I got the job! Now, what to bring?

Janz Cindy (Philippines) sent me an email…

Hi, Ms. Evelyn!

Just want to say that you have an awesome blog. A number of times have I been here, and always reading your blog all over again. It did help a lot during my application process. And now, I am just waiting for my contract signing with Princess 🙂

1) What size of luggage should I bring (large or cabin size yung puwede sa hand carry)?

2) Clothes to bring (parang alangan pa po ako itanong sa inyo ‘to since I know magdedepende sa route ng barko, pero baka may certain things kayo na dapat hindi ko makalimutan)

3) Is it true na dapat daw po may at least 3 na dalang party dress?

I guess, ‘yan lang po. If ever lang po na may suggestion kayo. Let me know po. Thank you so much 😉

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Hi Cindy. Congratulations! And thank you for writing. It’s good to know that my website has been helpful to others. 🙂

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Now, to answer your questions…

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Checked and carry-on luggage

I travel with 2 pieces of check-in luggage

• 1 medium-sized luggage, with spinner wheels
• 1 small enough for carry-on in the cabin, but expandable and always expanded, and therefore always checked-in

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Related post: Soft Luggage or Hard Luggage?

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As of this writing, handcarry luggage is limited to just 1 piece and a maximum of 7 kgs.

Mine is a bulky backpack that holds my documents, netbook computer with its accessories, DSLR and its lens, chargers and travel adapters, 3-1-1 plastic bag for travel toiletries, and my little cuddly traveling companion.

I would recommend against using just 1 piece of large luggage in place of 2 small ones, because that will cost you in excess weight fees — even if that 1 piece is only equal or lesser in weight than 2 small ones combined.

Take my word. I’ve tried it. Never doing that again.

My advice: If you can fit all in 1 medium or small luggage, do it. But do bring a second foldable bag, like a really large gym bag. Remember that you will most likely be buying some stuff in your travels and may need another bag for those. 😉

IMPORTANT: Do NOT pack your DSLR and lenses in your check-in luggage. Always keep them in your handcarry. As for the flash, that can go in the check-in.

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Related post: If You Want To Keep It, Keep It With You

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What clothes to bring

Mostly, you’ll be wearing uniform.

Check with Magsaysay or Princess if you need to bring anything to supplement the uniform provided — e.g. black socks, white socks, comfy flat black work shoes or white sneakers, white dress shirt to wear with your evening suit, etc.

I recommend you travel light as much as possible. When you finish your contract you will find that your stuff has multiplied with all the souvenirs you accumulated in your travels.

I travel with…

• 5 pairs of shoes
  • black work shoes
  • white work rubber shoes
  • aqua shoes (for shoots at the beach)
  • boots (ideally black and thick, for cold weather outdoor shoots)
  • plain black girly shoes (doubles as backup work shoes if my work shoes suddenly die on me, and as dress shoes for rare occasions when I wear my one-and-only dress on very rare evenings off)
• 3 pairs of jeans
  • 1 kinda loose
  • 1 regular fit
  • 1 jeggings
• 1 set of beach/swimwear. Yes, even if you’re not a swimmer or beach lover. Ya never know, your team building activity might be snorkeling or jetskiing in Cabo. 😉
• Jackets
  • 1 hoodie
  • 1 black trench coat (for chilly weather shoots)
  • 1 black frigid weather (winter) jacket
• Hats
  • 1 baseball cap
  • 1 white knitted hat for cold weather
• Socks
  • white socks to wear with your day uniform
  • black socks to wear with your evening uniform
• Miscellaneous casual clothes, accessories, and undergarments, of course.

Oh yeah, I do bring suits too. But as a newly-hired photographer, you won’t have to worry about having your own suits. Whatever you need for work should be covered by the uniform that Princess will provide.

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Handy colors to have in your wardrobe

You will find that black is a handy color to have — as are white and gray. There’s a better chance of your boss letting you wear your own stuff at work if it’s black or some neutral color. Though I can’t say if Princess Cruises will allow it.

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Do you need party dresses?

Wow.

Three party dresses?

Well, unless you are required to wear a party dress at work, you won’t need to bring three dresses.

Keep in mind that you’ll probably be doing some shopping during your contract. 😉

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Other people bring so much more — high heels, wedge shoes, sandals, dressy sneakers, fancy boots, little dresses, maxi dresses, separates, denim jackets, leather jackets, puffy jackets, furry jackets, chunky accessories, etc.

Honestly, I don’t know how they pack their luggage. 🙂

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Other stuff

If you haven’t yet and you’re a book lover, I recommend switching to ebooks.

Basically, the less weight and mass you pack into your luggage, the better for your sanity and wallet.

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Having said that, I actually travel with a hand-cranked coffee bean grinder and a single-serve coffee press.

I have my priorities, you know. 🙂

Hope that helps. 😉

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Related post: Moving Onto a Ship, How Much To Bring and How To Decide