It’s embarkation day – the first day of your cruise. You’ve probably prepared lists and spent hours packing your suitcases but have you considered the items you need to carry with you when you board your ship? What do you carry on the cruise ship?
There may be some items you haven’t thought of and should certainly consider. In this post, I’ll share the essentials you need and the extras you may want with you in your embarkation day bag.
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Functional Items for your Cruise Embarkation Day Bag
Lightweight Backpack –
Grab a bag that is comfortable for you to carry around while you wait for your cabin to be available.
I like a backpack so that my hands are free to handle paperwork, take pictures of a new exciting ship…and of course, have a happy vacation drink!
I travel with all of my work gear so I like using this backpack from Lovevook.
Passport and Boarding Documents
If you remember nothing else on boarding day, you must have your boarding pass and your passport in hand. Yes, I know that it’s acceptable to use a birth certificate on a closed-loop cruise, but I will shout it from my soapbox all day long that a passport is worth the investment!
Quick story for you, a good friend was boarding a ship with his family and at the last minute he decided to send his backpack with the porters. Shortly after, he realized that ALL of their passports were in that backpack. He had to run all around trying to find the porter and stop several workers trying to track down his backpack. Please, please, please…make sure you have your boarding items with you and not with the porters. The cruise line will not track it down for you.
Electronics/Valuables
It’s a good idea to pack your electronic items, such as a laptop, camera gear, etc., in your carry-on bag when you board the cruise ship. If you are traveling with other valuables or irreplaceable items such as jewelry, keep that with you as well. This isn’t about potential theft, although I suppose it could happen, This precaution is mostly so these items aren’t potentially damaged during handling, or in rare cases, lost.
Phone, Charger & Splash Proof Pouch– Like many people, I use my phone to communicate with family and friends, take pictures, and post updates on my social media so considering including your charger cable or a portable charger in your embarkation day bag.
Pro Tip: I really like these iwalk portable charger for charging my phone on the go.
Some of my other favorite electronics to bring on a cruise are my laptop, kindle, selfie stick and airpords.
Related: What’s in my tech bag?
Lanyard –
Many cruise lines are not hole-punching cards anymore, so consider carrying one in a clear pouch or a zipper pouch like these. I’ve started using a phone case with a card sleeve or a wallet area.
Reusable Water Bottle
I do not go anywhere without my Yeti Rambler (with the water bottle top and handle lid). I love having water with me throughout the day and at my bedside at night. It’s so easy to carry because of the handle, it’s easy to refill, and dishwasher safe! Please remember that just like at the airport, you will need to board the ship with it empty.
Fun in the Sun on Embarkation Day
Swimwear/Cover-up
Typically I want to explore the ship, BUT if you head straight to the pool, you will likely grab a great spot as most people head for the food! Consider wearing your swimsuit under your embarkation day outfit and packing a cover-up.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is critical on a cruise. Applying sunscreen before arriving at the port and tossing it into your embarkation bag so that it’s easy to reapply. (I pack Aloe Vera in my checked luggage, sunburns can be painful) My go-to brands are Sun Bum and Safe Sea I always have at least one of these in my cruise embarkation day bag. I’m a big proponent of reef-safe sunscreen to protect our ocean life, and it’s required in the Caribbean and Hawaii.
Sunglasses and/or hat
You can clip favorite sun hat to your tote or attach a cap to your bag with a caribiner just in case you need it. The sun can be very intense, even on embarkation day. I also highly recommend making sure you have your sunglasses with you. These are my favorite sunglasses. They are lightweight, stylish and very inexpensive.
Medication/First Aid bag
ALWAYS keep your prescription or necessary medication with you. You may also want to bring some pain relievers, seasickness prevention, and a few over-the-counter medicines. (just in case!). I also stash a few band-aids and antibacterial ointment in the medicine pouch. While all of this is not specifically for embarkation day, I usually keep these items in a small pouch and keep it available in my cabin or to toss into my port-day bag.
More details on my medication bag are in my Cruise Port Day Bag Post.
Cabin Prep Kit
A small zipper bag is full of my stateroom cabin MUST-HAVES. Check out the details in this article for how I prepare our stateroom cabin for a great week. These essentials include my disinfectant wipes, magnetic hooks and other important items to help us settle into our cabin.
Embarkation Day Bag – Carry on Beverages
Last on the list is any beverages you plan to bring onboard. Many cruise lines allow for some non-alcoholic beverages, such as soda/pop and one bottle of wine per legal-age adult in the cabin. Be sure to check the guidelines for your specific cruise line when planning your packing list. These beverage items must be in your carry-on and NOT sent with the porter. I have seen several cruisers pack these items in a small roller bag suitcase or on a little luggage trolley, which would certainly save your back.
There you have it. These are the items you should consider when planning your embarkation day bag. Do you have a favorite item that you make sure is in your embarkation day bag? Did I miss something? Let me know in the comments below.
What are your must-haves for your cruise embarkation day?
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