The best places to keep your cruise card, phone, and cash during a shore excursion

Regardless of whether you're exploring a new city in Europe, whale watching in Alaska, or sunbathing in the Bahamas, you need to keep your cruise card, phone, and cash secure when you are off your cruise ship. 

One of the best parts about taking a cruise vacation is the convenience. While onboard, you don't have to carry personal identification or credit cards. Instead, you can charge everything from souvenirs, spa treatments, and alcoholic beverages directly to your cruise card. It also serves as your room key, so it's really the only thing you need to keep on your person while on the ship.  

However, you must carry essentials with you when disembarking in ports of call, just as you would during a normal outing to a restaurant or supermarket at home. You don't want to carry your everyday purse, though. Here are a few ideas on how to keep everything safe while ashore. 

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Bring a pickpocket-proof bag

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You will ideally want a bag that securely zips and can be worn close to your body to deter pickpockets. Crossbody bags, fanny packs, and anti-theft backpacks are all good options. Additionally, you may want to invest in luggage locks to make your bag even more difficult to break into. 

Most shore excursions visit popular tourist destinations, which are where thieves are more active. As such, don't keep anything valuable in open or easily accessible pockets. 

While ashore, staying aware of your surroundings, even if you think you're safe, is key to making sure you return with your cruise card, cash, and cell phone. You should be extra cautious on public transit, too. 

Read more: 10 best bags for a cruise vacation

Use a locker

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Generally, private islands are some of the safest destinations on a cruise. However, that doesn't mean you should let your guard down. For example, you don't want to leave your belongings strewn about on a lounge chair while everyone in your party wades in the Caribbean or Bahamian waters. 

If you don't have someone willing to stay close by to keep an eye on your stuff, consider stashing everything in a locker. Some destinations, like Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay, have a limited number of complimentary lockers available for guests. Others, such as Half Moon Cay, charge a small fee for locker access. Renting a locker at Carnival's private island in the Bahamas will cost you $10. 

Keep in mind that the lockers might not be conveniently located near where you're spending the day. Still, sometimes walking a little further is worth the peace of mind knowing your valuables are safe, leaving you to splash and swim in the water as long as you'd like. 

Waterproof your items 

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Sometimes, lockers aren't available, or you may not want to be separated from your items all day. If that's the case, you will want to waterproof your cruise card, cash, and cell phone. 

Many cruisers find that stashing these important items in a zip-loc bag is enough. However, you can also purchase a waterproof phone pouch. The convenient strap makes it easy to drape over your neck or wrist while swimming, rather than gripping your phone. 

Another advantage of a waterproof pouch is that you can snap some cool underwater pictures in the ocean. Many are touchscreen-friendly, so you can use your phone without taking it out of the case. 

Pack only the essentials

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Finally, limit what you bring ashore. Although items like your cruise card, cash, and phone are important, you may also need sunscreen, bug spray, band-aids, or essential medication — like an inhaler or EpiPen. 

There's no reason to bring everything from your cruise cabin, though. Overpacking increases the likelihood of losing something ot having an item stolen while ashore. For example, you don't need to bring every credit card on your excursion. If your wallet happens to get taken, you'll want a backup available in the stateroom. 

It's also smart to leave your passport in your cabin's safe, unless you are required to take it ashore. More often than not, a driver's license is sufficient for identification purposes. If you're worried, you can keep a photocopy of your passport in your bag while on your tour.