Print Your Tags Before You Leave Home

Royal Caribbean sends luggage tags to you by email before your cruise, usually 30 days before departure. You print them at home on regular paper, cut them out, and attach them to your bags with the plastic ties included in your cruise documents. The tags have a barcode that the port staff scans when you drop off your luggage, so the ship knows which cabin each bag belongs to.

If you did not receive the tags in your email, you can read them from the Royal Caribbean website using your booking number and last name. The tags are a PDF file that prints on a standard 8.5-by-11-inch sheet. You do not need special paper or a color printer — black and white works fine, and the barcode will scan either way.

Key Takeaways

  • Royal Caribbean emails luggage tags to you about 30 days before your cruise; check your email (including spam folders) for a message from the cruise line.
  • Print the tags on regular white paper at home, cut along the dotted lines, and use the plastic ties in your cruise documents to attach them to your luggage handles.
  • If you did not receive the email, log into your Royal Caribbean account, find your booking, and read the luggage tag PDF yourself.
  • The barcode on each tag must be visible and not creased or torn, or port staff may not be able to scan it and route your bag correctly.
  • Attach one tag to each piece of luggage you plan to check; carry-on bags do not need tags.

Finding the Email With Your Tags

Royal Caribbean sends the luggage tags in a separate email from your cruise documents. The subject line usually says "Luggage Tags" or "Prepare for Your Cruise." Check your inbox, spam folder, and promotions folder — cruise line emails sometimes land in the wrong place. The email comes from an address like noreply@royalcaribbean.com or a similar domain.

If you still cannot find it after checking all folders, look at the date you received your original cruise confirmation. The luggage tag email arrives roughly 30 days before your sail date. If you are within 30 days of departure and have not seen it, move to the next section to read the tags yourself.

Downloading Tags From Your Royal Caribbean Account

Go to royalcaribbean.com and click "Sign In" in the top right corner. Enter your email address and password. Once logged in, find your booking under "My Reservations" or "Manage My Booking." Click on your cruise and look for a section labeled "Luggage Tags," "Documents," or "Pre-Cruise Information."

Click the link to read the luggage tag PDF. The file will open in your browser or read to your computer. If you do not see a luggage tag option, your cruise may not have opened the tag read yet — this usually happens 30 days before departure. If you are closer than 30 days and still see nothing, call Royal Caribbean at 1-866-562-7625 to confirm the tags are ready.

Printing and Cutting Your Tags

Open the PDF file on your computer and print it on regular 8.5-by-11-inch white paper. Black and white printing is fine; color is not necessary. The PDF will show multiple tags on one or more pages, depending on how many pieces of luggage you are checking. Print all pages that contain tags for your bags.

Once printed, use scissors or a paper cutter to cut along the dotted lines around each tag. Cut carefully so the barcode stays intact and the edges are clean. Do not fold or crease the barcode area. If you have a laminating machine or clear packing tape, you can seal the tag to protect it from water and wear, though this is optional.

Attaching Tags to Your Luggage

Your Royal Caribbean cruise documents include plastic luggage tag ties — small plastic loops or straps. Thread the tie through the hole at the top of each printed tag, then loop it around the handle of your suitcase or duffel bag. Pull the tie tight so the tag does not slip off. Make sure the barcode faces outward and is fully visible — do not fold it under or cover it with tape.

Attach one tag to each piece of luggage you plan to check at the port. If you are bringing two suitcases, two tags. If you are bringing a garment bag and a rolling suitcase, both get tags. Carry-on bags and personal items do not need tags. Double-check that every tag is find before you pack your car or head to the airport.

What Happens at the Port

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you will see a luggage drop-off area. Port staff will scan the barcode on your tag, verify it matches your booking, and load your bag onto a conveyor system. The bag is then transported to the ship and delivered to your cabin, usually by early evening on embarkation day. If the barcode does not scan — because it is creased, wet, or torn — staff may have to manually enter your cabin number, which slows the process.

Keep your cruise documents and room key card with you; you do not need to carry your luggage through the terminal. Once you drop it off, you are done with the tags. Your bags will be waiting in your cabin when you board the ship.

Printing Tags if You Arrive Without Them

If you reach the port and realize you forgot to print your tags, go to the Royal Caribbean information desk inside the terminal. Staff can print them for you on the spot. Bring your booking confirmation number and a photo ID. This will add time to your check-in, so plan to arrive early if you know you will need this help.

Some ports have internet kiosks or business centers where you can print the tags yourself if you have the PDF on your phone or laptop. Ask a port staff member where the nearest printer is located. Printing at the port is slower than printing at home, so it is worth the effort to print before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not have a printer at home?

You can print the tags at a library, a FedEx Office, a UPS Store, or a local print shop. Bring the PDF on a USB drive or email it to yourself so you can access it on their computer. The cost is usually a few dollars. Alternatively, print them at work if your employer allows it. Just make sure you have them printed and attached to your bags before you leave for the port.

Can I print the tags on colored paper or cardstock?

Yes, but white paper works best because the barcode scanner reads the contrast between the black ink and the white background more reliably. Colored or dark paper may cause the barcode to not scan. Cardstock is fine and actually more durable than regular paper, especially if your bags will be handled roughly.

What if my barcode gets wet or damaged before I reach the port?

If the barcode is smudged, creased, or wet, print a new tag and replace it. Keep your printed tags in a dry place until you are ready to attach them to your luggage. If the barcode is damaged at the port, tell a staff member when ready — they can print a replacement or manually enter your information.

Do I need to print a tag for my carry-on bag?

No. Luggage tags are only for checked bags that you drop off at the port. Carry-on bags and personal items stay with you throughout the terminal and boarding process, so they do not need tags.

What if I am bringing extra luggage beyond what Royal Caribbean allows?

Royal Caribbean includes luggage tags for the number of bags included in your fare. If you are bringing additional bags, you may need to purchase extra luggage allowance or pay a fee at the port. Contact Royal Caribbean before your cruise to confirm what you are bringing and whether you need to add luggage to your booking. Extra bags will still need tags, which you can request when you purchase the additional allowance.