No matter your packing style, destination, or ship there are some items that you need to make sure you have packed for a Carnival Cruise. Check out this post for my suggestions of things you need or should consider packing for an upcoming Carnival Cruise vacation. This list is not comprehensive of all of the items you may need for your cruise, but is only meant to serve as a suggestion for the basics of things you should bring with you to a Carnival Cruise.
1. Passport or Other Accepted Form Of ID
It is essential that you make sure you are bringing identification that is allowable by Carnival in order to check-in for your cruise. The requirements can get a bit messy and are listed on Carnival's website. Some forms of identification are not accepted so make sure you check first instead of assuming. Showing up to the cruise terminal without an accepted form of identification could result in a denial of boarding and no refund for the cruise. Below are some links to Carnival's website that give more information on accepted forms of travel documentation:
Travel Documentation - US Citizens - link will open in a new window on Carnival's website
Travel Documentation - US Permanent Residents
Travel Documentation - Non-US Citizens
Travel Documentation - Canadian Citizens
For cruises departing from Australia I was unable to find any good resources on Carnival's AU website so please make sure you do your research prior to cruising if you are cruising from Australia.
Also, make sure you have your travel documentation with you at all times during check-in. Do not store your identification or travel documentation in a suitcase or bag that is going to be considered checked luggage.
2. Boarding Pass
You will need to print your boarding pass after completing online check-in. The boarding pass is used throughout the check-in process and is used to get on the ship as you will not receive your Sail & Sign card for onboard purchases until you are able to access your stateroom. Your boarding pass will have your arrival appointment printed as well as boarding zone. Please note, the arrival appointment time on your boarding pass likely is not the time you will board the ship (especially on routine cruises).
3. Documents Required To Comply With COVID-19 Requirements
Although Carnival's Have Fun Be Safe protocols are widely relaxed in the United States, there are still some cruises that require proof of vaccination and/or proof of pre-cruise testing. Please make sure you research and look for any updates regarding proof of vaccination and/or proof of pre-cruise testing prior to your cruise to make sure you bring documentation with follows any requirements.
4. Medications
Whether you take prescription or over the counter medication, make sure you pack it for your cruise. Taking your medicine, as prescribed, is still something you should do away on vacation just like you would back on land.
5. Money
Your onboard purchases on your Carnival ship will be made through your Sail & Sign card. The Sail & Sign card will linked to a credit card or a cash account depending on how you setup your onboard spending account. Having an onboard spending account is required. You should bring cash with you for purchases in the ports of call. Each Carnival ship has an ATM onboard, but there is a fee for transactions.
6. Toiletries
Don't forget your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, floss, and any other items you need on a daily basis. I have seen varying toiletries sold onboard in the Fun Shops, but the price is typically more than you would pay on land for a given item and a particular toiletry that you might need is not guaranteed to be sold onboard.
7. Sunscreen
I recommend packing sunscreen that will protect you from as much UV radiation as possible. Getting a sunburn is often not fun and can ruin a vacation. I have seen sunscreen sold in the Fun Shops onboard Carnival's ships, but it is typically sold at a higher price than on-land and additionally is not guaranteed to be available for purchase onboard. Make sure you pack sunscreen, use as recommended, and reapply as needed!
8. Alarm Clocks
Carnival Cruise ship staterooms do not have digital clocks or really any clock in general. For all of my cruises I have brought a digital alarm clock to plug in at night. On many of the older Carnival ships there is very limited space to plug stuff in which means if you do wish to bring a digital alarm clock that may be all you are able to plug in at the time of using the digital alarm clock. Many of the newer Carnival ships have multiple plugs so this is not an issue on these ships.
If you are worried about having an alarm go off in the morning and do not want to bring a digital alarm clock, you should consider setting a wake-up call on your stateroom phone. It should ring at the specified time if programmed by you correctly. Instructions should be found onboard on the Good To Know information sheet or by asking your stateroom steward.
9. Flashlight
Bringing a flashlight will allow you to navigate your stateroom after dark without turning on the overhead light.
10. Phone Charger
You will likely want to view the Carnival Hub App on your phone during the cruise. Make sure you pack a phone charger because your phone will likely need charging several times throughout the cruise.
11. Clothing
Packing your clothes is an essential part of the pre-cruise packing experience. I will have some upcoming posts about clothing to pack for your Carnival Cruise.
1. Passport or Other Accepted Form Of ID
It is essential that you make sure you are bringing identification that is allowable by Carnival in order to check-in for your cruise. The requirements can get a bit messy and are listed on Carnival's website. Some forms of identification are not accepted so make sure you check first instead of assuming. Showing up to the cruise terminal without an accepted form of identification could result in a denial of boarding and no refund for the cruise. Below are some links to Carnival's website that give more information on accepted forms of travel documentation:
Travel Documentation - US Citizens - link will open in a new window on Carnival's website
Travel Documentation - US Permanent Residents
Travel Documentation - Non-US Citizens
Travel Documentation - Canadian Citizens
For cruises departing from Australia I was unable to find any good resources on Carnival's AU website so please make sure you do your research prior to cruising if you are cruising from Australia.
Also, make sure you have your travel documentation with you at all times during check-in. Do not store your identification or travel documentation in a suitcase or bag that is going to be considered checked luggage.
2. Boarding Pass
You will need to print your boarding pass after completing online check-in. The boarding pass is used throughout the check-in process and is used to get on the ship as you will not receive your Sail & Sign card for onboard purchases until you are able to access your stateroom. Your boarding pass will have your arrival appointment printed as well as boarding zone. Please note, the arrival appointment time on your boarding pass likely is not the time you will board the ship (especially on routine cruises).
3. Documents Required To Comply With COVID-19 Requirements
Although Carnival's Have Fun Be Safe protocols are widely relaxed in the United States, there are still some cruises that require proof of vaccination and/or proof of pre-cruise testing. Please make sure you research and look for any updates regarding proof of vaccination and/or proof of pre-cruise testing prior to your cruise to make sure you bring documentation with follows any requirements.
4. Medications
Whether you take prescription or over the counter medication, make sure you pack it for your cruise. Taking your medicine, as prescribed, is still something you should do away on vacation just like you would back on land.
5. Money
Your onboard purchases on your Carnival ship will be made through your Sail & Sign card. The Sail & Sign card will linked to a credit card or a cash account depending on how you setup your onboard spending account. Having an onboard spending account is required. You should bring cash with you for purchases in the ports of call. Each Carnival ship has an ATM onboard, but there is a fee for transactions.
6. Toiletries
Don't forget your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, floss, and any other items you need on a daily basis. I have seen varying toiletries sold onboard in the Fun Shops, but the price is typically more than you would pay on land for a given item and a particular toiletry that you might need is not guaranteed to be sold onboard.
7. Sunscreen
I recommend packing sunscreen that will protect you from as much UV radiation as possible. Getting a sunburn is often not fun and can ruin a vacation. I have seen sunscreen sold in the Fun Shops onboard Carnival's ships, but it is typically sold at a higher price than on-land and additionally is not guaranteed to be available for purchase onboard. Make sure you pack sunscreen, use as recommended, and reapply as needed!
8. Alarm Clocks
Carnival Cruise ship staterooms do not have digital clocks or really any clock in general. For all of my cruises I have brought a digital alarm clock to plug in at night. On many of the older Carnival ships there is very limited space to plug stuff in which means if you do wish to bring a digital alarm clock that may be all you are able to plug in at the time of using the digital alarm clock. Many of the newer Carnival ships have multiple plugs so this is not an issue on these ships.
If you are worried about having an alarm go off in the morning and do not want to bring a digital alarm clock, you should consider setting a wake-up call on your stateroom phone. It should ring at the specified time if programmed by you correctly. Instructions should be found onboard on the Good To Know information sheet or by asking your stateroom steward.
9. Flashlight
Bringing a flashlight will allow you to navigate your stateroom after dark without turning on the overhead light.
10. Phone Charger
You will likely want to view the Carnival Hub App on your phone during the cruise. Make sure you pack a phone charger because your phone will likely need charging several times throughout the cruise.
11. Clothing
Packing your clothes is an essential part of the pre-cruise packing experience. I will have some upcoming posts about clothing to pack for your Carnival Cruise.
This post was originally published on June 2, 2015 as a general packing post. The page has been modified to include more specific Carnival Cruise Line information as of November 2022.