Cruising is one of the most popular ways to travel. Large ships – small ships – there’s one for almost every destination and every type of traveler. One of the biggest reason cruising is number one is you only have to unpack once! 

A question we get in the Travel Store is how to choose the right luggage for a cruise – with the biggest concern getting to and from the ship – and that’s where packing smart and wise luggage choices can make a big difference.  

Here are some of the top luggage and packing tips for cruises: 

ARRIVE A DAY IN ADVANCE

Travel delays happen, so it’s always a good idea to fly a day prior to your actual cruise date. This not only allows you time to adjust in case of a time change but – in the unlikely event your checked luggage is delayed – an extra day for it to catch up with you. 

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCES

While most cruise lines don’t have specific baggage allowances, be sure to consider how you’re getting to the ship.  If you’re driving – luggage size and weight is generally not a problem. If you’re flying, check in advance with your airline to know what you are permitted without incurring additional costs. And, if you’re traveling before and after your cruise independently, make sure you can manage your luggage easily. 

THE CARRY-ON CRUISER

For shorter 3-5 day cruises most travelers find a carry-on bag – like the Briggs & Riley Baseline 21” Carry-on Expandable Spinner. The expansion helps you create more packing space — once packed, compress down to original carry-on size.  

 Most importantly, a small bag like this makes it easy to navigate long cruise ship docks and handle getting on and off most gangways without assistance.   

For boarding ease, add a personal bag – like Briggs & Riley’s Expandable Tote – to keep valuables like medications and electronics close at hand.  The pass through sleeve secures this tote to your carry-on and zipped top pocket allows easy access to travel documents needed to be shown during the boarding process. Bottom zippered expansion adds 4” of packing capacity when you need it.  

Briggs & Riley Baseline 21” Carry-on Expandable Spinner

AAA Member Price $719.00
Available in Navy, Black, Plum & Olive

Briggs & Riley Rhapsody Expandable Tote

AAA Member Price $269.00
Available in Olive, Navy, Black & Plum

THE CHECKED THROUGH CRUISER

For longer cruises most travelers prefer a larger bag – like a 26” checked-through bag – which is a good size for a 2-week cruise and fully packed is usually under 50 lbs.  Let’s be honest – it’s nice to have a few more things than just what can fit in a carry-on bag – and you know you’re going to do at least a little shopping.  The largest bag AAA recommends is a 29” however it’s easy to pack it over 50 pounds – where excess baggage fees will most probably be charged. 

Briggs & Riley Baseline 26” Medium Expandable Spinner is the perfect solution – Keep items like suits or dresses looking their sharpest with the built-in, crease-reducing garment folder. The cinch-down garment panels keep clothes pristine in transit, and the flat packing surface also helps reduce wrinkles. 

A great tip for identifying your luggage is to choose color, whether it’s the luggage or something bright on the case. Also take pictures! This will help you identify your cases on a dock full of luggage when leaving the ship. 

Briggs & Riley Baseline 26” Medium Expandable Spinner

AAA Member Price $849.00
Available in Navy, Black, Plum & Olive

ALL ABOARD

Since larger checked-through bags are generally collected on the pier and delivered to your stateroom for you, an additional small rolling bag to keep with you is ideal, like a carry-on spinner.  

In this carry-on be sure to pack everything you’d need for the first one to two days of your cruise in this bag – including medications and valuables – and a change of clothes – just in case your checked bag gets delayed with the airlines prior to arrival. And – pack your swimsuit in this bag – so you can be relaxing poolside instead of waiting for your big bag to be delivered to your cabin. 

This smaller carryon bag does double-duty at the end of your cruise as well – in the event crew collects your luggage the night before you leave the ship – you can use it to easily carry your change of clothes and personal items ashore.