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Cruise Line Luggage Limits
You may be asking yourself, how much luggage can I bring on my cruise? The amount of luggage you choose to bring onboard may vary based upon the length of your cruise, arrival time to your port of embarkation, and airline restrictions. You may find that your cruise line does not impose restrictions on the amount of bags permitted onboard, but you should consider the following when deciding on just how much luggage you should bring.
Cruise Length
If you are traveling on a cruise that lasts from three to five days, Carnival suggests limiting your luggage to one bag per person. On cruises that last six days or longer, Carnival suggests limiting your luggage to two bags per person. Did you notice that I said “suggests?” If you review Carnival’s website, you will notice the word “suggest” where they address the question of luggage limitations. This implies that there really is not a limitation on the number of pieces of luggage that are permitted onboard your cruise ship. I have always found that one piece of luggage per person is more than enough on all my cruises, including those lasting eight days. Additionally, you will find that if you are cruising with another person, once unpacked, there is plenty of room to store two pieces of empty luggage directly under your bed. This helps to eliminate unnecessary clutter in an already small stateroom.
Arrival Time at Your Port of Embarkation
Your arrival time at your port of embarkation could impact the amount of luggage you intend to bring onboard your cruise. Of course, there are not varying luggage limitations based upon your arrival time but Luggage Porters at your port of embarkation are only available until two hours prior to your ship’s scheduled departure time. If your cruise is scheduled to leave at 4:00 PM and you arrive to the port at 3:00 PM, you will find that there are not any Luggage Porters available. This means you will be required to carry all your luggage onboard yourself. If you can maneuver multiple pieces of luggage yourself and you really want those extra bags, then go for it. Otherwise plan to arrive more than two hours prior to your ship’s scheduled departure time or plan to bring one piece of luggage per person.
Airline Restrictions
Other important factors to consider when deciding how much luggage to bring onboard your ship are airline restrictions. Although cruise lines do not charge baggage fees, airlines do. Fees vary by airline, but it is safe to assume you will be paying at least $25 per bag each way of your round-trip flight. So, you will have to decide if that extra piece of luggage is really worth an extra $50 per person.
Other Luggage Tips
Remember to attach your cruise line luggage tags to each piece of luggage prior to arriving at your port of embarkation. If you will be arriving by air, it is a good idea to affix your luggage tags in the baggage claim area before heading to ground transportation to your port. These cruise line luggage tags are essential since your cruise line will deliver your luggage directly to your stateroom.
Bring a small backpack containing a change of clothes, swimwear, sunblock, prescription medications, or any other items you may need prior to your luggage being delivered to your room. Keep in mind that the staff have thousands of pieces of luggage to deliver so you may not receive your luggage until evening. Keeping these items separate from baggage checked with the Luggage Porters will allow you to comfortably explore the ship as well as utilize the pool, hot tub, water slide, or other areas requiring swimwear.
Luggage Porters are not employees of the cruise line and they depend on your generosity as a part of their income. You should extend a tip of at least $1 per piece of checked luggage. For additional information on gratuities, read my article “Understanding Cruise Line Gratuities.”
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