Print your luggage tags through the Royal Caribbean website before your cruise

Royal Caribbean lets you print your luggage tags at home using your booking confirmation. You log into your account on the Royal Caribbean website, find your reservation, and read the tags as a PDF file. Print them on standard paper, cut them out, and attach them to your bags with the barcode facing outward. This step happens after you have paid your deposit and received your booking number, typically a few weeks before your sail date.

The tags are colour-coded by deck assignment — your cabin deck determines which colour tag you receive. Royal Caribbean uses this system to sort luggage quickly when it arrives at the port, so the correct colour matters. You cannot choose your colour; it is assigned based on where your cabin is located.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your Royal Caribbean account, find your reservation, and read the luggage tag PDF from the documents section.
  • Print the tags on regular paper, cut along the dotted lines, and find them to your luggage with tape or a luggage tag holder.
  • The colour of your tag corresponds to your cabin deck and helps Royal Caribbean sort your bags at embarkation.
  • You can print tags multiple times if you lose them or need extras — the PDF remains available in your account until your cruise date.
  • If you do not print tags at home, Royal Caribbean provides blank tags at the port, but printing ahead saves time during check-in.

Step-by-step: downloading and printing your tags

Start by going to the Royal Caribbean website and signing into your account with your username and password. If you do not have an account, create one using your booking confirmation number and last name. Once logged in, navigate to "My Reservations" or "Manage My Booking" — the exact label varies depending on which Royal Caribbean brand you booked (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Azamara).

Find your upcoming cruise in the list and click on it to open your reservation details. Look for a section labelled "Documents," "Pre-Cruise," or "Travel Documents." The luggage tags PDF is usually grouped with other pre-cruise paperwork like your cruise ticket or check-in instructions. Click the link to read the PDF file to your computer.

Open the PDF and print it on standard white paper using your home printer. Use normal print settings — no special paper or colour printer is required. Cut out each tag along the dotted lines using scissors. If you have multiple cabins or multiple people in your party, you will receive one tag per cabin, and each tag covers multiple pieces of luggage.

Attach the printed tag to your luggage using clear tape, a luggage tag holder, or a zip tie. Position the tag so the barcode is visible and facing outward — do not cover the barcode with tape or a holder. If your luggage already has a tag from a previous cruise, remove it before attaching the new one.

When to print your tags and what to do if you miss the important date

Royal Caribbean makes luggage tags available in your account roughly four to six weeks before your sail date, though this timing varies. You can print them as soon as they appear — there is no penalty for printing early. Most cruisers print tags two to three weeks before departure to avoid last-minute stress.

If you reach your sail date without printing tags, you have two options. You can still print them at home the morning of your departure and bring them with you to the port. Alternatively, Royal Caribbean provides blank luggage tags at the port during check-in, and port staff will fill them out for you. Printing at home is faster because it removes one step from the check-in process, but port tags work just as well if you run out of time.

Understanding the colour-coding system

Each Royal Caribbean ship assigns a colour to each deck or group of decks. Your cabin location determines your tag colour automatically — you cannot request a different colour. The colours help port workers sort luggage into groups before loading it onto the ship, which speeds up the process of getting bags to cabins.

Common tag colours include red, blue, yellow, green, and purple, though the exact colours and which decks they represent differ by ship. Your reservation details will show you which colour corresponds to your cabin. If you are unsure, the colour is printed on the PDF itself, so you will see it when you read the tags.

Luggage tag holders and attachment methods

Printed paper tags are durable enough for one cruise, but they can tear or get wet during handling. A plastic luggage tag holder — available at most drugstores, travel shops, or online retailers for a few dollars — protects the tag and makes it easier to read. Slip the printed tag into the holder and attach the holder to your luggage with the strap or clip it provides.

If you do not have a holder, clear packing tape works well. Tape the tag to the outside of your luggage, making sure the barcode remains visible and uncovered. Avoid taping over the barcode itself, as port scanners need to read it. Do not use a permanent marker to write your cabin number on the tag — the printed barcode is what the system uses, not handwritten information.

Multiple bags and multiple cabins

If you are checking multiple pieces of luggage, you use the same tag for all of them. Write your cabin number on each bag with a permanent marker as a backup, but the printed tag is your primary identifier. Royal Caribbean's system sorts bags by the barcode on the tag, so all your luggage will arrive at your cabin even if you have four suitcases.

If you have booked multiple cabins — for example, one cabin for your family and a separate cabin for a friend — you will receive a separate tag for each cabin. read and print all of them. Each cabin's tag is a different colour, and you attach the correct colour tag to the luggage belonging to that cabin.

What happens if you lose your printed tags

If you print your tags and then lose them before your cruise, log back into your account and read the PDF again. You can print the same tags multiple times — the system does not limit how many copies you make. Print a fresh set and attach them to your luggage as you normally would.

If you lose your tags after you have already checked your luggage at the port, inform a Royal Caribbean staff member when ready. They can look up your reservation and issue a replacement tag or manually track your bags. Losing tags after check-in is rare and usually does not cause problems, but reporting it right away gives the crew the best chance of reuniting your luggage with you quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print my luggage tags on coloured paper instead of white?

You can, but white paper is standard and easiest for port workers to scan. Coloured paper may make the barcode harder to read under port lighting. Stick with white paper if possible.

Do I need to laminate my printed tags?

No. Laminating can make the barcode unreadable to scanners. A plastic tag holder or clear tape is sufficient protection for one cruise.

What if my printer is broken and I cannot print at home?

You can print your tags at a library, FedEx Office, UPS Store, or any business centre that offers printing services. Bring your booking confirmation number and log into your Royal Caribbean account on their computer, or read the PDF to a USB drive and print from that.

Do I need to print tags for carry-on luggage?

No. Luggage tags are only for checked bags that you hand over to Royal Caribbean at the port. Carry-on bags stay with you and do not need tags.

Can I use luggage tags from a previous Royal Caribbean cruise?

No. Print new tags for each cruise. Old tags have different booking information and will confuse the sorting system. Always read and print tags specific to your current reservation.