Hi there!
So you can carry your own luggage onto the cruise ship if you want, or you can do a luggage drop-off before you go to check-in for your cruise.
If you want to do a luggage drop-off, then you will need to put cruise luggage tags on your bags before you drop them off.
You only need the cruise luggage tags if you will be dropping off your luggage to have your bags delivered to your cabin by someone else.
If you will be carrying all of your bags onto the cruise ship yourself, then you do not need the cruise luggage tags.
These cruise luggage tags are similar to the tags that are put on your bags when you do checked baggage for your flight.
The cruise luggage tags will identify your bags so they will end up at your cabin on the cruise ship.
Your luggage will be delivered directly to your cabin.
It is typically left in the hallway outside your cabin.
Important note: You may not get your checked cruise luggage until later in the day. So if there’s anything you want to have immediately upon boarding the cruise ship, then be sure to have a separate carry-on bag for that.
So you can print these luggage tags that identify your luggage at home before you leave for your cruise.
👆 You can print a personalized luggage tag created by your cruise line.
You will need to print out as many luggage tags as you have bags, plus you might want to print off extra just in case.
If you won’t be using any cruise luggage tag holders, may also want to bring along some basic tape so you can tape the luggage tags to increase the chance of not ripping the luggage tags.
You will also want to bring a mini-stapler to staple part of the tag.
If you’re flying with your luggage and you will be checking it in for your flight, you generally don’t want to attach the cruise luggage tags for your flight.
Or if you do, have extra luggage tags in case the tags get ripped in the process or something.
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Do you need to print the cruise luggage tags?
You don’t NEED to print the cruise luggage tags before you arrive at the cruise port.
If you don’t have a chance to print the luggage tags (or can’t), then you can also get tags for your luggage when you arrive at the cruise ship terminal.
But most people like to have them printed off before they arrive.
It will reduce an extra step you need to do at the cruise port on embarkation day.
If you’re traveling and/or you don’t have access to a printer, then in the US you can go to a place like fedex to print off your luggage tags.
You can do self-service printing at fedex.
To do this, you can first save a copy of the luggage tag as a pdf.
Then, you can either email that pdf to yourself or save it to a USB.
Then, you can access either your email or that USB when you go to fedex to print off your luggage tags.
Another option to print your cruise luggage tags is to go to a local library.
You don’t need to be a resident of the local community to go to the library!
How to print your cruise luggage tags
How to get your cruise luggage tags will vary by cruise line.
Here is information directly from cruise lines.
The way you get luggage tags can change, so be sure to see the cruise line website for the latest information.
The information below is from each of the websites in August 2023.
Carnival luggage tags
How to print Carnival cruise luggage tags:
Your Carnival Cruise Lines luggage tags will be included with your eTicket.
Please ensure 1 tag is printed, filled in and attached to each piece of luggage prior to arriving at the terminal on the day of departure.
These tags will enable delivery of your luggage to your stateroom.
See updated Carnival luggage tag info.
How much luggage can I bring?
To help you plan, we suggest you limit your luggage to a maximum of one bag per person, if traveling on cruises of 3-5 days duration, and no more than two bags per person, for cruises of 6 days or longer.
In addition, you must personally carry-on any boarding documentation (passports, Visas, I.D), valuables, medications and items which require special handling.
Guests who are scheduled to arrive at the terminal before 1:30 PM, usually check their bags with a porter so they can be free to enjoy lunch on Lido Deck before access to their stateroom is granted.
Checked baggage service is only available until 2 hours before the ship’s published sailing time (printed in the cruise documents).
Guests arriving after this time will be responsible for taking their bags on board.
Each checked suit case and carry-on suit case should not weigh more than 50 pounds, and when lying flat, bags must not exceed 16 inches high by 24 inches wide (the length of the bag is not a factor).
For security screening purposes, all luggage should be unlocked.
Oversized luggage and locked luggage may cause delivery delays.
Personalized luggage tags are included in the guest’s Electronic Documents (available once online check-in is completed).
It is not necessary to print the tags in color.
Carnival luggage tags must be affixed to your baggage prior to arriving at the terminal.
Additional tags can be obtained at curbside from the porter.
Porters will re-tag any luggage tag with a TBA cabin assignment.
Curbside porters are customarily provided a $1 tip per bag.
They are not employees of Carnival and should a guest experiences any problems, they must report it to porter management on site.
Since the screening and movement of large coolers through embarkation is an impediment to the boarding and security screening process, large coolers are not permitted as carry-on or checked luggage.
Small, personal-sized coolers, no larger than 12 inches x 12 inches x 12 inches, for the purpose of housing small quantities of non-alcoholic beverages and/or medications are permitted as carry-on luggage.
See more Carnival luggage info.
Royal Caribbean luggage tags
How to print Royal Caribbean cruise luggage tags:
The Royal guest document (eDocs – electronic document) we issue includes a bag tag specific to the guest ship, sailing date, stateroom and deck number.
The bag tag also provides information on how it should be used.
In addition, generic bag tags are available at the pier on the day of boarding.
See updated Royal Caribbean luggage tag info.
NCL luggage tags
How to print Norwegian cruise luggage tags:
Luggage tags can be downloaded and printed from your eDocs.
See updated NCL luggage tag info.
Holland America luggage tags
How to print Holland America cruise luggage tags:
Luggage Tag Information:
Holland America Line is pleased to introduce new Holland America Line’s Express Docs cruise documents, along with new luggage tags.
Please see the following important information about your luggage tags.
Printable luggage tags are available at the Online Check-In start page.
You may select to print as many as you need for your vacation.
The new luggage tags will be available for you at the airport on the day of sailing and the pier prior to your final check in, too.
At the airport, please find Holland America Line representatives outside of the customs area or/and at the baggage carousel.
The representatives will help you with luggage tags.
Also, luggage tags will be located near the entrance to the pier area where you will be checking in your luggage.
The luggage tags are clearly marked with your ship name.
Please attach a tag to each piece of luggage you will be checking on the cruise.
There is a space on the tag for you to print the following information; Name, Stateroom Number, and Sailing Date.
See updated Holland America luggage tag info.
Celebrity luggage tags
How to print Celebrity cruise luggage tags:
Are bag tags still available for guests who prefer to receive them prior to traveling to the ship?
Yes, we are able to send the bag tags electronically, so guests can print as many as they’d like prior to joining the ship.
While we are no longer shipping the tags, the digital option allows guests to travel with as many bags as they prefer.
If guests choose to print the electronic tags, we recommend reinforcing them with a plastic or leather tag holder.
Some guests even choose to laminate their baggage tags.
If a guest chooses to opt-out of the electronic bag tag, what are their options?
Luggage tags will be available at the pier for guests who prefer to use this service at the terminal prior to boarding.
It takes just a few minutes to acquire the tags and fill out your information with the porter.
Please make sure you know your stateroom number and room location.
See updated Celebrity luggage tag info.
Princess luggage tags
How to print Princess luggage tags:
Printing your luggage tags is fast and easy!
Beginning 75 days prior to sailing, you can print your luggage tags once the booking is paid in full and you have provided all your guest immigration information and credit card registration.
Simply log-in to Cruise Personalizer to access and print this information!
See updated Princess luggage tag info.
Note: It is not that simple, unless you know where to go within the Princess cruise personalizer! 🤪 If you don’t know: How to print your Princess cruise luggage tags!
How to place the cruise luggage tag on your suitcase (or other bags)
- Fold the left third of the page at the dashed line
- Fold the right third of the page at the dashed line
- Fold in half vertically at the central dashed line
- Wrap around luggage handle and staple securely
The exact way to place the cruise luggage tag on your luggage may vary based on cruise line, but this will give you an idea of how cruise luggage tags work!
This is the way it is with Princess cruise luggage tags.
👆 Instructions for how to place the luggage tag were on the printable cruise luggage tag.
👆 Fold the left third of the page at the dashed line.
👆 Fold the right third of the page at the dashed line.
👆 Fold in half vertically at the central dashed line.
👆 Wrap around luggage handle and staple securely.
HAPPY TAGGING YOUR CRUISE SHIP LUGGAGE!
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