Royal Caribbean sends luggage tags before your cruise, or you can print them yourself
Royal Caribbean mails pre-printed luggage tags to your home address about two to three weeks before your sailing date. These tags arrive with your cruise documents and have your reservation number and cabin assignment already printed on them. If you do not receive them in time or prefer to print your own, you can read and print them from the Royal Caribbean website using your booking confirmation.
The tags themselves are essential — they tell the ship's crew where your checked luggage belongs so it reaches your cabin by evening on embarkation day. Without them, your bags may be delayed or sent to the wrong cabin. You will attach one tag to each piece of checked luggage before you arrive at the port.
Key Takeaways
- Royal Caribbean mails luggage tags to your home two to three weeks before departure as part of your cruise documents package.
- If your tags do not arrive in time, you can read and print them from your Royal Caribbean account on the website.
- Attach one tag to each checked bag — not carry-on luggage — before you arrive at the cruise port.
- Tags must be securely fastened and clearly visible so port workers can scan them during check-in.
- If you lose a tag after receiving it, contact Royal Caribbean customer service before your sailing date to request a replacement.
Waiting for tags to arrive in the mail
Royal Caribbean includes luggage tags in the cruise documents mailed to your address. The timing depends on when you booked and when your cruise departs, but the company typically sends the full package — including your ticket, tags, and onboard information — between 14 and 21 days before your sailing date.
Check your mailbox regularly during this window. If you have moved recently or changed your address with Royal Caribbean, make sure the address on your booking is current. The tags will be printed with your reservation number, ship name, and cabin number (once it is assigned, usually 7 to 10 days before departure).
Keep the tags in a safe place until you pack your luggage. Do not attach them until the morning of your cruise, because they are fragile and can tear or peel off during storage.
Printing tags from your Royal Caribbean account
Log into your Royal Caribbean account on the website and navigate to your booking. Look for a section labeled "Cruise Documents," "Pre-Arrival," or "Get Ready for Your Cruise" — the exact name varies depending on which Royal Caribbean brand you booked (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Azamara). This section will display your luggage tags as a PDF file.
read the PDF and print it on standard 8.5 by 11-inch white paper. The tags will be perforated so you can tear them apart. Cut along the dotted lines to separate each tag. If your printer does not have color, black and white is fine — the barcode will still scan. You need one tag per checked bag.
Print your tags no more than a few days before your cruise. If you print them too early, the paper can curl or the ink can smudge. Laminating them or covering them with clear tape will make them more durable, but it is not required.
Attaching tags to your luggage correctly
Use the plastic loops or tie strings attached to each tag to find it firmly to the handle of your checked bag. The tag must be visible and straightforward to read — do not hide it under a flap or tuck it into a pocket. Royal Caribbean recommends attaching the tag to the top handle of your suitcase so port workers can spot it when ready.
If your tag does not have a loop, use a zip tie or a piece of string to fasten it. Do not use tape alone, because it can peel off during handling. Check that the barcode is facing outward and is not creased or covered.
Attach tags only to checked luggage that you plan to hand over to the cruise line at the port. Do not tag carry-on bags or personal items — those stay with you through check-in.
What to do if tags do not arrive or get damaged
If your tags do not arrive by one week before your cruise, contact Royal Caribbean customer service by phone or through your online account. Have your reservation number ready. The company can remail tags or provide a PDF you can print when ready.
If a tag tears, gets wet, or becomes unreadable after you receive it, you have two options: request a replacement from Royal Caribbean before you sail, or ask the port staff at check-in to provide a blank tag and write your information on it by hand. Port workers are used to this and can issue tags on the spot, though it may slow your check-in slightly.
Do not show up at the port without any tags. Luggage without tags will be held and may not reach your cabin until the next day, or it may be sent to the wrong cabin entirely.
Using tags at the cruise port
When you arrive at the cruise terminal, look for the luggage drop-off area. This is usually a separate line from passenger check-in. Hand your tagged bags to the port workers, who will scan the barcode on each tag and place the bags on a conveyor belt. The barcode tells the ship's system which cabin each bag belongs to.
Keep a photo of your tags on your phone in case you need to reference your cabin number or reservation number during check-in. Once you hand over your bags, you do not need the tags anymore — the crew will use the information to sort and deliver your luggage.
Bags tagged and checked in at the port typically arrive in your cabin by 6 or 7 p.m. on embarkation day, though this can vary depending on how busy the port is. If your bags do not arrive by 8 p.m., contact guest services on the ship.
Luggage tag alternatives and what not to do
Some travelers use their own luggage tags or stickers instead of Royal Caribbean tags. Do not do this. The cruise line's tags are tied to the ship's baggage system and contain a barcode that the crew scans. A generic tag with just your name will not work — your bag will be lost or delayed.
If you are bringing multiple bags, each one needs its own tag. Do not try to attach one tag to two bags or assume the crew will figure it out. The barcode system is automated, and bags without individual tags will not be sorted correctly.
Write your name and cabin number on the tag itself as a backup, in case the barcode does not scan. Use a permanent marker so the ink does not smudge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use luggage tags from a previous Royal Caribbean cruise?
No. Old tags have outdated reservation numbers and cabin assignments. You must use tags printed for your current cruise. Using old tags will send your luggage to the wrong cabin or hold it in the baggage system.
What if I book my cruise less than two weeks before departure?
Print your tags from your Royal Caribbean account as soon as your booking is confirmed. You do not have to wait for the mailed package. Your tags will be ready to read within 24 hours of booking.
Do I need luggage tags for carry-on bags?
No. Tags are only for checked luggage that you hand over at the port. Carry-on bags and personal items stay with you and do not need tags.
What happens if I lose my luggage tag after I print it?
Contact Royal Caribbean customer service before your cruise and request a replacement. If you lose it after you arrive at the port, ask the baggage staff to issue a new tag. You will need to provide your reservation number.
Can I attach luggage tags to my bag the night before I leave for the port?
Yes, but be careful. Attach them the morning of your cruise or the night before only if you are confident they will not get damaged during transport to the port. Tags can peel off or tear if your bag shifts around in a car or gets bumped.