In The Bag
I didn’t have a lot of solid help making my packing list for Semester at Sea, and now that I see it below, I realize I really over-packed, even though relatively speaking, I brought about half of what my roommate did. When you’ve got a cabin that moves where you move, there’s no real issue with packing too much…until you are forced to carry everything you have accumulated off the ship at the final port.
The list in gray is the untouched version from my pre-departure days, and comments in red are additions and insight made after the trip’s completion. If you are an SAS alum, feel free to e-mail me or comment your suggestions on how this list could be greatly improved.
Semester at Sea Packing List |
| $1 bills (250) |
| $10 bills (10) |
| $20 bills (10) |
| $5 bills (20) |
| 2 copies of passport photo |
| 4 copies of passport front page Only needed one, though I never lost my passport or anything like that |
| agenda |
| airbourne |
| aloe vera |
| aspirin |
| athletic shorts |
| Band-aids (20) |
| bathing suits (2: one to ruin) |
| battery powered alarm clock Something easy to reset as you constantly cross time zones |
| beach towel |
| big bottle body wash |
| big conditioner |
| big shampoo |
| big world map for wall in cabin |
| blue button up shirt |
| bobby pins |
| bras (6) Too much? |
| Camera battery chargers (2) |
| Camera iPod connector |
| Camera SLR |
| Camera USB connector |
| capris I now find these sort of pants hard to tolerate wearing or seeing |
| caribiener |
| casual dress |
| cell phone from home To be used in Puerto Rico and Hawai’i…American territories, baby |
| chapstick (2) |
| Cipro (for Traveler’s diarrhea) Oooooh yes…essential |
| clothes pins (10) |
| cold medicine |
| copies of credit card (2) Don’t know if I needed these |
| cover up |
| day calendar This was just for the jokes on the Far Side themed calendar |
| deoderant (2) |
| doxycycline (anti-malarial) |
| dramamine (32) For me, it was far too many, but I was only mildly seasick on occasion |
| dress for Ambassador’s Ball |
| dress up fun pants Yes, I really pack ridiculous clothing for comic relief on all trips |
| driver’s license and copy Can’t remember what all these copies were for |
| duct tape |
| DVDs (10) |
| euro outlet adapter |
| extra D50 battery |
| face lotion |
| face scrub |
| face wash (2) This is something I have trouble finding in other countries |
| fanny pack Really? Not necessary |
| flash drive |
| flip-flops (2) |
| fold up bag for end of trip |
| hair brush |
| hair things (24) |
| hairspray |
| hand sanitizer Two small and a refill bottle |
| headphones (2) |
| iPod |
| iPod USB connector |
| iPod wall charger |
| IU playing cards (3) For homestay gifts |
| jacket |
| jeans (2) |
| laptop |
| laptop charger |
| laptop mouse |
| laundry bag |
| long sleeved shirt layers (2) |
| Luna Bars (30) Wonderful for when I missed breakfast or when trekking |
| magnets (40) Surprisingly could have used more |
| make-up |
| melatonin Absolutely essential. Changing time zones constantly is tough. |
| moccasins For walking around my wigwam? Slippers will do…or just flip-flops. |
| money belt I’m over money belts. I don’t like a sweaty foopah. |
| mosquito repellent with DEET Go for 25%…not 90% like I did. It takes the color off your sneakers. |
| nail clippers/files |
| nalgene |
| pad of post-its For harrassing your roommate, if she/he turns out to be awesome |
| paper and binder |
| pashminas (2) |
| passport/yellow book/visas |
| pencils (11) |
| pens (9) |
| phone charger |
| prilosec OTC (14) |
| Q-tips (200) I really did count all my toiletries, especially two-per day Q-tips |
| razor and refills (4) |
| retainers (2) |
| rubber bands (5) |
| SAS Paperwork |
| scissors |
| sharpie Probably didn’t need three |
| sketch paper |
| skirts (2) |
| sleep shirt |
| sleeping bag liner I got crazy mileage off a liner from Target for $20 |
| small calculator |
| small camera |
| small camera USB connector |
| small notebook (2) For the practical stuff and getting around in port |
| socks (7) |
| sports bras (2) |
| sticker sheets (3) For the kids |
| Sudafed (12) |
| sunglasses Hallelujah for polarized RayBans |
| sunscreen |
| sweat pants Can be purchased on the ship…I’m wearing my SAS ones right now! Mmm…comfy |
| sweater |
| sweatshirt Also conveniently purchased on board…and you know you want some SAS merchandise |
| Lady Things Ask questions if you’re inquisitive on this aspect |
| tank tops |
| toothbrush/toothpaste (2 of each) |
| travel pillow |
| travel size bath stuff Just one set, which can be refilled with big bottles |
| travel wet wipes (10) |
| t-shirts (8) |
| Tums |
| Tylenol PM |
| umbrella |
| underwear (18) Whoa baby…I should have just cleaned as I went. That’s why you bring a clothing line. |
| USB SD card reader |
| vitamins |
| walking shoes (2) Both pairs ok to ruin |
| ziplock bags (9) |
As a rule of thumb, take half the clothes you think you need, and that’s probably still too much. Check out my packing lists from the next two trips: my solo RTW trip called the Big Journey and the World Traveler Internship. Compare and see how much I scaled down for even longer periods of travel.
