You finally got your Letter of Employment, and you've finished your medical, police background, SCTW if applicable, and now you are wondering what to pack!
Let's' talk about your space. Unless you're hired as an officer in a management position, you will most likely share a room with three other people. There will be two bunks and they will have a curtain that fully wraps around your bed. Your luggage usually fits under the beds. You will have one small closet to hang some items in. Keep in mind that you will be wearing a uniform most of the time, but you will want some items to wear out in the ports, and to lounge in your room, and something a little more fun for the crew bar. Make sure you have proper foot wear for work and something to wear outside. Over the years, I learned to pack my carry ons as if I already knew my luggage would be lost. So I would wear something onto the plane that made up a smart outfit, make use of the overhead space with a carry on luggage and a big handbag or backpack under the seat. In those, I would have an adequate supply of undergarments, make up for the ladies as it hard to find in a lot of ports, and swim wear, work shoes, and one outfit for outside. I packed a pair of running shoes knowing they might be better for excursions and flip flops if they fit. My phone, charger and laptop and noise canceling head phones, would be with me in my backpack. If you have medication, be sure to pack that in a carry on. The rest went into my regular checked in luggage.
In this article, you will find links to amazon products. As an Amazon Affiliate, we may be awarded a small commission if you do make a purchase, which helps us to continue offering this forum for you.
To start with, using vacuum bags really helps provide you with more space in your luggage. (https://amzn.to/3CDtIqN)
Next, this is absolutely essential for your plane rides and for your cabin. With three people working different schedules, it is very difficult to get quiet and alone time in your room. Noise canceling head phones will also help if your cabin mates invite friends or partners over, to deafen any "sound effects" from others. These are worth the money, and will make your time much psychologically easier. (https://amzn.to/3OpaBDs)
Magnetic Hooks will really help with space. You can hang accessory bags and photos, phone chargers, clothing. These come in very handy. (https://amzn.to/4g460Cr)
Speaking of accessory bags, I usually bring two of these. One for the bathroom and my toiletries, and one for my bedside to keep my phone, any teeth utilities you may have such as a night guard, a book, phone and laptop chargers, and anything else you may want to keep close to you while you are in bed.
Since you are sharing a room, you may want to have a travel safe to keep some of your things secured.(https://amzn.to/3CEx24X)
You will need to carry a keycard to your room at all times and although you shouldn't have your phone with you on shift, a card holder will come in handy outside and if you do sneak your phone into your pocket. (https://amzn.to/3V7RX6N)
You will also want a lanyard or retractable badge holder for your keys when you are on duty and even when you're out. You need your key every time you go on and off of the ship as well as when you go to your room. (https://amzn.to/3B7M1nj)
You will want durable luggage as you will often come home with more than you left with, or even ship things home ahead of time.(https://amzn.to/3B41swM)
You may also find things on this shops page at any time "cruise essentials". (https://amzn.to/497dl1x).
I can't stress enough how much the noise cancelling head phones change your experience. If you don't want to splurge on the Bose, here is another option. (https://amzn.to/418hbFE)
Lastly, a really great book to read before you leave or on the plane, or listen to, is Seems Like Smooth Sailing by a former crew member, Sam Catling. (https://amzn.to/3B4JIRV)
A reminder that we are Amazon Affiliates, and may be awarded small compensation should you buy anything through our links, which helps us keep this forum going for you.
Best of luck on your first contract!
Let's' talk about your space. Unless you're hired as an officer in a management position, you will most likely share a room with three other people. There will be two bunks and they will have a curtain that fully wraps around your bed. Your luggage usually fits under the beds. You will have one small closet to hang some items in. Keep in mind that you will be wearing a uniform most of the time, but you will want some items to wear out in the ports, and to lounge in your room, and something a little more fun for the crew bar. Make sure you have proper foot wear for work and something to wear outside. Over the years, I learned to pack my carry ons as if I already knew my luggage would be lost. So I would wear something onto the plane that made up a smart outfit, make use of the overhead space with a carry on luggage and a big handbag or backpack under the seat. In those, I would have an adequate supply of undergarments, make up for the ladies as it hard to find in a lot of ports, and swim wear, work shoes, and one outfit for outside. I packed a pair of running shoes knowing they might be better for excursions and flip flops if they fit. My phone, charger and laptop and noise canceling head phones, would be with me in my backpack. If you have medication, be sure to pack that in a carry on. The rest went into my regular checked in luggage.
In this article, you will find links to amazon products. As an Amazon Affiliate, we may be awarded a small commission if you do make a purchase, which helps us to continue offering this forum for you.
To start with, using vacuum bags really helps provide you with more space in your luggage. (https://amzn.to/3CDtIqN)
Next, this is absolutely essential for your plane rides and for your cabin. With three people working different schedules, it is very difficult to get quiet and alone time in your room. Noise canceling head phones will also help if your cabin mates invite friends or partners over, to deafen any "sound effects" from others. These are worth the money, and will make your time much psychologically easier. (https://amzn.to/3OpaBDs)
Magnetic Hooks will really help with space. You can hang accessory bags and photos, phone chargers, clothing. These come in very handy. (https://amzn.to/4g460Cr)
Speaking of accessory bags, I usually bring two of these. One for the bathroom and my toiletries, and one for my bedside to keep my phone, any teeth utilities you may have such as a night guard, a book, phone and laptop chargers, and anything else you may want to keep close to you while you are in bed.
Since you are sharing a room, you may want to have a travel safe to keep some of your things secured.(https://amzn.to/3CEx24X)
You will need to carry a keycard to your room at all times and although you shouldn't have your phone with you on shift, a card holder will come in handy outside and if you do sneak your phone into your pocket. (https://amzn.to/3V7RX6N)
You will also want a lanyard or retractable badge holder for your keys when you are on duty and even when you're out. You need your key every time you go on and off of the ship as well as when you go to your room. (https://amzn.to/3B7M1nj)
You will want durable luggage as you will often come home with more than you left with, or even ship things home ahead of time.(https://amzn.to/3B41swM)
You may also find things on this shops page at any time "cruise essentials". (https://amzn.to/497dl1x).
I can't stress enough how much the noise cancelling head phones change your experience. If you don't want to splurge on the Bose, here is another option. (https://amzn.to/418hbFE)
Lastly, a really great book to read before you leave or on the plane, or listen to, is Seems Like Smooth Sailing by a former crew member, Sam Catling. (https://amzn.to/3B4JIRV)
A reminder that we are Amazon Affiliates, and may be awarded small compensation should you buy anything through our links, which helps us keep this forum going for you.
Best of luck on your first contract!
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