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What's in the Bag?
What's in the Bag?
The toughest part of cruising is getting on and off the ship. A well packed carry-on bag can make these days a bit easier. It is just as important to not over pack your carry-on as it is to not forget anything you may need. I hope this article helps you think through what to bring on your next cruise.
On our first cruise, disembarkation caught me off guard because I didn't realize we'd be putting our luggage outside the room the night before for the cruise line to off-load. Of course, depending on your plans and preference, you can keep all your luggage with you and take it off the ship yourself. For me, I like the simplicity of picking up my luggage just before customs in the cruise terminal instead of navigating around the ship with everything myself.
To save room, I try to bring one bag that can be used for multiple things. These bags are a good size to hold a days worth of things, are light weight, and easy to pack. They also make great gifts for your travel party if you're looking for one. Depending on your situation, you could use a small rolling suitcase if you'd rather not carry a bag or if you need to keep a large amount of items with you.
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Embarkation Day - Boarding the Ship
Embarkation Day - Boarding the Ship
Identification Documents
The most important item in your cruise carry-on is your identification documents. Depending on your itinerary, this could be your passport or your birth certificate and driver's license. Make sure you don't pack these items in your checked bags, not even for the airplane. Keep these with you at all times to ensure you make it on the ship. You also need your reservation and/or cabin number readily available and any other paperwork the cruise line provided you for boarding.
Anything You Cannot Easily Replace
Items such as medication, car keys, and your wallet. It's unlikely, but luggage does get misplaced and/or lost at the cruise terminal. Don't risk it. Keep the non-negotiable items with you until you're safely in your cabin.
Portable Charger
A long day of travel and then waiting in the cruise terminal may drain your phone's battery. On top of that, most cruise lines use an app to communicate and display all the activities, restaurants, etc. So don't let your battery die, tuck a portable charger in your carry-on bag.
Hand Wipes | Hand Sanitizer
There is hand sanitizer available around the ship but, it doesn't hurt to have your own stash. I like these Boogie Hand Wipes - silly brand name but, they work well and do not leave any residue on my hands. The also make non-sanitizer wipes that are safe to use for your face - these are good multipurpose wipes especially, if you're travelling with children.
Lanyard | Card Holder
You'll be given a key card when you check in. You'll use it as room key, to scan on / off the ship at ports, order drinks, check in for dinner, etc. Basically, your card will be with you at all times and you'll need access to it multiple times per day. Some cruisers like a lanyard to keep this card with them. Others, like myself, like to keep the card in a wallet attached to my iPhone.
Swimsuit | Sunscreen | Sunglasses | Hat
If you're going on a warm-weather cruise, a lot of people like to bring their swimsuit in their bag so they can start enjoying the pool immediately. If you go this route, ensure you have a cover up or shorts and shirt that will go over your swimsuit so you can still enjoy the buffet until you can change in your cabin. Speaking of the pool, bring your sunblock, hat, and sunglasses as well. Towels will be provided by the cruise line. Use our favorite packing cubes on Amazon to keep your pool gear organized.
Disembarkation Day - Leaving the Ship
Disembarkation Day - Leaving the Ship
Typically, you'll pack up most of your luggage on the last night of your cruise and place it outside your cabin door. The cruise line will unload your bags for you to pick up in the cruise terminal. Since you (again) won't have access to your bags, keep a few things with you to pack up in your carry-on bag.
The cruise line will provide luggage tags to you the night before to place on the luggage they are unloading for you. Take a photo of the tags to help you remember where to find your luggage in the terminal and also so you know how many items you send. A lot is going on the last day, so don't count on your memory!
Norwegian Cruise Line's disembarkation luggage tags.
Cruise Key Card | Identification Documents
Most cruise lines require you to scan your keycard when disembarking. This gives them an automated way to check you out and keep tabs on who is where. You'll use the same process during the cruise when you get off at the various ports. You'll need your identification documents in customs inside the cruise terminal.
Anything You Cannot Easily Replace
Same as getting on the ship, keep items such as medication, car keys, and your wallet in the unlikely event your other luggage gets lost.
Toiletries
Keep your toothbrush, eye contacts, hair brush, deodorant, makeup, etc. with you.
Clothing
Keep your pajamas and the clothes you'll wear the next day when leaving the ship. This is wear our favorite packing cubes on Amazon come in handy again!
Entertainment
Especially if you're travelling with children, keep a few entertainment items/toys in your carry-on for them. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes there are delays in the disembarkation process that may mean waiting on the ship.
Electronics
If you brought your laptop or other fragile items on board, carry those off to avoid things being damaged.
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