Ready Set Travel A Checklist to Ensure a Successful Travel Experience Reading and using this checklist can save you from all sorts of regret. Read it. Think about it. Then, Act on it. Chance favors the prepared mind. Voltaire NORTHSIDE TRAVEL 800 MAIN ST. DENNIS, MA 02638 508-385-4100
Planning Your Northside Travel guide will help you discover the world. We provide our travelers with a complete and unique travel experience. Research Trip Ideas Discuss what type of vacation you want a cruise or land tour? Do you want an active vacation or just pure relaxation? It is important to think about this as you plan. Trip Selection Work with your travel guide to help you make the correct choice for choosing a tour operator or to find the best match for you and your travel style. Airfare One of the most expensive items for your trip can be the airfare. We can often get you a better rate than what the tour/cruise company offers. Pre-and/or Post Hotel Packages Consider spending time at the beginning or end to extend your trip. Your travel guide has great suggestions that will enhance your trip. A pre-night stay ensures that you will be well rested and ready for the fun to begin. Travel Protection Insurance Purchase your travel insurance policy to take advantage of special offers like optional pre-existing medical coverage. On some policies, this is only available within 14 days of initial deposit. Rental Car Will you want to rent a car? Does your insurance cover International driving? Will you feel comfortable navigating in foreign countries? Passport Check the expiration date of your passport. It must be valid until six months beyond your return date. Use the following timelines as a guideline. Check off the appropriate items according to your schedule or personal desire. NORTHSIDE TRAVEL 800 MAIN ST. DENNIS, MA 02638 508-385-4100 2
Getting Focused (1 Year 9 Months in Advance) Set up your initial appointment with your travel advisor to layout your short and long term travel plans. Are there destinations that should be visited sooner rather than later for your physical health? Look at the climate for your suggested destination. Is there a better season to visit? Check the weather but also pay attention to the political climate as well. How is the U.S. Dollar doing where you are visiting? Be aware of the holidays being celebrated in the countries you are visiting. Are visas required? If yes, when and how do you complete the application. After You Have Made Your Decision Reserve your space with a recommended travel professional. Apply special discounts, i.e., past passenger, resident, senior, military, etc. Advise past passenger numbers, frequent flyer numbers, etc. Make initial deposit and know the date for final payment. Review the dates for making dining reservations and when you can purchase shore excursions if you are cruising. Purchase travel insurance. Don t forget about the pre-existing coverage deadline Check if there are any entry or exit fees collected by the countries you are going to visit Advise your travel professional of any seating or dining preferences and if you are celebrating a special occasion. Book your flights. Start early to get the best possible rates. Consider planning a pre-or post-tour extension. Try to arrive at your destination city before the trip leaves, since a cancelled flight can cause you concern. Be aware of specific requirements for Visa s and any other entry requirements Advise your Travel Professional of any dietary needs. Advanced notice must be given to a cruise line. Special meal requests (Kosher, Low Sodium, Vegan) can be accommodated Review the shore excursions offered from the cruise line. Reserving ahead is standard nowadays. Choose your excursions or research your own day trips at your ports of call. You can book excursions that are run by the cruise line on their websites. If possible, make your spa and salon appointments in advance to secure the most popular times. Formal nights are popular in the salon. Complete the passenger information forms. We will do this for you. Start reading about your destination to be sure you don t miss a sight you want to see. NORTHSIDE TRAVEL 800 MAIN ST. DENNIS, MA 02638 508-385-4100 3
9 Months 1 Month Before Departure Shop for required wardrobe. Think ahead because you may get some good deals if you catch the stores seasonal sales. For example, it is easier to find a bathing suit in August compared to January. Think about your destination and the weather when you will travel. Are you taking an adventure trip? Visiting a cold climate? Are you taking a formal cruise? Are you taking a more laid back casual cruise? Check electric currency (110 vs. 220) Check monetary currency Check U.S. customs allowance Arrange for pet care in your home or by boarding your animals. Put any instructions in writing and include pet care insurance documents and vaccination certificates for the caregiver. Credit Card Take one that has no foreign currency exchange fees Arrange for a house sitter Arrange for child care if necessary Make sure that dietary requests have been made to onboard services for special diet or meals If you get seasick or carsick easily, talk to your physician about remedies or use of "the patch."also, you might want to buy sea bands -- small, elasticized bands that cover both wrists. Get copies of medical records and/or prescriptions Check your monthly bill payment schedule and make arrangements for payment if necessary Will your cell phone work? Do you need one or should you rent one? One Month Before Your Trip Review your travel documents with your travel professional. Check your time zone, look at recommended jet lag articles and websites. Make a copy of your passport to take with you and give a copy to your travel professional. Taking your laptop? Check wireless access and internet packages. Taking your cell phone? Contact your provider for destination packages. Check exchange rates and know how much money you want to bring (small bills and new money) Do you have an ATM card? ATM s are the best way to acquire local currency Remember your password. Make a conversion chart if you are not taking a small calculator. Arrange for transportation to and from the airport. Check prescription medications to be sure you will have enough for your trip. NORTHSIDE TRAVEL 800 MAIN ST. DENNIS, MA 02638 508-385-4100 4
Two to Four Weeks Out Notify credit card companies of your travel plans. Take no more than 2. Visa and MasterCard are more widely accepted than American Express. This may not have to be done if you have a chip card. Make arrangements for holding mail. Set up an out of area auto-responder for your email if applicable. Notify your home security system of your out of town status. Pre-Pack. Aim for one checked suitcase and one carry-on bag. Pack toiletries or over-thecounter medications in your carry on. All liquids, gels and aerosols (3oz. or less) must be placed in a single quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon-size bags or bags that are not zip-top (such as fold-over sandwich bags) are not allowed. Cancel the newspaper delivery for the duration of your trip. Prepare a list of important numbers to take with you, i.e., credit card numbers in case they are lost, phone number of your physician, phone numbers of family members in case of emergency. Prepare peal/stick labels if you like to send postcards while you are away. One Day Before Your Trip Clothing in suitcase take some out!! Passport and all travel documents placed in carry on. Batteries and chargers Digital camera and extra film card Set timers in your house Check in online for your flights (no earlier than 24 hours in advance.) This will save time at the airport. Upon Your Return Expect a phone call from us. Pick up your mail Resume paper delivery Download pictures and put your album together while the trip is fresh Start thinking of your next destination NORTHSIDE TRAVEL 800 MAIN ST. DENNIS, MA 02638 508-385-4100 5
Packing List Here is a general packing list that you can refer to. Not all may apply to your trip. 1. Travel documents including tickets, pre-boarding passes 2. Proof of citizenship. Passports and Visas (if necessary) 3. Vaccination certificate (if required) 4. Money Don t take too much cash 5. ATM Card best way to get local currency while you travel 6. Credit Cards 7. Business cards with email address to give out to new friends 8. Contact numbers to report lost/stolen credit cards 9. Contacts, contact cleaner 10. Copy of prescriptions and list of all medicines you are taking 11. Copy of travel insurance policy and policy number with contact phone numbers 12. Currency conversion chart or small calculator 13. Driver s license and auto insurance card - in case you decide to rent a car 14. Emergency numbers at home 15. Extra reading glasses 16. Foreign language phrase book or dictionary 17. Guidebooks and any other destination information 18. Home and email addresses of friends/relatives back home for sending postcards, emails 19. Journal/notebook &pen/pencil - for making notes to tell your friends back home about your experiences 20. Maps 21. Medical insurance cards and medical history (especially if traveling alone) 22. Pre-paid phone card 23. Reading material - books to read while on the plane or lounging 24. Reading sunglasses 25. Sunglasses 26. Three (3) copies of airline itinerary, and passport/visas - pack one copy in carry on, one copy in checked luggage, and leave one copy with someone at home 27. Wallet 28. Fanny pack 29. Watch NORTHSIDE TRAVEL 800 MAIN ST. DENNIS, MA 02638 508-385-4100 6
Electronics and Camera Equipment 1. Batteries for digital camera battery charger 2. Binoculars 3. Bug spray 4. Camera and manual 5. Camera film (don t put undeveloped film in checked luggage) 6. Cell phone and charger 7. Digital camera and manual 8. Digital camera flash memory card to back up and move photos from digital camera 9. Digital camera memory cards 10. Ear plugs 11. Extension cord/power strip with multiple plug-ins 12. Germicidal hand cleaner handi-wipes (Think about wiping down your airline space) 13. Hand lotion, rubbing alcohol or foot lotion 14. IPOD or music player 15. Laptop computer or ipad 16. Lighted dial clock for cruise ship cabin 17. Lip balm with sunscreen 18. Medicine kit 19. PDA and charger 20. Plug adaptor and converter 21. Prescription drugs and any other essential 22. Small first aid kit (band aids, Q-tips, Vaseline, Dramamine, antibiotic cream, bandages, cream, aspirin or Tylenol Advil) 23. Small flashlight 24. Small travel alarm clock - battery operated 25. Sunscreen 26. Video camera with charger and tape 27. Waterproof camera - for snorkeling or beach days Other Necessities 1. Clothes pins 2. Collapsible travel pillow for those long airplane flights 3. Duct tape or strapping tape 4. Extra plastic cable-lock ties for securing luggage for return 5. Empty folding tote bag - for souvenirs or the beach 6. Extra luggage name tags (in case yours are lost on the outbound trip) 7. Garbage/laundry bags 8. Hats/caps/visors 9. Insulated large coffee mugs 10. Playing cards 11. Safety pins 12. Sewing kit and scissors (pack in checked luggage) NORTHSIDE TRAVEL 800 MAIN ST. DENNIS, MA 02638 508-385-4100 7
13. Shoe horn 14. Snorkeling gear 15. Sports gear 16. Swiss Army knife or something similar with screwdriver head, etc. (be sure to put in checked luggage) 17. Travel blanket 18. Travel-sized Woolite 19. Zip bags of all sizes Women s Clothing Packing List 1. Belts 2. Bras 3. Capri pants 4. Compression stockings (for airplane flight to prevent swollen ankles) 5. Dress/outfit for casual nights 6. Dress/outfit for formal nights 7. Dress/outfit for informal nights on ship 8. Evening shoes 9. Exercise/walking socks 10. Gloves and stocking cap (if expecting cold weather) 11. COSTUME Jewelry and extra watch 12. Lingerie 13. Night gown/pajamas/robe 14. Panties 15. Pantyhose 16. Purses (day and evening) 17. Rubber sandals for reef walking and beach 18. Scarves 19. Shorts 20. Slacks 21. Sweatshirt 22. Raincoat with hood 23. Fill in yourself 24. Sweater/Fleece 25. Swim suit 26. Swim suit cover-up 27. Thongs/flip flop shoes 28. Tops of all types (sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved) 29. Walking sandals 30. Walking shoes 31. Windbreaker jacket 32. Workout clothes and jog bra NORTHSIDE TRAVEL 800 MAIN ST. DENNIS, MA 02638 508-385-4100 8
Women s Sundries and Miscellaneous 1. Bar soap in container 2. Blow dryer Only if your cruise cabin or hotel rooms do not provide them 3. Cleanser 4. Comb/brush 5. Conditioner 6. Curling iron or curlers 7. Deodorant 8. Hair gel 9. Hair spray (non-aerosol) 10. Make-up and make-up bag (list can be endless!) 11. Make-up mirror 12. Make-up remover 13. Moisturizer and freshener 14. Mouthwash 15. Nail clippers and file (be sure to pack in checked luggage) 16. Nail polish and remover 17. Razor and shaving cream 18. Shampoo 19. Shower cap 20. Toothbrush and toothpaste 21. Dental floss 22. Tweezers Men s Clothing Packing List 1. Docksiders casual shoes 2. Belts 3. Dress socks 4. Slacks (casual and dress) 5. Compression socks (for airplane flight to prevent swollen ankles) 6. Evening or dress shoes 7. Exercise/walking socks 8. Gloves and hat (if expect cold weather) 9. Pajamas and robe 10. Raincoat with hood 11. Sport jacket 12. Shirts (casual and dress) 13. Shorts 14. Suit 15. Swim suit 16. Sweatshirt 17. Ties 18. Tuxedo jacket and pants (or dark suit) NORTHSIDE TRAVEL 800 MAIN ST. DENNIS, MA 02638 508-385-4100 9
19. Tuxedo shirt Somewhat old fashioned for today s world of cruising 20. Tuxedo tie, suspenders, and cummerbund 21. Tuxedo cuff links/studs 22. Undershirts 23. Underwear 24. Walking sandals rubber sandals/shoes for reef walking and beach 25. Walking shoes 26. Windbreaker jacket 27. Workout clothes Men s Sundries and Miscellaneous 1. Bar soap, shampoo and hair products 2. Comb/brush 3. Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss 4. Deodorant 5. Mouthwash 6. Nail clippers and file 7. Razor and shaving cream NORTHSIDE TRAVEL 800 MAIN ST. DENNIS, MA 02638 508-385-4100 10
Special Trip Reminders NORTHSIDE TRAVEL 800 MAIN ST. DENNIS, MA 02638 508-385-4100 11
Special Trip Notes NORTHSIDE TRAVEL 800 MAIN ST. DENNIS, MA 02638 508-385-4100 12