Lost Your Cruise Card? Don’t Panic, Here’s What to Do

Losing your cruise card is something many of us have done. Often, it is just misplaced. Check your pockets and around your cabin, and you will probably find it.

If you have lost your cruise card, it isn’t a major problem. You can go to Reception and ask for a replacement.

Organising a replacement is easy for them to do – they must receive multiple lost cruise card enquiries every single day!

If You Have Lost It Onboard

Don’t Panic, Have A Look Around

It might be by the pool, in your cabin, or down the side of your sun lounger.

It’s always worth checking unusual pockets and bags. That’s where I found my “lost” card – after I had been issued a new one by guest services!

Go to Guest Services Straight Away

They’ll cancel the lost card and give you a new one.

It usually takes just a couple of minutes, and you might need ID and cabin details.

Their computer systems have photos of you linked to your card/cabin, so they will know if it is really your own card you want to replace.

Keep Your New Card Safe

Some people are fond of lanyards so that they can keep their card around their neck.

Others use a zip pocket or badge holder – find out what works for you.

I prefer to keep mine in a credit card holder on the back of my phone. This works for me, as I never go anywhere without my phone, but I appreciate that not everyone is the same! Find out what works for you.

I have heard it said that some cruise companies charge you if you lose your card more than once – I have never had that happen to me, but it wouldn’t surprise me if that were the case.

When I sailed on the Norwegian Aqua, they gave us branded lanyards to keep our cards in.

I didn’t use mine though, as lanyards remind me of my old office job, where I was forced to wear one for many years!

Find out what I thought of Norwegian Aqua below, she is a really lovely ship:

Check for Suspicious Charges

Check your onboard account via the app, the interactive TV – or get the Reception staff to do it for you.

You want to make sure no one else is using your old card, and you aren’t paying for someone else’s drinks and onboard spends!

(That shouldn’t really be able to happen, as when you make a charge to your card, most computer systems will show the staff the security photo that you had taken when you embarked. Better safe than sorry though.)

Have a look at what happened when I mislaid my cruise card in the video below.

I was booked on a cruiseline excursion, so I needed my cruise card so that I could get off and go on it!

If You’re Off the Ship When You Lose It

Stay Calm and Find Cruise Staff

Ship staff will usually be at the gangway or in the port area.

Let them know you’ve lost your card, they deal with this all the time.

If you can’t get into the port area without showing your cruise card, send another member of your party to the ship to get someone from the ship to come out.

Otherwise, you could try ringing the ship. If you look at the paper daily schedule, you will usually find contact phone numbers on the back page. It is always a good idea to take the schedule with you or photograph the contact numbers section .

You’ll Need ID to Get Back On

They may ask for your passport or another form of ID and confirm your cabin number.

Security will likely verify your photo in their system before letting you back on.

Head to Guest Services Immediately After Boarding

There you can get a new cruise card and continue your holiday as normal.

You will need your card to get back into your room, charge onboard expenses – or get off of the ship at the next port.

Before You Go

Find out what cruisers wish they had known before they first set sail here:

15 Common Mistakes – Things Cruisers Wish They Knew About Before Their First Cruise

Find out about the risky things I have seen guests do on cruises here:

Risky Rules I’ve Seen Guests Break on Cruise Ships (Dangerous,