To avoid excessive baggage fees at airports, refrain from over-packing luggage. Emptying out the closet into the suitcase is not necessary; consider the fact that hotels and cruise ships have laundry services. The laundry service may cost extra, but some places offer to wash clothes as a free courtesy.
Plan outfits ahead of time and choose clothing that is versatile. Some common items to include are swimsuits, pajamas, loungewear, slacks, dressy shirts, T-shirts and shorts. Pack a couple sets of casual dining clothes and formal wear.
Trying to fit bulky shoes into a suitcase is hard work. Consider what activities you have planned and pack the appropriate shoes. Remember to bring hiking boots if a hike is one of the events planned.
Think about packing multi-functional footwear like flip-flops, which can double as both slippers and beach shoes.
Ideally, including a pair of tennis shoes, dress shoes and sandals in the luggage covers most situations.
Think about calling the family doctor and informing him of the Honolulu vacation. Arrange to have him fill extra prescriptions. Ask him about the possibility of phoning or faxing emergency prescriptions to a pharmacy in Honolulu.
Make a list of medicines for general ailments to pack, such as upset stomach, allergies, headaches and body pains. Select travel-sized medicine bottles for these generic medications and put them in a plastic sandwich bag for protection.
Remember to save room in your bags for those vacation mementos. Leave space to pack the camera or camcorder. Don't forget to bring the appropriate batteries and chargers for your electronics.
Many hotel and cruise ship rooms have a limited supply of electrical outlets; consider packing an extension cord or surge protector for additional sockets.
Some beach and pool necessities to include are sunglasses, sunscreen, cover-up for a bathing suit, tanning oil and a sun hat.
Think about bringing a portable CD player or an MP3 player for music.
Carefully pack toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer and lotions to avoid punctures and leaks.
