Cruise Port Day Bag: 12 Things We Always Bring Ashore (And 5 We Leave Behind)

After 100+ cruises and countless ports of call around the world, we’ve dialed in exactly what goes ashore with us and what stays behind in the cabin. Pack too little and you’re unprepared for a long day in port. Pack too much and you’re hauling a heavy bag full of things you don’t need, or worse, carrying valuables you should have left in the safe. Here’s what we always put in our cruise port day bag, what we deliberately leave on the ship, the extras we add for a shore excursion, and the bags we actually use.

What We Always Bring Ashore

These are the items that go with us on nearly every port day, no matter the destination. Everything here earns its spot and is easily packable.

A day bag

Everything starts with the bag itself. We always take something light, comfortable enough to carry for hours, and secure in a crowd, which for us usually means a crossbody bag and a lightweight backpack. More on our favorites below.

Sun protection

We never leave the ship without sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, and a hat, no matter the destination. The sun is stronger in tropical ports and you might be outdoors for hours at a time, so reapplying sunscreen and lip balm midday is crucial. Even in cooler destinations like Alaska, sun reflects off snow and ice so protection is still important.

Rain gear

The only thing predictable about the weather is that it’s unpredictable. Weather in port can turn fast, so we always carry rain coats and a compact umbrella. Our coats take up almost no room and mean we’re always prepared for that afternoon rain storm in the Caribbean or the frequent Alaska showers.

A reusable water bottle

Staying hydrated is key when spending full days ashore, and it matters most on the hot, active days. We always start the day with a full reusable water bottle and pack extra bottled water from the ship to replenish as we drink it. If you have a drink package, grab a few bottles before heading to the gangway.

A portable charger

Between maps, photos, and translation apps, or scrolling social media during that long bus ride, we always seem to have a half-drained phone battery after only a few hours in port. That’s why we always head ashore with at least one portable charger for each of us. A small power bank is cheap insurance for the day.

Hand sanitizer and tissues or wet wipes

You can never sanitize your hands too many times. A small sanitizer holder attached to your day bag or a pack of wet wipes are handy before and after eating, after using public transit, and for the ports where restrooms don’t come stocked with much. You’ll be glad to have it, especially in countries that might not have the same sanitation standards as the US.

Some cash in small bills

We always bring cash and a credit card with us when leaving the ship. While many established stores and restaurants do accept credit cards, small bills are key for street vendors and tips. In places like Europe, you’ll also need coins to use public restrooms. Take what you think you’ll need for the day only and leave the rest on the ship.

Proper ID and documentation

Your ship keycard gets you off and back on the ship, but we never leave without proper identification either. It’s important to have an ID in case something happens while in port. We usually take our driver’s license and a photo of our passport unless the port requires otherwise. We also take a photo of the ship’s address, port authority contact information, and any tickets or instructions needed for our tours.

Your phone

Nowadays, your phone is your camera, map, translator, and lifeline all in one. We always make sure to manually set it to ship time before we go, and we download what we need offline just in case our international phone plan loses signal while ashore. We also make sure to secure it in a zippered pocket rather than a jacket or pants pocket where it could fall out or get pickpocketed.

A light layer

Regardless of the destination, a light layer, like a thin sweater or wrap, comes in handy for chilly tour buses, air-conditioned museums, and the shoulders-covered rule at churches and religious sites. It can even help with sun protection if you feel yourself getting burned and there’s no shade in sight.

A portable fan

Let’s face it, the temperatures are getting hotter and hotter everywhere! Summer in the Mediterranean or Caribbean can be brutal. That’s why we always travel with a small handheld fan. It’s a lifesaver in hot, humid ports and long outdoor lines. It sounds minor until you’re standing in the midday sun waiting to get into an attraction and feel like you’re going to collapse from the heat.

A small first-aid kit and medications

We’re not saying to pack the whole medicine cabinet but a few essentials can make or break your port day. Take a small kit with daily medication you might need if the day runs long, plus a few basics like pain reliever, motion-sickness pills, band-aids, and something for an upset stomach.

What We Always Leave On the Ship

The other half of packing smart for a cruise port day is knowing what not to carry ashore with you. Anything valuable or hard to replace is safer in the cabin safe than in a day bag in a crowded port.

Valuables

Expensive jewelry and designer watches should stay onboard the ship. They make you a target, and losing them ashore is a headache you don’t want on vacation.

Your physical passport, unless required

We always take a copy of our passport with us, but the original stays behind. That way there’s no chance of it getting lost or stolen in a foreign port. Only bring the real one when a specific port requires it.

Extra cash and credit cards

We carry enough cash for the day and a single credit card with no foreign transaction fees. The rest of the cash and the backup cards stay in the safe, so a lost wallet is a minor annoyance, not a trip-ender.

Larger electronics

Laptops, tablets, and other electronics should stay on the ship, especially in higher-risk ports, unless you absolutely have to work during a long bus ride or beach day. Your phone is sufficient while ashore, and it’s one less expensive thing to worry about.

Food beyond pre-packaged snacks

Many ports have strict rules about bringing food ashore, and some, like Australia, prohibit it entirely for biosecurity reasons. Sealed, pre-packaged snacks are usually fine, but leave the fruit and anything fresh behind.

Extras to Pack for a Shore Excursion

A booked tour or an active adventure calls for a few things beyond the everyday items. Check your excursion details, since the operator often lists exactly what to bring.

Proper footwear

Pack (or wear ashore) comfortable, closed-toe shoes for hikes, ATVs, and other demanding activities, and water shoes if you’re headed to a rocky beach. Sandals and flip-flops won’t cut it on most active excursions or walking tours.

A bathing suit and towel

For beach days, snorkeling, and catamaran trips, wear a bathing suit under your clothes to skip changing or pack one if you don’t want to wear it all day, and check the tour description to determine whether you need to bring a towel from the ship.

A dry bag or waterproof pouch

Anything involving water calls for a way to keep your phone, cash, and documents dry. A cheap waterproof pouch is worth every penny (a Ziploc bag can work too). If you’re planning to be outdoors in rainy conditions or doing an activity like kayaking, having a proper dry bag is a lifesaver to keep all your belongings safe from the elements.

Bug spray

Bug spray is essential for jungle, rainforest, zipline, and other nature-heavy tours regardless of your cruise destination. The bugs are no joke, and most tour stops or guides won’t have any to offer you.

A change of clothes

A dry shirt or spare pair of socks for wet or messy adventures makes the trip back to the ship far more comfortable. If you’re planning an activity like off-roading, consider tucking them in your day bag so they stay clean and dry until you need them.

The right extras shift by the types of activities, but they can also vary based on destination. Alaska calls for different gear than the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, so always adjust for where you’re headed and what you’ve booked.

Our Favorite Cruise Port Day Bags

The right bag makes the whole day easier, and the wrong one weighs you down. These are the styles we reach for, depending on the day.

Suggested picks include a lightweight anti-theft crossbody for city and sightseeing days, a packable water-resistant backpack for active or all-day excursions, and a large waterproof tote or dry bag for beach and catamaran days.

Here are some of our favorites: (**affiliate links**)

• Travelon Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag
• Baggallini Anti-Theft Sling Bag
• Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
• Waterproof Roll-Top Dry Bag
• LL Bean Stowaway Pack

Comments

What’s always in your cruise port day bag? Do you have a favorite bag or a must-have item we didn’t mention? Drop us an anchor below and let us know how you pack for a day ashore.