Lost and Found Guide for Cruise Passengers: What to Do and Who to Contact

Losing luggage or personal items during a cruise can be stressful, whether it happens on the ship or at a departure port. At CruisePortAdvisor.com, we’re here to help you navigate the process of recovering your belongings. This guide outlines actionable steps to take if you’ve lost an item and provides contact information for the lost and found departments of major cruise lines and key cruise departure ports in the United States and Canada.

Almost daily, we receive emails from people who have lost an item at the cruise port, so we thought it would be helpful to tell you what you should do.

What to Do If You Lose an Item on a Cruise Ship or at a Port

1. Act Quickly

Time is critical when dealing with lost items. The sooner you report a lost item, the better your chances of recovery. Items left on ships or at ports are often collected and processed quickly, but they may only be held for a limited time.

2. If You’re Still Onboard

• Contact Guest Services Immediately: Head to the Guest Services desk on the ship to report the lost item. Provide a detailed description, including where and when you last saw it.
• Check with Onboard Staff: If you suspect the item was left in a specific area (e.g., dining room, cabin, or lounge), ask staff in that area if they’ve found anything.
• Complete a Lost Item Report: Most cruise lines have a form to document lost items. Include your name, contact information, ship name, sailing date, and a detailed description of the item.

3. If You’ve Disembarked

• Contact the Cruise Line’s Lost and Found: Reach out to the cruise line’s lost and found department as soon as possible. Most cruise lines have online forms or dedicated email addresses/phone numbers for post-cruise inquiries.
• Be Aware of Shipping Fees: If your item is found, you may need to pay shipping costs to have it returned. Some items (e.g., money, credit cards, or casino chips) may not be recoverable due to onboard policies.
• Allow Time for Processing: Items found on ships may be sent to a central office, which can take time to process, especially if shipped from international ports.

4. If You Lost an Item at a Cruise Port

• Contact the Port’s Security or Lost and Found Office: Ports typically have a security office or lost and found department. Provide details about the item and when you were at the port.
• Check with Your Cruise Line: If the item was lost during embarkation or disembarkation, the cruise line may have collected it.
• File a Claim if Necessary: For damaged or lost luggage during port handling, contact the cruise line’s Guest Services or file a claim with the port authority.

5. Tips to Prevent Lost Items

• Label Your Luggage: Attach clear tags with your name, contact information, and ship details to all bags.
• Use Trackers: Consider placing GPS or Bluetooth trackers (e.g., AirTag or Tile) in your luggage.
• Keep Valuables with You: Carry important items like passports, electronics, and medications in your carry-on bag.
• Check Your Cabin Thoroughly: Before disembarking, double-check your cabin, safe, and other areas for forgotten items.

Lost and Found Contacts for Major Cruise Lines

Below is a list of major cruise lines operating in the United States and Canada, along with their lost and found contact information. Always include your full name, ship name, sailing date, and a detailed description of the lost item when contacting these services.

• Carnival Cruise Line
  • Lost and Found Form: Visit Carnival’s Lost and Found page and select “Lost Item Form” under “Post-Cruise Inquiries.”
  • Instructions: Complete the online form with details about your lost item. Items are shipped to Carnival’s main office, and shipping fees may apply.
  • Response Time: Typically within 10 business days.
• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
  • Lost and Found Form: Submit a claim via NCL’s Lost and Found site.
  • Email: For post-cruise inquiries, email guestrelations@ncl.com.
  • Phone: 1-888-627-4477 (for general inquiries; confirm with operator for lost and found).
  • Instructions: Provide guest name, ship name, sailing date, and contact details. Response time is approximately 10–28 business days.
• Royal Caribbean Cruises
  • Lost and Found Form: Submit a Lost and Found Request Form via Chargerback.
  • Phone: 1-800-256-6649 (general inquiries; confirm with operator for lost and found).
  • Instructions: Complete the online form. If found, items are shipped at the guest’s expense. Note that items like money or credit cards may not be recoverable.
• Princess Cruises
  • Lost and Found Form: Complete the Lost Item Report under “Post-Cruise Questions/Comments.”
  • Instructions: Items are shipped to Princess Cruises’ main office in Santa Clarita, CA. Shipping fees apply, and processing may take time due to global shipping.
• Celebrity Cruises
  • Email: customerrelationsuk@celebritycruises.com (for lost property and post-cruise inquiries).
  • Phone: 1-844-418-6824 (for general inquiries; confirm with operator for lost and found).
  • Instructions: Submit a detailed description via email or call. Response time is typically within 5 business days.
• Cunard Line
  • Phone: 1-800-728-6273 (U.S./Canada, general inquiries; confirm with operator for lost and found).
  • Instructions: Contact Cunard directly and provide details about the lost item, including ship name and sailing date.
• Holland America Line
  • Phone: 1-800-541-1576 (general inquiries; confirm with operator for lost and found).
  • Instructions: Contact the cruise line with details about the lost item. Items may be sent to a central office, and shipping fees may apply.
• Disney Cruise Line
  • Phone: 1-800-951-3532 (general inquiries; confirm with operator for lost and found).
  • Instructions: Contact Disney Cruise Line directly with details about the lost item.
• MSC Cruises
  • Phone: 1-877-665-4655 (U.S./Canada, general inquiries; confirm with operator for lost and found).
  • Instructions: Contact MSC Cruises with details about the lost item.

Lost and Found Contacts for U.S. and Canada Cruise Departure Ports

Below is a list of major cruise departure ports in the United States and Canada, listed individually under their respective state or province. If you suspect an item was lost at the port, contact the port authority or security office directly. Note that ports often redirect inquiries about items lost on ships to the cruise line.

United States Departure Ports

Alabama

• Mobile (Port of Mobile)

  • Phone: 251-441-7238 (Port Authority general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office for lost items in the terminal.

Alaska

• Juneau (Port of Juneau)

  • Phone: 907-586-5255 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s administration for lost items. For items lost during embarkation, check with your cruise line.

• Ketchikan (Port of Ketchikan)

  • Phone: 907-225-6166 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s administration for lost items. For items lost during embarkation, check with your cruise line.

• Seward (Port of Seward)

  • Phone: 907-224-3126 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s administration for lost items. For items lost during embarkation, check with your cruise line.

• Sitka (Port of Sitka)

  • Phone: 907-747-6686 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s administration for lost items. For items lost during embarkation, check with your cruise line.

• Whittier (Port of Whittier)

  • Phone: 907-472-2492 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s administration for lost items. For items lost during embarkation, check with your cruise line.

California

• Long Beach (Port of Long Beach)

  • Phone: 562-283-7000 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office for lost items.

• Los Angeles (Port of Los Angeles)

  • Phone: 310-732-3508 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office.

• San Diego (Port of San Diego)

  • Phone: 619-686-6200 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office.

• San Francisco (Port of San Francisco)

  • Phone: 415-274-0400 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office.

Florida

• Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)

  • Phone: 954-523-3404 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office for lost items.

• Miami (PortMiami)

  • Phone: 305-347-4800 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office.

• Port Canaveral

  • Phone: 321-783-7831 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office.

• Tampa (Port Tampa Bay)

  • Phone: 813-905-7678 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office.

Louisiana

• New Orleans (Port of New Orleans)

  • Phone: 504-528-9400 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office.

Maryland

• Baltimore (Port of Baltimore)

  • Phone: 410-385-4440 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office for lost items.

Massachusetts

• Boston (Massport)

  • Phone: 617-946-4420 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office.

New York

• New York City – Manhattan and Brooklyn (Port Authority of NY & NJ)

  • Phone: 212-435-7000 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office.

South Carolina

• Charleston (South Carolina Ports Authority)

  • Phone: 843-723-8651 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office.

Texas

• Galveston (Port of Galveston)

  • Phone: 409-765-9321 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office.

Washington

• Seattle (Port of Seattle)

  • Phone: 206-787-3000 (general inquiries).

  • Instructions: Contact the port’s security office.

Canada Departure Ports

British Columbia

• Vancouver (Canada Place Cruise Terminal)

  • Phone: 604-684-8525 (Canada Place Security Office, available during cruise season).

  • Instructions: Contact the security office for items lost in or around the terminal. For items lost on a ship, contact your cruise line directly.

Quebec

• Montreal (Iberville Passenger Terminal, Port of Montreal)

  • Address: 333 De la Commune Street, Old Montreal, QC H2Y 2E2.

  • Phone: 514-283-7011 (Montreal Port Authority general inquiries).

  • Email: For lost and found inquiries, contact info@port-montreal.com.

  • Instructions: Contact the Montreal Port Authority’s security office for items lost in the terminal. Items lost on a ship should be reported to the cruise line. The terminal is located in Old Montreal, near major attractions, and is easily accessible by foot or public transit.

• Quebec City (Ross Gaudreault Cruise Terminal and Terminal 30)

  • Address: Ross Gaudreault Terminal, 84 Dalhousie St., Quebec City, QC G1R 4M8; Terminal 30, 300 De L’Estuaire Street, Quebec City, QC G1K 8M8.

  • Phone: 418-692-2576 (Quebec Port Authority general inquiries).

  • Email: For lost and found inquiries, contact info@portquebec.ca.

  • Instructions: Contact the Quebec Port Authority for items lost at either terminal. Wharves 21/22 (Ross Gaudreault) are steps from the Petit-Champlain district, while Terminal 30 may require a shuttle for larger ships. For items lost on a ship, contact the cruise line.

Additional Notes

• TSA Lost and Found: If you lost an item at a security checkpoint in a port’s airport (e.g., during transfers), contact the TSA Lost and Found for that airport. Visit www.tsa.gov for airport-specific contacts. Items are held for a minimum of 30 days.

• Customs and Documentation: When disembarking, ensure you complete any required customs declarations (e.g., Canada’s E311 form). This may help track items processed through customs.

• Response Times: Cruise lines and ports may take several days to weeks to process lost item claims, especially if items are shipped from international locations.

• Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program: Some ports, like Vancouver’s Canada Place, participate in this program to assist passengers with invisible disabilities. If you need extra support during the lost and found process, inquire about this program.

Will You Find Your Luggage?

Losing an item on a cruise or at a port can be frustrating, but acting quickly and contacting the right lost and found department can increase your chances of recovery. Always provide detailed information and keep records of your communications. At CruisePortAdvisor.com, we’re committed to making your cruise experience stress-free. Bookmark this guide for quick access to contact information, and happy cruising!

Disclaimer: Contact information and procedures may change. Always verify with the cruise line or port authority before submitting a claim. For the latest updates, visit the official websites of the cruise lines or ports listed above.

About Jonathon Hyjek

Jonathon is the tech guy behind CruiseportAdvisor.com. When he's not stuck in front of his computer, Jonathon enjoys travel & cruising (even after being on a cruise ship that caught fire - a story for another day!)