If traveling out of the country to anywhere outside of the United States, you will need a passport. The only type of cruise that does not require a valid passport is one that begins and ends at the same port in the United States. For these cruises, you need to pack a copy of your birth certificate or proof of citizenship.
Your driver's license is an important item because you need it to verify all of your tickets for cruise and airfare. When you reach your destination, you may choose to rent a car, which would require your license and automobile insurance card as well.
A foreign language dictionary is a good idea if you are traveling to a non-English speaking country. For example, if you are traveling to Italy, many people there may speak only Italian. In order to get around and find things and places you may need, an English-Italian dictionary would help bridge the communication gap.
In case of an emergency, you always want to have your medical insurance cards and medical history with you on trips. Having a copy of your medical history is especially important if you are traveling alone. In case you get sick or injured and cannot answer for yourself or have someone else to answer for you, the card can provide life-saving information.
Take along enough prescription medicine for the trip as well as some extras in case of travel delays. Having a list of prescriptions is a good idea as well in case you get injured, so doctors will be able to prevent drug interactions.
One thing many travelers forget when visiting foreign countries is that other countries to do use the same type of power outlets used in the United States. Your electronics, such as cell phones, PDAs, cameras and laptops will most likely need to be charged during your trip.
Research what type of adaptor will be needed for the particular location where you are traveling and ask what type is used on the cruise ship before departing, so you can be prepared.
Guidebooks and maps are not necessary items to have, but can be very helpful on your trip. Make sure to pick up guidebooks and maps for all the places you will be stopping on your trip. This will help you maximize the time you have at certain points of interest, since you typically only get a day to explore each stop.
Having a guidebook will help you make sure you can visit all of the popular sights and attractions in each stop. Having a map convenient will provide an easier time finding your way around.
