliances and electronic devices
  • Clean out perishables from fridge
  • Take out garbage
  • Check all carry-on luggage for sharp objects, place liquids in ziplocks