5 Surprising Items You Should Pack for an All-Inclusive Vacation

The drinks are free, but they're generally served in minuscule and flimsy plastic cups. Flip the script! Bring your own container and supersize that Rum Runner. If you choose one that keeps cold drinks cold (like this insulated tumbler from Manna), you can save yourself quite a few trips to the bar. (Don’t skimp on tips, though!)

You want the bartender to remember you. (If there’s a line, they may take care of one of their favorites first.) You’ll be easier to remember if you’re wearing a loud bathing suit or a unique accessory. Take it a step further and introduce yourself to the bartender when you order your first drink. You want friends behind the bar!

Whether they're allowed to or not, people often begin laying claim to chairs and cabanas the second the sun comes up. Trouble is, most people are using the resort’s towels to indicate their spot. Avoid confusion and bring something unique to mark your chair, like this cheeky "Reserved" sign.  

You paid the big bucks for an all-inclusive, where buffets are simply part of the equation. Hoard the morning muffins and fruit if leaving the resort for a day excursion and the cookies, burgers, and Italian subs for late-night noshing—and keep everything fresh with a sealable to-go container. No room in your bag? A zip-lock baggie will serve you just as well. Happy snacking, friends!

Do you like meeting new friends on vacation? Bring a conversation starter, like a hat or T-shirt from your hometown sports team. It’s likely to inspire fellow fans or people from your area to say hello, join you at the bar, or let you cut in line.