It’s been four years (yikes) since I first boarded the MV World Odyssey. And since then, I’ve continued to travel, which means I’ve continued to narrow down my favorites!
Between how much has changed since I left and how my preferences have changed, it was time I updated the packing list.
So, here’s an updated Semester at Sea packing list – as if I were packing to leave tomorrow!
Still have to keep my original disclaimer: these things have worked for me on my voyage, in my other travels, and in my life. You don’t need any of this to travel, it can just make it a little easier sometimes. Do what work works for YOU!
#1 Tip: PACK LIGHT. They will tell you that a million times, but it is true. Trust me, you don’t need 1/2 the stuff you’ll bring. You can buy 90% of things either on the ship or in port, and trust me, you will. The more I travel, the more this rings true. At the end of the day, if you need it, you’ll buy it, borrow it, or find an alternative.
Click HERE or the link at the bottom to get the condensed PDF version of this list!
Luggage/Packing
Suitcases
Make sure that you can move your luggage on your own. My only complaint about my original purchase was that it was SO heavy on my way home that Kyle had to wheel it for me. The other thing to remember is to make sure it can fit under your bed, which is why I wouldn’t recommend a hard case suitcase.
Original Item: L.L. Bean Rolling Adventure Duffle, in Extra Large for literally everything, and the Medium) for my snacks/souvenirs.
What I’d Bring Now: This 100L rolling duffle and this 50L duffle. They are smaller than my originals, making them easier to handle, they stand up on their own vs. having to be laid on the floor, and they have a full zip open top rather than a zip down the middle.
Backpacks
They go through EVERYTHING in your backpack/suitcase when you get back on the ship, so don’t get the one you have to put everything in from the top (huge pain). Most people wished they got one that fully unzipped like the Osprey or Patagonia ones! I’d also look for a chest and hip strap. You’ll likely be wearing these backpacks for long periods of time, and it makes a difference.
Original Item – Travel Backpack: Osprey Packs Fairview Women’s 40
What I’d Bring Now: I’d rebuy the Osprey. It worked great for me, and I still use it! The only other one I’d bring would be the Patagonia duffel. It opens fully (instead of just a top load), and Patagonia’s customer service is top-notch. Its only downside is that it doesn’t have a chest strap.
New Addition – Hiking Backpack: Several friends brought this one, and we used it so often that I bought the same one when I got home. It was perfect for shorter trips and fit so much. Bonus, it had chest AND hip clips! Here and here are other options I’d buy if I didn’t have one.
Additional Bags
Original Item – Travel Purse: I brought a Tommy Hilfiger leather crossbody (similar to this or this) I’d had forever. Any cross-body would do if you ensure you can put quite a bit of stuff in and have zippable pockets.
What I’d Bring Now – Travel Purse: I’d still bring my original leather cross-body bag (similar to this or this), but I’d also bring a belt bag (or two)! Wearing them across your chest is incredibly convenient and can be more secure in many scenarios.
Original Item – School Bag: Longchamp Large Tote. You can get away with not having a backpack/bag on the ship, but you’ll want one. I loved this because it folds up and I can pack it easily (I used it to carry breakable souvenirs home!). Some people had a normal school backpack that they could use for smaller excursions instead.
Packing Items
Original Item – Toiletry Bag: I used a hanging toiletry bag to save counter space, but it was bulky to pack. I loved that it let you just put stuff in it like a bag rather than having to zip things, and you won’t have to unpack/repack every time you get on or off the ship.
What I’d Bring Now – Toiletry Bag: I’d pack a smaller hanging toiletry bag or one that opens on the top so you don’t have to dig. In country, I didn’t need as much as my original toiletry bag held!
Original Item – Packing Cubes: YOU WILL WANT THESE, trust me. I used them to get to the ship and get home, but I used them to organize my clothes and travel backpack in each country. I had these, but these and these are also great options.
Additional New Items:
- Carabiners: I bartered them from people on the ship, but this time, I’d bring some. We clipped out water bottles, shoes, travel pillows, other bags, etc. to our travel backpacks and hiking backpacks. Just an FYI, though, you can’t check backpacks with carabiners on with some airlines, they will take them off, so just take them off before… we lost a lot because of this.
- Reusable Toiletry Bottles: Didn’t and wished I did! We thought we would have to toss our toiletries after each port so we brought dozens of travel-sized ones instead of just refilling a reusable bottle. These are my favorites!
Clothes
Every person I talked to wished they had brought fewer clothes – you quickly get used to a capsule wardrobe, and you’ll buy clothes in each country.
The ship was also incredibly casual – it wasn’t unusual for people to wear their PJs around – so
The laundry service is really nice, everyone uses it, but it is VERY harsh on your clothes. It wasn’t uncommon to have your clothes show up with mysterious holes or 2 sizes smaller, so be smart with what you pack. Unless you want to wash it, you’re okay with it getting ruined, or it’s easily replaceable, I wouldn’t recommend bringing it.
Keep in mind this is how big the closets are (there is one more panel the size of the one on the left, three total). This was right before I came home!
The best advice I can give is to know the countries you’re going to. It’ll be a very different trip if you’re only in warm weather vs. how mine was. The first two countries we went to were under 20 degrees. The rest were blisteringly hot and humid but were VERY modest countries, meaning we couldn’t show our knees usually (this is why elephant pants became popular).
Here’s what I’d have in my suitcase:
Note: I pretty much live in athletic wear, so that’s going to be the majority of what I suggest. I’ve found it to be the easiest to travel because you can wash it in the sink, it doesn’t wrinkle, it’s versatile, and it’s lightweight. You’ll see a lot of that here 😊
- 2 pairs of jeans (only worn in-country, especially in cold places)
- 2 pairs of what I call travel pants (lightweight, sweatproof, and cover your knees – here are some of my favorites: here, here, and here)
- 2 pairs of leggings (one black, one colored)
- 2 pairs of sweatpants (1 jogger and 1 normal)
- 2 pairs of athletic shorts (I like these and these)
- 3 pairs of other shorts (ie. jeans, sweat shorts, biker shorts)
- 6 dresses (2 casual, 2 longer ones like this and this, and 2 athletic ones like this and this)
- 5 ‘going out’ outfits that are more fun (whatever that means for you)
- 1-2 business outfits for field classes
- 2 dress-up outfits (you’ll want them for a fancy dinner or Alumni Ball, you’ll buy more along the way)
- 5-6 T-shirts (athletic and casual/versatile and college shirts – it’s fun to see where everyone is from)
- 4 tank tops (athletic or comfortable tank tops)
- 3 long-sleeve shirts (for comfort and layering when it’s cold)
- 1 cardigan-style shirt (I brought this and lived in it)
- 1 flannel-style shirt (my roommate brought one, and I wore it all the time)
- 2 sweatshirts (I’d bring this and this)
- 4 jackets (2 full zips like this and 2 full zip hoodies like this… SUPER great for layering)
- 2 sets of pj’s
- Socks/Bras/Underwear (I hope you can handle this one)
- Thick socks (the ship is VERY cold)
Additional Items:
Swimsuits: I’d only bring 3… you will tan quickly, so think about tan lines and what is comfortable.
Shoes: I brought too many initially and didn’t account for the fact that I’d buy 4 pairs. What I’d pack today: 2 pairs of birks (these to wear with socks and these), 2 pairs of tennis shoes that I can donate or toss at the end, slip-on Vans (these), one pair of cute flat sandals, and one pair of dressier shoes for Alumni Ball.
Scarf: 2 lightweight ones that are super easy to tuck away if needed to cover knees or shoulders, but aren’t hot. And one that can be used for colder places and a travel blanket everywhere else (I brought a Lululemon one originally – here’s a similar one).
Sunglasses: I have annoyingly sensitive eyes, so a good pair of sunglasses is necessary (I brought these and would bring them again). But if you break/lose things easily, bring 2 because you’ll want them for sure… I had them 100% of the time.
Winter hat/mittens: I used them in the cold countries a TON, for sure worth the space. I brought this hat and these mittens. I’d bring this hat and these mittens today.
Baseball Hat: Nice to have for the ship and hiking.
Jewelry: I brought the stuff I wear daily, plus a few necklaces, but I only wore one (you can see it in 90% of my pics) and bought stuff along the way.
Coat: Originally, I brought this raincoat, and it worked as my winter-ish in colder countries! But it was very thin, and I wished I had brought something heavier! What I’d bring today: either this raincoat + this puffer coat OR this combo that can be used 3 ways (it’s my favorite coat of all time).
Robe: I originally brought this one, and I’d still bring it! Here’s a different option too.
Slippers: The ship is so cold, and slippers make it feel a bit homier.
Items I’m Still Glad I Didn’t Bring:
- Too many clothes! Literally, everyone will tell you not to bring so many clothes, you’ll buy them and borrow them, and you’ll get sucked into the SAS trends (hellooooo elephant pants).
- FEWER SHOES, you won’t wear things that aren’t easy to put on or comfy on the ship, and you’ll buy sandals in country.
- So many swimsuits – 3 is plenty.
- Rompers, I could only really wear them on the ship because they were too immodest everywhere else.
- I brought boots like this and wore them one time, it’s not worth it for like 8 days of the trip.
Toiletries
Shampoo/Conditioner: Originally, my roommate and I shared shampoo and conditioner like this and brought 8 travel sets for each country (they do let you bring shampoo and toiletries that are opened back on the trip, but they will check them periodically–which is why we brought so many). What I’d bring today: shampoo and conditioner that works for me – and that is purifying so my hair doesn’t turn green (this is the BEST and I won’t use anything else) – and just refilled reusable containers.
Curling iron/straightener: I brought a straightener with which I could curl my hair and used it quite a bit in country. Originally I brought an old one. What I’d bring today: this one since it’s built for both. Tip: make sure it has auto-shutoff or they’ll take it. There are also blow dryers in each room, FYI!
Headbands: SO good for countries that are hot and you want your hair out of your face. I also brought a bandana and used that fairly often.
Toothbrush/toothpaste: I brought 3 toothbrushes (one on the ship, one in the toiletry bag, and one backup) and 100% recommend it. I also used 2 travel toothpaste containers and one normal size toothpaste.
Sunscreen/aloe: PLEASE bring it, you WILL need it. Everyone will get sunburned and you’ll need aloe too. Make sure to bring ocean-friendly sunscreen! Originally I brought this sunscreen and this aloe. What I’d bring today: non-toxic and reef-friendly sunscreen and a multipurpose and non-toxic ointment instead of aloe (which works better too).
Razors: You live on a boat with a pool, you’ll need a lot. I used the Dollar Shave Club and that was awesome, I just had two packs. What I’d bring today: I like the Billie ones better!
Good Lotion: You’re in the sun a lot, and your skin will need it. This is my favorite one. What I’d bring today: I’d either bring that one or this one!
Deodorant: I bought and used 2. Originally, I brought this kind. What I’d bring today: this is hands down my favorite non-toxic and sustainable kind! I’d probably bring 3 refills.
Perfume/body spray: Unnecessary, but nice to have, makes you feel more put together and clean.
Hand sanitizer: I had 3 of the travel ones that clip onto things, you WILL want it and you WILL need it.
Makeup: You won’t use it beyond the first like week, and in port, so you won’t need as much as you think! Plus, you’ll either sweat it off in the pool or in port.
Bug Spray: I never used it, I used the bug bands, and they worked AMAZING these suckers… I only used one or two. You can’t bring aerosol on the ship *apparently* so this was a good alternative.
Poo-Pourri: the bathrooms are small and so are your rooms, it’s worth the investment.
Band-aids: we used these a lot for random things… shaving on a ship is hard. But a full-on first-aid kit isn’t necessary.
Feminine products: bring how much you think you’ll need (it’s easier if you put it in a bag, not a box) and if you run out, they have some on the ship. Tip: a lot of people switched to the Diva Cup so they didn’t have to worry about it. I’ve never tried it but it’s worth looking into!
Makeup Remover: I only brought these makeup eraser towels and they worked really well! I didn’t wear a ton of makeup on the ship, which made it easier. I also brought micellar water and cotton rounds to use in country. What I’d bring today: just the makeup eraser towels and cleansing balm – easier to travel with!
Facewash: I only brought micellar water as face wash initially and ended up buying some while I was gone. I tried to find some sort of exfoliating face wash but couldn’t find any – your face gets so grimy and clogged! What I’d bring now: this is my favorite face wash and I’d also bring exfoliating pads that help clean off your face at a deeper level.
Additional Items:
- Nail Polish: a nice sense of normalcy if you want it! I had some and was so thankful for it.
- Facemask: My roommate and I brought facemasks and did them after each country and it was such a nice way to relax and feel clean after each country. What I’d bring today: this one or this one.
- Dry Brush/Body Scrub: Like with your face, your body gets so clogged up between pollution, different water, traveling, and tanning. I found a body scrub while I was gone and it was a lifesaver. What I’d bring today: a dry brush to exfoliate sustainably!
Items I’m Still Glad I Didn’t Bring:
- I brought SO many extra travel-sized things, so did my roommate. We called our closet Target because there was so much.
- Don’t bring wrinkle release; you won’t use it.
- You use 10x less than you think you do, and/or extra is accessible if necessary.
Electronics
Laptop: I just brought the computer I already had, just a MacBook. Tip: I backed it up before I left and took off any unnecessary stuff (ie. old-school stuff), and I was really glad I did.
Headphones: AirPods, normal iPhone headphones (new style), and normal iPhone headphones (with the normal headphone jack). I absolutely LOVED having AirPods, but I brought a spare pair and a pair that I could use on airplanes. Used them all! Tip: I had a case for the AirPods I could clip onto my keys/ID on the ship and that covered the lid so that they didn’t fall out, and it was SO helpful.
Hard Drive or USB: People trade movies and you’ll need something to put them all on, not to mention photo storage; many people had this hard drive. I used USBs instead because they were more convenient. I had one for each country’s pictures and 2 for movies. What I’d bring today: I’d bring both the USB and the hard drive – you can never be too careful!
Kindle: cannot recommend it enough! If you don’t like to read, trust me, you’ll learn on the ship. I read 2-3 books a week…
DVD Player: I had a USB one and my roommate and I both brought DVDs of movies and TV shows, we used SOOO much.
HDMI Cord: You’re going to want to play movies on the TV from your computer!
Camera: I brought a DSLR, which I use at home, but it broke on the way there. I wish I had it, but I had my phone. What I’d bring today: my camera, with extra SD cards, and my phone!
Adaptor/Converter: You will have to use one, the ship has European outlets. I used this one on the ship and had this one for in country.
Portable Chargers: I brought two, this one and this one and I’m SO GLAD I DID. You will use these more than you think, especially in country.
Charging Cords: bring 2-3 phone chargers and an extra cord/battery for your camera if you have one.
Extra Phone: I brought an old iPhone because it was recommended. The whole reason is that if something happens to yours (i.e. it gets stolen…happened SO often), you have a backup. A TON of people utilized this.
Apple Watch: I didn’t bring one initially, but I would have used it and missed it!
Speaker: so many people brought them, but neither my roommate or I did and we frequently talked about how we wished we did. What I’d bring today: this one because it clips to everything!
Polaroid Camera: they make great presents on the ship and off the ship! What I’d bring today: this one because it’s the most reliable and easy to use.
Items I’m Still Glad I Didn’t Bring:
- Go Pro: wouldn’t have used it and so many people had it if I wanted to use it.
- Travel Alarm Clock: used my phone!
- Flashlight: again, used my phone!
Travel Stuff
Local Currency: I brought $20 in local currency (order from your local bank) for most countries and $50 for more expensive countries (ie. Europe, South Africa, China, Japan). It saves a lot of time and stress, and I highly recommend it.
Passport Pouch: I hate the travel ones, I use a running belt because they are smaller, more comfortable, and not so bulky. Note: they keep your passport on the ship, but you’re responsible for it off the ship!
Water Bottles: Most people brought two, and you should too. A lot had hydro flasks, I brought these because they were lighter, and I could clip them onto things (click here and here).
Kleenex: ship doesn’t have great kleenex, and you’re bound to get sick. Also, most countries don’t have toilet paper, so you’ll have to bring your own, which works best.
Tide Stick/Shout Stain: You’ll use this 100 %, and if you don’t, your roommate will. The stain sticks are nice for little things, but we had a couple of big spills for which the wipes were better (I got both in the travel section of Target).
Laundry Detergent: Even though there is laundry on the ship, you’ll want to do your own. I used the travel Tidepod pack (I think there were 12 in there), which was the perfect amount. A good estimate is doing your own laundry/sending it in at least once after each country.
Dryer Sheets: It was nice to have the smell of home with you. I put it in my pillow & in my closet.
Laundry Bag: I got a mesh laundry bag that I could hang from the dollar store, really really helpful.
Travel Clothesline: there is a flimsy one in the shower, but it sucks. I brought these, and they were perfect; most people had these or a variation.
Microfiber Towel: I used the beach towel size, and you will use it. Honestly, they fold up so small, get two. You have to use beach towels at the pool, and you’ll use them off the ship. These work AWESOME.
Sleeping Bag Liner: I’ve had mine forever, but something like this. REALLY good for questionable hostels.
Travel French Press: I used this quite a bit – I was surprised. If I didn’t use it as a French Press, I used it as a travel coffee mug.
Travel Coffee Mug: You WILL use this on the ship. Hot chocolate, tea, coffee, etc. Its one of the things a lot of people buy at the first port. I had this one and donated it at the end. What I’d bring today: I’d bring one that doubles for cold drinks at the pool and is a little larger, this is my favorite.
Plastic Bags: Just bring a bag of snack-sized, quart-sized, and gallon-sized bags. I used mine ALL the time.
Items I’m Still Glad I Didn’t Bring:
- Travel Toilet Paper: just use kleenex!
- Sink Plug/Bathtub Plug: never used it.
- Travel Pillow: only used it to and from home, and it wasn’t worth the space it took up.
- Passport Cover: they keep your passport when you’re on the ship, so it doesn’t do much unless you need it for travel after the ship (now I use it all the time, but it’s useless on the ship).
- A lot of that specialized travel stuff you won’t need. You adjust and adapt, don’t make it complicated.
Random Stuff
CARDS, CARDS, CARDS: I cannot tell you how often we played cards, at least once or twice a day. I brought 4 decks and we used them all, often. Some people brought board games (Catan was HUGE), but there is a lot on the ship already.
Over the Door Hanger: This was a last-minute toss in and I’m SO glad I brought them. My roommate and I used them in our closets for purses, jackets, and towels. I had these cheap ones. Tip: in rooms of three, people brought over the door shoe organizers and it really helped with storage.
Hangers: I think you get 10 hangers, but that’s hardly any. I brought cheap ones and then just donated them, so did my roommate.
Pillow: You need to. The pillows on the ship are just not going to cut it. People who didn’t bring a pillow regretted it.
Blanket: I brought a small blanket that I kept on my bed and loved it. It was also super nice for going out on the deck at night.
Lanyard: You’ll want something to keep track of your keys and ID.
Wish I Didn’t Bring:
- ENO: you can’t use it on the ship, and there were not really opportunities I could have used it.
School/Office Supplies
Notebook/Paper: I use this flexible binder and just brought loose-leaf paper and some page protectors and put all my classes in it. Ended up only using one package of loose-leaf paper, and donated the rest.
Pens/Pencils: nothing too exciting, but you’ll need them for journaling and school, etc. Tip: if you want to make a smash journal or do a fun journal, bring fun pens/markers.
Sticky Notes: Bring like 3-4 sticky note pads, they’re fun to leave notes for your cabin steward or people on their doors.
Craft Stuff: some people brought string and/or beads to make bracelets (fun presents for people) or coloring books. I didn’t, but it was fun receiving this stuff!
Journal: you will want to journal, it is SO fun to look back on. Even when we were on the ship, we would go back and read stuff from earlier, it was great. I used both of these and ended up buying another one while I was gone.
Books: I didn’t bring any besides a devotional book/my Bible, and my Kindle. I loved this decision, but some people traded books… personal preference. This was the devotional I brought, and HIGHLY recommend it!
Sharpies: for basic use, but mostly for signing maps at the end! You’ll need at least two because it is a process, of signing everyone’s map!
Pictures: most people bring pictures of home to put up because the cabins get old really quickly. I had a ton, and it felt more like a permanent place because we ‘decorated.’
Wish I Didn’t Bring:
- Magnets: a lot of people used them to decorate their doors, but we didn’t do that and it was a waste of space.
- More school supplies than I normally use… I donated most of it.
Medication
Sea Bands: These things are great, they genuinely help with seasickness, which you will get used to but will still use. I swear 1/2 the ship was wearing them. This is all I really used for seasickness.
Probiotics: probiotics were the only reason I never got sick from food. There was a group of us, and the ones that took probiotics didn’t get sick, and the ones that didn’t take them did.
Vitamin C: I took this and probiotics consistently, and it helped me from getting sick, I didn’t even get a cold.
Dramamine: In all honesty, you barely need this, or at least I didn’t.I took it the first day on the ship, but didn’t take it the rest of the time. Worst case, the Med Clinic has seasickness meds; otherwise, they don’t really need it.
TD Medication: You WILL want this from your doctor because you WILL use it. TD (traveler’s diarrhea– which can be literally anything) is contagious and everyone gets it on the ship and TD medication from your doctor will be your best friend.
Malaria: You’ll plan this with your doctor. They will tell you when to take it.
Emergen-C/Electrolyte: Emergen-C was good if you thought you were getting sick, but I only used it 3-4 times. Electrolyte stuff was great because before we’d go to really hot/humid countries, we’d drink a few to prepare so we didn’t get dehydrated.
Normal Medication: Between my roommate and I, we only had one set of Advil, Tylenol, Melatonin, and then a pack of the Day/Night time Flu sets. We used all of these a total of like 7 times between the both of us. You think you’ll need all of this stuff, but honestly, you forget or just don’t need it.
Snacks
YOU WILL WANT MORE THAN YOU THINK. I knew this and packed a 40lb bag, which I got a lot of grief for, but everyone ended up thanking me for. The bag I used for snacks became my souvenir/extra bag so it was a win-win.
I was intentional and packed ship snacks/drinks and in country snacks/drinks.
Ship Snacks:
- 2 boxes of Cheez-Its (wish I packed more)
- 2 bags of Monster Trail Mix (wish I packed more)
- 2 boxes of PopTarts (I wish I packed more)
- 4 boxes of breakfast bars (a good amount)
- 2 bags of Goldfish (wish I packed more)
Bottom line: you’ll want a TON of these kinds of snacks because ship food gets old, you don’t have anything to do besides snack, and it’s a reminder of home. I tried to bring things that I knew I wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else!
Drink Mix:
- Tea
- Hot Chocolate
- Coffee
They had all of these on the ship, but I’m particular so having my own was nice.
In-Country Snacks:
I basically worked it out so I would have two snacks for every day we were in country… I’M SO GLAD I DID THIS. Sometimes I didn’t eat them, but other people did, lifesavers in some instances. I alway try to bring things that are light and will spike blood sugar long enough to get food!
- Fruit snacks
- Fruit strips
- Protein bars
- Individual packs of nuts
- A LOT of gum
- Mints
What I’d Bring Today:
- Protein powder (individual packs)
- Something like Chomps
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end. I know it seems like a lot, but you’ve got a big trip ahead of you!
If I could tell you two things while you’re packing, it would be this: First, you need less than you think you do. You’ll adapt, adjust, and your preferences will change. Second, pay attention to where you’re going – that will shape what you pack more than anything else.
Beyond that, good luck, and have a blast!
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