BAGGAGE ALLOWANCES

Cruising is one of the best ways to travel. Large ships – small ships – there’s one for almost every destination and every type of traveler-and one of best things about cruising is: you only have to unpack once!

A question we receive from travelers 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 making wise luggage choices can make a substantial difference.

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

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.

For shorter 3-5 day cruises most travelers find a 22” carry-on bag with an extra 2” expansion – like the Briggs and Riley 22” spinner – is a great choice. It has a pocket with RFID shielding to provide easy access to travel essentials while securing your personal data and pocket to hold a digital tracker to keep tabs on your bag. The 22” Carry-on Spinner has an outside battery pocket, so you’re always powered up. Most importantly, its small size makes it easy to navigate long cruise ship docks and handle getting on and off most gangways without assistance.

ARRIVE A DAY IN ADVANCE

Flight delays happen, so it’s always smart to fly a day prior to your actual sail 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.

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 ZDX 22” Spinner

AAA Member Price $559.00
Available in Ocean, Hunter Green, Canyon & Black

BOARDING BAG

For boarding ease, add a personal bag– like Briggs and Riley’s Cabin Bag or Medium Convertible Backpack – to keep valuables like medications and electronics close at hand.

Both options have a pass-through sleeve which secures them to any rolling carry-on bag with a zippered quick access pocket – allowing easy access to travel documents that need to be shown during the boarding process.

Briggs & Riley ZDX Underseat Cabin Bag

AAA Member Price $269.00
Available in Ocean, Hunter Green, Canyon & Black

Briggs & Riley ZDX Medium Convertible Backpack

AAA Member Price $409.00
Available in Ocean, Hunter Green & Black

THE CHECKED THROUGH CRUISER

For longer cruises most travelers prefer a larger bag – like a 27” rolling checked-through bag – which is a good size for a two-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 a carry-on bag can fit and it’s likely you’ll pick up a few souvenirs along your travels.

The Briggs and Riley Hardcase 27” spinner is the perfect solution – its lightweight polycarbonate shell is resilient for a lifetime of travel. A zipper expansion provides 20% extra room. Compression panels and a flat-packing interior add for a wrinkle-free wardrobe. All Bags come with a hidden pocket to conceals a digital tracker to keep tabs on your bag.

Tip: A fun color suitcase – like the ocean blue – makes it easy to spot on a dock full of luggage when leaving the ship.

Briggs & Riley ZDX Hardside 27” Spinner

AAA Member Price $639.00
Available in Ocean, Black & Canyon – available in October

ALL ABOARD

Since larger checked through bags are generally collected on the pier and delivered to your stateroom for you, an additional rolling bag to keep with you is ideal, like the 22” spinner.

In this carryon be sure to pack everything you’d need for the first one to two days of your cruise– including medications and valuables – and a change of clothes – just in case your checked bag is delayed with the airlines prior to arrival. And – pack your swimwear in this bag – so you can relax poolside once you’re onboard 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 the 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.

USE PACKING CUBES TO GET ORGANIZED

Using packing cubes can help minimize time spent rummaging through your bags while also maximizing the space inside your suitcase. Packing cubes also help keep you organized at your destination by serving as containers. Many cruise ships have limited space. When you travel with packing cubes, you can still stay organized and avoid the jumbled mess that often comes from living out of a suitcase. Packing cubes come in different sizes, shapes and styles. There are cubes specially designed to compress making for efficient organization.