I’ve always found cruise disembarkation stressful — it just feels so hectic and rushed! After sailing on MSC Cruises many times, I’ve developed a routine that makes it a lot less stressful. Below, I’m sharing my full disembarkation routine.
I’ll walk you step by step through what to do the day before you leave and the morning of disembarkation, so you don’t forget a thing and can finish your cruise on a calm, relaxed note.
Things to Do on the Day Before Cruise Disembarkation
Check Your Final Bill
One of the most important things to do the day before cruise disembarkation is to check your final onboard bill. This is something you definitely don’t want to skip.
You can review your account right on your stateroom TV or through the app. Take a few minutes and go through it carefully. Look at every charge and make sure everything is accurate — drinks, specialty dining, spa treatments, excursions, gratuities — all of it.
If you notice anything that doesn’t look right, go to Guest Services as soon as possible. Don’t wait until late in the evening because that’s when the lines get really long with everyone trying to fix last-minute issues.
And don’t wait until you get off the ship to deal with billing problems. Once you’ve disembarked, it’s too late to resolve mistakes because you will already be charged. You need to handle everything while you’re still onboard.
Taking just a few minutes to review your final bill the day before you leave can save you a lot of stress on disembarkation morning.
Also, I suggest you download your final bill from the app or get a printed copy so you have a record of it.
Get the Correct Luggage Tag
Another important thing to do the day before disembarkation is to make sure you have the correct luggage tag.
Your luggage tags will be delivered to your cabin along with a disembarkation guide that tells you what time you can leave the ship. That luggage tag is what determines when your bags will be available at the port, so it’s important to double-check that the time actually works for you.
For example, if you have an early flight to catch, you’ll want an earlier luggage tag so you can get off the ship earlier. If you see that your assigned disembarkation time is too late, don’t just accept it.
Head to Guest Services as soon as possible and ask to switch to an earlier luggage tag. I’ve personally had experiences where the earlier disembarkation luggage tags ran out, so don’t procrastinate on this.
Use Your Onboard Credit
If you have onboard credit, make sure you use it before the cruise ends. Onboard credit is use it or lose it, and once you step off the ship, any unused amount is gone.
The key thing to remember is that most shops are closed on the morning of disembarkation, so your last chance to spend it is the day before you leave. Don’t wait until the final morning thinking you’ll grab something quickly at the gift shop — you won’t be able to.
If you still have onboard credit left, stop by the gift shop, pick up souvenirs or even use it in the casino. Just make sure you check your balance and use it up before the final night ends so you’re not leaving money behind.
Buy Cruise Photos
If you’re planning to buy any cruise photos, make sure you do it the day before disembarkation. Don’t wait until the morning you’re getting off the ship, because by then it’s already too late. The photo studio is closed on disembarkation day.
If you don’t buy your photos before the final night, there’s usually no way to buy them later since they typically discard the photos after the cruise ends. So if there are any pictures you love, buy it before you go to bed. You don’t want to leave the ship regretting not buying those photos.
Final Shopping
If you’re planning to pick up souvenirs or duty-free items, make sure you do all your shopping the day before disembarkation. The last night of the cruise is your final chance because all the onboard gift shops are closed on the morning of departure.
Take care of all your final shopping the night before so you leave the ship with everything you wanted.
Cash Out Cruise Card at the Casino
If you’ve been playing at the casino and still have a balance on your cruise card, make sure to cash it out on the last night of the cruise.
Don’t wait until the morning to do it — the casino will be closed, and any money left on your cruise card will be lost. Make sure to cash out before you leave the ship.
Pick-Up Alcohol Purchases
If you bought any duty-free alcohol during your cruise, make sure to pick it up on the last night. The ship will let you know when it’s ready for pickup at the gift shop. Take a moment to double-check that you received everything you ordered.
If anything is missing, now is the time to get it sorted out. Don’t wait until disembarkation morning — the shops will be closed.
Buy Future Cruise
If you’re already thinking about your next cruise, it’s worth stopping by the Future Cruise desk before you leave. They often have great promotions, like free onboard credit, special pricing, or smaller deposits for your next trip.
The best part about the Future Cruise program is that the deposit is fully refundable as long as you cancel before the final payment, so it’s a really low-risk way to lock in a deal. Just keep in mind that Yacht Club future cruise deposits are non-refundable, just double check the terms and conditions.
Leave Your Luggage in the Hallway
On the last night of your cruise, you’ll be asked to leave your check-in luggage out in the hallway. The cruise staff will collect it from your cabin that night and have it ready for pick-up at the cruise port the next morning. You’ll usually need to have your bags out by a specific time.
This means you’ll want to start packing on your last day. I like to have my check-in luggage packed and out in the hallway before dinner so I can relax in the evening — enjoy dinner, catch a show, and join in the onboard activities — without worrying about packing later.
If you’re traveling light and don’t have any check-in luggage, you do have the option to walk off the ship early with just your carry-on. But if your bags are heavy, it’s usually much better to check them in.
Pack a Carry-On Bag
Make sure you pack a carry-on bag for disembarkation day. I usually use a small roller bag — it’s easy to handle and makes walking off the ship much easier. Don’t make the mistake of packing everything in your check-in luggage, because you won’t have access to your essentials in the morning.
In your carry-on bag, be sure to include medication, toiletries, and a change of clothes for disembarkation day. Keep your passport, cruise card, and any important travel documents with you, and don’t leave them in your checked luggage. Electronics and valuables should also stay in your carry-on.
Give Extra Gratuities
Another thing I like to do on the last night of the cruise is give extra cash gratuities to my main dining room servers and my cabin steward as a thank-you for the service they’ve provided.
This is optional, because gratuities are already included and automatically charged. But if you’ve had great service and want to show a little extra appreciation, it’s a really nice gesture, and it’s always well received.
It’s also a nice way to end the cruise and say thank you to the crew who helped make the trip special.
Things to Do on Disembarkation Day
Vacate Your Cabin
On disembarkation day, you’ll need to leave your stateroom early, usually around 8 am, so your cabin steward can start cleaning the room.
Set an early alarm and pack all your essentials into your carry-on bag. Before you leave, do a final check of your cabin to make sure you haven’t left anything behind. Check inside the safe, drawers, nightstand cubbies, under the bed, the closet, and even the balcony.
Once you leave the ship, it’s extremely difficult to locate anything you’ve forgotten, so it’s worth taking a few extra minutes to double-check.
Bring Your Cruise Card
Make sure you bring your cruise card with you — don’t leave it in your cabin or throw it away. You’ll need it when you exit the ship. They will scan it one last time, so keep it handy when you disembark.
Have Breakfast
After you leave your cabin, make sure to grab breakfast. Your disembarkation guide will tell you which restaurants are open and their hours.
The buffet will be open, and the main dining room will also serve breakfast. But keep in mind the dining room hours are limited on disembarkation day.
Wait to Exit the Ship
Depending on your luggage tag number, you might have to wait a little before it’s your turn to leave the ship. Your disembarkation guide will list the meeting point where you should wait until your group is called.
After breakfast, head to that area and get comfortable. If you’re a Voyager’s Club Gold member or higher, you’ll usually get an earlier luggage tag, which means you can leave the ship sooner without waiting. Here’s a tip: do the MSC status match before your cruise so you have loyalty status and can take advantage of this early disembarkation perk.
Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise
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Travel Must-Haves
Passport neck wallet – Keeps your passport and travel documents secure and accessible. It also has RFID protection.
Cruise lanyards – A super convenient way to keep your cruise card within easy reach. No more digging through your bag every time you need it! I recommend getting one lanyard per person in your group and choosing different colors so it’s easy to tell them apart.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with anti-pickpocket clip – Genius anti-theft clip and versatile enough for both port days and evenings in the dining room.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with RFID – Padded shoulder straps with RFID lining to safeguard against identity theft.
Insulated water bottles –I don’t like spending money on bottled water, and I always want fresh water in my cabin. I’ll fill my bottle at the buffet or ask my server at dinner, then bring it back so I have water at night. This is my go-to water bottle—I prefer ones without straws since they’re much easier to wash in the cabin sink.
Pashmina – This multi-purpose wrap always earns its spot in my luggage. Use it as an evening wrap, a lightweight plane blanket, or a cover-up when visiting places of worship that require modest dress. I never cruise without one—you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.
Cruise Planning Essentials
Day Passes to Resorts– Booking private beach resort access in advance guarantees a comfortable beach experience at the cruise port.
Travel Insurance with CFAR Coverage– CFAR travel insurance gives you flexibility to cancel your cruise for any reason and recover part of your costs if plans change.
Last Minute Cruise Deals– Search for last minute cruise deals.
Cabin Comfort & Organization
Non-surge Cruise power strip– Cabins never have enough outlets (check cruise line rules first).
Magnetic hooks – Super-strong magnetic hooks that attach easily to your cabin walls. They’re perfect for hanging hats, cruise lanyards, goggles, swimsuits, and towels. I personally use the 85+ lb hooks—they’re incredibly sturdy and can even hold backpacks!
Small portable fan – Improves airflow and keeps Inside Cabins from feeling stuffy.
Motion sensor night light – Perfect for Inside Cabins, for when you get up at night to use the bathroom. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to your cabin walls.
Toiletries & Laundry
Hanging toiletry bag – Keeps your essentials neat and accessible.
Fabric freshener spray – Fights wrinkles and refreshes clothes between wears.
Travel-size detergent – Handy for washing swimsuits, underwear, and quick-dry clothing in the sink.
TSA-approved travel containers – Easy to pack your lotions, creams, and other liquids without worrying about TSA rules.
Health & Wellness
Anti-seasickness medicine – My go-to meds for anti-seasickness. I take one in the morning on sea days (bring chewables for kids).
Acupressure bands – A natural alternative for seasickness relief. I use this with the anti-seasickness meds.
Packing & Storage
Cruise travel planners– Check out my travel planners, they help you stay organized before and during your trip.
Packing cubes – I never travel without packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so easy—you can simply slip the entire cube into the cabin closet or drawer. I like to assign a different color to each person so there’s no mix-up.
Foldable duffel bag – I always pack a foldable duffel bag in case I bring home too many souvenirs or do some extra shopping. It doubles as an extra carry-on and barely takes up any luggage space.
Foldable shopping bag – Perfect for shopping at cruise ports, these bags fold up small enough to keep in your purse. I always carry one with me—you never know when you’ll need it! Plus, many countries charge a fee for shopping bags, and I’d much rather use my own than pay extra.
Foldable backpack – Perfect for cruise port days when you need an extra bag. I love that these backpacks are lightweight and fold down small, so you can toss one in your luggage without taking up much space.
Travel luggage scale – I always keep one in my suitcase so I can weigh my bags before heading to the airport. It’s a simple way to avoid overweight baggage fees.
Apple AirTags – I pop one into each of my bags so I can track my luggage for peace of mind. They’re especially helpful if you have a short layover and worry about your suitcase getting left behind.
Beach Essentials
Towel Clips – A simple must-have for pool and beach days! They keep your towels from slipping off lounge chairs, and I never cruise without brining a few in my luggage.
Waterproof phone pouch – Protect your phone from water and sand while still being able to snap photos. I always bring one when cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean—it’s a lifesaver for beach and pool days.
Striped beach bag with zipper – You’ll need a beach bag with zipper to keep your things secure. I like this one because it’s stylish, has a water bottle holder, keeps belongings secure and has a lot of pockets.
Kid-Friendly Cruise Essentials
Magnetic toys – Cabin walls are magnetic, making these toys perfect for fun, mess-free entertainment. They keep kids busy when you’re in the cabin, especially since cruise TV options for kids can be limited. It’s always best to bring your own toys.
Collapsible beach buckets and toys – You’ll definitely want to bring beach toys if you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! This collapsible set includes foldable buckets, shovels, and sandcastle molds, all packed neatly in one bag. They’re easy to fit in your suitcase without taking up much space.
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