What to Take Along on a Shore Excursion

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On any cruise, shore excursions are a highlight because they give you the chance to experience the sights, tastes, and traditions of your cruise destination. To make the most of an excursion, take a few minutes the night before to pack a small bag to take ashore with you.

Your carry-on bag may work as a shore excursion bag, but you can also pack a foldable tote bag or a small backpack into your luggage. If your shore excursion schedule includes beach time or water-based adventures, you’ll want a shore excursion bag that’s waterproof.

Exactly what you pack depends on your location and the type of excursion, but some items are pretty universal. They include:

The shipboard card serves as your onboard ID and cabin key. The crew must scan this card as you leave the ship and again when you return. Note that it’s usually best to leave your passport locked up in your cabin safe (unless your cruise line instructs you differently). Some cruisers like to make a paper copy of their passport to keep with them, just to be safe.

Your means of taking photos, plus accessories. Once on shore, the photos you take with your smartphone or dedicated camera may turn out even better if you bring a collapsible selfie stick or small tripod.

A portable, wireless power bank. Power outlets can be hard to find on shore excursions, so if you think you’ll need to charge up your phone during a long excursion, bring a small magnetic or battery-operated power bank.

A bottle of water, because it’s always important to stay hydrated. You can grab a bottle of water on the ship, but to cut down on plastic waste, bring a collapsible water bottle with you from home.

Sunscreen and sunglasses, lip balm, and a hat, especially for outdoor excursions. And if your excursion is mostly indoors, remember that even a brief outdoor wait to enter a building or board a tour bus can produce a sunburn.

Other useful items include bug repellent, hand sanitizer, a dose of pain reliever, and some small bandages (for any blisters that may pop up). You may also want to bring one credit card and just a little cash in case you come across some local items you can’t resist.

For more information about shore excursions and how to prepare for them, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

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