Travel Tips by Molly
Documents: Please read your travel documents at least a week before you leave.
Familiarize yourself with your airline’s baggage policies, check in procedures, seats and flight times on the airline website or call me with any questions. Look at your passports. Make sure your travel documents match your name on your passport. Check your passport expiration date.
Items to Pack:
Passports! Take a pen to fill out customs forms on the plane. Bug spray, hand sanitizer, sunglasses, sunscreen, and extra batteries for your camera is also recommended. Vacation is a time to eat drink and be merry! Your body may not be ready for it. It’s a good idea to pack Imodium just in case! For the ladies, hair products for frizz. These items can be expensive to purchase at a resort. Liquids should be packed in your checked luggage, not your carry on. Ziploc bags are good for things that could spill or leak. Medications should be in your carry-on backs in their original bottles. Leave expensive jewelry at home to avoid losing it or getting it stolen.
Money Tip:
It’s suggested to travel with 100 -200 single dollar bills. This comes in very handy when tipping the bartender, maid, bellhop, or buying from local vendors on the beach. The hotel may exchange a small amount of money as a courtesy. Do not take large bills. The resort may not have enough local currency to cash them. Use your room safe. Always lock up your passport and extra cash.
Credit Card:
Always travel with a credit card. The card is required at hotel check in. The card can be used for incidentals; phone calls, excursions, spa services, etc. Contact your credit card company to advise them you will be out of the country. Many times a credit card company will decline a sale for out of the country purchases presuming a fraud.
Dress Code:
The dress code in the Caribbean is mainly resort casual. Dinner tends to be most “formal.” Men should consider packing at least 1 pair of light pants and a collared shirt. Some restaurants will require men to wear long pants at dinner. Ladies can consider dresses, capris or long pants. Leave the bathing suits, flip flops and tank tops for the beach! Breakfast and lunch tend to be must more casual.
Calling Home:
The most cost-effective way to call home is on your cell phone. Be sure to check with your cell provider to arrange service and check roaming prices in your travel destination. Another option is to purchase a calling card at the resort to make calls. Calls from the room phone can be expensive. Using Wi-Fi, Facetime or are great ways to call home too!
Honeymoon:
If you are on your honeymoon, take a copy of your marriage license or one of your invitations. Many times resorts will ask for proof of marriage in order for you to take advantage of Honeymoon amenities.
Have a great time on your vacation!