You're standing at the cruise terminal in Miami, watching a family frantically redistribute clothes between suitcases while paying $150 in overweight fees. Don't let this be you. After 40+ cruises and countless conversations with fellow passengers, I've learned that most cruisers get luggage weight limits completely wrong — and it's costing them serious money.
Here's what most people don't realize: cruise lines don't have weight limits for luggage. That's right — you can bring a 100-pound suitcase onto Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and they won't charge you a penny extra.
But here's the catch that trips up 90% of cruisers: your airline absolutely does have weight limits, and those 50-pound restrictions still apply when you're flying to catch your cruise.
I learned this the hard way on my first Celebrity Edge sailing in 2019. I packed like I was driving to the port, then faced a $200 overweight fee at Fort Lauderdale airport for my return flight. The cruise line never weighed my bags, but Delta sure did.
Royal Caribbean: No weight limits, but bags must fit through security scanners. I've seen passengers bring four massive suitcases onto Oasis of the Seas without any issues.
Carnival: No official weight restrictions, though they reserve the right to refuse "excessive" luggage. On my last Mardi Gras sailing, I watched someone bring eight bags with zero pushback.
Norwegian: No weight limits mentioned in their terms. However, their smaller ships like Norwegian Sky have tighter storage, so pack accordingly.
Celebrity: No weight restrictions, but they do limit alcohol to two bottles per stateroom. Trust me — they check.
Disney: No weight limits, but their thorough security screening means oversized items get extra attention.
Princess: No restrictions, though I've noticed their crew is more likely to offer luggage assistance (with tip expected) for heavy bags.
While cruise lines don't care about weight, they absolutely care about what's inside your bags. Here are the restrictions that actually get enforced:
I've seen passengers lose expensive items at security because they didn't know about the surge protector ban. The $15 USB charging hub I recommend has six ports and works perfectly in cruise cabins.
American Airlines: 50 lbs max, $100-200 for overweight bags. Their agents at Miami are notoriously strict.
Delta: 50 lbs max, $100-200 overweight fees. Fort Lauderdale Delta desk has zero flexibility.
United: 50 lbs max, similar fees. However, I've found their agents slightly more reasonable about 1-2 pound overages.
Southwest: Your best friend for cruise travel. Two free bags up to 50 lbs each, and they actually mean it.
JetBlue: First bag free up to 50 lbs, reasonable fees for additional bags.
Here's my insider tip: if you're flying Southwest to your cruise port, you can literally bring double the luggage of other airlines for free. I always book Southwest for cruise flights specifically for this reason.
The 49-Pound Rule: Always pack to 49 pounds, never 50. Airport scales vary, and that extra pound could trigger a $200 fee.
Cruise Ship Shopping Strategy: Buy heavy items like alcohol, perfume, and souvenirs on the ship. They deliver purchases directly to your cabin, and you don't carry them through airports.
Port Day Laundry: Instead of packing 14 days of clothes for a two-week cruise, pack seven days and use ship laundry services. A load costs about $30 versus $200 in airline fees.
The Carry-On Priority System: Put your most expensive and essential items in carry-on bags. Cruise formal wear, medications, and electronics should never go in checked luggage.
Last year on Norwegian Breakaway, I met a couple who paid $400 in airline overweight fees because they packed like they were driving to the port. They brought winter coats for a Caribbean cruise "just in case."
Another passenger on Celebrity Beyond brought a full-size hairdryer, curling iron, and steamer — all items the ship provides or you can buy onboard for less than airline fees.
The worst case I've witnessed: a family of four paid $600 in Delta overweight fees at Miami airport because each bag was 65-70 pounds. They could have shipped half their items to the cruise terminal for under $100.
Most cruise lines offer luggage valet services that bypass airline restrictions entirely. For $150-200, companies like Luggage Forward will pick up your bags at home and deliver them to your cruise cabin.
This service is a game-changer for:
After 40+ cruises, here's exactly how I pack:
Bag 1 (49 lbs): All clothing, shoes, and soft goods
Bag 2 (49 lbs): Toiletries, books, and heavier items
Carry-on: Formal wear, medications, electronics, and first-day essentials
Personal item: Documents, chargers, and anything I can't replace easily
I use a digital luggage scale ($15 on Amazon) and weigh bags at home. This simple tool has saved me hundreds in airport fees.
For Caribbean cruises, I pack for 5-6 days max and use ship laundry. For longer cruises, I strategically buy replacement items in ports where shopping is cheap and fun.
Cruise lines want your money for drinks, specialty dining, and shore excursions — not luggage fees. They'll happily let you bring everything you own onboard. It's the airlines that will crush you with fees if you're not strategic.
Pack smart, weigh your bags at home, and remember: you can buy almost anything you forgot on the ship or in ports. Those $200 airline overweight fees could pay for a lot of cruise ship margaritas instead.
Have questions about specific cruise line policies or want to share your own luggage disasters? Join our luggage and port transfer discussion where experienced cruisers share their best packing tips and horror stories.
The Cruise vs Airline Luggage Confusion That's Costing You Money
Here's what most people don't realize: cruise lines don't have weight limits for luggage. That's right — you can bring a 100-pound suitcase onto Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas and they won't charge you a penny extra.
But here's the catch that trips up 90% of cruisers: your airline absolutely does have weight limits, and those 50-pound restrictions still apply when you're flying to catch your cruise.
I learned this the hard way on my first Celebrity Edge sailing in 2019. I packed like I was driving to the port, then faced a $200 overweight fee at Fort Lauderdale airport for my return flight. The cruise line never weighed my bags, but Delta sure did.
What Each Major Cruise Line Actually Allows
Royal Caribbean: No weight limits, but bags must fit through security scanners. I've seen passengers bring four massive suitcases onto Oasis of the Seas without any issues.
Carnival: No official weight restrictions, though they reserve the right to refuse "excessive" luggage. On my last Mardi Gras sailing, I watched someone bring eight bags with zero pushback.
Norwegian: No weight limits mentioned in their terms. However, their smaller ships like Norwegian Sky have tighter storage, so pack accordingly.
Celebrity: No weight restrictions, but they do limit alcohol to two bottles per stateroom. Trust me — they check.
Disney: No weight limits, but their thorough security screening means oversized items get extra attention.
Princess: No restrictions, though I've noticed their crew is more likely to offer luggage assistance (with tip expected) for heavy bags.
The Real Luggage Restrictions That Actually Matter
While cruise lines don't care about weight, they absolutely care about what's inside your bags. Here are the restrictions that actually get enforced:
- Surge protectors and power strips (bring a USB hub instead)
- Irons and steamers (use the dry cleaning service or pack wrinkle-release spray)
- Candles and incense (battery-operated candles are fine)
- Weapons of any kind (yes, even decorative ones)
- Illegal drugs (obviously, but cruise lines take this seriously)
I've seen passengers lose expensive items at security because they didn't know about the surge protector ban. The $15 USB charging hub I recommend has six ports and works perfectly in cruise cabins.
Airlines That Crush Cruise Passengers With Fees
American Airlines: 50 lbs max, $100-200 for overweight bags. Their agents at Miami are notoriously strict.
Delta: 50 lbs max, $100-200 overweight fees. Fort Lauderdale Delta desk has zero flexibility.
United: 50 lbs max, similar fees. However, I've found their agents slightly more reasonable about 1-2 pound overages.
Southwest: Your best friend for cruise travel. Two free bags up to 50 lbs each, and they actually mean it.
JetBlue: First bag free up to 50 lbs, reasonable fees for additional bags.
Here's my insider tip: if you're flying Southwest to your cruise port, you can literally bring double the luggage of other airlines for free. I always book Southwest for cruise flights specifically for this reason.
Smart Packing Strategies That Save You Hundreds
The 49-Pound Rule: Always pack to 49 pounds, never 50. Airport scales vary, and that extra pound could trigger a $200 fee.
Cruise Ship Shopping Strategy: Buy heavy items like alcohol, perfume, and souvenirs on the ship. They deliver purchases directly to your cabin, and you don't carry them through airports.
Port Day Laundry: Instead of packing 14 days of clothes for a two-week cruise, pack seven days and use ship laundry services. A load costs about $30 versus $200 in airline fees.
The Carry-On Priority System: Put your most expensive and essential items in carry-on bags. Cruise formal wear, medications, and electronics should never go in checked luggage.
Luggage Horror Stories (And How to Avoid Them)
Last year on Norwegian Breakaway, I met a couple who paid $400 in airline overweight fees because they packed like they were driving to the port. They brought winter coats for a Caribbean cruise "just in case."
Another passenger on Celebrity Beyond brought a full-size hairdryer, curling iron, and steamer — all items the ship provides or you can buy onboard for less than airline fees.
The worst case I've witnessed: a family of four paid $600 in Delta overweight fees at Miami airport because each bag was 65-70 pounds. They could have shipped half their items to the cruise terminal for under $100.
What Cruise Lines Won't Tell You About Luggage Services
Most cruise lines offer luggage valet services that bypass airline restrictions entirely. For $150-200, companies like Luggage Forward will pick up your bags at home and deliver them to your cruise cabin.
This service is a game-changer for:
- Back-to-back cruises where you're not flying home
- Extended pre- or post-cruise stays
- Cruisers with mobility issues
- Anyone bringing specialty items like golf clubs or dive gear
My Personal Cruise Packing System
After 40+ cruises, here's exactly how I pack:
Bag 1 (49 lbs): All clothing, shoes, and soft goods
Bag 2 (49 lbs): Toiletries, books, and heavier items
Carry-on: Formal wear, medications, electronics, and first-day essentials
Personal item: Documents, chargers, and anything I can't replace easily
I use a digital luggage scale ($15 on Amazon) and weigh bags at home. This simple tool has saved me hundreds in airport fees.
For Caribbean cruises, I pack for 5-6 days max and use ship laundry. For longer cruises, I strategically buy replacement items in ports where shopping is cheap and fun.
The Bottom Line on Cruise Luggage
Cruise lines want your money for drinks, specialty dining, and shore excursions — not luggage fees. They'll happily let you bring everything you own onboard. It's the airlines that will crush you with fees if you're not strategic.
Pack smart, weigh your bags at home, and remember: you can buy almost anything you forgot on the ship or in ports. Those $200 airline overweight fees could pay for a lot of cruise ship margaritas instead.
Have questions about specific cruise line policies or want to share your own luggage disasters? Join our luggage and port transfer discussion where experienced cruisers share their best packing tips and horror stories.