How on earth does one pack for six months with only one carry-on bag and one personal item per passenger? Especially if this is what they say....
Pack as if you are going on a trip for about two weeks. Bring enough toiletries and clothing for that time period. Also, consider the region where your ship will be sailing. For example if the ship is sailing in Alaska, you may want to bring a few items of warm clothing. [Me: But what if you're sailing to both Hawaii and Alaska. You have to pack for both warm and cold weather...hard with limited suitcase space.] Remember, for the most part you will receive your uniform when you arrive onboard. However, you will need to bring your own shoes for work.
Pack lightly! Cabins are small [and apparently I will be sharing a room. Haven't done that since college.] and too many personal items only get in the way. The following checklist will help you decide what to bring:
Documents (Carry On)
- Contract Passport (valid for entire contract)
- Flight ticket/information
- Medical exam records
- Seaman's Book
- Emergency phone numbers
- Port Agent name and number
- Wallet/Cash/Credit cards/ATM cards
- Copies of important documents
Uniform (all provided by Z_____, except for shoes)
- Closed black or navy shoes
- Formal black shoes (all itineraries)
- 3 white blouses (females)
- 3 white nice button shirts (males)
- 1 tuxedo shirt (males)
- 1 black bow tie (males, females)
- Neutral, navy and black hose (females)
- White, navy & black socks (males)
Toiletries
- Deodorant
- Razors, shaving cream
- Lotion
- Make-up
- Feminine products
- Toothbrush
- Dental Floss
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Nail care supplies
- Vitamins
- First-aid kid/bandaids
- Hand sanitizer
- Allergy pills
- Contraceptives
Personal Clothing
- Jeans
- Shorts
- Sweatshirt/sweater
- Jacket/fleece
- Shirts
- Swimsuit
- Sports shoes
- Underwear
- Pajamas/sleepwear
- Socks
- Belt
- Hat
- Formal attire for special occasions
Other
- Prescription medication (enough for entire contract)
- Hair dryer (110/22)
- Camera & charger
- iPod/iPad & charger
- Cell phone & charger
- Laptop & charger
- Travel alarm clock
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Sunglasses
- Prescription glasses or contact lenses
- Books for reading
- Photos/pictures to personalize your cabin
- Address book
- Umbrella
- Luggage tags
- Important numbers
Actually, now looking at the list piece by piece, it is far less intimidating. I was going to pack all of those things anyways, and most of the toiletries I will pick up in San Diego right before boarding to avoid airport liquid restrictions. I need to be more selective with my personal clothing and unpack a bunch, and my camera is unavoidably large, but my phone, laptop and iPad charger are basically all the same thing. This is one of the few times that owning more eBooks would be useful but c'est la vie. I have an umbrella but do I really need it? Not as much as that extra book, summer dress, or workout clothes...
I find "umbrella" to be a strange one. I don't even own one for my regular life, nor would I bring one on a cruise ship. I like that contraceptives is on the list - at least they're not prudes!
ReplyDeleteI have to ask: What is a Seaman's Book?
ReplyDeleteAnd why do you need books for reading? Isn't there a library on board?
My impression of a seamans' book is that it is a sort of passport for seafaring folk. And regarding books...well, there are a handful of books I always like having with me. Comfort food/blanket, if you will.
ReplyDelete