With the 2025 cruise season in full swing, a new survey reveals which items cruise passengers are most at risk of losing.
According to recent research by Confused.com, over one in five cruise passengers (22%) admit to having left something behind on a cruise ship.
The most commonly lost items? Sunglasses, prescription glasses, and chargers, each reported by 30% of respondents who have misplaced belongings on board.
Whether it’s a forgotten phone charger, a misplaced pair of reading glasses, or a treasured piece of jewellery, cruise holidays – with their relaxed pace and ever-changing scenery – can make it easy to leave items behind.
Top 10 most commonly lost items on cruise ships
Based on the responses from travellers who admit to have lost something on a cruise, the most frequently lost items are:
- Sunglasses or prescription glasses – lost by 30% of those who have lost an item
- Chargers or power banks – 30%
- Clothing – 28%
- Jewellery, including watches – 27%
- Headphones or earbuds – 25%
- Toiletries or cosmetics – 23%
- Toys or stuffed animals – 17%
- Wallet or purse – 17%
- Camera – 15%
- Books or e-readers – 14%
Expert tips: how not to leave anything behind on your cruise
To help holidaymakers avoid that dreaded post-disembarkation panic, travel insurance expert Alvaro Iturmendi from Confused.com has shared his top five hacks for remembering your belongings at the end of your voyage:
Snap an “arrival photo”
“As soon as you’ve unpacked, take a photo of your belongings laid out – sunglasses, chargers, passports, jewellery. Then, use the photo as a visual checklist before you pack up again.”
Use the ‘last place you look’ rule
“Choose one place – like inside your shoes or in the room safe – to store small essentials every day. This habit reduces the chance of scattering them throughout the cabin.”
Attach Bluetooth trackers to your most valuable items
“Attach a small Bluetooth tracker to items like sunglasses cases, wallets, or electronics. You can monitor their last known location through your phone – even if they’ve been left behind in the lounge or at the pool.”
Stick a note on your door
“Leave a sticky note on the inside of your cabin door the night before you leave that says: ‘CHECK EVERYTHING!’ It’s simple, but it works.”
Use invisible ink to mark your stuff
“Mark your valuables discreetly with your contact details using a UV marker or waterproof label. If a crew member finds your missing item, this makes returning it much easier.”
If you do lose something onboard, Alvaro recomments that you report it immediately to the ship’s Guest Services desk, or if they have a specific Lost & Found desk, go there instead.
If you don’t get any luck finding it, you can usually fill out a form to request that, if it does turn up, you can be contacted to arrange delivery. Of course, the longer the wait, the less likely it is that your item will be found (at least, by someone willing to turn it in).
If you lose a high-value item, you should check your travel insurance as you may be covered.
“To make a claim, you’ll usually need proof of ownership – a receipt, photo, or bank statement – and a report from the cruise line confirming the loss,”
“If theft is suspected, some insurers may also require a police report from the nearest port authority. The faster you act and the more evidence you can provide, the better your chances of a successful claim.”
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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