Here are some suggested to-do lists and packing lists that you can use to aid in your travel preparation. Each individual traveler is different and may have other required items not listed below. You also may not need every item on this list depending on where you are traveling to. These lists are intended to be a starting point that you can then use to personalize your travel needs. You can scroll down, or use the buttons below to skip to a section.
The following is a list of suggested tasks to complete prior to your travels. Remember, each individual traveler and trip may have other required tasks not listed below and some of the tasks listed you may not have to do. This list is intended to be a starting point that you can then use to personalize your own travel needs. You can also click the links below for a Google sheet and PDF version.
- Pre-Cruise To-Do
- 9 months
- Book flights
- Book hotels
- 6 months
- Join cruise Facebook group
- 4 months
- Make sure cruise is paid off by final payment date
- Make sure passport and ID are valid for 6 months past return date
- 3 months
- Book excursions if wanted
- Book specialty dining if wanted
- Purchase any packages such as internet, drink and photo packages
- Order items for room such as bottled water, distilled water, chocolates, etc
- Arrange pet care
- Arrange child care
- 1 month
- Arrange property care (snow/lawn/pools/hot tubs)
- Notify neighbors you will be gone
- Set up emergency contact and share itinerary
- Check your excursions to see if there are any special items you need to pack
- 3 weeks
- Put check in date on calendar
- 1 week
- Start packing
- Purchase/order any last minute items needed
- Make sure mail collection arranged
- Make sure all travel documents completed
- Verify names, birthdays, address on ID match ALL travel documents
- Contact bank/credit card companies to give travel alert
- Contact cell phone carrier to give travel alert, find out where you DO and DON'T have coverage
- Make sure all travel apps are downloaded Trip Plans, airline, cruise, hotel, etc
- Print travel documents
- boarding pass
- luggage tags
- airline tickets
- hotel confirmation
- Get cash for trip
- 1 day
- Check in for flights
- Set itinerary in Trip Plans to "Make Available Offline"
- Check weather forecast to see if may impact travel
- Download music/movies onto devices
- 9 months
- In Embarkation Port To-Do
- Purchase wine (screw top, 750mL or less)
- Purchase 12 pack cans of soda/energy drinks
- Once on Ship To-Do
- Complete muster station
- Ask for mattress topper
- Ask for extension cord
- Ask for sheet to cover couch
- Obtain port agent phone numbers for each port if getting off ship
The following is a list of suggested items to pack for a cruise. Remember, each individual traveler is different and may have other required items not listed below. You also may not need every item on this list depending on where you are traveling to. These lists are intended to be a starting point that you can then use to personalize your own travel needs. You can also click the links below for a Google sheet and PDF version.
Cruise Packing List Google Sheet
- Personal Items/Clothing
- Undergarments
- Socks
- T-shirts/tanks
- Long sleeve/sweatshirts
- Shorts
- Pants
- Elegant/formal night outfit/s
- Elegant/formal night shoes
- Theme party clothes
- Pajamas
- Athletic Shoes
- Slide on shoes
- Sandals/Flip Flops
- Belts
- Hats
- Sunglasses
- Light Jacket/Coat
- Swimsuits
- Swim shirt/cover up
- Water shoes
- Deodorant
- Cologne/perfume
- Razor and Shaving Cream
- Toiletry Bag
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash/bar soap
- Body/hand lotion
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Floss
- Hairspray/gel
- Brush/comb
- Hair straightener
- Hair ties
- Q-tips
- Eye drops
- Makeup remover wipes
- Nail Clippers
- Thermometer
- Tweezers
- Nightlight
- Travel Packs (See Travel Pack list)
- Medication Pack
- Clothing Pack
- Disinfecting Pack
- Stationary Pack
- First Aid Pack
- Motion Sickness Pack
- Hanging Organizer
- Hanging organizer w/ strong magnets
- Chapstick/lip balm sunscreen
- Sun screen lotion (reef safe)
- Aloe vera/sunburn lotion/cream
- Anti itch cream/spray
- Bug spray
- Emergency Rain ponchos
- Pocket watch for ship time
- Decks of cards/games
- Binoculars
- Towel bands/clips
- Other
- Books
- Collapsible cooler
- Dirty Laundry Bag/Hamper
- Lanyards
- Magnet hooks, clips and buttons
- Microfiber sand proof beach towels
- Grocery/garbage bags for wet clothing
- Door decorations
- Sandproof large beach blanket
- Snorkel gear/life jackets
- Suitcase locks
- Zip locks bags for other items
- Cigar cutter
- Food/Snacks
- Dish brush
- Dish sponge
- Dish rack
- Dish soap
- Snacks/Candy
- Powdered energy drinks
- Electronics
- Cell Phone Charging cords
- Long Extension cord
- HDMI Cord (Laptop to TV)
- Waterproof phone cases
- Essential Documents/Travel Items
- Printed Boarding Passes
- Cash - $500 in $20s, $5s and $1s
- Credit/Debit cards
- Luggage tags for suitcases/backpacks
- Copies of lug. tags for inside luggage
- Passports
- Passport holder/organizer
- Airline confirmations
- Hotel confirmations
- Excursion documents
- Health insurance documents
- Travel/Airplane Backpacks
- Cell Phone Charging cords
- Charging bricks
- Headphones/earbuds
- Laptop Computer/Tablet
- Reading glasses
- Sunglasses
- Tissues
- Hand sanitizer
- Sanatizing wipes
- Luggage scale
- Deck of cards
- Books
- Prescription medications (plus extra)
- Mints/gum
- Reusable water bottle
- Fan/s
- Essential Documents/Travel Items
Organization and traveling go hand and hand! We suggest utilizing a "travel pack" system. Each travel pack has a theme of items. The great thing about using travel packs is that when you are going to travel, you choose which packs you will need as you may not need them all. You can use these for anything from a weekend away to a 10 night cruise, you can even use them in your camper! For the packs themselves, they are simple cheap pencil cases that you can get online for cheap. Since these have holes, they are also great to hang on the wall from magnet hooks on a cruise! Here is a suggested list of travel packs and what to put in them. You can also click the links below for a Google sheet and PDF version.
- Medication Pack
- Tylenol
- Ibuprofen
- Tums
- Stool Softener
- Gas Relief
- Anti-diarrhea
- Benadryl
- Allergy relief
- Decongestant
- Vitamin C Packets
- Medicine case w/ instructions
- Cough drops
- Liquid IV/Hydrator
- Severe cold packets
- Cramp relief
- First Aid Pack
- Small Band Aids
- Large Band Aids
- Antibiotic Ointment
- Super Glue
- Waterproof band aids
- Clothing Pack
- Stain stick
- Wrinkle release
- Hand wash laundry packets
- Lint roller
- Simple sewing kit
- Stationary Pack
- Thank you cards for staff
- Pencils
- Pens
- Highlighters (Bingo)
- Post-Its
- Notepad
- Sharpie markers
- Motion Sickness Pack
- Bonine
- Motion sickness patches
- Ginger candy
- Motion-eaze essential oil
- Disinfecting Pack
- Disinfectant wipes or spray
- Febreze
- Room spray