• See your doctor about the type of medications you need to travel and any side effects for your existing medication regarding the following :
  • Type of hepatitis shots needed.

  • If malaria pills are needed for the location being visited. Needed for Dominican Republic and certain Caribbean areas according to all health sites. There are economical malaria pills available that can be taken only once a week for 6 weeks. Other drugs are available; some are expensive and are taken daily. Bring mosquito spray or gel (25 deet +).

  • Type of diarrhea medication needed. Up to 50% get it who travel to the caribbean. Ask doctor about bringing an antibiotic. Bring imodium. Another option to consider is (dukoral) which is available at drug stores and advertised on TV. This is taken once a week for two weeks before leaving. ($75.00 per person) and require no other medication. (travellersdiarrhea.com).

  • If any DT booster is needed for certain childhood vaccinations. Remember the food rule from health canada: boil it, cook it, peel it or leave it. Avoid ice cubes.

• Notify bank security dept of your trip to avoid charges/cash advances being refused if you are unreachable.

• Passport, picture id driving license, birth cert, plane tickets, invoice from travel agent, trip cancellation policies, list of important phone numbers, trip itinerary, all travel health documents, sin number, serial # of items being taken (in case of loss).

• In case of loss, photocopy two copies of important parts of the above data plus credit/debit cards (both sides), health cards, medicare, phone numbers and other items .

• Leave one set of copies in a sealed envelope with a trusted person at home. Bring 2nd set with you in carr-yon and keep locked in luggage or safe (esp credit card data) at resort.

• Leave anything that is not needed at home in case of loss.

• Confirm that you have travel coverage on your health package at work or purchase the trip health insurance.

• Obtain and read the brochure and understand the coverage and rules before you leave Canada regardless of which plan you have.
• Bring the written data on travel health coverage with you.

• Bring N.B. medicare card and private travel health card showing Canadian phone number to call before you seek health care.

• Unless a 911 situation exists, you must have advance approval for any medical procedure if you expect to be reimbursed or to have costs prepaid.

• You might have to pay some medical costs (doctors) in advance because they might not accept payment from the insurance company.

• Get receipts and invoice for repayment.

• Bring some us currency (at least $50.00 US in one dollar bills) for tips to room maid and bartenders.

• A departure fee of $20.00 CDN per person (cash only) is payable at the airport.

• Some all-inclusive bars close AT 11:00. You might have to pay for liquor at disco and the outside bars after that time.

• Travel agent advises to consider bringing US travelers checks which can be cashed at the resort.

• Mastercard and Visa cards can also be used to get cash advances.

• Debit cards are not recommended.

• Consider using stomach money belt to carry cash and other valuables.

• A safe is in room but there is a charge to use it (estimate $32.00 US cash only). You should use this to store cash, credit cards, passports, jewelry, cameras, etc. Cleaning/repair staff could be in your room during the day .

• Suntan lotion 40+
• Solarcane lotion
• Face cloths (not always in room)
• Some band-aids/antiseptic ointment
• Lip balm
• Gas pills for plane
• Acetaminophen/advil, and tums
• Antibacterial hand lotion
• Spare camera batteries

* Store these items in suitcase, not in the carry-on bag.

• Sun hats
• Swim suits/cover up
• Light jacket for night or rain
• Light poncho
• Sandals, walking shoes
• Sunglasses with tie on cord
• In some resorts men need long pants to enter the resort restaurants and women need appropriate dress.

• Camera and battery charger
• Spare eye glasses
• Small foldable insulated bag and mug for drinks on beach
• Books & playing cards .

• Some resorts require you to reserve dinner at their restaurants at check in.

• Golfing is very expensive (maybe $200.00 US) and several miles away.

• Resort requires credit card, or cash deposit and passport ID at check in.

• There are off site activities, tours, and spas.

• Expensive water sports equipment sometimes must be reserved up to 2 days in advance .

• Ear plugs and eye covers to sleep during trip or at resort.

• Noise levels might be high at resort dependent on room location.

• Gravol for flight turbulence.

• Snacks to eat on plane.

• Prescription drugs that show your name on original containers.

• All documentation including photocopies outlined in another section.

• Cameras and other valuables should be in carry-on rather than suitcase.

• Mouth mask in case you are sitting next to a sick person.

• There are new rules for liquids, gels and aerosol cans if you want to carry them in your carry-on bag rather than in your suitcase.

• Everyone should read the carry-on rules at their charter airline web site.

• Get secure address tags and locks.

• All luggage bags must be locked.
• Don't carry anything valuable in you suitcases as they might have to be opened by airport staff without your attendance.

• There are special luggage locks which can be purchased that allow security staff to open bag without cutting the lock.

• Suitcase tag info - when leaving, show name, home and cell phone#, and resort address and phone#. When leaving resort, flip the card and show name, cell and home phone number.

• Some web sites recommended that for security reasons, your home address not be shown on tags. That is a personal decision. The airline also places a numbered tag on your luggage.

• ID within suitcase - place a piece of paper on top of your clothes in each suitcase that shows your name, home address and home phone number, resort name and location in case bags or the tags are lost or torn off.

• Suitcase identifier - put some sort of distinctive identifier (color tape) on bags or handle to ID them at airport and at resort check in/out.

• Weight limitation, the travel agent stated there are rigid weight and size allowances for suitcases and carry-on bags.

• Bags are weighed at check in and excess weight over allowances will be costly. ($10.00 a kilo or $5.00 a pound).

• Divide clothes - if traveling with a partner, pack some clothes of each person in different bags in case bags are lost or delayed.

• Make sure expensive items like cameras, cash, credit cards are not left in carry on bags when going through security checks. There are reports that thefts have occurred during this process. Keep the bag and contents in view at all times.

• Canada border services agency - their website recommends that you travel with as little jewelry as possible unless you have a Canadian sales invoice or previous import receipt. There is a special form that can be filled out before leaving Canada listing serial numbers for items like cameras. Consider bringing the invoice for camera equipment. All returning residents could be subject to search. Keep receipts for purchases.

• Consider car pooling to reduce airport parking fees and/or leave car at a friend or relative. Or have someone drive you. Make sure parked vehicle has snow/ice tools, shovel, boots, jacket.

• Arrange for a trusted person to check your house daily during the heating season which is required by your home insurance policy.

• Leave phone number and policy number of insurance company and the name and phone # of your resort with the person checking he house.

• Cancel newspapers.

• Have mail picked up or notify post office to hold mail (could be a charge).

• Leave unnecessary keys at home but bring house key.

• Set up timers to turn on lights in various rooms at specified times.

• Bring web site address and password to access email.

• Bring telephone calling card and pin number to phone home.

• Make arrangements well in advance to look after your pets.

• Can Border service agency site on returning to canada "I declare" see sections, ( jewelry and protecting your valuables) 1800 461 9999 www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5056-eng.html