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Cruise Luggage Tips: Self Carry or Check? What’s Best?

Professor Melissa
Professor Melissa
🏅Authority
👁️ 5K views📅 1 years ago⏱️ 17:29
What This Creator Said
Creator Had Mixed FeelingsTips & Advice🏅Authority Creator
Veteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

I highly recommend investing in these cheap and reusable Cruise specific luggage tags

for me personally my sweet spot that I aim for is around 2: to 2:30 p.m. as my boarding time

please do not take the risk of trying to board a ship with weed or other prohibited drugs

Creator's Tips & Advice

✓Print and attach cruise line luggage tags in advance or use reusable plastic tags with metal ties
✓Select a boarding time around 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. to avoid crowds and have staterooms ready
✓If carrying bags, be prepared for elevators being crowded and consider using stairs
✓If checking bags, ensure important documents are not left in them and keep claim checks safe

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Embarkation process seems overwhelming — Don't worry, people will help you get where you need to go; it's efficient and well-organized
Ship feels crowded after boarding — Once staterooms open at 1:30 p.m., the ship clears out as travelers go to their rooms

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat is the best way to handle luggage when boarding a cruise ship?
QHow long does cruise embarkation take?
QWhat is online cruise check-in and when does it open?
QWhich cruise ship boarding time is best?
QCan I board the ship if I arrive before my boarding time?

Topics Covered

Embarkation1 Happy BaconCrowd Capacity1 Sad BaconService Crew2 Happy BaconDisembarkationMehSafety Medical2½ Sad Bacon
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description↓

Not sure whether to self-carry or check your luggage on a cruise? In this video, I compare the pros and cons of both options to help you make an informed decision. Discover the benefits of each method and find out which one suits your travel style best. Here's what we'll cover: 00:00 Intro and Embarkation 1:27 How Long Does Cruise Disembarkation Take? 2:31 What is Online Cruise Check-In and When Does it Open? 4:09 Which Cruise Ship Boarding Time is Best? 7:15 Can I Board the Ship if I Arrive Before My Boarding Time? 8:09 Is it a Problem if I Arrive After My Boarding Time? 8:52 Handling Luggage During Cruise Ship Embarkation 10:15 Pros and Cons of Handling Your Own Bags 11:42 Pros and Cons of Checking Your Bags 13:25 Does the Cruise Line Scan your Luggage? 14:45 Drug Sniffing Dogs at Cruise Terminals 15:29 What Is the Cruise Ship Boarding Process Like? ----------------------------- LINKS: 🛳 Find my ridiculous cruise clothes and favorite cruise essentials here: https://urlgeni.us/amazon/profmelissaamazon 🛳 Want to learn how to become a travel agent, either to book your own travel or as a side hustle? https://www.profmelissa.com/travelagent 🛳 Get my top recommended travel card to earn travel points and get better protections when traveling: https://i.capitalone.com/Jpsx6W1yZ 🛳 Need help booking a cruise, or want to take a cruise with me? https://www.profmelissa.com/book 🛳 Get FREE Port Guides, cruise advice, and more at https://www.profmelissa.com/ 🛳 Get my FREE Cruise Packing List & Planning Guide at https://www.profmelissa.com/subscribe 🛳 Want to book my favorite private drivers? https://www.profmelissa.com/drivers ----------------------------- Do you love cruise content? Check out more cruise tips and hacks from my blog: https://profmelissa.com/ Get tips, tricks, and ideas for your next cruise vacation, including port and excursion reviews, cruise advice, and more. ----------------------------- Get my Ultimate Cruise Packing Guide FREE here: https://profmelissa.com/subscribe/ Stay Connected with me: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@professormelissa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_melissa_newman Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProfMelissaCruises/