AI Travel Planning - Prompts to help you travel smarter

Travel planning with AI makes seeing the world much easier, if you can master the art of AI prompts. This article will give you a crash course in travel planning using AI as well as some sample prompts that will help you plan like a pro.

What is the claim of artificial intelligence?
A prompt is simply the instruction you give to the AI system.

Popular, free AI tools include:
• Your puppy
• Confusion (Note: Plans for the mineral revolution Includes a free subscription to the insanely powerful Perplexity Pro platform)
• twin
• ChatGPT

Example – Create a packing checklist with AI

Do you find it difficult to know what to pack when setting off on a trip? The AI not only creates a personalized packing list, but also makes smart suggestions for things to include that you might forget.

First, we’ll show you the Template prompt. Next, we’ll show you how to customize it. Finally, we’ll show you a “complete” prompt so you know what you should prefer — and what you can expect the AI engine to produce.

AI template filling list prompt

You are an expert travel advisor with 20 years of experience creating personalised packing lists for UK-based couples on cruises. Create a packing checklist, including quantities, designed for [NUMBER OF TRAVELLERS], [TYPE OF TRAVELLERS] with [STYLE PREFERENCES]  travelling from the [DEPARTURE POINT], ensuring items fit in standard airline luggage allowances (e.g., 23kg checked and 8-10kg carry-on per person). 

They will be going on a [CRUISE DURATION] cruise from [DEPARTURE PORT] to [DESTINATION PORT] with intermediate port stops in [PORT 1, PORT 2, PORT 3 etc], including activities like [ACTIVITIES or EXCURSIONS]. Factor in tropical weather (check current forecasts for [DATES OF TRAVEL]) and suggest reef-safe items where needed.

Include suggested quantities for clothing items based on laundry access and weather, note what can usually be bought onboard (with examples), and highlight often-forgotten essentials. Suggest ways to minimise weight if over limits.

Give me both a detailed version (with categorised sections and explanations) and a one-page quick reference list (in a printable table format). Use concise bullet points in UK English, suitable for printing as a practical packing guide. If anything is unclear, ask for clarification.

Click the box to automatically copy the prompt ⬆️

Completing travel planning with artificial intelligence

It sounds very complicated, doesn’t it? mistake! All you have to do is fill in the placeholders [LIKE THIS] With your information.

Here is a copy of the claim. We’ve included details for our upcoming 16-day Panama Canal cruise:


You are an expert travel advisor with 20 years of experience creating personalised packing lists for UK-based couples on cruises. Create a packing checklist, including quantities, designed for [a couple], [husband and wife] with [casual style preferences]  travelling from [the UK], ensuring items fit in standard airline luggage allowances (e.g., 23kg checked and 8-10kg carry-on per person). 

They will be going on a [16 night] cruise from [Los Angeles] to [Fort Lauderdale] with intermediate port stops in [Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Puerto Chiapas, Costa Rica, Panama City and Curacao], including activities like [beach excursions and exploring cities on foot]. Factor in tropical weather (check current forecasts for [21 October to 7th November]) and suggest reef-safe items where needed.

Include suggested quantities for clothing items based on laundry access and weather, note what can usually be bought onboard (with examples), and highlight often-forgotten essentials. Suggest ways to minimise weight if over limits.

Give me both a detailed version (with categorised sections and explanations) and a one-page quick reference list (in a printable table format). Use concise bullet points in UK English, suitable for printing as a practical packing guide. If anything is unclear, ask for clarification.

Click the box above to copy the prompt – then you can test it out to see what we’ll be packing on our next cruise!

Question: Why is the claim so long?
Despite being called artificial intelligence, AI is actually very stupid.

Since it cannot think for itself, the more detailed the AI’s travel prompts are, the more accurate and useful its responses become.

That’s why the demand to tell the AI engine to “think” like, say, a 20-year travel industry veteran begins.

Show me your completed AI packing list

So what does a complete AI-powered packing list look like? The following shader is what Grok produces when the router is running (there are many!):

A detailed packing checklist for your 16-night cruise

As an expert travel consultant who specializes in UK-based couples taking cruises, I’ve designed this packing list for you as a husband and wife with casual style preferences. You fly from the UK to Los Angeles on a 16-night cruise to Fort Lauderdale (October 21 to November 7, 2025), with stops in Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco, Puerto Chiapas, Costa Rica, Panama City and Curacao. Activities focus on beach excursions and exploring the city on foot.

Based on current forecasts, expect tropical weather with daytime highs around 31°C and nighttime lows of 23°C, with high humidity and risk of rain or storms as this is late hurricane season. Pack light, breathable layers for warmth in air-conditioned areas of the ship and protection from sun/rain. Assume access to laundry facilities on board (most cruises offer self-serve laundromats or paid services), so allow for laundry loads every 5-7 days to minimize baggage.

Fits standard UK airline baggage allowance: 20-23kg checked and 10kg carry-on per person. Total per person: Aim to check in at least 23 kg (e.g., one bag) and 8-10 kg of carry-on baggage (e.g., one backpack). To reduce weight if it exceeds limits: Roll clothes, use vacuum bags, choose multi-use items (e.g., a sarong as a towel/scarf), and pack travel-sized toiletries. On board, you can buy necessities like toiletries (such as sunscreen and shampoo from the ship’s stores) or souvenirs (such as hats and T-shirts), but prices are higher – pack essential items to save.

Essentials that are often forgotten: a reusable water bottle (for hydration on excursions), plug adapters (American style for ship cabins), motion sickness remedies (for sea days), and copies of portable documents.

Documents and essentials (per couple)

Keep it in your hand for safety.

Passports and visas (valid for more than 6 months after return; ESTA verification for entry into the USA) – 1 each.
Cruise tickets, e-tickets, and travel insurance documents – hard/digital copies.
credit/ Debit cards, and some USD cash (for outlets; ATMs available on board) – 2-3 cards total.
Health Items: Prescription medications (supply for 16+ days, plus extras in carry-on luggage), proof of vaccination if needed – quantities as specified.
Coronavirus test kits/testing if needed (check cruise line rules) – 2-4 tests.

Clothing (per person, casual style)

Pack breathable, quick-drying fabrics for tropical heat/humidity. Sufficient amounts of 7-10 days of wear, assuming access to laundry. Focus on mixed casual attire for ship days, beach excursions, and city walks. Women: Light dresses/skirts; Men: shorts/polo shirts.

Underwear & Socks: 10 pairs (washable, light cotton pack).
Shirts/Tops: 8 (short sleeve, casual, including 2-3 moisture wicking shirts for activities).
Shorts/Pants: 4-5 pairs (2 shorts for beaches, 2-3 shorts for evenings/city).
Swimwear: 2-3 sets (quick dry, rash guards for reef protection during beach trips).
Light jacket/raincoat: 1 (for rainy or cold evenings; foldable).
Sleepwear: two sets.
Evening wear: 2-3 casual outfits (e.g. shorts/stylish blouse, no formal attire needed for casual cruises).
Shoes: 3 pairs (sandals/flip-flops for beach, sneakers for hiking trips, casual shoes for ship).
Accessories: Hat, sunglasses, belt – 1-2 each.
clarification: Tropical weather means daily temperatures can reach 31°C with the possibility of rain; AC packing layers inside. Washing reduces the need for more; Purchase additional shirts on board if necessary.

Do you need help choosing the right clothes? These guides will help you:
• Best travel hats: 3 essential picks for every adventurer
• The ultimate guide to the best lightweight raincoat for travel

Hygiene and hygiene items (per couple, shared where possible)

Use travel size to save weight/space. Suggest reef safe items for beach activities to protect marine life (avoid oxybenzone/octinoxate).

Reef-safe sunscreen (for example, zinc oxide-based Australian Blue Lizard Sunscreen SPF 50): 2 bottles (apply generously; waterproof for trips).
The insect repellent is DEET-free: 1-2 bottles (for ports like Costa Rica).
Toiletries: Toothbrush/paste, shampoo/conditioner, soap, deodorant – travel sizes, one set of each.
Hair Care: Brush, Scrunchies – 1 each.
Skin Care: Moisturizer, Lip Balm with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) – 1 each.
Small first aid bag:Patches, painkillers, antiseptics, antidiarrheal medications.
Feminine toiletries/belts/motion sickness pills: as needed (buy extra on board).
clarification: High ultraviolet radiation in the tropics; Reef safe options such as zinc/titanium dioxide formulations are recommended to protect the environment. Shops on board sell basics like sunscreen/shampoo, but pack the essentials to avoid high prices.

Electronics and accessories (per couple)

Keep valuables in your handbag.

Payment The ultimate travel kit for in-flight entertainment: a guide to essential technology For more information about electronics and accessories for travelers

Assorted (per couple)

If the cruise line or specific activities differ (e.g., theme nights), please make clear your request for modifications.

Quick Reference Packing List (Printable Chart)

category	purpose	Quantity (per person)	Notes
Documents	Passport/visas	1	carry; Valid for 6+ months.
	Tickets/Insurance	copies	Digital/printed.
	Cards/cash	2-3 cards, some US dollars	For ports.
	pharmaceutical	As scheduled	Extras in hand luggage.
clothes	Underwear/socks	10 pairs	Cotton, washable.
	T-shirts/tops	8	Moisture wicking.
	Pants/trousers	4-5 pairs	Light weight.
	Swimwear	2-3 sets	Rash guards for coral reefs.
	Jacket/coat	1	For rain.
	Nightwear	2 sets	–
	Evening wear	2-3 sets	informal.
	shoes	3 pairs	Sandals, sports shoes, casual.
	Supplements	1-2 each	Hat, sunglasses.
Toiletries	Reef safe sunscreen	1 bottle (shared)	Based on zinc, SPF 50.
	Insect repellent	1 bottle (shared)	Safe for coral reefs.
	Basics (toothpaste etc.)	Travel sizes	Purchase on board if necessary.
	First aid kit	small (common)	Plasters, pain relievers.
electronics	Chargers/power banks	1-2	Universal adapter.
	Camera/e-reader	1 (shared)	–
	water bottle	1	Reusable.
Miscellaneous	Beach bag	1 (shared)	For trips.
	Travel towel	1	Multi-use.
	Ziploc bags	A few	For wet things.

Estimated gross weight: less than 23kg + 10kg per person. Wrap items and use vacuum bags to reduce them.

FREETOO Portable Digital Weight Scale for Luggage

Never exceed your luggage limit again with this pocket-sized travel luggage scale. The investment will pay for itself many times over when you avoid paying excess baggage fees!

AI trip planning

So what about when you finally arrive at the port? AI can help you plan a detailed itinerary to ensure you see the best sights and get back to your ship in time.

Here’s a sample AI travel claim to get you started:

You are an expert travel advisor with 20 years of experience creating personalised self-guided itineraries for cruise travellers. We will be arriving at the [DESTINATION] cruise terminal at [TIME] on [DATE] and want to see the key sights in the area. We are particularly interested in [SPECIAL INTERESTS] if there are any suitable attractions. 

Create a self-guided tour using only public transport or walking for my visit. I must be back at the cruise terminal no later than [DEPARTURE TIME] on the same day. Include a quick reference table that I can carry with me.

Running the prompt will provide a detailed breakdown of what to see and approximate time windows. You’ll also get a mini planner showing where you need to be and when, ensuring you’ll see the main sights and Return to your ship on time.

Artificial intelligence port transportation planning

Getting from the airport to your cruise terminal (or vice versa) can be a real headache. But again, the right AI travel router can help:

You are an expert travel advisor with 20 years of experience arranging port transfers for cruise travellers. We will be arriving at the [CRUISE TERMINAL] at [ARRIVAL TIME] on [DATE] and need to transfer to [AIRPORT] to catch a flight at [FLIGHT TIME]. We need to arrive at least [NUMBER] of hours before the flight.

List out my transfer options and approximate costs. Don't forget to include options like public transport and shared transfer buses where available. Note that we will be travelling with [NUMBER] suitcases and [OTHER LUGGAGE eg scooter].

This prompt will generate a list of options to get you from port to airport, detailed in terms of comfort.

Do you want to get from the airport to the port? Just toggle quick details.

Use your imagination and creativity

You now have a detailed packing list that not only shows you what to include, but also gives tips on how to slim down. Perfect for those annoying airline baggage limits! You can edit the list, add and remove anything as you see fit.

The keys to successful travel planning using AI are:

Be as detailed as possible. Tell the AI model exactly What you want to do.
Play with your mentor. Feel free to modify and customize the prompt until you get the answers you want. You might notice that Grok forgot to include formal wear in the packing list, for example, so you can tweak your prompt to tell the AI system how many formal nights are scheduled for your cruise.
Try other models. Some AI engines are better than others. Try your claim on multiple sites to see what works best for you.

The annoying thing about travel planning using AI is that learning how it works takes time. But once you do, you’ll waste a lot less time crawling through Facebook groups and Cruise Critics forum threads – everything you need is in one place.

Need more AI travel planning prompts?

Looking for something else? Need more guidance? Write to us and we’ll help you craft the perfect AI-powered travel claims to help you get the answers you need faster.

Article continues after the jump…

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AI Travel Planning – Prompts to help you travel smarter