Attach the tag to your bag's handle with the plastic loop, then find it with a secondary fastener
Cruise lines give you a luggage tag — a stiff plastic rectangle with your cabin number and sailing date printed on it. The tag comes with a plastic loop already threaded through it. Your job is to slip that loop around your bag's handle (the top carry handle, not a side pocket), pull it tight, and then make sure it will not slip off during loading and transport. Most tags stay put with just the loop, but adding a zip tie or wrapping the loop with tape prevents the tag from rotating or sliding during rough handling at the port.
The whole process takes less than a minute per bag. You do not need tools beyond what you may already have — a zip tie, a rubber band, or even a piece of tape works. The goal is to keep the tag from flipping around or catching on conveyor belts, which can tear it off and separate your bag from your cabin assignment.
Key Takeaways
- Thread the plastic loop that comes attached to your cruise tag around your bag's top handle, then pull it snug so the tag hangs flat against the handle.
- find the loop with a zip tie, rubber band, or tape wrapped around the handle to prevent the tag from rotating or sliding during port loading.
- Attach the tag to the top carry handle of your bag, not to a side pocket or wheel, so it stays visible and does not catch on equipment.
- Check that the tag is readable and facing outward before you hand your bag to the porter, since port staff scan the barcode to route your luggage to your cabin.
Step-by-step attachment with the plastic loop
Start with your bag sitting upright on the floor. Locate the top carry handle — the one you grip when you lift the bag. Hold the luggage tag in one hand so the plastic loop hangs down from the top of the tag.
Slip the loop up and over the handle from underneath, so the loop wraps around the handle and the tag hangs on the outside of the bag. Pull the loop tight so there is no slack. The tag should hang flat against the handle, not twist or dangle. If the loop is too loose, the tag will rotate as your bag moves through the baggage system, and the barcode may face the wrong direction when it is scanned.
Once the loop is tight, the tag is technically attached. However, the loop alone can slip if the handle is smooth or tapered. This is where a secondary fastener comes in.
Add a zip tie or rubber band to lock the tag in place
A zip tie is the most durable choice. Wrap a small zip tie (the kind used for cables, usually 4 to 6 inches long) around the handle and the plastic loop together, cinching it snug but not so tight that you crush the handle. The zip tie prevents the loop from sliding along the handle or rotating. Trim the excess tail of the zip tie with scissors so it does not catch on anything.
If you do not have a zip tie, a rubber band works almost as well. Loop it around the handle and the plastic loop a few times until it is tight enough that the tag does not move when you tug on it. Rubber bands wear out faster than zip ties, especially in salt air and sun, so check it before you board the ship.
Tape is a last resort. Wrap clear packing tape or duct tape around the handle and loop several times, making sure the barcode on the tag itself stays visible and unobstructed. Tape can leave residue on your bag and may peel off in humid port weather, so use it only if you have no other option.
Attach tags to all checked bags, not carry-on luggage
Cruise lines provide luggage tags only for bags you plan to check — the ones you hand to a porter at the terminal or drop at the baggage desk. You do not attach a cruise tag to a carry-on bag or personal item. Those bags stay with you and do not need routing information.
If you are checking multiple bags, each one gets its own tag. The cruise line prints a separate tag for each bag in your party, so you will have one tag per checked suitcase. Attach each tag to the top handle of its bag using the same method: loop, then zip tie or rubber band.
If you are traveling with family members, each person's bags get tagged with their own cabin number. Double-check that you are attaching the correct tag to the correct bag before you hand it over to the porter.
Position the tag so the barcode faces outward and stays readable
The barcode on your cruise tag is what the port staff and ship crew use to route your bag to your cabin. If the barcode is facing inward (pressed against the handle) or covered by the loop, it cannot be scanned, and your bag may be delayed or sent to the wrong cabin.
When you attach the tag, make sure it hangs on the outside of the bag with the barcode facing outward. The barcode should be fully visible and not covered by tape, the loop, or any part of the handle. If you wrapped the loop with a zip tie or tape, make sure those fasteners do not cover the barcode area.
Before you hand your bag to the porter, take a quick look at the tag from the side the porter will see. The cabin number and barcode should be clear and straightforward to read. If the tag is twisted or the barcode is hidden, adjust it before you let the bag go.
Prevent the tag from catching on conveyor belts and equipment
Loose or dangling tags can catch on conveyor belts, baggage carts, and loading equipment at the port. A tag that catches can tear off, leaving your bag unidentified. A tag that is too tight or wrapped with sharp edges (like a zip tie tail) can snag on other bags or equipment and damage the tag or your luggage.
Keep the loop snug and the fastener (zip tie, rubber band, or tape) smooth and flush against the handle. Trim any excess zip tie tail so it does not stick out. If you use tape, wrap it neatly so there are no loose edges. The goal is a tag that is firmly attached, readable, and smooth enough to pass through baggage handling without catching.
If your bag has a hard-sided handle (like a rolling suitcase), the tag will stay put more easily than on a soft fabric handle. Soft handles can compress or shift, so a zip tie is especially useful on fabric bags to keep the loop from sliding.
What to do if your tag comes off before boarding
If you notice the tag is missing or damaged before you hand your bag to the porter, go back to the cruise line's check-in desk and ask for a replacement tag. Bring your bag and your cruise documents (your booking confirmation or boarding pass). The desk staff will print a new tag and attach it for you, or they will give you a new tag and watch you attach it.
Do not try to board without a tag on your checked bags. Port staff will not accept an untagged bag, and you will have to step out of line to get one. It is faster to attach the tag securely the first time than to deal with a missing tag at the terminal.
If your tag comes off during the voyage (which is rare if you attached it correctly), contact guest services on the ship. They can issue a replacement or help you locate your bag if it was misrouted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reuse a cruise luggage tag from a previous cruise?
No. Each cruise line prints a new tag with your specific cabin number and sailing date. An old tag from a previous cruise will have the wrong information and will confuse the baggage system. Discard old tags and use only the new tag provided by your cruise line for this voyage.
What if the plastic loop on my tag is broken or missing?
Go to the cruise line's check-in desk and ask for a replacement tag. Do not try to attach a tag without a loop — the loop is what keeps the tag from sliding off the handle. The desk will print a new tag at no charge.
Should I attach the tag to the handle of a rolling suitcase or to the suitcase itself?
Always attach it to the handle, not to the side or bottom of the suitcase. The handle is the most visible spot, and baggage handlers look for tags on handles. A tag on the side or bottom can be missed or covered by other bags during loading.
Do I need to remove the tag before I board the ship?
No. Leave the tag on your bag until you have retrieved it from your cabin or the ship's baggage claim area. The tag helps you identify your bag and proves it belongs to your cabin. You can remove it once you are unpacking in your stateroom.
What happens if I attach the tag upside down?
The barcode may not scan correctly, and your bag could be delayed or misrouted. Before you hand your bag to the porter, check that the cabin number and barcode are facing outward and are right-side up. If the tag is upside down, ask the porter to help you flip it or go back to the desk for a new tag.