Your first cruise checklist

from Book with the Captain

Book with the Captain is an independent travel advisor of Fora Travel.

Hi, I'm Skye, the AI-created host of Book with the Captain. Print this, stick it on the fridge and tick the boxes as you go. Rules vary by cruise line and itinerary, so check your line's own documents too. Royal Caribbean examples are marked where they apply.

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A one-page printable checklist for your first cruise: documents, packing, embarkation day and more.

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1. Documents

  • Check what your sailing needs. For closed-loop cruises (leaving and returning to the same U.S. port), CBP says U.S. citizens can re-enter with a birth certificate plus government-issued photo ID. You may still need a passport for the countries you visit, so check with your cruise line. (CBP)
  • Kids under 16: CBP says U.S. citizen children need only a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship for land and sea entry. (CBP)
  • Consider a passport book anyway. The State Department strongly recommends that cruise passengers carry one, in case you need to fly home in an emergency. A passport card won't work for flying. (State Dept)
  • Passport valid at least 6 months beyond travel, with 2 or more blank pages. Apply early. (State Dept)
  • Enroll in STEP, the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. (State Dept)
  • Cruise documents and boarding pass saved on your phone, plus a printed backup.
  • Accessibility needs shared at booking. Royal Caribbean, for example, asks for 30 days' notice for special equipment and 60 days' notice for sign language interpreting. (Royal Caribbean)
  • Travel insurance: optional. Decide whether you want it, and read what a plan covers before you buy.

2. Packing

  • Prescription medication for longer than the trip, plus a written copy of your prescriptions, in your carry-on. (State Dept)
  • Broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher. Reapply after 2 hours in the sun and after swimming or sweating. (CDC) No sunscreen is waterproof. (FDA)
  • Visiting St. Thomas? The U.S. Virgin Islands restricts sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene, so check the label. (USVI Act No. 8185)
  • EPA-registered insect repellent for port days. (CDC)
  • Motion-sickness plan. Ask your doctor about medication if you're prone to it. (CDC)
  • No ammunition or pepper spray anywhere in your bags; they can be illegal abroad. (State Dept)
  • Day-one carry-on: IDs, documents, medication, swimsuit and a change of clothes for the hours before your checked bags arrive.

3. Before you sail

  • Online check-in done. Royal Caribbean asks guests to check in on its app at least 3 days before sailing. (Royal Caribbean)
  • Arrival time picked. Royal Caribbean asks you to arrive during your selected time; arriving early won't let you board early. (Royal Caribbean)
  • Flying in? Arrive the day before, so a delayed flight doesn't cost you the cruise.
  • Port parking sorted. Sailing from Galveston? The port strongly suggests reserving, and reservations open within 18 months of sailing. (Port of Galveston)
  • Hotel night before booked, with shuttle options confirmed directly with the hotel.
  • Final payment and deadlines noted on your calendar.

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4. Embarkation day

  • Docs, ID and medication in your hand, not in your checked bag. At Galveston, porters handle checked luggage at the terminal, so you only carry personal items. (Port of Galveston)
  • On board on time. Royal Caribbean says guests must be on board no later than 90 minutes before port operations close. (Royal Caribbean)
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. The CDC says hand sanitizer doesn't work well against norovirus. (CDC)
  • Feeling sick? Tell the ship's medical center. (CDC VSP)
  • Port days: all-aboard time. Royal Caribbean says it's generally about 30 minutes before sailing, and the ship won't wait. Set an alarm on ship's time. (Royal Caribbean)
  • Passport ashore in case of an emergency. (State Dept)

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General information only, not legal or medical advice. Book with the Captain isn't an official partner of, or endorsed by, Royal Caribbean International, the Port of Galveston or any government agency.

Checklist FAQ

Is the First Cruise Checklist free?

Yes. Enter your email and the PDF downloads instantly on the next page. Weekly cruise tip emails are optional; the box starts unchecked, and the checklist is free with or without them.

What does the checklist cover?

Four sections: Documents, Packing, Before you sail and Embarkation day. The checkboxes fit on one printable page, and a second page lists every source.

Does the checklist replace my cruise line's requirements?

No. Rules vary by cruise line and itinerary, so always confirm document and packing requirements for your specific sailing.

Sources (all read Oct 24, 2026)