Are you planning to go on a cruise? Make sure you don’t forget these important things before you get off the cruise ship. Many people make these mistakes that lead to last-minute chaos. Don’t be one of those people who forget important things that need to be done before disembarking the cruise ship. Or else you’ll end up regretting it! Also, I’m sharing my cruise port and sea days planner as a free printable below.
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Things People Forget to Do on their Cruise Disembarkation Day
1. Check the Safe
It’s a common mistake for cruisers to forget to check the safe and accidentally leave behind their valuables.
I personally find the interior of safes very dark, making it easy to miss things. When you check your cruise safe, use a flashlight so you can see inside and thoroughly check to make sure you didn’t leave anything.
Keep in mind that once you leave something on a cruise ship, it’s incredibly difficult to track. Consider the item lost if it is left behind!
2. Check Under the Bed
It’s important to remember to check under the bed before leaving the cruise ship. Often, things get kicked under the bed by mistake. Rolled-up socks, slippers, toys, and other items can easily go unnoticed and be left behind. Don’t forget to use your flashlight when you’re checking under the bed to make sure you didn’t leave anything behind.
3. Forget Their Luggage Tag Color
It’s easy to forget one important detail on the last day of a cruise – your luggage tag color. When you check in your luggage, you’ll be given a luggage tag that has a distinct color and group number. This tells you when you need to disembark the ship and where to collect your luggage.
The port staff organizes all the luggage according to the color of the luggage tags, making it easy for passengers to find their bags. But if you forget your luggage tag color, that can be a problem.
You’ll have to go through countless bags at the port to find yours. So, it’s important to note your luggage tag color, or even better, take a picture of it before you leave your luggage out in the hallway.
4. Check Their Bill
One thing that newbie cruisers forget to do before getting off the ship is review their bill. On the last night of your cruise, ask for a printout of your bill so you can go through it.
Normally, the guest services line is long, so try to check your cruise app or cruise TV folio for a copy of your final bill.
Make sure that everything is in order and if you spot any discrepancies, head to guest services to get it sorted out. Don’t wait until you’ve left the ship to raise concerns about charges, it will be too late by then. Make sure you settle everything before you leave the ship.
5. Check the Top Shelves in the Closet
Don’t forget to check the top shelf of the closet before leaving the cruise ship. Many people use it for storing their things, but sometimes things get pushed too far back, making it difficult to spot any items left behind.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to double-check the top shelves of your cabin closet before disembarking to make sure you didn’t accidentally leave anything behind.
6. Packed their Passports and Other Travel Documents in their Checked-In Luggage
It’s a common mistake for cruise passengers to accidentally pack their passports and travel documents in their checked-in luggage. This can be a huge mistake because you’ll still need your passport to enter the cruise port.
That’s why it’s important not to leave your passport in your checked-in luggage. Instead, make sure to have it with you when you disembark from the ship.
7. Leave Behind Their Cruise Card in their Cabin
One thing that cruise passengers make the mistake of doing on disembarkation day is they leave their cruise card in their cabin. Or worse, they throw away their cruise card.
They don’t realize that they will still need their cruise card to get off the ship. Yes, the cruise staff will scan you out one last time when you disembark the ship. To avoid any trouble, don’t leave your cruise card behind, have it with you along with your passport and other travel documents.
8. Accidentally Take the Towels
Another thing that people forget to do on disembarkation day is they accidentally pack the cruise beach towels, bathrobes and slippers.
They pack these items in their luggage, which becomes a problem if they only realize their mistake later and their luggage has already been checked in the previous night. It will be hard to track down your luggage.
Save yourself from the trouble and double-check to make sure you are not taking home cruise towels, bathrobes, or slippers, or else you will be charged for them.
9. Check the Balcony
It’s easy to overlook the balcony on a cruise ship. Many cruisers are careful to inspect the cabin and bathroom, but they forget to give the balcony a once over. Don’t make this mistake!
Before disembarking, take a moment to check your balcony and make sure everything is in order. It’s a simple step that can save you a lot of trouble.
10. Forget to Prepare Small Bills
It’s quite common for cruisers to forget about tipping on the last day of the trip. It’s important to remember to set aside some small bills for tipping.
You will encounter porters at the port who will assist you with your luggage, you’ll want to have some cash for tipping. Also, if you require a wheelchair, the cruise staff who assist you will also appreciate a tip.
Don’t forget to set aside some small bills for tipping so that you can express your gratitude to the cruise staff on disembarkation day.
Cruise Essentials
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Cruise Lanyard
Bring cruise lanyards; to make your life easier so you are not constantly looking for your cruise card!
Towel Bands
Towel bands are great in keeping your beach towels in place! So, they are slipping off the pool lounge chairs!
Power Strip
Definitely bring a cruise-approved power strip so you have more outlets for charging your devices. Cruise cabins never have enough outlets! Please double-check with your cruise line, as some do not allow power strips and will only allow USB charger cubes.
Packing Cubes
Use packing cubes to make cruise packing easier. These cubes will help keep your clothes organized. Unpacking is easy because you just need to take the cubes out of your luggage and put them in the drawers and shelves—so easy! Assign a color for each person in your cabin so you don’t get your cubes mixed up.
Anti-Theft Cross Body Bag
This anti-theft crossbody bag is perfect for travel. It features a slash-resistant design and RFID-blocking technology for added security. It even comes with a side pocket to hold your water bottle.
Luggage Tags
For safety, make sure every luggage and bags are labeled with a luggage tag. I like these custom luggage tags that you can order and personalize with your information.
Magnetic Hooks
Bring magnetic hooks to organize your cabin and keep it clutter-free. These hooks are for hanging baseball caps, cruise lanyards, goggles, bathing suits and towels.
Detergent Travel Packets
These detergent travel packets are great for handwashing bathing suits in the sink.
Anti-Seasickness
This anti-seasickness medicine is a go-to to combat seasickness on a cruise. If you have kids, make sure you bring the chewable version. If you are looking for a natural solution, try these acupressure bands.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
Cruise cabin sinks are notoriously small. Get a hanging toiletry bag to make it easier!
Cruise Travel Planner Printable
Get our comprehensive cruise travel planners to stay organized before and during your cruise. It includes pre-cruise and post-cruise itineraries, a cruise port planner, sea days planner, packing lists, cruise budget tracker and more!
- Caribbean Cruise Travel Planner (30 pages)
- Alaska Cruise Travel Planner (28 pages)
- Mediterranean Cruise Travel Planner (30 pages)
- Mexico Cruise Travel Planner (30 pages)
- Baltic Cruise Travel Planner (29 pages)
- British Isle Cruise Travel Planner (29 pages)
- Bermuda Cruise Travel Planner (29 pages)
- Bahamas Cruise Travel Planner (30 pages)
Cruise Travel Insurance
It’s smart to always buy cruise travel insurance. Get a quote for CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) if you are going on a cruise during hurricane season.
Wrinkle Releaser
Keep your clothes wrinkle-free and odor-free with these travel size Downy wrinkle releaser.
Shore Excursions
Cruise shore excursions are expensive, I suggest doing a quick price comparison with Viator to see if you can get the same tour for less.
Get Your Free Cruise Disembarkation Checklist
Sign up once and you will get access to ALL exclusive content on this website. After unlocking the printable, just save the printable image and then print it. Use it to stay organized on during your cruise disembarkation. I hope you like it!
Check out these free cruise printables
Cruise Travel Journal (Free 25 Page printables)
10 Food I’ll Never Eat at a Cruise Buffet