CRUISE EMBARKATION DAY LUGGAGE RULES

Guidelines and Tips All Cruisers Must Know

Boarding a cruise has its own set of luggage rules and guidelines – boarding a cruise ship is completely different from boarding a plane.

BOARDING PASSES MUST BE PRINTED. CARNIVAL HAS NOT ADAPTED THE PROCESS WHERE YOU CAN USE YOUR PHONE FOR YOUR BOARDING PASS, YET.

1. Pack a Carry-On Size Luggage or Tote Bag.

If you are Checking your Luggage, it’s very important to pack a Carry-On Bag with you on Embarkation Day. Your Embarkation Day Bag Should have everything you might need for the first day of your Cruise. Delivery of your luggage can sometimes take a long time to arrive at your room.

2. Rules for the Size of Your Carry-On Bag

There are no strict rules for the size or weight of your Carry-On Bag, and weight limits are just suggestions. There is also not a restriction on the # of Bags that you bring. All luggage needs to fit through the Security Scanners and Xray Machines. Backpacks, small duffel bags or 20-21″ suitcases are fine.

3. TSA Liquid Rules Don’t Apply

You aren’t limited to the size and amount of liquids and creams you pack for a cruise.

4. Boarding with Luggage

If you choose to carry on all of your luggage – suitcases must fit through the security scanners. I always carry on my luggage, and have never had an issue, even with my largest suitcases. Remember, if you do carry on your luggage, you will have to carry it around with you until your room is ready (typically around 1:30 pm). On Carnival, if you are Diamond or Platinum Status, are booked in a Suite, or have purchased Faster to the Fun, you will be able to drop off your luggage in your room when you board.

5. Medications

Any essentials or Medication that you may need should be brought on with you in your Carry-On Bag. Most Cruise Ships don’t require passengers to bring Medication in Prescription Bottles or Original Containers. Most Cruise Lines Suggest bringing Original Prescription Containers as well as a list of Medications. In case of any potential travel delays, it’s always smart to bring a few extra days of Medication.

6. Passports and Government Identification

One of the worst mistakes any cruiser can make is to pack Passports or other IDs in checked luggage. Always have your Passports or Documents in your Carry-On or Passport Wallet.

7. Wallet and Credit Cards

Carry your wallet with money, cash and Credit Cards with you during Embarkation. Once inside your cabin, it is recommended to put these and other valuables in the stateroom safe.

8. Bringing Beverages on a Cruise

Bringing Liquor and Beverages On Board – Embarkation

Guests are prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages that are packaged in glass or plastic bottles.

On embarkation day, a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages (i.e., sparkling water, sodas, energy drinks, juice, and milk), packaged in cans or cartons, may be brought on board and must be in the guest’s carry-on luggage. A small quantity is considered a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12-ounces/354-ml each or less, per person.

Guests are prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages on board with the following exception – at the beginning of the cruise during embarkation day only, guests (21 years of age and older) may bring one 750-ml bottle of sealed/unopened wine or champagne, per person, in their carry-on luggage.* Outside this exception, all liquor, beer, other forms of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited in both carry-on and checked luggage and such items will be confiscated and discarded and no compensation will be provided. Guests sailing with us on back-to-back cruises are entitled to bring the same quantity as stated in this policy, per cruise. The additional quantities will be stored for safekeeping at the start of the first cruise and will be given to the guest as each following cruise begins.

THINK YOU CAN SNEAK LIQUOR ON? BELOW IS A SMALL PORTION OF WHAT WAS CONFISCATED AT A RECENT EMBARKATION ON A CARNIVAL SHIP:

Want to know why they open your 12-Pack – here is the reason.
Think they won’t catch the liquor you are trying to sneak in? Check the photos.
“Margarita Wine” is not allowed, it’s not wine.
The XXL Wine is not allowed – people still try to bring it.
NO Aerosol Except for Personal Hygiene Products. Lysol in any size aerosol is not allowed.

9. Wine

Each Adult over the age of 21 is allowed to bring 1 Bottle of Wine or Champagne on board. This must be brought in your Carry-On Luggage. Bottles can be no larger than 750 ml, and cannot have an Alcohol by Volume (ABV) content of more than 15%. I recommend bringing your own Corkscrew, as Carnival will charge a $15.00 Corkage Fee to open for you. * Port, Vermouth, Sherry and other fortified wines, over 15% alcohol by volume (ABV), cannot be brought on board. You can also bring on Energy Drinks such as Red Bull, but those also must be 12 oz. or less. You can also bring back 12-Packs of non-alcoholic drinks onboard from the Ports.

The following types of Wines are asked about often, but not allowed:

Margarita Wine Cocktails are not allowed – even though the word “Wine” is on the bottle, it is not considered a wine and will be confiscated.
Port Wine’s are not allowed as they are more than 15% Alcohol by Volume.
Carnival Specifically Checks for XXL Wine – the Alcohol by Volume is way more than 15%.

10. TSA Locks

If you choose to lock your luggage, make sure the lock is TSA Approved. These locks must be inside your Carry-On or Checked Luggage during Embarkation, not locked on the Suitcase.

11. Children’s Items

Be sure to pack toys or other items to keep your Children busy on the first day of your Cruise. If traveling with small children, make sure to pack a diaper bag, along with wipes and other essentials. Very smart to bring a change of clothes.

12. Chargers and Wires for Electronic Devices

It could take several hours until you have access to your cabin and can fully charge your devices. Make sure to pack a portable charger for your phone and other devices.

13. Packaged Snacks

There’s more than enough food on Cruises, but you can bring snacks like candy or chips. Anything snacks brought on board must be sealed and in their original packages. I like to bring a sleeve of crackers to snack on in the evening with Cheese and Meats I bring back to the room from the buffet or Dining Room.

14. Change of Clothes

Most likely you will get your luggage before dinner on the first day of the Cruise, but some people like to bring an evening outfit just in case. Bathing Suits are also nice to have in your Carry-On.

15. Other Optional Items

Optional Items to Pack in your embarkation bag include Personal Toiletries or Make-Up, Sunglasses, Sunscreen, AirPods and a Book or Kindle. For the smokers – you can bring Cigarettes/Cigars and lighters/matches with you in your Carry-On.

16. Things You Can’t Bring on a Cruise on Embarkation Day

Surge Protected Power Bars
Illegal Drugs or Substances

CARNIVAL now has Drug Sniffing Dogs at all the ports as well as on the ship. All guests and their personal items may be subject to screening by law enforcement and any guest found in possession of illegal drugs and other prohibited items may be subject to fines, arrest, and denial of boarding without refund or compensation. You can also be banned permanently from Carnival.

Small electrical appliances that produce heat (hair appliances are exceptions)
For a full list of items not allowed, click HERE.

17. Checked Luggage Suggestions

These are the recommended limits – they are just SUGGESTIONS. They will not turn you away if you have more bags or they weigh more than 50 lbs. Your luggage tag will say 50 lbs. Maximum. Again, this is just a suggestion – please remember that the Porters have to lift and move your bags – this is why the suggestion is in place. However, a nice tip will go a long way, and people are not turned away because of the size or weight of their luggage.

3-5 Day Cruises – maximum of one bag, per person.
6 Day Cruises or more – no more than 2 bags, per person.
Each checked bag and carry-on bag SHOULD not weigh more than 50 lbs. and, when lying flat, must not exceed 16 inches high by 24 inches wide (the length of the bag is not a factor.)
For Security Screening purposes, all luggage should be unlocked.
Oversized luggage and locked luggage may cause delivery delays.
I have personally never had an issue with any sized luggage or number of luggage. I personally carry on my luggage now, but even in the past when I checked it, there was no issue with size or quantity.