What to bring ashore

Pack light, but never leave the ship without the few things that get you back on it.

cruise card first!

Don't leave the ship without

• Your cruise card (you need it to get back on board).
• Government photo ID. Many cruisers also carry a photo or photocopy of their passport page.
• The ship's emergency phone number and port agent details, from your daily planner.
• Any medication you take during the day.

For getting around

• Cash in small bills for taxis, tips and market stalls; many taxis are cash only, and drivers often lack change for big notes.
• A card for restaurants and bigger shops.
• A charged phone with the ship time set. Some phones switch to local time automatically, which can differ from ship time.
• Check your phone plan before you go: roaming in foreign ports can be costly.

Sun and water

• Water, a hat and sunglasses; Caribbean midday sun is strong.
• Reef-safe sunscreen. The US Virgin Islands and Bonaire ban sunscreens with oxybenzone, and Mexican eco-parks and cenotes ask for biodegradable sunscreen only. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are the safe choice.
• Water shoes for rocky beaches, river walks and waterfalls.
• A dry bag or zip-top bag for your phone and cruise card on boat and beach days.

Leave on board

• Your passport, unless your tour or the port requires it.
• Expensive jewelry and anything you would hate to lose.
• Big bills you would rather not flash in a market.

Last checked November 2026. Rules and prices change; check with your cruise line before you sail.Spot something out of date? Tell us