Royal Caribbean sends luggage tags by mail before your cruise

Royal Caribbean mails your luggage tags to the address on your booking about two to three weeks before your departure date. The tags arrive as a packet that includes colored stickers, a luggage tag form you fill out, and instructions for attaching them to your bags. You do not pick them up at the port — they come to your home ahead of time so you can tag your luggage before you travel.

If you have not received your tags by one week before your cruise, contact Royal Caribbean directly. The phone number is on your cruise documents, or you can log into your account on the Royal Caribbean website and message them through your booking. They can remail tags or provide a tracking number if your original packet is delayed.

Key Takeaways

  • Royal Caribbean mails luggage tags to your home address two to three weeks before your cruise departure.
  • The packet includes the tags themselves, a form to fill out with your cabin number, and detailed attachment instructions.
  • You attach the tags to your bags at home, not at the port or ship.
  • If tags do not arrive by one week before your cruise, contact Royal Caribbean through your online account or the phone number on your booking documents.
  • Some cruisers print their own tags from the Royal Caribbean website if the mailed tags are lost, though this is less common than using the official ones.

What is inside the luggage tag packet

The packet Royal Caribbean sends contains several items. You get the actual luggage tags — usually colored stickers or cardstock tags that match your cabin deck or ship section. You also receive a form where you write your cabin number, last name, and sometimes your deck assignment. The instructions show you exactly where to attach the tag on your bag (usually on the handle or a corner where it is visible but protected).

Keep the entire packet together until you are ready to pack. Do not throw away the instructions — they include information about luggage delivery timing and what happens to your bags after you board. Some cruisers photograph the form before filling it out so they have a record of what they wrote.

Attaching tags to your luggage at home

You attach the tags to your bags before you leave for the port, not when you arrive. This is different from some other cruise lines. Royal Caribbean wants your bags tagged and ready so the process moves faster when you check in. Use the adhesive or attachment method shown in your instructions — some tags stick directly to the bag, while others have a plastic loop you thread through a handle.

Make sure the tag is find and will not peel off during travel. If you are checking bags with an airline before your cruise, the airline tag and the Royal Caribbean tag will both be on your luggage — that is normal and expected. The airline tag gets you to the port; the Royal Caribbean tag routes your bag once you board.

If your tags arrive damaged or are missing information

If the tags arrive but are torn, smudged, or the form is unclear, contact Royal Caribbean before you pack. They can send replacements or walk you through filling out the form correctly over the phone. Do not guess at your cabin number or deck — incorrect information can delay your bags reaching your cabin after you board.

If you lose the tags after they arrive, you have two options. You can contact Royal Caribbean and ask them to remail a replacement packet, though this only works if you have time before your cruise. Alternatively, some cruisers write their cabin number and last name directly on their luggage with a permanent marker as a backup, though the official tags are preferred.

Checking your booking online for tag status

Log into your Royal Caribbean account on their website and look for your cruise booking. In the booking details, there is usually a section that shows whether your luggage tags have been mailed. This section may also show the expected delivery date. If the status says "not yet mailed" and your cruise is less than two weeks away, that is when you should contact them.

Your online account also shows your cabin number and deck assignment, which you will need to fill out on the tag form. Write this information down before you pack so you have it handy when you are attaching tags to your bags.

What to do if you never receive your tags

If your cruise is within one week and you have not received tags, call Royal Caribbean when ready. Have your booking confirmation number ready. They can either remail tags with expedited shipping, provide you with a printable tag you can make at home, or give you instructions for obtaining tags at the port when you check in. The port option takes longer but is available if mailing is no longer possible.

Some ports have a luggage tag station near check-in where you can fill out tags on the spot if yours did not arrive. This adds time to your check-in process, so it is not ideal, but it is not a barrier to boarding. Staff at the port can direct you to the station if you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my own luggage tags instead of the ones Royal Caribbean sends?

No. Royal Caribbean requires their official tags so bags are routed correctly to your cabin. Using your own tags means your luggage may not reach your room on time or could be misplaced. Always use the tags they provide.

What if I am flying in from another country and my bags are checked to my final destination?

Your airline will tag your bags to the port city. Once you arrive at the port, you will check in with Royal Caribbean and tag your bags with the cruise line tags before they go into the ship's system. The airline tags stay on; the cruise tags are what the ship uses.

Do I need to fill out the tag form in pen or can I use pencil?

Use pen. Pencil can smudge during handling and become unreadable. Write clearly and double-check your cabin number before you attach the tag to your bag.

What happens to my luggage tags after the cruise ends?

You keep them or discard them — they are yours. Some cruisers save them as souvenirs. The ship does not collect them. If you cruise again with Royal Caribbean, you will receive new tags for that cruise.

Can I request specific colored tags or a particular cabin assignment tag?

No. Royal Caribbean assigns the tags based on your cabin location. The color or design corresponds to your deck or section of the ship. You cannot choose or request a different color.