Name: American Express® Gold Card
Brand: American Express

Quick summary

A Carnival cruise packing list includes essentials such as travel documents, the Carnival Hub app, a day bag, medicines and excursion-appropriate attire.
Additional recommended items are power strips (without surge protectors), plug adapters, magnetic wall hooks and lanyards for convenience in your cabin.
Decorations for your cabin door and themed party outfits can enhance your cruise experience, especially for special occasions or group travel.
Packing matching T-shirts and personalized items can help groups stay organized and add a festive touch.

What to consider

Ensure all travel documents are easily accessible for embarkation and excursions.
Only bring power strips without surge protectors and use approved materials for door decorations to comply with cruise line policies.
Pack enough prescription medication for your trip length plus extra days in case of delays.

What you'll miss from the article

Detailed tips on how to tailor your packing for specific Carnival cruise activities, destinations and onboard events.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

You’ve booked your first Carnival cruise, and you’re ready to start planning for it. A good way to begin is to create your packing list to ensure you don’t leave something important behind. In addition to items you should pack for every cruise, you’ll want to bring along a few Carnival-specific must-haves.

We put together a Carnival Cruise Line packing list that includes everything you need to sail on a “Fun Ship.” Here’s what to pack for a Carnival cruise.

Carnival cruise packing list at a glance

Carnival Hub app
A day bag or backpack
Passports and important documents
Excursion-appropriate attire
Medicines
Power strip and adaptor
Magnetic wall hooks
Door decorations
Theme party attire
Matching T-shirts
Lanyards

What to pack for a Carnival cruise

Carnival Hub app

I realize that you technically won’t “pack” this, but you’ll want to include this on your packing list. My family has relied on this app before and during every Carnival cruise we’ve ever taken — it works on every ship in the line’s fleet. It’s a fantastic way to keep track of your cruise and stay connected once you’re on board.

Once you’ve booked your cruise, you can use the Carnival Hub app to check in for your sailing. You can also book shore excursions, plan ship activities, book spa treatments and make restaurant reservations, among other things.

When you’re on board, just put your phone in airplane mode to access the ship’s Wi-Fi (either through Carnival’s free plan or purchase a more robust package). I recommend buying the chat feature for the app. For an extra $5, you can chat with those in your party while you’re on board.

The app is available via Google Play or the Apple app store. You can also access it from Carnival’s website.

A day bag or backpack

For embarkation day, extended pool time and port excursion days, you’ll need a good day bag or backpack.

On embarkation day, the porters will take your large bags and deliver them to your cabin door. You might not receive your luggage until after sailaway that evening. For this reason, you’ll want to pack all the items you must have on hand for your first afternoon on the ship. This includes cruise documents, medications and a swimsuit (so you can enjoy the Serenity adult-only retreat or get a good soaking at the WaterWorks water park before your cabin is ready).

The bag will also prove invaluable on port excursion days. It can hold your wallet, camera and excursion-specific items like sunscreen, snorkeling gear and a change of clothes.

Passports and important documents

All cruise passengers must present their passport (or government-issued photo ID for round-trip cruises from Carnival’s many U.S. embarkation ports) and boarding pass. Ensure your boarding documents are easily accessible when you arrive at the cruise terminal for a smooth check-in. Keep your passport or another form of ID (birth certificate and driver’s license) with you in your carry-on bag.

Excursion-appropriate attire

Couple walking on cruise dock — CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Plan ahead for what you might need on port-day excursions. If your itinerary includes warm-weather beach destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico or Hawaii, water sports like kayaking and snorkeling might be on your schedule. Consider packing a dry bag for your camera, cellphone and wallet. A waterproof case for your phone is also a good idea.

Heading to Alaska? Pack a good selection of outdoor clothing (think fleece jackets, hiking shoes and a raincoat or parka).

Comfortable walking shoes are necessary if you plan to spend port days walking along the cobblestone streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico, or Copenhagen, Denmark.

Medicines and supplements

If you or anyone in your party takes prescription medications, or regular vitamins or supplements, pack them in a day bag or your carry-on bag. You might not need them on embarkation day, but you don’t want to take the chance of losing them and not having them for your entire cruise.

I also recommend creating a personalized first-aid kit that contains your preferred pain relievers, antacids, bandages and anti-nausea medicine or ginger candy (if you’re prone to motion sickness). Carnival’s onboard shops do sell common over-the-counter medicines you might need during your cruise, but they’ll cost you a lot more than they do at your local pharmacy.

If you take prescription medication, bring enough for the length of your sailing and a few extra days, just in case your trip is extended for any reason.

Power strip and adapter

If you’re sailing on an older Carnival vessel, you will find fewer power outlets than you will on the line’s newest Excel Class ships. (I struggled with this during my cruise on Carnival Sunshine, the line’s oldest ship.) If you think you’ll need more outlets, pack a power strip. Just make sure it isn’t one with a surge protector — those are banned on cruise ships, as are extension cords.

Also, consider packing a couple of plug adapters for European-style outlets. You’ll likely have one or two in your cabin. If you’re like our family and pack every conceivable electronic device when you cruise, the adapters will help you make the most of any outlets that would otherwise go unused.

Magnetic wall hooks

One of my favorite cruise cabin features is that the walls are made of metal, making them magnet-friendly. Given the relatively small space you have to work with, magnetic wall hooks are a game changer in keeping your cabin orderly. I use them to hang my Carnival Sail & Sign keycard, wet bathing suits, hats and, on the rare occasions I actually work out during my vacation, my sweaty gym clothes.

You can also toss a couple of refrigerator magnets in your suitcase (or use the Carnival-branded one you bought as a souvenir) to hang up your daily Carnival Fun Times newsletter for easy access.

Decorations for your cruise cabin door

Door decorations on Carnival Sunshine — KRISTY TOLLEY/THE POINTS GUY

Carnival cruisers often like to decorate their cabin door to mark a special occasion like a birthday, an anniversary or a family reunion. If you’re sailing during Christmas or Halloween, why not jazz up your door with snowflakes or pumpkins?

Personalizing your door is also a fun way to make it easier to distinguish your cabin from the others after a few cocktails at the Alchemy Bar.

For safety reasons, follow the line’s guidelines and restrictions for decorating your cabin door. All decorations should be made from fire-retardant materials. Only use Command Strips or magnets (your cabin door is metal, too) to affix your decorations; no glue or tape is allowed.

Also, make sure you remove your decorations when you leave. You don’t want to add extra work for your cabin steward during an already chaotic disembarkation day.

Theme party attire

Rock and Glow party on Carnival Cruise — CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE

Carnival makes the most of its “Fun Ship” moniker with engaging theme parties on every sailing.

If yours is a three- or four-night itinerary, pack your leg warmers and neon accessories for the ’80s Rock ‘n’ Glow Deck Party.

Taking a five- or six-night Carnival cruise vacation? Don’t forget to add your favorite white outfit and a few superhero-themed items for the ship’s White Hot Night and Superhero Music Party.

If you’re sailing on Carnival Venezia, you can attend one of Carnival’s newest theme parties, the Festa Italiana. It showcases the vessel’s Italian roots — the ship was formerly Costa Venezia for the line’s Italian sister brand, Costa Cruises. The celebration features traditional Italian music, dancing, Italian finger foods and activities like a gelato eating contest. Pack your favorite green, white and red attire to showcase the colors of Italy’s flag or bring a vibrant Venetian Carnival mask.

Additionally, during Elegant Night, you can level up your cruise attire. You can decide how fancy you want to be, but typical attire can include dress slacks, dress shirts, a suit and tie, a tuxedo, a cocktail dress, a pantsuit or an evening gown.

The length of your cruise will determine the number of Elegant Nights you’ll need to pack for. Three- to five-night sailings feature one Elegant Night, and six-night or longer sailings schedule two.

Matching T-shirts

Celebrating a milestone or traveling with a group? Show off your special occasion with matching T-shirts. They are always popular on Carnival ships, and you’ll see tons of groups in color-coordinated outfits.

Matching T-shirts are a great way to spot members of your group in a crowd. They’re also a fun way to share your enthusiasm with other cruisers. You’ll likely hear more than one “Congratulations!”

And who knows? Perhaps a “Bride-to-be” or “It’s my birthday” shirt will earn you a free glass of Champagne from another passenger.

Lanyards

You don’t want to lose your Sign & Sail keycard, which serves as your onboard charge card and your shipboard ID. But you also don’t need to carry a wallet or purse on board because you won’t need any cash or credit cards while you’re sailing on a Carnival cruise ship.

Lanyards are a fantastic way to keep track of your cruise card. You can opt for a Carnival-branded lanyard or show off your individuality with one that matches your style. From rhinestone-studded to solid-color minimalist lanyards, there’s a style for every cruiser.

Bottom line

This packing list will help you make the most of your Carnival cruise. From essential documents and port-day essentials to important medicines and theme-party must-haves, this list should help ensure a smooth and successful Fun Ship cruise.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Rewards rate
Rate	Category
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual fee

$325

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Recommended credit

Excellent to Good

Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

We put together a Carnival Cruise Line packing list that includes everything you need to sail on a “Fun Ship.” Here’s what to pack for a Carnival cruise.

Carnival cruise packing list at a glance

Carnival Hub app
A day bag or backpack
Passports and important documents
Excursion-appropriate attire
Medicines
Power strip and adaptor
Magnetic wall hooks
Door decorations
Theme party attire
Matching T-shirts
Lanyards