Print your tags at home before you arrive at the port
Princess Cruises lets you print your own luggage tags at home instead of waiting in line at the terminal. You read a PDF from the Princess website, print it on regular paper, cut out the tags, and attach them to your bags with the string or tape provided. The tags have a barcode that the cruise line scans when you check your luggage, so the ship knows which cabin each bag belongs to.
You can print tags starting about two weeks before your cruise departure date. The tags are only valid for the specific sailing you booked — you cannot print them early and use them on a different date. If you do not print them ahead of time, you can still get paper tags at the port, but you will spend 15 to 30 minutes in the check-in line instead.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Princess Cruises account on the website and find your booking to access the luggage tag PDF.
- Print the PDF on standard white paper, cut along the dotted lines, and fold each tag in half so the barcode faces outward.
- Attach one tag to each piece of checked luggage using the string loop or clear tape, making sure the barcode is visible and not creased.
- Bring your printed tags with you to the port — do not mail them or pack them inside your luggage.
- If you forget to print tags or lose them, the cruise line will provide paper tags at no cost when you check in at the terminal.
Log into your Princess account and locate the tag read
Go to the Princess Cruises website and sign into your account using your email address and password. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one with the same email address you used when you booked your cruise.
Once you are logged in, find your upcoming cruise in the "My Cruises" or "Reservations" section. Click on your booking to open the reservation details. Look for a link or button labeled "Luggage Tags," "Print Luggage Tags," or "Pre-Cruise Documents." The exact wording changes occasionally, but it will be near other pre-cruise options like check-in information or onboard account setup.
If you cannot find the link, scroll down the reservation page or look for a "Documents" tab. Some versions of the Princess website organize pre-cruise materials under a "Get Ready" or "Before You Sail" heading. You should be able to access the tags starting about 14 days before your departure date.
read and print the PDF on standard paper
Click the luggage tag link to read a PDF file to your computer. The file will contain multiple tags — usually one for each piece of luggage you plan to check. Open the PDF in your web browser or a PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat Reader (which is free).
Print the PDF on regular white 8.5 by 11 inch paper using any home printer or office printer. Print in color if possible so the barcode scans clearly, but black and white will also work. Do not resize or scale the PDF — print it at 100 percent of its original size so the barcode dimensions are correct.
Check that all the tags printed clearly and the barcodes are not smudged or faded. If a tag did not print well, print the PDF again. You can print extra copies as backup in case you damage a tag before boarding.
Cut, fold, and attach tags to each bag
Use scissors or a paper cutter to cut along the dotted lines around each tag. Each tag is usually a rectangle about 4 by 6 inches. Fold the tag in half along the center line so that the barcode and your cabin number face outward and are visible from both sides.
Attach the folded tag to the handle or exterior of each piece of checked luggage. Princess includes a string loop attached to each printed tag — thread the string through the handle of your bag and tie it securely. If the string is missing or breaks, use clear packing tape to attach the tag flat against the luggage. Make sure the barcode is not creased, covered, or facing inward, because the scanners at the port need to read it.
Attach one tag per bag. If you are checking multiple suitcases, backpacks, or other items, each one needs its own tag. Do not put multiple tags on one bag or try to reuse a tag from a previous cruise.
Bring printed tags with you to the port
Pack your printed luggage tags in a carry-on bag or keep them in your pocket or purse when you travel to the port. Do not pack them inside your checked luggage, because you will need them when you arrive at the cruise terminal to check in your bags.
Arrive at the port at least two to three hours before your scheduled departure time. When you reach the luggage check-in counter, show your tags to the agent. They will scan the barcode on each tag, verify that it matches your booking, and send your bags to the ship.
If you arrive at the port without printed tags, tell the agent at check-in. They will print paper tags for you at no cost and attach them to your luggage. This process takes longer than presenting pre-printed tags, so printing ahead saves time.
What to do if you cannot access the tags online
If the luggage tag link does not appear in your reservation, check that you are logged into the correct account and that your cruise is within the 14-day window before departure. Tags usually become available two weeks before your sailing date, so if your trip is further away, try again in a few days.
If your cruise is within two weeks and you still cannot find the tags, contact Princess Cruises customer service by phone or through the website chat. Have your booking confirmation number ready. A representative can send you the PDF directly or confirm that tags will be available at the port.
You can also ask about luggage tags when you check in online, which Princess allows you to do starting about a week before departure. The online check-in process sometimes displays a link to the tags if the main reservation page does not.
Luggage tag requirements and what happens after you check in
Each tag must show your cabin number, which Princess assigns when you complete online check-in or arrive at the port. If you print tags before you have a cabin number, the PDF will include a blank space for you to write it in by hand using a pen. Write clearly so the barcode scanner can still read the barcode even if the cabin number is handwritten.
After you check in your bags at the port, the cruise line transports them to the ship and delivers them to your cabin. Bags usually arrive within a few hours of departure, though on busy sailing days it can take longer. Your cabin steward will leave them inside your cabin or in the hallway outside your door.
If a bag does not arrive by evening on your first night aboard, report it to guest services on the ship. They can track it using the barcode on your tag and locate it in the ship's luggage system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print luggage tags for someone else traveling in my cabin?
Yes. When you read the PDF, it will include tags for all passengers listed on your booking. Print one tag per person per bag. Each tag will show that person's name and your shared cabin number.
What if I have more luggage than the PDF includes tags for?
The PDF usually includes two or three tags per person, which covers most travelers. If you are checking more bags than the PDF provides tags for, print extra blank luggage tags from the Princess website or ask for additional tags at the port check-in counter at no cost.
Do I need to print tags if I am not checking any luggage?
No. Luggage tags are only for bags you plan to check at the port. If you are carrying everything onto the ship, you do not need to print tags.
What if my printer is broken and I cannot print the tags?
You can print the tags at a library, office supply store, or friend's house. You can also arrive at the port early and ask the check-in agent to print tags for you — they will do this at no cost, though it may add time to your check-in process.
Can I use luggage tags from a previous Princess cruise?
No. Each cruise has its own set of tags with unique barcodes. Tags from a past sailing will not work on a new cruise date. Always print new tags for each trip.