What you need before boarding day
A cruise requires three things before you step on the ship: a valid passport or passport card, any visas your ports require, and proof of citizenship if you are a U.S. citizen returning to the U.S. by sea. Check your passport expiration date now — most cruise lines require it to be valid for at least six months after your return date, though some Caribbean cruises from U.S. ports accept a passport card or even a Real ID driver's license for U.S. citizens. If your passport expires within six months, renew it before you book, because processing times vary and rush fees add up fast.
Your cruise line will send you a boarding document or ask you to check in online 24 hours before departure. You will need your confirmation number, which arrives in your booking confirmation email. Save that email and take a screenshot of your confirmation number — do not rely on finding it again when you are at the port. If you booked through a travel agent, they may handle some of this for you, but confirm what you are responsible for.
Check your cruise line's website for any health requirements or declarations. Some lines ask about recent illness or vaccination status. Answer honestly — lying on a health form can get you denied boarding or quarantined mid-voyage.
Key Takeaways
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your cruise ends, and you should check this at least two months before your departure date.
- Save your booking confirmation number and check in online 24 hours before the ship departs, or you may lose your cabin and your money.
- Pack medications in their original labeled bottles, not in a pill organizer, because the ship's medical staff needs to see what you are taking.
- Notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel dates so they do not block charges made at ports or on the ship.
- Arrange for someone to collect mail and packages at your home, or ask the post office to hold them while you are away.
Medications and medical needs
Bring all prescription medications in their original labeled bottles with your name, the drug name, and dosage clearly printed. The ship's medical staff will ask to see the label, and a pill organizer will not tell them what you are taking or in what dose. Pack medications in your carry-on bag, not in checked luggage, so they are with you if your suitcase is delayed. Bring more than you think you will need — if you run out at sea, the ship's doctor can refill some medications, but the cost is high and not all drugs are stocked.
If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease, bring a copy of your most recent doctor's visit summary or a letter from your doctor stating your condition and current treatment. The ship's medical clinic is equipped for emergencies, not ongoing care, but having documentation helps if you need urgent attention. Pack any over-the-counter medications you use regularly — seasickness remedies, antacids, pain relievers — because the ship's shop sells them at cruise prices, which are two to three times higher than drugstore prices.
If you use a CPAP machine, insulin pump, or other medical device, contact your cruise line before you book to confirm they can accommodate it. Bring extra batteries, chargers, and supplies. If you need oxygen or dialysis, only certain cruise lines offer these services, and you must arrange them months in advance.
Packing for different climates and dress codes
Check the weather forecast for your ports one week before you leave, but pack for a range because forecasts change. For warm-weather cruises, bring lightweight clothes, a hat, and reef-safe sunscreen — many ports ban sunscreen with oxybenzone and octinoxate because they damage coral. Pack a light rain jacket even if rain is not in the forecast; tropical ports can have sudden showers. Bring one pair of closed-toe shoes for excursions and one pair of sandals for the pool deck.
Most cruise lines have formal or semi-formal nights, usually two to three per week on a seven-day cruise. Check your booking confirmation or the cruise line's website for the dress code. Semi-formal usually means a dress, skirt and blouse, or dress pants and a button-up shirt; formal means a suit, tuxedo, or evening gown. You do not have to dress up — casual dining is available every night — but if you want to eat in the main dining room on formal night, you will need appropriate clothes. Pack one outfit that meets the dress code, even if you do not plan to use it, because plans change.
Bring a small day bag or backpack for excursions. You will need it to carry water, sunscreen, a phone, and a camera. Most cruise lines do not allow large bags in the dining room or theater, so a small crossbody bag works better than a large purse for evening.
Money, cards, and onboard accounts
The ship operates on a cashless system — you link a credit card or debit card to your cabin, and all purchases (drinks, dining, excursions, gift shop) are charged to that account. You receive an itemized bill on your final night. Bring at least one credit card and one debit card as backup. If your card is declined, you cannot leave the ship until the balance is paid, so notify your bank and credit card companies of your travel dates before you leave. Tell them the countries or ports you will visit so they do not block charges as fraud.
Bring some cash in U.S. dollars for ports where you go ashore — not every vendor at a port takes cards, and some charge a fee for card transactions. Exchange currency at your bank before you leave, not at the airport or on the ship, because the rates are much worse. Bring small bills because change is often hard to get. Do not carry large amounts of cash; the ship has a safe in your cabin, but theft does happen.
Check whether your cell phone plan covers international texting and data at your ports. Many plans charge per text and per megabyte, which adds up fast. Consider buying a local SIM card at your first port or using ship WiFi, which is usually sold as a daily or weekly pass. WiFi is expensive — $8 to $15 per day — but cheaper than roaming charges if you use data heavily.
Home and mail before you leave
Ask a trusted friend or family member to collect your mail and packages while you are away, or contact your local post office and ask them to hold mail for the dates you will be gone. Packages left on your porch are visible to anyone passing by, and mail piling up signals that your home is empty. If you do not have someone to check on your home, ask the post office to hold mail for up to 30 days.
Stop newspaper delivery or ask a neighbor to collect newspapers from your driveway. Leave one light on a timer so your home does not look dark all night. If you have plants, ask someone to water them, or move them away from windows and water them heavily before you leave. Unplug electronics you do not need running while you are away — this saves electricity and reduces fire risk.
If you have pets, arrange for someone to feed and walk them, or book a pet sitter or boarding facility. Do not leave pets alone for the duration of your cruise. Leave your pet sitter a copy of your itinerary, your cruise line's phone number, and your emergency contact information in case something goes wrong.
Luggage, cabin location, and arrival timing
Pack one carry-on bag and one checked bag per person. Cruise lines charge for bags beyond this, usually $15 to $20 per extra bag. Your carry-on should hold medications, valuables, phone chargers, and one change of clothes in case your checked bag is delayed. Checked bags are loaded onto the ship after you board, so you will not have access to them for several hours. Label every bag with your name, cabin number, and phone number inside and outside, because bags get mixed up in the chaos of boarding day.
When you check in online, you can often request a cabin location — midship cabins are more stable in rough seas, lower decks are cheaper but noisier, and higher decks have better views but longer walks to dining and entertainment. Request what matters to you, but understand that requests are not may provide. Some cruise lines charge extra for specific cabin locations.
Arrive at the port at least three hours before departure. Boarding usually opens two to three hours before the ship leaves, and lines move slowly. If you arrive late, you will be turned away and the ship will leave without you — the cruise line will not refund your money or rebook you. Check your confirmation for the exact boarding time and the port address, and plan your travel to the port with time to spare for traffic and parking.
Travel insurance and cancellation policies
Cruise lines offer their own travel insurance, but it is expensive and has limits. Third-party travel insurance from companies like Allianz or World Nomads often costs less and covers more — trip cancellation, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and evacuation. Read the policy carefully to understand what is covered and what is not. Some policies exclude pre-existing medical conditions unless you buy within 14 days of your initial cruise deposit.
Understand your cruise line's cancellation policy. Most lines allow free cancellation up to 75 to 90 days before departure, then charge a percentage of the fare if you cancel closer to the date. If you cancel within 14 days of departure, you usually lose the entire fare. Travel insurance can cover this loss if you have a covered reason — illness, injury, death in the family, or job loss. Without insurance, a last-minute cancellation is expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a passport for a Caribbean cruise from the U.S.?
Not always. U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (departing and returning to the same U.S. port) can use a passport card, Real ID driver's license, or enhanced driver's license instead of a passport book. If your cruise stops at a foreign port and you want to go ashore, bring a passport book to be safe — some ports require it, and you do not want to be stuck on the ship because your ID is not accepted.
What happens if I miss the ship at a port?
The ship will leave without you. You are responsible for getting yourself to the next port at your own expense, or you lose the rest of your cruise fare. The cruise line will not pay for flights, hotels, or other travel. This is why arriving early at the home port and returning promptly from excursions is critical.
Can I bring my own alcohol on the ship?
No. Cruise lines prohibit outside alcohol in cabins and public areas. If security finds alcohol, they will confiscate it. Some lines allow you to bring wine or champagne to your cabin if you purchase it at the port and bring it aboard the same day, but policies vary — check your cruise line's rules before you buy.
What should I do if I get sick on the ship?
Report to the medical clinic on the ship. There is a fee for medical services — usually $100 to $300 for a visit, plus medication and lab work — and it is not covered by most health insurance. If you need evacuation to a hospital, the cost can be thousands of dollars. Travel insurance with medical coverage is worth buying for this reason alone.
How much should I budget for tips and gratuities?
Cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your onboard account — usually $15 per person per day for standard cabins, more for suites. This covers your cabin steward, dining room server, and busser. You can adjust or remove gratuities at the purser's desk before you leave the ship, but the default amount is already charged. Budget for this in your total cruise cost.