Luggage Size Requirements for Your Upcoming Cruise

June 2, 2024

Knowing the weight and size of your luggage matters a lot on your embarkation day. To avoid stress, understand the reasonable amount of personal items you can take. This can make your cruise vacation smooth.

Guests can bring suitcases and bags on board for easy check-in. It’s wise to pack light even if you’re tempted to bring everything. Carrying boarding documents, medication, and a spare outfit is crucial.

Using TSA-approved locks improves security. And keeping to the carry-on size limit speeds up x-ray checks. These small steps help avoid trouble on your first day aboard your cruise.

Follow the cruise ship luggage guidelines to be well-prepared. TSA locks and essential carry-ons will make your vacation start off right. These efforts ensure a trouble-free start to your journey.

Understanding Cruise Line Baggage Allowances

Planning your cruise vacation means you need to know about baggage rules. We help by giving info on major cruise lines’ rules, how much luggage you can bring, and how heavy it can be.

Guidelines for Major Cruise Lines

Each cruise line has its own bag rules. Royal Caribbean has no set limit, but says to keep it reasonable. Norwegian Cruise Line lets you bring two checked bags, each weighing up to 48 pounds. Always check your specific cruise line’s rules to avoid problems.

Recommended Number of Luggage Pieces

Most cruise lines advise you to only bring two suitcases. They should each weigh less than 50 pounds. This makes getting on and off the ship easier. You can also have larger items brought to your room, making things smoother.

Weight Limits for Checked Baggage

You can usually bring bags up to 50 pounds each. Even though bags can be large, smaller ones are better for easy handling. Every bag will go through an X-ray, which helps make boarding fast and safe.

Cruise Line	Number of Bags	Weight Limit per Bag
Royal Caribbean	No specific limit	Suggests max 50 lbs
Norwegian Cruise Line	2 pieces	48 lbs each
MSC Cruises	2 suitcases plus hand luggage	23 kg each (approx 50 lbs)

Make sure to pack as per your cruise line’s baggage rules. Using these tips will make your cruise better. Always check for any new baggage rules with your cruise line before you leave.

Carry-On Luggage Dimensions for Cruises

Understanding the carry-on luggage dimensions for cruises is key. It helps pack efficiently. Carry-on sizes are almost the same as those for airport security. Meeting these standards can ease your journey through the port.

Standard Carry-On Sizes

Each cruise line has its own rules for carry-on luggage size. For instance, MSC Cruises lets each person bring two pieces. Each must be below 56x45x25 cm and weigh under 23 kg. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Lines prefer that your luggage fits through x-ray machines easily. These policies help make getting on board smoother for everyone.

Cruise Line	Carry-On Size	Weight Limit
MSC Cruises	56x45x25 cm	23 kg
Carnival Cruise Line	56x45x25 cm (recommended)	No specific limit
Norwegian Cruise Line	56x45x25 cm (recommended)	No specific limit
Royal Caribbean	56x45x25 cm (recommended)	No specific limit

Practical Tips for Easy Access

For a smooth embarkation day carry-on preparation, pack what you’ll use right away. Having your essentials in your carry-on can make your first day better. This is because checked bags might not get to your cabin right away.

Here are some key items to include in your carry-on:

Travel documents (passports, boarding passes)
Medications
A change of clothes
Swimwear and sunscreen
Valuables and electronics
Snacks and bottled water

Adopting the best cruise carry-on packing methods ensures you have what’s important close by. Always check your cruise line’s carry-on luggage dimensions before you go, as rules can change.

Checked Baggage Weight Limits for Cruises

It’s very important to follow weight limits for cruise checked baggage. This helps you avoid problems on your trip. Each cruise line has its own rules and restrictions for luggage.

Weight Restrictions for Different Cruise Lines

Most big cruise lines, like Norwegian and Carnival Cruise Line, let you bring up to 2 suitcases. They should not weigh more than 50 pounds each. MSC Cruises allows the same weight but measures it in kilograms. They also allow 2 smaller pieces of hand luggage. Princess Cruises is more flexible but reminds you of airline’s limits, usually also 50 pounds.

Cruise Line	Number of Checked Bags	Weight Limit per Bag
Norwegian Cruise Line	2	50 lbs
Carnival Cruise Line	1-2 (depends on duration)	50 lbs
MSC Cruises	2	23 kg
Princess Cruises	No restriction	Advises 50 lbs

Suggestions for Avoiding Overpacking

Don’t overpack to make your trip easier. Here’s how:

Plan Your Wardrobe Strategically: Think about what you’ll do and pack clothes you can wear on different occasions.
Onboard Laundry Services: See if your cruise has laundry. This can mean you pack less.
Re-Wearing Items: It’s okay to wear things more than once. You can make outfits look different with new accessories.

Remember these tips to avoid packing too much and stay within the limits. This will make your trip go smoothly and stress-free.

Excess Baggage Fees on Cruises

Taking a cruise means you’ll pack for many activities, like fancy dinners and beach trips. Most cruise lines are easy with how much you bring. But, they still have rules to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Policies on Extra Luggage Charges

Cruise lines differ from airlines. They generally won’t slap you with extra fees for more bags. Still, it’s smart to follow their advice. For instance, they often say it’s best to pack light. They “suggest” two suitcases per person, not over 50 pounds each.

Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises give this same advice. Yet, Carnival Cruise Line varies. They recommend at least one bag for shorter trips and maybe two for longer ones. If you’re flying to the port, Princess Cruises tells you to keep to airlines’ baggage rules.

Tips to Avoid Additional Fees

If you’re headed to the cruise by plane, watch out for airline baggage fees. Here’s how to save money and stress:

Check the airline’s baggage rules and pack smart to dodge fees at the airport.
Use the cruise line’s perks, like bringing a bottle of wine or champagne per adult in your room.
Know that Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t allow regular drinks brought on board. Yet, Carnival and Royal Caribbean are okay with a small amount.
Your checked bags will get X-rayed. Make sure you’re not carrying any banned items to avoid trouble.
Keep important things like ID, meds, and extra clothes in your carry-on. This ensures you’re ready right from the start of your trip.

Stick to these tips, and you won’t have to stress about sudden luggage costs during your cruise. It’s all about knowing and following the rules of both the cruise line and the airline.

Prohibited Items and Packing Do’s and Don’ts

Getting ready for a cruise means knowing what you can’t bring and smart packing. Every cruise company has its own rules about what’s safe and what isn’t. This is all to keep everyone on board safe.

Items Not Allowed on Board

There’s a long list of things you can’t take on a cruise ship. This list includes dangerous and banned goods. Items like weapons, fireworks, and illegal drugs are always out.

Weapons, including guns and knives with blades longer than 4 inches
Explosives and flammable items such as fireworks and lighter fluid
Illegal substances and recreational drugs
Beer and liquor, with many cruise lines also restricting the quantity of alcohol allowed
Electrical appliances that can pose fire hazards, like irons and clothes steamers
Hoverboards and other self-balancing devices

Even surge-protected power bars are sometimes banned because they can cause fires. It’s wise to look over your cruise company’s list of banned items. This helps avoid trouble when you’re getting on the ship.

Best Practices for Packing

Smart packing for a cruise means thinking ahead and following the rules. Here are useful cruise packing tips to make sure you’re prepared:

Use TSA-approved locks: Keep your things safe while meeting security rules.
Essential items in carry-on: Put important stuff like ID, medicine, a toothbrush, a bathing suit, and any allowed drinks in your carry-on. This makes things easier when you’re boarding.
Avoid restricted items: Check the cruise line’s banned items list to avoid problems and keep things moving smoothly.
Limit luggage size: It’s good to pack efficiently and not too heavy. Most airlines allow up to 50 pounds per bag. This makes handling your luggage easier.
Organize valuables: Keep your valuables and electronics safe and easy to reach all through your trip.

Following these tips and being smart about secure packing for cruise vacations will help your cruise go smoothly from the start to the finish.

Maximizing Luggage Space for Cruises

Packing smart for a cruise is key. It can make your trip easier and more enjoyable. To do this, here are some packing tips:

Effective Packing Techniques

For a cruise, packing smart is a must. Roll your clothes to save space instead of folding them. You can also press the air out of bags with Ziplock bags. A good example is packing for a week-long trip where 12 t-shirts, 12 pairs of boxer shorts, and 8 pairs of shorts were packed. By rolling and compressing these clothes, there was more space in the luggage.

Using Packing Cubes and Organizers

Packing cubes are great for staying organized and saving space. They divide your stuff neatly, ensuring you use every spot in your bag. Look at what can be neatly packed:

Item	Quantity	Category
T-shirts	3	Clothing
Athletic Shorts	2	Clothing
Jeans	2	Clothing
Evening Shirts	4	Clothing
Dresses	4	Clothing
Pajamas	1	Clothing
Shoes	6 pairs	Footwear
Swimsuits	3	Clothing
Small Purse	1	Accessory
Undergarments	Various	Clothing
Hair Straightener	1	Personal Care
Hair Towel	1	Personal Care

Using these tips and tools lets you keep everything tidy during the trip. Efficient packing is not only about saving space. It also makes your journey smoother.

Special Tips for First-Time Cruisers

Your first cruise is full of excitement. But what you pack is key to a smooth trip. Here are tips for new cruisers to make sailing a breeze.

Essential Items to Pack

For a smooth sail, bring the right things. Like casual clothes, a fancy outfit, and shoes for different occasions. Your toiletries are important too. Try packing cubes and roll your clothes to fit more.

Don’t forget a carry-on with important paperwork and essentials. This includes a boarding pass, ID, and a power strip. Sunscreen, hats, and hygiene items are also must-haves. Think about adding bug spray, Ziploc bags, and seasickness pills too.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

First-timers often pack too many shoes or forget key documents. You really only need a few pairs of shoes. And always check you have your ID and passport.

Knowing the ship’s dress code is critical. About 75% of cruises have dress rules for dinner. A light sweater is also wise, as nights can be chilly. Pack a carry-on with essentials for the first day, since luggage delivery can take a while.

These tips are great for a successful first cruise. They can help you pack right without stuffing your suitcase. Remember this advice, and your cruise will be a wonderful experience.

Carry-On Essentials for Embarkation Day

On embarkation day, having a packed carry-on bag is key for a smooth start. It lets you access the ship’s fun right away. Knowing what to pack can make your cruise great from the start.

What to Keep with You

Start by packing what you’ll use first. Bring a swimsuit, cover-up, and flip flops for the pool. Don’t forget sunscreen and lip balm to stay safe in the sun.

It’s smart to bring personal care items and any meds you need. For those prone to motion sickness, pack Seabands, Dramamine, or ginger candies.

Important Documents and Medications

Having all your documents ready is crucial on embarkation day. Don’t leave your passport, boarding docs, or other IDs behind. Keep them safe in your bag to make boarding stress-free.

Remember to also keep your meds close for any health needs.

After boarding, lock up valuables and important documents in your room. This keeps them safe during the trip.

Packing your documents and essentials well helps you have a stress-free start. This way, you can enjoy the ship while waiting for your checked bags to arrive.

Luggage Storage Options on Cruise Ships

Understanding luggage storage options on a cruise can make your trip better. It helps keep your room neat and gives you more space. Knowing how to use these solutions will make your cruise experience smoother.

Stateroom Storage Solutions

All major cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean and Disney, help you keep your room tidy. They provide places like under the bed and in closets to put your bags. This keeps your room free of clutter.

Cruise Line	Number of Bags	Alcohol Policies
Royal Caribbean	No restriction on the number or weight	Policies for bringing alcohol vary
Norwegian Cruise Line	Two checked pieces, up to 48 pounds each	Prohibits bringing alcohol on board
Disney Cruise Line	Standard airline luggage restrictions	Up to 2 bottles of wine or 6 beers per adult
Holland America	Varies by port and cabin category	Allows wine/Champagne with corkage fee

Using Ship’s Storage Facilities

Onboard, if you run out of storage space, the ship offers to keep your big bags. This means more room for you in your stateroom. Just remember you might need to walk a bit or talk to room service to use these facilities.

When packing, remember you can bring stuff like aerosols, hair dryers, and snacks. But don’t bring weapons, food that spoils, or drinks they don’t allow. Following these tips will help you keep your room clean and make your trip more fun.

Benefits of Luggage Delivery Services for Cruises

Luggage delivery services make going on a cruise much easier. They deliver bags right to the ship, so you don’t have to lug them around. This means no more waiting in lines, no TSA checks, and no baggage claim lines. It’s perfect for those who have trouble moving around or families with kids.

How Luggage Delivery Works

Getting your bags to the ship is simple with these services. You just schedule a pickup from your home and they handle the rest. You can choose how fast you want your bags to arrive, from next day to five days. With a service like Luggage Free, you know your bags are in good hands with top reviews.

Top Luggage Delivery Companies

A number of companies stand out in this field. For instance, Luggage Forward has been a leader since 1999. It’s the top choice for American Express Vacations and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. They offer on-time delivery starting at about $50 a bag. For an extra $100, Luggage Free adds luxury with a one-hour pickup window. DUFL and FedEx are also good options, with a wide range of prices and delivery speeds.

These companies can handle more than just suitcases. They can deliver special items like golf bags, skis, and bikes. This makes sure every traveler is taken care of. Using luggage delivery services for cruises means you can start enjoying your cruise right away with no worries.

Smart Luggage Solutions for Cruise Travelers

Smart luggage is quickly becoming a must-have for those on cruises. It has features that make your travel smoother and safer.

Features of Smart Luggage

Smart luggage comes with lots of cool tech like:

360-degree spinner wheels make moving through airports easy.
GPS tracking ensures you know where your bag is at all times.
Built-in scales prevent surprises at the check-in counter.
Remote locking and USB charging ports add convenience and security.

For those heading on a cruise, Samsonite Leverage LTE is a great choice. It’s made of strong nylon that won’t tear easily. If you need to protect fine clothes, the Crospack suit bag is waterproof with special pockets for your items.

Choosing the Right Smart Luggage

What should you consider when choosing smart luggage?

Size and Fit: Make sure it meets the cruise line’s size rules. Amazon Basics has a 20-inch for carry-ons and a 28-inch for longer trips.
Durability: Choose tough materials like those found in the Samsonite Leverage LTE. Or try the light and water-resistant Travelpro Maxlite 4 that’s super light at 8 pounds.
Specific Needs: For long trips, the 42-inch Gothamite duffel fits a lot without being too heavy. If you like staying organized, the Travelpro Maxlite 4 with straps inside is great.

Check out this table for a comparison of different smart luggage:

Luggage Option	Features	Price (AAA members)
Samsonite Leverage LTE	Tear-resistant nylon, 360-degree spinner wheels	Not Listed
Crospack Suit Bag	Waterproof exterior, interior dual buckle, zippered pockets	Not Listed
Amazon Basics Rolling Luggage	20-inch carry-on, 28-inch option, durable build	Not Listed
Travelpro Maxlite 4	8 pounds, water-resistant, interior straps	Not Listed
Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Hardside Carry-on Spinner	Expandable, high durability	$329.99
Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Hardside 25” Spinner	Expandable, enhanced storage	$379.99
Baggllinni Overnight Expandable Laptop Tote	Expandable, RFID Phone Wristlet, suitable for tech gear	$135.00

luggage size for a cruise

Getting ready for a cruise includes knowing about luggage sizes. Typically, you can bring one to two bags. Each bag shouldn’t be heavier than 50 lbs or 22.5 kg. This rule makes traveling easier for you.

Standard Sizes Across Cruise Lines

Every cruise line sets its own rules for baggage. Norwegian Cruise Line allows two checked bags, each up to 50 pounds. Carnival Cruise Line, on the other hand, recommends one bag for short trips and two for longer ones. Princess Cruises advises to think about airline limits. Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises also talk about bringing as few bags as possible, for your comfort.

Suggestions for Choosing the Right Luggage

Choosing the perfect luggage depends on how long your cruise is and where it’s going. Think about airline rules if you’re flying to the port. Pick bags that can easily be stored in your room. Don’t forget to keep important stuff with you, like your documents and medicines, in your carry-on. This way, the start of your cruise will be smooth and worry-free.

Source Links

Cruise luggage size restrictions, Maximum luggage dimensions, Packing for a cruise, Suitcase size limits for cruises, Travel suitcase requirements