Packing tips from our agents:
Bring a carry on bag- it won't kill you and if your flights are delayed or your bags get lost, you still have some things with you. It's very important to carry with you any and all medications, prescription glasses, contacts, insulin, etc. Any electronic gadgets you don't want to lose. A change of underwear and shirt, a toothbrush and tooth paste, deodorant and your cell phone plus charger are also great things to have with you in the airport.
Julie suggests using shampoo for washing out clothes- "It rinses out easy and smells good!"
Brenda goes a step further and recommends dropping your swimsuit on the shower/tub floor and "washing" it while you shower, shampoo, rinse, etc. Stepping on the swim suit helps squeeze the shampoo and water through the suit and then simply ring it out after you're done with your shower.
Mariann suggests when two or more in the family are traveling together, each carry a different debit or credit card in case one is lost or stolen, you still have access to money or a way of charging purchases.
Another suggestion Brenda shares with her clients is to take an empty duffle bag- it packs easily in your suitcase, for dirty clothes when you come home. This way you can put your souvenirs in the sturdier suitcase and if it has wheels- it's easier to haul the goodies home. The dirty clothes bag will be lightweight and do you really care if that bag gets lost?
Julie is generally a minimalist when packing for a trip. She takes two pair of earrings-one gold, one silver, wears a pair and packs a pair. Each piece of clothing should go with more than one other piece- on vacation you tend to change clothes often and don't really get items dirty, so you can re-wear them.
"No one is keeping tabs on your clothing choices, they're on vacation, too" Julie tells clients.
Ladies, you don't need shoes for every outfit you wear. A basic color sandal or dress shoe can be worn with every evening clothing choice. Then throw in beach shoes, athletic shoes for exercise or walking, and maybe a casual shoe or sandal-you're good to go (and remember, you'll be wearing one of these while traveling to your destination).
Do you HAVE use special hair products? Can you use the products the hotels and resorts offer (and replace regularly if you use them)? Can you use their shampoo and conditioner and bring only your special hair gel/mousse/spray? I always bring conditioner because many hotel have shampoo/conditioner in one and it isn't very good for my hair.
Moisturizers with sunscreen, or sunscreen lotions work as moisturizers, let your products multi-task!
Are you rooming with someone you can share products with?ost hotels, resorts and cruise ships have hair dryers in the rooms so it's not necessary to bring one.
You do not want to tote around more than one guidebook regardless of where you are traveling. Copy some of the pertinent pages or rip them out of the book and bring only the pages you want. Books are heavy and after walking around sightseeing all day, those extra books take their toll on you.