Carnival Cruise Packing List
By the NanoPack team · Updated on · Checked against official sources
What to pack for a Carnival cruise: it is the most casual of the big lines, so pack light and comfortable, with one dressier outfit for the Cruise Elegant night (once or twice per sailing). A non-surge power strip is allowed. Soft drinks are not free, so bring your allowed cans or buy a soda package. Download the Carnival Hub app and bring a lanyard for your Sail and Sign card.
Carnival Cruise essentials at a glance
- One Cruise Elegant outfit
- Lanyard for your Sail and Sign card
- A non-surge power strip
- Swimwear and water shoes
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Cans of soda or a soda package
- Magnetic hooks
- Motion-sickness remedy
Carnival is the relaxed, fun-first line: casual by day, with one or two Cruise Elegant nights and a soda policy that catches people out. Sort the soda rule and one Cruise Elegant outfit, and the rest is beach clothes and a very relaxed dress code.
Carnival extras
- A lanyard for your Sail and Sign card
- A non-surge power strip · allowed on Carnival, unlike Royal Caribbean
- Your allowed cans of soda · soft drinks are not free, or buy a soda package
- A highlighter for the Fun Times daily
- The Carnival Hub app downloaded · schedule and paid chat
WaterWorks and pool deck
- Swimwear ×2 to 3
- Water shoes for the WaterWorks slides · the deck gets hot underfoot
- A cover-up and flip-flops
- A sun hat and sunglasses
- Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 30+
- An outfit for the theme night · many sailings have an 80s or all-white party
Casual clothing and Cruise Elegant
- Shorts, tees and sundresses · days are very casual
- One Cruise Elegant outfit · cocktail dress, or a shirt with dress pants, once or twice per cruise
- Comfortable walking shoes for the ports
- A light layer for the air-conditioning
- Loungewear and sleepwear
Ports day bag
- A packable day backpack
- A refillable water bottle
- Cash in small bills and a copy of your ID
- Water shoes and snacks
Cabin
- Magnetic hooks for the metal walls ×6
- An over-the-door shoe organizer
- A highlighter and clips
- A small clip fan
Documents and money
- Passport or ID
- Cruise boarding pass or online check-in documents · printed or in the app
- Printed luggage tags
- Cash in small bills · crew tips, port taxis, bar staff
- Credit and debit cards
- Travel insurance details and copies of documents
- Printed excursion tickets
Toiletries and health
- Travel-size toiletries
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant and skincare
- Lip balm with SPF
- Any medication · original packaging, in your carry-on
- Motion-sickness remedy and bands
- Hand sanitizer
- Basic first-aid: bandages, painkillers, antacids
Electronics
- Phone and charger
- Power bank
- Travel adapter for ports abroad
- Headphones or earbuds
- E-reader or tablet with downloads
- Camera and spare memory card
- Spare charging cables
What not to pack
- Surge protectors · banned, non-surge power strips are fine
- Irons, steamers and candles
- Large amounts of alcohol · one sealed bottle of wine per adult only
Packing tips and mistakes to avoid
Soft drinks are not free
Unlike some lines, only water, iced tea, lemonade and basic coffee are included at the main bars. Bring your allowed cans of soda for the cabin, or buy the soda package (around 8 to 12 dollars a day) if you drink a lot of it.
Cruise Elegant, not black tie
Carnival's dressy nights are 'Cruise Elegant': a cocktail dress or a shirt with dress pants is plenty. There are one or two depending on the length of your cruise, and the rest is casual.
The things people forget
- Your allowed cans of soda, drinks are not included
- A lanyard for the Sail and Sign card
- A non-surge power strip
- Magnetic hooks
What people wish they had packed
- A Cruise Elegant outfit you almost left home
- Water shoes for the beach ports
- Motion-sickness remedy
Frequently asked questions
What is the dress code on Carnival?
Casual most nights, with one or two Cruise Elegant nights where cocktail dresses, dress pants, shirts and jackets are the norm. Carnival is the most relaxed of the big lines.
Can you bring soda on a Carnival cruise?
Yes. Soft drinks are not included, so each guest may bring up to a 12-pack of sealed cans, 12 oz or smaller, of non-alcoholic drinks in their carry-on on embarkation day, or buy a soda package on board.
How many Cruise Elegant nights are there on Carnival?
One on a shorter cruise and two on a sailing of six days or more. The other evenings are casual, so one dressy outfit, a cocktail dress or a shirt with dress pants, is all you need.
Can you bring a power strip on Carnival?
A non-surge power strip is allowed. Surge protectors are banned and confiscated at security.