The 7 Biggest Things People Forget to Pack

Don't forget to pack these essential items for your cruise!Let's face it: as much as we love vacation, packing for a vacation can be overwhelming. And while it's easy enough to remember underwear and flip flops, other essential items can be harder to remember (how many times have you forgotten to pack a razor or a toothbrush, for example?). Plus the temptation to pack light can make you skimp on things you'll later regret. That's why we've put together a collection of the most frequently forgotten necessities when packing for a summer getaway. Add all of these to your list immediately, and hopefully you can avoid making the same mistakes we have in the past - and save yourself some hefty credit card charges at the airport or hotel gift shop. Without further ado, here are 7 essentials to remember when packing for your vacation:


Passport and travel document1. Passport and Travel Documents
Literally the most important thing to remember to pack is your passport and all necessary travel documents. Everything else can be replaced and/or managed without, but without those you'll be waving your vacation goodbye. We'd recommend a large envelope, folder or case to hold all necessary documents for everyone who is traveling together.








Related: 20 fun (mostly free!) activities to do this summer






Sunscreen2. Sunscreen
A summer vacation means that you're spending much more time outside and near the water than usual. Traveling near the ocean means the sun will be extra strong because it will be both beating down from the sky and reflecting back up off the water. Make sure you have lots and lots of sunscreen and that you're reapplying often. Although sunscreen is easy to purchase in a variety of places on the road, it can get extremely expensive, so it's best to stock up in advance.












Comfortable Shoes3. Comfortable Shoes
From walking through the airport to sightseeing to simply exploring a new locale, vacations mean much more walking than you're used to. Whatever you do, don't make the mistake of wearing uncomfortable shoes and getting blisters on the fist day - this will ruin the rest of your trip!











Related: 10 surprising benefits of taking a walk







Chargers4. Chargers
Yes, we live in a world where no one can travel without their electronics. Cell phone, laptop, whatever you need, just don't forget their chargers. Be mindful of how much you're using your phone or data service though, if you're traveling internationally - roaming charges can be pretty steep. If you are going to need your phone, check the rate with your service provider before traveling, so at least you'll know what to expect.









One Nice Outfit5. One Nice Outfit
Often people assume they can go day-to-night with sundresses pretty easily on vacation, and this is true... ish. However, chances are you'll be going to a few nice dinners with a dress code. It would be nice to get out of that beachy sundress you will have been wearing all day, right? An extra dress in a light, wrinkle-free fabric goes a long way!









Related: 5 fundamentals of cruise ship etiquette (yes, there is such a thing!)






Bathing Suit(s!)5. Bathing Suit(s!)
Whatever you do and don't bring clothes-wise, do not under any circumstances forget a bathing suit! You don't want to be stuck on the beach sweating while everyone else frolics away in the refreshing water. Better yet, it's always best to pack an extra suit. You'll be swimming a lot on vacation and squeezing into a wet bathing suit is never fun.












Day Bag7. Day Bag
From sunscreen to room keys to water bottles and books, you will end up bringing a ton of things to the beach and pool. Be prepared with a versatile carryall that will store everything - we'd recommend a backpack or a messenger bag with a shoulder bag because they're easiest to carry. Too often people think their carry-on bag will easily double for a beach bag, but this means emptying it completely out each day for each purpose. Plus, all your carry-on items will most likely come home covered in sand. An extra bag is easy enough to fold and stow in a suitcase - trust us, you won't regret it!








- By Jacinda Boneau
Follow Jacinda on Babble

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