Print Your Luggage Tags Before You Board

Celebrity Cruise sends you a unique barcode luggage tag for each bag you plan to check. You print these tags at home, attach them to your luggage, and the ship's crew scans them when you board. The tags route your bags to your cabin automatically, so you do not have to carry them on or wait at baggage claim.

You can print your tags starting about two weeks before your sailing date. Celebrity emails you a link to the luggage tag system, or you can log into your online account at Celebrity.com and find the link under your booking. The process takes about five minutes and requires a printer, scissors, and tape or a luggage tag holder.

Key Takeaways

  • Celebrity emails you a direct link to print luggage tags roughly two weeks before your sailing date, or you can access them through your online booking account.
  • You print the tags at home on regular paper, cut them out, and attach them to your bags with tape or a reusable luggage tag holder before arriving at the port.
  • Each tag has a unique barcode that tells the crew which cabin your bag belongs to, so you do not need to carry luggage on board.
  • If you do not print tags in advance, you can print them at the port on the day you board, though this adds time to check-in.

Access the Luggage Tag System Online

Log into your Celebrity Cruises account at Celebrity.com using the email address and password you used when you booked. Once you are signed in, look for your upcoming cruise under "My Bookings" or "Reservations." Click on the booking to open your cruise details.

On the cruise details page, scroll down to find a section labeled "Luggage Tags," "Print Luggage Tags," or "Pre-Cruise Documents." The exact wording varies depending when your cruise was booked, but the link is always on this page. Click it to open the luggage tag printing system. If you cannot find the link, check your email for a message from Celebrity with the subject line mentioning luggage tags or pre-cruise documents—that email contains a direct link you can click.

Enter Your Bag Information and Print

The luggage tag system asks you how many bags you plan to check. For each bag, you enter a straightforward description—"large black suitcase," "blue duffel," or "red carry-on" is enough. This description helps you identify your bags if you need to locate them before boarding. Do not leave the description blank; it is the only way crew members can help you find a specific bag if something goes wrong.

After you enter the number of bags and descriptions, the system generates a PDF file with your printed tags. Each tag is a separate rectangle with your name, cabin number, ship name, and a barcode. read the PDF and print it on regular white paper using any home printer. Print quality does not need to be perfect—the barcode scanner reads the code even if the print is slightly faded—but make sure the barcode itself is dark and clear.

Cut and Attach Tags to Your Luggage

Use scissors to cut out each tag along the dotted lines. You will have one tag per bag. Attach each tag to the outside of your luggage using clear packing tape, a luggage tag holder, or a zip tie. The tag should be flat against the bag and positioned where it will not get torn off during handling. The front of the suitcase or the side facing outward works best.

Make sure the barcode is visible and not covered by tape, stickers, or other luggage tags. If you use packing tape, tape only the edges of the tag so the barcode stays exposed. A reusable plastic luggage tag holder—available at any drugstore or online—protects the tag and makes it straightforward to remove and reuse the tag on future trips.

What to Do If You Did Not Print Tags in Advance

If you arrive at the port without printed tags, Celebrity has a luggage tag printing station at the terminal. You can print your tags there on the day you board, but this adds 10 to 20 minutes to your check-in time. You will still need to know how many bags you are checking and be able to describe each one.

If you are running late or the line is long, you can also check your bags at the baggage desk without pre-printed tags. The crew will print tags for you and attach them. This option is slower than having tags ready, so printing at home before you travel saves time on boarding day.

Luggage Tag Timing and When Tags Become Available

Celebrity typically makes the luggage tag system available 14 to 21 days before your sailing date. You do not have to print them when ready—you can print them anytime between when they become available and the day you board. Most guests print them one to three days before travel so they can pack and tag their bags right before leaving home.

If you do not see the luggage tag link in your account and your cruise is less than two weeks away, check your email for a direct link from Celebrity. If you still cannot find it, contact Celebrity customer service by phone or through your account. They can send you a direct link or tell you when the tags will be available for your specific sailing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not tape over the barcode or cover it with stickers. The barcode is how the ship's system routes your bag to your cabin, and if it cannot be scanned, your bag may be delayed. Do not use a permanent marker to write your cabin number on the tag—the printed barcode already contains that information.

Do not attach tags to the handle or wheels of your luggage. Handlers grab bags by the handle, and a tag in that spot gets torn off. Do not forget to print tags for every bag you plan to check, including small bags or soft luggage. Each bag needs its own tag so the crew knows where it belongs.

Do not wait until the morning of your cruise to print tags if you have a very early boarding time. Print them the night before so you are not rushing. If your printer runs out of ink or breaks, you have time to use a friend's printer or visit a print shop before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print luggage tags multiple times or change my bag count after I print?

Yes. You can log back into the system and print new tags as many times as you need before your cruise. If you decide to bring an extra bag or remove one, print a new set of tags with the updated number. Only bring the tags you printed most recently—do not mix old and new tags.

What if I lose a printed tag before I board?

Print a new one. Log back into the luggage tag system and print a replacement. You can print tags right up until you board, so if a tag gets damaged or lost, you have time to print another. If you are already at the port, the baggage desk can print a replacement tag for you.

Do I need to print tags if I am bringing only a carry-on bag?

No. Luggage tags are only for bags you plan to check with the crew. If you are carrying all your luggage onto the ship, you do not need to print tags. You can still print them if you want to check a bag later, but it is not required for carry-on luggage.

What happens to my bags after I attach the tags and board?

The crew scans your tagged bags at the gangway or baggage area, and the ship's system delivers them to your cabin. Bags usually arrive within two to four hours after you board, though this varies depending on how busy the port is. You do not need to do anything else—just attach the tag and let the crew handle it.

Can I print luggage tags for bags I am shipping to the port instead of bringing myself?

No. Luggage tags are only for bags you bring with you to the port on boarding day. If you are using a luggage shipping service, that service provides its own labels and tracking. Contact Celebrity or your shipping service for instructions on how to label bags that are being shipped separately.