Royal Caribbean Australia luggage policy

If you’re a regular airline passenger you’ve likely got a good handle on what airlines expect luggage-wise. However, if you’re embarking on a cruise, especially for the first time, this essential aspect of travel may be less clear.

Even if you’ve cruised away from Australia’s shores previously, not all cruise lines share the same luggage rules and restrictions, so it’s always best to double-check.

In this guide, we dive into the luggage rules that apply when sailing with Royal Caribbean (RCL) Australia. Covering how much you can bring, what’s not permitted on board and more – the information you need to pack with confidence and enjoy a fantastic trip.

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Royal Caribbean cruises Australia luggage policy

Royal Caribbean Australia’s luggage policy permits all guests to bring a reasonable amount of personal property on board. While there is no set rule regarding what this looks like, they recommend limiting how many pieces of luggage you take with you.¹

Luggage is defined by Royal Caribbean as anything that contains clothing, toiletries and other personal items. This may include one or more of the following:

• Suitcases
• Trunks
• Valises
• Satchels
• Bags
• Hangers (suit/dress bags)

Royal Caribbean luggage limits

Currently Royal Caribbean does not apply piece number or dimension limits to passenger luggage allowances. However, as per their terms and conditions, the combined weight of all items brought on board must not exceed 90 kg per passenger. ²

What are luggage tags on Royal Caribbean cruises?

Luggage tags are issued by Royal Caribbean Australia with your electronic guest documents (eDocs) and are used to identify your luggage at check-in.³

Outlining all guest details plus information on the ship, sailing date, stateroom and deck number, they also provide information to porters on where to deliver your luggage on board.

It is advisable to print and attach your luggage tags to your bags in advance of travel. However, if you forget or are unable to do so Royal Caribbean states that generic bag tags can be obtained at the pier on the day of boarding.³

Luggage security and checks

Just as you would expect when checking in and boarding for a flight, both you and your luggage will be subject to security checks at embarkation.

Royal Caribbean Australia advises that they follow strict security procedures in the seaport terminals they utilise and onboard all their ships. These measures include screening all guests and their personal property before boarding.²

To aid in this process and avoid any potential delays at boarding, it is advisable not to use locks on your check-in luggage. Should you prefer to lock your bag, only TSA locks are allowed.³

Should screening of your luggage identify an item that is prohibited or is believed to be prohibited, this may be confiscated by the security team. Depending on the item a Prohibited Items receipt may be issued to you and the item held for collection at disembarkation.³

What to bring on your cruise

In addition to the obvious essentials such as toiletries, underwear and socks, Royal Caribbean offers the following advice on what else to pack for your trip, saying you should bring³:

• Sunscreen and a hat
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Multiple sets of swimwear so you always have a dry option available
• Everyday casual clothes suited to the destinations/weather expected on your cruise
• Some smart casual clothing for evening dining
• An overnight bag for the last night of your cruise as staff will collect main luggage the evening before disembarkation
• At least three days of extra medication, if taking any, to accommodate any unforeseen delays disembarking your cruise

Formal wear such as a suit, tuxedo or evening gown may also be necessary depending on which sailing you are booked on. We recommend speaking with Royal Caribbean or reading the details of your confirmed itinerary for further details.

What you can’t bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship

As you’d anticipate, there are some limitations and rules regarding what you can and can’t bring on board with Royal Caribbean Australia. This includes prohibitions on anything deemed dangerous or illegal such as weapons, explosives and illicit drugs.²

Additional bans apply on items such as³:

• Drones
• Power boards
• Candles
• Household electrical equipment (irons, clothes steamers)
• Opened, homemade or fresh foods
• Sporting goods (surfboards, bicycles, skateboards or similar)
• Hard liquor or beer (one bottle of champagne or wine permitted per passenger over 18 years only) and more

Before departing it is strongly suggested to review the prohibited items list in full via the Royal Caribbean website. Should you have additional queries regarding an item and do not see it listed, you should speak with a Royal Caribbean representative directly for guidance.

Unlisted items, where deemed inappropriate or of concern by the cruise line or Ship Master can be confiscated or seized at any point before or during the cruise.²

Children’s strollers or baths

Royal Caribbean Australia does not provide access to strollers/prams or baby baths while onboard. As such they permit passengers to bring these items with them as part of their luggage allowance.

As with all luggage, these items must be stored in the guest’s stateroom for the duration of the voyage.³

Keep in mind

Before you pack for your upcoming cruise with Royal Caribbean Australia, it can be helpful to keep in mind the following:

• While Royal Caribbean allows a generous 90kg of combined luggage per person, airlines typically have a much lower limit. So be sure to cross-check this if you are flying to your port of embarkation.
• Further to the above, cruise terminals generally do not provide passengers with access to luggage trolleys. This means you will need to be capable of managing your luggage easily without assistance until checking-in.
• Your checked-in baggage may not be delivered to your room for several hours post-boarding. As such, it’s wise to pack a change of clothes, some swimwear and any medications you need in your hand luggage.
• Items collected or bought during shore excursions must also meet the rules for restricted or prohibited items. Your day pack or hand luggage used during these trips may also be scanned and subject to inspection when reboarding as per Royal Caribbean’s security guidelines.

Royal Caribbean cruises luggage FAQs

Can I bring non-alcoholic beverages in my luggage when cruising with Royal Caribbean Australia?

Non-alcoholic beverages such as water are permitted to be brought onboard on the day of sailing as hand luggage and in limited quantities. This limit is set at no more than 12 standard cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom (note: not per guest). ³

Do I have to check in my luggage with Royal Caribbean Australia?

No, you have the choice to check in your bags and have them delivered to your stateroom or to carry them onboard yourself. However, as per Royal Caribbean, any items being carried on board must be able to fit through the x-ray screening machines present at the security checkpoints.³

What happens if my luggage is lost or damaged during a cruise?

Any instances of lost or damaged luggage deposited with the cruise line must be reported to the Guest Relations Desk immediately. While the cruise line will do what it can to assist, liability for loss or damage is limited to AUD$1,100 per guest per cruise.²

Should you also have travel insurance to claim against, you may be asked to reduce your claim amount against Royal Caribbean to reflect this.²

Royal Caribbean contact details

To speak with Royal Caribbean in Australia regarding an upcoming cruise or in relation to any luggage queries, you can contact them at:

• 1800 754 500 up to 24 hours before sailing between 8 am – 8 pm Monday to Friday or 9 am – 6 pm Saturday and Sunday
• 1800 965 878 on the day of sailing, 24/7

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