Don't Pack This: What to Leave Home (Before It Gets Confiscated)

Confessions of an Overpacker
Ryan and Julie kick things off with a little self-roasting—yes, even travel advisors overpack. Julie admits to dragging a full suitcase, carry-on, AND a bag to a solo conference, and confesses she packs a swimsuit on trips with zero pools in sight. Ryan's guilty pleasure? A jacket for Florida "just in case."

The Stuff You Pack But Never Touch
The hosts run down the classic overpacking offenders: the "just in case" formal outfit, an overstuffed toiletry bag, paper guidebooks (though paper maps do have their charm with kids), too many chargers and cords, and snacks that never leave the bag. Ryan shares his trick for avoiding overpacked toiletries—keeping a permanently stocked travel bag at home—and reminds listeners that extra weight isn't just inconvenient, it can cost real money in baggage fees.

What Actually Gets Confiscated on Cruises
This is where things get serious. Julie breaks down items cruise lines commonly seize: irons, steamers, candles, certain hair tools, and non-surge-protected power strips (pro tip: no three-prong outlets allowed on the strip itself). They also cover CBD products and the legal gray zone around state vs. federal law, weapons or weapon-like items, and drones. Bonus: confiscated items don't just disappear—sometimes law enforcement gets involved.

Destination-Specific Surprises
Beyond cruises, Ryan and Julie flag rules travelers often miss: camouflage clothing banned in countries like Barbados and Trinidad, drone restrictions abroad, medications that are legal in the U.S. but flagged overseas (including a cautionary tale about Adderall being mistaken for meth), agricultural restrictions in places like Hawaii, protected materials like coral and seashells, cigarette and vape limits in Mexico, and selfie stick bans at parks and museums.

Where in the World? 🗺️
Ryan shares a dream client trip: a two-week Tokyo honeymoon based in Akihabara, packed with an anime and game adventure tour, a visit to the Senso-ji Temple, a ramen-making class, and a custom Japanese knife-making experience—plus round-trip flights from Atlanta, all under $5,000.

The Big Takeaway
Less is more, and a little research before you pack can save you money, hassle, and in some cases, legal trouble.

Next week: the hosts tackle who a cruise is actually right for—spoiler, it might be you. Plan your next trip at wonderandbeyondtravel.com.

Transcript

Ryan 0:00

Hello and welcome to All Things Travel. Some items are just not worth packing, but travelers swear they need them, but yet they're never touched. Think of that just in case outfit, that extra pair of shoes for every possible occasion, the travel iron, the stacks of paperback books when you know you're just gonna be on your phone. case scenario, these extra items take up space. Worst case scenario, they're a big no-no based on your vacation. Today, we'll give you an unpacking list for your next trip

Julie 0:34

Listen in with travel advisors Ryan and Julie. He's your travel professor teaching you everything you need to know to have a magical vacation, and I'm a Disney-loving Maryland mom of three and a specialist in family travel. And together, we are the co-owners of Wander and Beyond Travel. Whether we're discussing incredible destinations, top vacation tips, or sharing personal stories, it's always all things travel

Ryan 1:01

All right, Julie. So confession time, and I'm not talking about when you pack as a mom, but when you pack as Julie, are you an over packer

Julie 1:10

Oh my gosh.

Ryan 1:11

packer?

Julie 1:12

Over, over packer. When I went to Disneyland by myself and for that conference, I had a full-size suitcase and a carry-on and a bag

Ryan 1:23

Yes. I tend to be an over packer as well. Now I'm talking about big trips, going on a cruise, going to Europe, not just your overnight vacation. I tend to be an over packer. And so, I'm guilty of some of this stuff we're gonna talk about today, when it comes to items that you may not need, but you swear by. So, it's not just about packing too much. That's not what we're gonna talk about today. It's that some of these items really have a cost, especially when it comes to time, money, and sometimes security. and later in the show, we're gonna talk about things that you actually can't take with you that could really put a damper on your vacation. All right, so next question before we get going, though, what's one thing you always pack and never use?

Julie 2:10

I'm gonna say, like, some of the shoes. Like, I always think I'm gonna need so many shoes, and, like, I'm not the shoe person. I'm not

Ryan 2:19

I have a problem that I always pack my swimsuit whether I'm going to a swimsuit place or not.

Julie 2:26

You think you're gonna go in, like, a hotel pool

Ryan 2:28

like obviously if I'm going to, on a cruise or if I'm going to the beach, I'm gonna pack. But then I'm always like, "But what if there's a pool there? You know, what if I'm gonna wanna use it?" And newsflash, Ryan never wants to use a pool that's not in a warm tropical place

Julie 2:44

Not like the heated indoor pool at like the Comfort Inn?

Ryan 2:48

Not so much.

Julie 2:49

No, no, no, no

Ryan 2:51

Well, speaking of packing, if you did not listen to last week's episode, we talked all about what's in the bag theme park edition. Whether you're a solo traveler, whether you're a group of adults, or whether you're a family with littles, we've got items that you need to take on your next park trip. All right, Julie, so are you guilty of these? The first one is the just in case outfit, maybe formal wear for a dinner that never happens. what do you think?

Julie 3:22

No, because I don't have formal wear

Ryan 3:26

Well, I I always have extra when it comes to clothes. I tend to use what I pack, but there's always a couple things in there.

Julie 3:34

when I go to, Ocean City for a week, our local beach, I'll always bring, sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I'm like, "I don't need that. why am I bringing that?" Or even, when we go to Disney, I'll be like, "Do I need a jacket?" And then you're like, "It's gonna be 90 degrees. I don't, I don't need a jacket." But I still pack a jacket usually.

Ryan 3:52

All right, the next one, an overfull toiletry bag

Julie 3:58

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Ryan 4:00

You're saying yes?

Julie 4:01

Yeah. Yeah, and some of it though, some of it is important. Like, I always bring kids' medicines, but I don't always use them

Ryan 4:09

That's true. I will say my toiletry bag, and I've talked about this on the podcast, one of the things I do is I have my toiletry bag for travel, everything in there is just

Julie 4:21

Mm-hmm.

Ryan 4:22

So I'm never

Julie 4:23

Yes

Ryan 4:23

things in before a trip. So like, for instance, my... I think I ran out of shaving cream on my last trip. So as soon as I came home, I went to the store and got shaving gel, put it in there, and I know that it's in there. So I'm not

Julie 4:36

Yeah

Ryan 4:37

my toiletry bag for every trip, and I think that really helps with kind of that overpacking, situation

Julie 4:44

Yeah, I do leave my toiletry bags packed, and then it's a couple things like medication or makeup that I add in at the last minute. But the kids, theirs is always ready to go

Ryan 4:56

Paper guidebooks or maps when you will just use your phone to find stuff

Julie 5:03

I will say along the lines of paper maps, we did use a paper map in DC because the kids thought it was really cool, and like that's an easy place to use it to be like, "This is where we're staying. Here's the zoo. Here's this." And in Disney World, I like a good paper map

Ryan 5:19

All right, two more. Too many chargers and cords for your devices

Julie 5:26

Yeah.

Ryan 5:27

Yep.

Julie 5:28

yeah, I hear you. I just pack, like, my big power bank thing and, there's cords attached to it. I'm like, "I don't even know what these are for, but I'm just gonna bring them."

Ryan 5:36

And then last one, snacks just in case that come home untouched

Julie 5:42

I don't think I have that problem. They all get touched

Ryan 5:45

I have this list here and, we kinda get into this mindset when we travel that we have to have this, we have to have that. and there's consequences to that. Not only space and weight, maybe there's money because you're overpacking, so you're having to check a bag or pay for overage fees, but also overall effort.

Julie 6:03

Mm-hmm.

Ryan 6:04

going to Europe and having to drag your bag over cobblestones or, just getting your bag in and out of the airport, and those extra 10 pounds become an extra 100 pounds by the end of your excursion there

Julie 6:19

Yeah, and if you are the person that is putting all this in your bag, I really hope you have a luggage scale

Ryan 6:25

Yes, and speaking of that, that's something that I do have in my suitcase. Thank you for reminding me. I actually need to switch that over, 'cause I got a new suitcase for the next trip. And for a travel nerd like me, that's like the coolest toy you can get But it's not just extra weight and extra inconvenience. There's actually some stuff that can get confiscated based on where you go. And who's a big culprit of this, Julie?

Julie 6:49

The cruise lines and they are always changing their rules as well, and they're not always consistent. So you might be in a Facebook group and somebody's like, "Oh, yeah, this of mine did not get confiscated," and you bring the same thing and it could still get confiscated. So something like irons and s-

Ryan 7:09

see people in those groups that will say, "Here's how you get around it getting comf-

Julie 7:14

Yes

Ryan 7:15

here's our little pro tip. Never look at a Facebook group when it comes to, you know, "Where should I eat at Disney World?" Well, I don't know. What do you like to eat? Who's eating with you? just 'cause Aunt Susie went to Topolino's four years ago doesn't mean that's the place you have to go to. so when we're talking about cruises, what are some of the things that are commonly enforced across most of the cruise lines, Julie?

Julie 7:43

Things like irons, steamers, candles, incenses, anything that could have an open flame or be a fire risk. Even certain hairdryers or certain hairstyling tools, that's a really big one like, women that are trying to pack. Like, I need a special hair tool. Those get confiscated all the time. along with that, things like power strips or extension cords without surge protection, many lines now require surge protected only. And I get this question all the time about, power strips and extension cords when I have clients cruising, and I just send them a link to the exact one that I have boarded a cruise with, because If you go on Amazon and search for one to bring on your cruise, they're all gonna say, "Cruise approved," and they're not. Correct me if I'm wrong, Ryan, but my general rule is it can't have the three-prong.

Ryan 8:31

Correct. Yep. Yeah,

Julie 8:33

it can

Ryan 8:33

be one, it needs to be one that is based off of either USB ports or like the C port,

Julie 8:39

Yeah.

Ryan 8:40

of stuff.

Julie 8:40

So obviously it can have the three plo- prong to like plug into a wall, but it can't have a three-prong, like, additional option. That's my general rule. if someone sends me one that said, "Oh, but it's cruise approved," I'm like, "You can't take it. It'll get taken."

Ryan 8:54

the next one, CBD products. Even though it's legal where you are living and even where you're going, you need to be very careful, especially on a cruise, because you are in international waters and you are dealing with different countries' laws. And so it's not worth it, Again, it doesn't matter what Aunt Susie did last year when she went cruising in this place or that place. even flying with it, because the TSA is a federal agency, not a state agency. So yes, even though rules are kind of murky and gray, I would not recommend doing it

Julie 9:34

Ryan and I were actually just having a discussion on this right before we started recording, because I've had this question from clients. it's legal in Maryland. A lot of people have medical cards near me. and so a lot of people think that having a medical card is, like, a cover-all. Like, "Well, I can do anything because I have a medical card." And the information I shared with, clients and guests traveling soon is basically what Ryan and I ended up discussing was that, yes, you might have your medical card in one state, and your medical card might transfer to another state, but once you go across a state line, it becomes a federal issue. And because it's still banned federally, it truly doesn't mean anything that that state has it legal because you are traveling across state lines. yeah, we can't give out legal advice, but that's what TSA says.

Ryan 10:32

two more. Something that is weapon or weapon-like. so you know, a pocket knives of a certain size or even toys that look more realistic, it's just not worth it. Don't do it. It's gonna get confisca- and when, when we say confiscated, they actually look at your bags through

Julie 10:50

Oh

Ryan 10:50

they're coming onto the ship. And so you won't... they will just take it, it will be gone. You'll have a little note that says, "Something's been taken. Pick it up at the end of the cruise." You'll walk off the ship, and there's a table with all the items there. you're unsure, just don't do it. And lastly, drones. many cruise lines prohibit them being on board, and for safety reasons and, interference reasons. So really, the bottom line is check with the specific cruise lines and with the airlines if you're unsure, so that you don't get caught up in this, and work with us, and we'll help you with that and answer all those questions and provide that list to you

Julie 11:32

I wanna toss a couple more things out there that I thought of. Can I add on?

Ryan 11:36

sure.

Julie 11:37

All right, so as you mentioned, checking specifically with the cruise lines, this is very cruise specific, and then I'll tie it to other destinations later on. But a lot of cruise lines

Ryan 11:47

here in a little bit,

Julie 11:48

Yeah. A lot of cruise lines allow you to bring on a certain amount of alcohol or additional beverages. and like Disney Cruise Line, for example, just changed the allowance. So definitely make sure you are checking the rules for that. They will get confiscated. and sometimes you're allowed to bring on something to, like, uncork your wine bottle, and sometimes you're not. So even thinking about those kinda things, that that stuff will get taken from you. and the other thing I wanna mention is Ryan talked about like that table that they have, but some of these items won't just get confiscated. They can also call law enforcement on you

Ryan 12:26

Boy, we are having a real fun podcast today. Like, you will

Julie 12:30

It's morbid

Ryan 12:31

you'd, if you bring the wrong hair straightener, you are gonna go to jail.

Julie 12:35

Yeah.

Ryan 12:35

before we talk more about, destination specific options for what not to take, I wanna talk about where in the world is Wonder and Beyond Travel. And Julie, a honeymoon in Tokyo would not have been on my travel planning bingo card this year, but I am loving this couple that I'm working with. these are relatives of family friends of mine, and reached out, and this is a young couple that want to do their honeymoon in Tokyo early next year. And so we've been working on this, and what I love is they were very specific about some things, and then the rest they're like, "We intentionally wanna leave it open, 'cause we don't know what we wanna do." so they were very specific. We wanna stay in the Akihabara area of Tokyo, because that's known for anime shops, vintage treasures, and all sorts of Nintendo and Pokémon, and all that kind of stuff, and they are just going to geek out, in that whole area. And they had a couple things that they wanted to do. So what I did was I put together a stay at the Akihabara Washington Hotel, and this is

Julie 13:45

Mm.

Ryan 13:45

weeks in Tokyo, next January and early February. It is right in the heart of where they wanna stay. We also have a Senso-ji Temple and Old Town walking tour. We have a Akihabara Anime and Game Adventure walking tour, where they're gonna see all sorts of stuff. They're gonna be going to places like the Pokémon Center. They're gonna be going to places like, Nakano Broadway, which is a really cool shopping mall. And then we also put in specifically things that they requested. We have a ramen making from scratch cooking class. And then for the guy, we have a make your own Japanese knife class, where they work with a knife smith. I just love the fact that, you know, they came to me with some ideas. They said, "This is specifically what we want to do. We want the rest to be open." And it's so fun to be able to find these things to share with clients. So two weeks in Tokyo, what an awesome honeymoon

Julie 14:49

That's amazing

Ryan 14:51

Well, we love celebrating with our clients and learning about and sharing where they're headed, and we can't wait to hear about their trip when they get back. this may be a podcast episode, Julie, 'cause I'm really excited about this trip

Julie 15:03

I can't wait to hear about it

Ryan 15:05

All right, so Julie, when we're talking about destinations for vacation, there's a couple things that we may not think about when it comes to what not to pack. are a couple?

Julie 15:16

All right. First one, camouflage clothing. This is actually banned for civilians in several Caribbean countries, and some that come to mind, Barbados and Trinidad. These can be confiscated at customs. you know, it's like a military only situation, and you don't wanna do that

Ryan 15:35

Yep. The second is drones because they are banned or heavily restricted in many countries. just like with cruises, don't take them. They're not worth it. You have to have special permission. the next one is certain over-the-counter medications are legal in the United States but controlled abroad. So if you are taking, prescription medications or over-the-counter medications, just take a look, especially if you're traveling to some place that may be a little more exotic like Asia or the Middle East. There's some specific things here.

Julie 16:08

There was a story recently from a colleague that their client had gone to a destination with Adderall, which is perfectly allowed here,

Ryan 16:19

Yeah

Julie 16:20

and it's an amphetamine here, but that destination misunderstood and thought it was a methamphetamine, which is illegal in that country, and they were in jail for a period of time on their vacation. So very, very, very important to know what medications are allowed where you're going

Ryan 16:40

This next one is a little lighter than methamphetamine, but, I've gotten stopped in Hawaii because I've tried to take certain things, away from the island

Julie 16:50

Oh

Ryan 16:50

it, and I'm thinking about fruits, seeds, wood items, other agricultural related items. if we're talking about island places such as Hawaii, Australia,

Julie 17:01

Mm-hmm.

Ryan 17:01

they are super strict about this, because they don't want to introduce any invasive species to their island. what are our last couple, Julie?

Julie 17:11

So any souvenir that is made from a protected material in your destination, so something like coral, ivory, shells, or animal products, you can't bring those home with you. And the one that comes to mind a lot is, well, you'll go to the Caribbean and you'll wanna bring home seashells that you found. You are not allowed to do that. it's part of their environment. You're not allowed to do that. The last one I'll throw out here, I feel like the bearer of bad news on this episode, Ryan. I'm like, "Don't do this or you're gonna get arrested."

Ryan 17:41

travel insurance next?

Julie 17:43

I just like this whole episode, I'm like, "Don't do it. They're gonna arrest you." this comes to mind specifically for Mexico. You are allowed to bring in a certain amount of cigarettes, but no more. So know your limit. They will take it all from you. And also, like, vapes. Vapes are allowed in the US. A lot of places don't allow vapes. so again, check the rules of your destination

Ryan 18:03

So lastly, a bonus, selfie sticks. If you are going to a place like a theme park or a museum or a public gathering, make sure you look and see if those are allowed, because a lot of times they're not. as we wrap up today, really the big theme when it comes to packing is less is more, and also doing a little research before you pack saves a lot of headache, or losing your stuff. So check with where you're going and really think about what you need to have, when it comes to packing your bags. at the very least, you're saving yourself some effort and some weight by packing smarter. But as Julie pointed out, at the worst, maybe, you're saving yourself some, legal issues

Julie 18:50

The world is full of wonder, and your next great adventure is waiting. At Wander and Beyond Travel, we work with you to create a one-of-a-kind journey, taking the stress off your plate so you can focus on the joy of exploring and the memories that will stay with you forever. If you're ready to start planning or just wanna dream a little bigger, head over to wanderandbeyondtravel.com. We'd love to help you get started

Ryan 19:14

We look forward to talking to you next week on all things travel when we discuss who is a cruise right for. Spoiler alert, it may be you