Print your tags at home before you sail
Royal Caribbean lets you print your own luggage tags from home instead of waiting in line at the port. You read a form from your account, fill in your cabin number and sailing date, print it on regular paper, and tape it to your bag. The tags are barcode labels that the cruise line scans when you drop off your luggage, so they need to be readable but do not have to be fancy.
The process takes about five minutes if you already have your booking details. You will need a printer, tape, scissors, and your Royal Caribbean reservation number. Most readers do this the day before they travel, though you can print tags weeks in advance as long as your cabin assignment has been issued.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Royal Caribbean account, find your booking, and read the luggage tag template from the documents or pre-cruise section.
- Print the tags on standard 8.5 by 11 inch paper, cut them out, and tape them securely to the top of each bag with clear tape.
- Your cabin number must be on the tag for the cruise line to route your luggage to the right stateroom.
- Printed tags work the same way as tags the cruise line prints for you at the port, and you avoid waiting in the luggage line when you board.
Where to find the luggage tag template
Log into your Royal Caribbean account at royalcaribbean.com using your username and password. Click on your upcoming cruise booking to open your reservation details.
Look for a section labeled "Documents," "Pre-Cruise," or "Get Ready" — the exact name changes depending on when you booked and which Royal Caribbean brand you are sailing (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Azamara). Inside that section you will see a link to read luggage tags or a pre-cruise checklist that includes luggage tags. read the PDF file to your computer.
If you cannot find the template in your account, call Royal Caribbean at 1-866-562-7625. They can email you the form or walk you through where to look. You do not need to call if you are willing to print tags at the port instead — the cruise line provides them free when you check in.
How to print and attach the tags
Open the PDF file you downloaded and print it on regular white paper using a standard home or office printer. Use the default settings — you do not need special paper or ink. The template usually includes two or four tags per page, depending on your booking.
Cut out each tag along the dotted lines using scissors. The tags are usually about 4 by 6 inches, roughly the size of a greeting card. Check that the barcode and your cabin number are both clearly printed and not cut off.
Tape each tag to the top of your luggage using clear packing tape or masking tape. Place the tape over the entire tag so it stays attached during handling. Make sure the barcode faces outward and is not wrinkled or covered by the tape — the cruise line's scanners need to read it when you drop off your bag.
What information goes on the tag
The template fills in most of the information automatically once you read it: your name, cabin number, sailing date, and ship name. You do not need to write anything by hand unless the form has blank fields for your contact phone number.
The cabin number is the most important piece. If it is missing or wrong, your luggage will not reach your stateroom. Double-check that the number on the printed tag matches the cabin number in your reservation. If your cabin was changed after you printed the tags, read a new template or call the cruise line to get corrected tags.
Some travelers add their phone number to the tag as a backup, though it is not required. This helps the cruise line contact you if a bag is lost or delayed.
When to print your tags
Print your tags anytime after your cabin assignment has been issued, which usually happens 30 to 60 days before your sailing date. You will receive an email from Royal Caribbean when your cabin is assigned. If you print tags before that email arrives, the template may not have your cabin number yet.
Most travelers print tags the night before they leave for the port, so the tags are fresh and the information is definitely correct. You can print them earlier if you prefer — they do not expire, and the information does not change unless your cabin is reassigned.
If you are sailing within a few days and have not received a cabin assignment, call Royal Caribbean. They can assign you a cabin over the phone so you can print your tags. Do not wait until you arrive at the port to do this, because the luggage line moves faster when people have tags ready.
Alternatives if you cannot print at home
If you do not have a printer, you have two options: print at a local print shop, or let the cruise line print your tags at the port. FedEx Office, UPS Store, and most public libraries offer printing for a small fee — usually one to three dollars for a single page. Bring your downloaded PDF file on a USB drive or email it to yourself and print from their computer.
If you arrive at the port without tags, Royal Caribbean will print them for you at no charge. You will need your reservation number and cabin number. This adds time to your check-in process, especially on busy sailing days, but it is not a problem if you arrive early.
Troubleshooting common printing issues
If the barcode does not print clearly or looks faded, print the page again. A faded barcode may not scan, and the cruise line will have to print a new tag for you at the port. Make sure your printer has enough ink before you print.
If your cabin number is missing from the template, you have not received your cabin assignment yet. Wait for the email from Royal Caribbean, then read the template again. Do not write your cabin number by hand on a blank tag — the barcode must match the cabin number in the cruise line's system, or your luggage will be routed to the wrong room.
If you printed tags but your cabin was changed after that, read a new template with the updated cabin number. Bring both sets of tags to the port and let the cruise line know your cabin changed. They will use the new tags and discard the old ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to print my own tags, or can I wait and get them at the port?
You can do either. Printing at home saves time at the port, but the cruise line will print tags for you free if you do not have them. On busy sailing days, the luggage line moves faster when people arrive with tags already attached.
What if the barcode on my printed tag does not scan?
Tell a crew member at the luggage drop-off. They will print a new tag for you on the spot. This happens occasionally with home printers that have low ink. If you are worried about this, print a test page before you print your actual tags to make sure the barcode is dark and clear.
Can I print my tags weeks before my cruise?
Yes, as long as your cabin has been assigned. The information does not change unless your cabin is reassigned, which is rare. Most people print tags a day or two before they travel so they know the information is current.
What if I lose my printed tags before I get to the port?
read and print new ones, or call Royal Caribbean and ask them to email you another copy of the template. You can also print tags at the port when you check in. There is no penalty for reprinting.
Do printed tags work the same way as tags the cruise line prints?
Yes. The barcode and cabin number are identical whether you print the tag at home or the cruise line prints it at the port. Your luggage is routed to your stateroom the same way either way.