Airline baggage fees make it prudent to pack as lightly as possible.  You also don't want to feel like you are lugging everything you own from place to place.  Here are some questions to consider before packing:

If you are unsure about an item, then maybe you don’t need it.  Is it valuable?  If it is, how will you feel if you lose it or it is stolen? Was this item useful on a previous trip?  Will this item cause you to have a higher baggage fee?  Do you have room for souvenirs? Does your traveling companion have the same thing that you can share, or can you buy one when you get there?

The list below is designed to remind you of what you may want to bring.  It is not necessary or advisable to bring everything on the list.

Documents

___Passports, visas and travel documents
___Copies of travel documents (carry separately from originals)
___Copies of credit cards (front and back and carry separately from originals)
___Credit card contact info
___Copies of Passports (carry separately from originals)
___Travel Insurance policy
___Emergency contact info
___Medical insurance card & medical history
___List of medications
___Car insurance card
___Drivers License
___Itinerary
___Maps, directions & travel guide

Money

___Wallet
___Cash
___Credit cards
___Debit card
___Local currency

Technology

___Camera, batteries, charger
___Cell phone & Charger 
     Check with carrier for overseas plan and fees
___Laptop & charger
___Voltage adapter
___Binoculars
___Alarm clock (many phones have alarm clocks)
___Music & headsets
___Kindle or Nook

Enroute

___Sleeping pills 
___Motion sickness medication
___Ear plugs
___Light Reading
___Snacks 

Miscellaneous

___Backpack or day bag
___Umbrella
___House keys
___Luggage tags
___Ziploc bags (they come in handy for so many things)
___Small medical kit with Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, pain reliever, antacid, etc.
___Address book and important numbers (store in your phone to save space)
___Business cards
___Collapsible bag (great for souvenirs, pack it in your suitcase and use it as a carry-on on the way home)
___Prescriptions in original bottles
___Stain remover
___Sewing kit
___Vitamins
___Insect repellent

Clothing

Coordinate outfits so you can mix and match.  For example, on a 7-day trip you can pack 3 pants with 3 tops and have 9 outfits.

Basic Essentials

___Underwear
___Socks
___Sleepwear

Casual

___T-shirts
___Jeans
___Shorts
___Exercise clothing
___Swim suit
___Sandals/flip-flops

Outerwear

___Jacket (wear or bring on the plane so it doesn’t take up room in your (suitcase)
___Raincoat
___Hat
___Gloves
___Scarf
___Sweaters

Dressy

___Dress shirts
___Sports jacket
___Pants
___Skirts
___Dresses
___Suit

Miscellaneous 

___Belts
___Ties
___Watch (your phone has a clock and can keep track of the time zones automatically.  You can even get an app where you can see             multiple time zones at the same time)
    
___Jewelry 
___Glasses
___Glasses case
___Sun glasses

Personal Care

Many items are supplied by hotels or can be purchased locally.  Bring trial sizes to save space.  Pack in Ziploc bags in case they leak.

___Toothbrush
___Toothpaste
___Dental floss
___Mouthwash
___Shampoo
___Conditioner
___Comb & brush
___Styling products
___Mirror
___Sunscreen
___Contact lenses and case
___Saline solution
___Shaving cream
___Perfume/cologne (leave at home if you can live without it)
___Make-up
___Nail clippers
___Nail file
___Nail polish remover (you can get nail polish remover packets)
___Tweezers
___Lint roller
___Travel sized hair dryer (Most hotels and cruise cabins supply hair dryers)
___Sanitary hand wipes