Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Cruise Luggage Restrictions and Baggage Rules Every Cruiser Needs to Know

cruise carry on bag

Here are the important items that you should keep with you during embarkation and a few suggestions of things to consider popping in your cary on bag. Don't let dress codes derail your commitment to carry-on-only travel. Instead of packing individual pieces, organize your clothes by outfits. Aim to have a few basic pieces you can stretch into two or more different outfits. Many cruise passengers carry their SeaPass card in a lanyard around their neck. This helps prevent the card from being lost and is convenient when making purchases around the ship.

Can You Carry Your Own Luggage on a Cruise?

As if all of that wasn’t enough, depending on your cruise itinerary, you may find yourself packing to accommodate more than one weather climate. For example, when we cruised to Alaska in 2007, it was in early July. Our days before boarding the ship in Seattle were warm, but several cruise ports were chilly and damp. One of our excursions was to Mendenhall Glacier and we were bundled up in heavy fleece jackets with gloves and knit hats. With all of the various uses for your mobile phone, you may find that the battery drains before you can charge it in your stateroom. I recommend traveling with a fully charged portable phone charger so that you are always prepared.

Learn About Credit Cards

While ATMs are available on cruise ships and in almost any destination worldwide, you'd still be smart to bring a reserve of at least $100 in cash with you on your cruise. However, keeping cash in checked luggage means lost luggage is that much more painful. Additionally, credit and bank card fraud is real and if this happens to you while traveling and your account is locked, you may find yourself without access to money you need.

A pair of cruise passengers were arrested after authorities searched their luggage and found 112 bags of marij - Business Insider India

A pair of cruise passengers were arrested after authorities searched their luggage and found 112 bags of marij.

Posted: Mon, 29 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Essentials Clothes

You’ll want to make sure that you have everything you need to enjoy your embarkation day, as well as important items such as medications, valuables and children’s items. If I'm flying, I make sure to pack my backpack light enough to still fit under the seat in front of me. It holds all my electronic devices and accessories, travel essentials like my passport, ID, credit cards, insurance card, face mask and hand sanitizer. I also include my sleeping mask, earphones, a book (or my Kindle). We advise packing sunglasses in your carry-on bag, as you will likely spend significant time outside in the sun on embarkation day. Whether relaxing at the pool or watching the sunset during sailaway, you’ll want access to sunglasses before your luggage arrives to your stateroom.

How to pack for a cruise – essential items to have in your carry-on luggage

cruise carry on bag

While you haven’t arrived in the Caribbean or Bahamas yet, many cruise departure ports are in warmer locations. Thus, it could certainly be hot and sunny on your cruise embarkation day. For everyone’s sanity, this rule does not apply to cruise ships. Bring shampoo from home or a bottle of hairspray or a full-sized tube of toothpaste. Just keep in mind that if you have to fly to the port, then you’ll still have to meet the guidelines on liquids for air travel. If you are flying to your departure port, you will be restricted by airline baggage limits.

Not only is it better to keep valuables on hand, but you may want to use these items on embarkation day before your checked luggage arrives. It’s important to pack a few essentials in a small carry-on bag for your embarkation day, as it can take several hours to get your luggage delivered to your cabin. Once again, you should remember that you won’t have access to your checked luggage for a few hours.

However, I don't let that lure me away from my minimalist packing tendencies. Whether it's an ocean voyage in the sunny Caribbean or a European river cruise during the month of November, I always stick to a one carry-on only rule. She loves to get active while at port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea. If you plan to use a lanyard while onboard, we recommend putting it in your carry-on bag so you can place your SeaPass card in the lanyard as soon as you get to your cabin.

I like to fill up my water bottle with water and ice and take it to my cabin. Make sure to pack your bathing suit in your carry-on bag, in case you feel like taking a dip on the first day. Personally, I always pack my kids’ bathing suits because they love to jump into the pool right away. If your vacation goals are to relax, catch some rays and sip tropical drinks poolside for the next week or more, then have those pool items ready to go once you're on board. Many cruise lines will allow you to bring a couple of bottles or wine or champagne on board (check your cruise line policy). Keep it in your carry on bag or tote as you board, as you wouldn’t want it breaking in your luggage.

cruise carry on bag

MSC Cruises

As long as you can fit everything in that you decide you want to keep with you on embarkation day and have easy access to any essential documents, you will be fine. Giving your carry-on luggage a bit of thought before you pack will also help embarkation day run smoothly and start your cruise off on a good note. Beat the crowds on the pool deck by packing a swimsuit in your carry-on bag. You can change into the swimsuit in one of the public bathrooms on the pool deck and enjoy nearly empty pools for the first few hours of your cruise. One of the best times to enjoy time on the pool deck during your cruise is on embarkation day.

But you’ll want to bring cash for making purchases in port, casino games, and tipping crew members. Your credit cards and money are most likely in your purse or wallet during embarkation. But it’s always a good idea to check that you didn’t accidentally leave them in your checked luggage.

They'll need their cruise card handy to check in and out of the kids club and to get into your cabin when they run ahead. If you’ve brought a good camera on your cruise, this is definitely an item to keep in your carry on bag or backpack, rather than in your luggage. I like a large tote or beach bag with a big shoulder strap, as this way we can use it on our excursion days. Our friends use a small carry-on suitcase with spinner wheels, which is great as you never have to carry it. As you can see, packing your cruise carry on bag needn’t be overwhelming.

If you have drinks in the bag you give to the porters, it will get flagged by security when it goes through the scanner. Security has the right to check luggage for prohibited liquids like hard liquor, beer, and seltzer. Be sure to bring drinks with you into the cruise terminal rather than dropping them off with the porters. If you have medications you need on the first day of your cruise, no matter the time, be sure to keep the medication with you at all times during the embarkation process.

While there are no strict restrictions on your checked baggage, you should keep a few common sense items in mind. Packing for a cruise can be stressful, because you’ll want to have everything you need, but won’t want to overpack. I forgot to keep it on the top of the list, but yes, this is one of the crucial items that you keep in your carry-on. Similarly, on port excursions, the power bank is also the best companion for your smartphone and lets you constantly capture nature and your moments.

Something to note is that it can be tempting to overpack for a cruise, especially if you enjoy dressing up for dinners and formal nights. However, many cruise ships have a self serve laundrette or laundry services at an additional charge that you can use, if needed. While we always freshen up before dinner on embarkation day, it is not required. The suggested attire on the first evening of any cruise is always casual for this reason. We always recommend packing some essential toiletries in your cruise carry-on bag as well. This could include a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, a hair brush, and any other items that you can’t live without during your cruise.

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