Hello! Now, I know that I have not gone on the trip yet, but in the past when I write on packing lists, it seemed to be very popular, so I thought I'd share my packing list for Semester at Sea, for a semester-long (112 days) voyage. But first, a friendly reminder of my personal commandments of packing:
DIANA'S PACKING LIST FOR THE SPRING 2015 VOYAGE OF SEMESTER AT SEA:
Clothes: As much as possible, things are synthetic fabrics to dry quickly, as everything needs to be drip-dried in the bathroom. Also - this is not a minimalist list. While I love backpacking, Semester at Sea is not a backpacking trip. I have a room on the boat, and don't have to carry all of this whilst I'm travelling in-port. There is no need to wear the same two shirts over and over like I would normally do on a backpacking trip.
- Thou shalt not pack clothes you never wear.
- Thou shalt not pack more than you can carry.
- Thou shalt not pack high heels.
- Thou shalt not pack a fanny pack.
- Thou shalt not pack in a suitcase if a backpack will do.
DIANA'S PACKING LIST FOR THE SPRING 2015 VOYAGE OF SEMESTER AT SEA:
Clothes: As much as possible, things are synthetic fabrics to dry quickly, as everything needs to be drip-dried in the bathroom. Also - this is not a minimalist list. While I love backpacking, Semester at Sea is not a backpacking trip. I have a room on the boat, and don't have to carry all of this whilst I'm travelling in-port. There is no need to wear the same two shirts over and over like I would normally do on a backpacking trip.
- Yoga pants (2) - just for the ship
- Hiking/"travel" pants (2) - they fold into nothing, weigh nothing, and dry quickly
- Shorts (4) - just for the ship
- Long skirts (5) - lately I just like skirts more than pants
- Leggings (1) - also folds into nothing, yay for layers!
- T-Shirts (7) - necessity
- Tank Tops (7) - they're tiny, which makes packing them nice
- Underwear (12) - running out sucks
- Bras (6) - not sure what to say...
- Hiking socks (1) - quick dry, keep away nasty feet
- Other socks (2) - I usually wear flip-flops
- Flip-flops/ncops (3) - one dollar each from Swaziland Shoprite :)
- Dress sandals (1) - can't always wear ncops
- Active/hiking/gym shoes (1) - mountains in ncops? maybe not...
- Formal dress (1) - short dress, small to pack
- Suit (1) - there is a chance of a university interview along the way in-port
- Scarves (8) - to cover butts, shoulders, hair, and anything else that happens to be haraam
- Jersey (sweatshirt, my dear Americans) (1) - it gets cold, bros
- Long sleeved shirt (5) - layers, man
- Rain jacket (1) - Christmas present :)
- Bandanas (8) - most of the time I wrap my hair in either these or a scarf
- Swazi outfit (1) - I'm technically registered as an international student from Swaziland, so I figured I should :)
- Beanie (1) - my head gets cold
- Netbook (my trusty computer, duct-taped together but still clicking along)
- Nice camera (somewhere between DSLR and point and shoot)
- Waterproof/shockproof camera
- iPod (my mom found one of the old models used for $50 - will be great for checking internet in ports, seeing as how there's no internet on the boat, and I don't want to bring my laptop into ports)
- Extra memory cards + flash drive
- Ear buds (I've had a pair for years that has been through hell and high water and the washing machine and still works - I think they came free from some promotion... who knows?)
- Phone: (the basic Nokia brick - for me, it's essentially an alarm clock)
School supplies: I mean, it's a semester at sea, not four months of nothing at sea.
- Textbooks (9) - required, I had to buy eight and print out one from a PDF a professor sent
- Binder/filler paper/dividers (1) - I have one two-ring binder from Swaziland that I just filled with the paper I had left over from IB. It'll be plenty for four months of school.
- Full pencil case (1) - some pens, some pencils, a highlighter, a Sharpie. Nothing fancy.
- Empty expandable folder (1) - I'm assuming I'm going to get some papers at some point.
Room stuff: The cabin is supposedly small, but I have a feeling after Waterford QB's, it'll be massive.
- Magnets (a massive amount): The walls are metal, and we're not allowed to use tape, so magnets are needed for decorating. I bought a roll for magnetic tape at Walmart for two dollars and spent some time making my own.
- Air freshener (2): Small room, no windows, bathroom in the room, going to have to drip-dry clothes in such a room... just trying to avoid a disaster
- Pictures for the walls (lots): because white walls are my worst enemy
Travel necessities: Seriously, though. In my book, these are almost always necessities.
- Sleeping bag and liner: I have a small-ish one that's warm almost all the time. It makes risky hostels a lot less disgusting. I use a liner just to keep the bag clean, as the liner is much easier to wash. Also, camping.
- Passport: Duh.
- Credit card and debit card: As much as I budget travel, some money is going to be spent. Withdrawing from ATMs in foreign ports is so much easier than trying to find a currency conversion place.
- Travel towels: I know this is random, but seriously, don't bring a normal towel. I use a konga and a microfiber towel, and have a microfiber facecloth as well. Not only do these not take up space, but they dry amazingly fast, which is the important part.
Bags: Because I'm not going around the world with this stuff loose.
- Backpack: My trusty thing. I stole it from my mom's closet in 2010 and it has been attached to my back ever since.
- Overnight bag: Medium sized, with a shoulder strap
- School pack: For classes on the ship
- Shoulder bag + tiny purse + string tie backpack: They take up very little space, and it's nicer to have the right bag for the day, whether it's hiking a mountain or going out at night.
Other: Because no list would be complete without the miscellaneous.
- Glasses
- Toiletries (pack for yourself, you know what you need)
- Journal
- Host family gifts
- Jewelry
- Goggles
- Hair ties and clips
Okay, that's it! Good luck, enjoy packing!