If you’re taking a cruise from Southampton, you may wish to explore the city for a few hours either before you embark or after you bid farewell to your ship.
But finding places to leave your luggage isn’t always easy, that’s why I’ve created this list of the best places to store baggage for the day in Southampton.
I discovered a need for left luggage in Southampton when we had to disembark a cruise at 9 am, but our flight back to Manchester wasn’t until the evening. We wanted to explore Southampton without our suitcases, so I looked on Google to find somewhere to leave our luggage in Southampton.
I really struggled to find a good answer to this simple question. So, I decided to do some research, walk around the city taking photos of the best luggage storage options, and write this guide to help others having the same problem.
Since then, many of these places have closed and new ones have opened. But as I visit Southampton frequently, I’ve been able to keep this guide updated with the latest info for you.
Places to Store Luggage in Southampton
There are several places where you can store luggage in Southampton city centre. Cruise port staff often aren’t aware of it, but there are several shops and hotels that will store your suitcases securely for a few hours.
If you plan to store your luggage, it’s always a good idea to call ahead. Luggage storage facilities only have so much space, and it would be annoying to arrive with your cases and find that it’s full, or that the opening hours have changed.
The Best Places to Store Luggage in Southampton
Here’s my list of places to leave bags and suitcases in Southampton…
1. Premier Inn City Centre
🏆 Open Late
The best place to leave your luggage in Southampton is at the Premier Inn. It’s situated in the centre of Southampton and costs £4.95 per bag, per day.
The service is available from 7 am to 11 pm so this is a great option if you need to drop off or collect your bags early in the morning or late in the evening.
The Premier Inn is a great choice even if you aren’t staying there because it’s close to both the train and bus stations, and you can pre-book online so you’re guaranteed to be able to leave your bags with no hassle.
Address: Southampton SO14 0AB
Telephone: 0333 321 9006
Opening Times: 7 days a week, 7 am to 11 pm
Rates: £4.95 per bag
2. Maynards News and Food
If you’re getting the coach or train into Southampton then Maynards News and Food could be the perfect place to leave your luggage. It’s around a 6-minute walk from the main stations, and you can book online too to reserve your place.
You’ll need to though – the one downside of Maynards is they don’t have a lot of spaces. So reserve your spot with plenty of notice if you want to store your bags here. And they’re shut on Mondays and Sundays too.
Address: Southampton SO14 7FJ
Telephone: 023 8063 4974
Opening Times: Tues to Fri – 7 am to 9 pm, Sat – 10 am to 6 pm, Sun to Mon – Closed
Rates: £4.95 per bag
3. Biltong & Bangers
Biltong and Bangers is a food and gift shop with a focus on South African products like beers, biltong and biscuits. It’s located in a super convenient spot on the High Street, right next door to where Oceans used to be before it moved.
There’s a sign outside saying that you can leave your luggage. Unfortunately, though, you can’t book online, so you’d have to just turn up and hope that they have space for your bags.
Another good place to leave suitcases for the day is the Southampton branch of the courier service and printing shop, Mail Boxes Etc.
This luggage storage facility is also located on the High Street, so you can walk from the ship and can start sightseeing immediately after dropping off your bags.
Mail Boxes Etc is open for until 5.45 pm during the week, but it’s open for only half a day on Saturdays and is closed on Sundays. If you want to leave your luggage for more than four hours, you’ll be charged double.
You also can’t book in advance.
Address: 151 High Street, Southampton SO14 2BR
Telephone: 023 8033 5777
Opening Times: Mon to Fri – 9 am to 5.45 pm, Sat – 10 am to 2 pm, Sun – Closed
Rates: £5 for 4 hours, £10 for the full day
5. Holiday Inn Southampton
When we walked out of Southampton’s City Cruise Terminal with our suitcases, the first hotel that we came across was the Holiday Inn. I headed inside to ask if they could mind my luggage, even though I wasn’t staying at the hotel.
The lady behind the front desk kindly said yes! When I returned a few hours later, she didn’t ask for any payment, so I tipped her £5 per bag as a thank-you.
She explained that they can’t store luggage for everyone, but as she had the space available, she was happy to.
Sometimes in life, I find that if you don’t ask, you don’t get. So, if you pass any hotels on your way, it may be worth asking if they can store luggage as you never know! And if you pass the Holiday Inn, it’s worth asking if they have space.
Address: Herbert Walker Avenue, Southampton SO15 1AG
Telephone: 023 8017 9600
Opening Times: 24 hours
Rates: Free (tips appreciated)
6. Southampton Airport
There is a left luggage service at Southampton Airport which costs £10 per bag, per day.
Southampton Airport is about four miles from the city centre, so this isn’t the most convenient place to store luggage after a cruise if you want to spend the day in Southampton.
However, if you plan to take a trip to Eastleigh, Winchester or the New Forest National Park, this could be an option to consider.
Address: Southampton SO18 2NL
Telephone: 0344 481 7777
Opening Times: 24 hours
Rates: £10 per bag
7. CitySpareSpace
Another option that you can use to book your luggage storage in advance rather than turning up and hoping that there’s space, is CitySpareSpace.
The company partners with trusted local businesses to provide you with convenient Southampton luggage storage. Starting from £6 per bag, you can explore the city hands-free. It’s the same price for the whole day for small bags and no extra charge for large bags.
Thousands of travellers book luggage storage online with CitySpareSpace’s partners which are located all over the UK, including Southampton city centre. The company provide dedicated customer service, and every booking is backed by a reimbursement guarantee. They vet every individual partner to ensure the utmost security and quality.
With this option, you must book online as in-store payments won’t be accepted. Book on CitySpareSpace.com to confirm your reservation.
These Places Used To Offer Luggage Storage in Southampton but They Are Now Closed…
To keep this list as comprehensive as possible, I’m including here places that used to offer luggage storage in Southampton but do not currently, as of my last visit in August 2023.
Oceans in Southampton used to be the most popular place for cruise passengers to leave luggage and it was one that a lot of people recommend. This is because it was located right in the centre of Southampton, within walking distance of each of the cruise ports.
The business moved to Robins Nest in January 2022, but it has since closed completely.
Address: 160 High Street / Robins Nest, 129 High Street, Southampton SO14 2BT
Robin’s Nest Emporium
Robin’s Nest was a wonderful vintage shop that’s located in the former Natwest Bank on the High Street in Southampton. Being an old bank building, it has lots of secure storage down in the vaults beneath.
After I dropped off my luggage at Robin’s Nest, I used to love looking around the shop too as it had a lovely selection of vintage cruise memorabilia at the back. It’s a real shame this place has closed.
Vintage cruise memorabilia in Robin’s Nest
What About Southampton Train Station?
There are no lockers at Southampton train station. It isn’t possible to leave bags at the station at all. You can instead leave luggage at a number of shops on Southampton High Street for a small fee.
There’s also no luggage storage facilities at Southampton Cruise Terminal. Staff at the terminal may not be able to advise you of nearby places to leave bags either.
Once the cruise terminal opens for the first guests to check in, you can drop off your luggage. So even if your check-in time isn’t until later, you can leave your bags as soon as the check-in opens for those with earlier check-in times than yours.
To Conclude
Those flying to Southampton typically find that, once they disembark their cruise ship after breakfast, they have a few hours to kill before heading to the airport.
There are lots of places where you can store luggage for the day in Southampton, leaving you hands-free while you explore the city or do some shopping in the WestQuay shopping centre.
Whichever option you choose, it’s wise to call ahead to make sure that storage is available, particularly during busy periods.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
I know how tempting it is to overpack, but the truth is that when you take a cruise, you don’t always need to pack enough clothes to last for your whole trip.
If you’re taking a long cruise or travelling with kids, you’ll definitely want to check out the laundry options on your ship and make a plan before you pack.
I’ve found that kids can get through at least four outfits per day with day clothes, swimwear, evening clothes and nightwear. And it’s rare that anything is clean enough to be worn twice!
My son enjoying a cake on his cruise
So, rather than packing 56 changes of clothes per person for a two-week cruise, it’s definitely a good idea to find out how to do laundry on a cruise ship. Especially as it varies by cruise line sometimes.
Also I’ve got one amazing free laundry hack to share with you…
You Can (Almost Always) Do Laundry On Your Cruise
Almost all cruise ships offer laundry services with washing, pressing and dry cleaning available for a fee.
In addition, many cruise ships also have self-service launderettes with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. These may be complimentary or have a small charge. Another option is to wash clothes in the sink in your room.
Cruise Ship Laundry Costs
Self-service laundry on a cruise ship is often free, but there may be a charge of up to $3.50 to use the machines and $2 for detergent, depending on the ship.
If you send your clothes away to be professionally cleaned, the fees range from $1 for small items to be washed and pressed up to $20 or more for a three-piece suit to be dry cleaned.
Further down in this guide, there’s a table with the prices for washing and pressing, washing and folding, pressing only, dry cleaning and self-service laundry on every cruise ship.
3 Ways to Do Laundry on a Cruise Ship
The best way to do laundry on a cruise ship depends on what items you have to be cleaned, how much laundry you have, and your budget. Here’s an overview of your options…
(It’s important to note that not all options will be available on every cruise ship, but if you scroll down towards the end of this guide, you’ll see a list of what there is on each cruise line.)
1. Laundry Services on Cruise Ships
When it comes to getting clothes professionally cleaned on a cruise you usually have three options – washing and pressing, pressing only or dry cleaning.
Sometimes, wet cleaning is used as a safe and environmentally-friendly alternative to dry cleaning. And sometimes, washing and folding may also be an option.
If professional laundry services are available on your cruise (and they are on pretty much every ship), you should find a price list in your room and there may also be a laundry bag ready for you to use.
On a cruise, laundry can take up to two days to be delivered back to you. It’s usually collected before 9 am and returned to you the following evening. However, if you’re in a hurry, you’ll often be able to request an express service for an extra fee of around 50%.
If you need your clothes to be cleaned but don’t want to waste time doing laundry during your holiday, then professional laundry services can be a great idea.
Some people only use the laundry service for certain items, such as if they spill soup on a tie. However, others like to get all of their clothes cleaned before the end of a cruise so that they can be transferred straight to the closet at home, avoiding the dreaded post-cruise laundry pile!
Some cruise ships offer laundry packages where you can get unlimited laundry done for the duration of your cruise. This perk is also sometimes given for free to guests staying in the best suites or who have achieved a high loyalty status.
2. Self-Service Laundry Rooms on Cruise Ships
Self-service laundry rooms on cruise ships can be really handy as they offer a cheap (or sometimes free) way to wash, dry and iron your clothes. But, they’re only found on around half of all cruise ships.
Some smaller cruise ships have just one laundry room for everyone, whereas others will have one on almost every deck. Check out the deck plan to find where they are on your ship.
The laundry rooms on cruise ships can get very busy, especially on sea days and the day of a formal evening. As you aren’t allowed to bring your own iron on a cruise ship, you’ll probably find that there’s quite a queue to use the communal ironing equipment in the hours before formal night.
To avoid the queues, I’d recommend putting your laundry in the machine before breakfast and then returning straight after breakfast to put it in the dryer.
Take care not to leave your laundry unattended in the machine for too long, as if someone else is waiting to use the washer, they’ll probably take your wet washing out and dump it on the side.
If you plan to use the self-service launderette on your cruise, it’s a good idea to take your own 2-in-1 detergent and fabric conditioner tablets. While you can buy these on board, you can save a few dollars and possibly a trip to the onboard shop or guest services if you pack your own.
3. Handwashing Clothes on a Cruise
Handwashing clothes on a cruise can be tricky as the only option is to use the shower or sink in your room. Cruise ship bathrooms are usually pretty compact, with no bath and only very small sinks and shower cubicles.
The easiest way to wash your swimsuit at the end of each day is to get in the shower with it as you would do in a hotel. However, if you want to wash anything larger or have clothes with stains that need scrubbing out, this isn’t ideal.
The Best Way to Handwash Clothes on a Cruise Ship
I’ve recently discovered a fantastic solution to cruise laundry called the Scrubba Washbag. This genius handwashing bag makes it so quick and easy to wash clothes on a cruise ship!
Here’s what my Scrubba washbag looks like…
My Scrubba washbag
I’ve only heard of this clever device recently and I wish that I’d bought one sooner. That said, my kids still manage to cover themselves in ice cream every single day on a cruise so I’m sure I’ll get a LOT of use out of it in the years to come.
The Scrubba washbag is basically a pocket-size portable washing machine. It allows you to wash your clothes in under five minutes – which is about how long it would take to walk to the ship’s laundry room (if there is one on your ship).
Here’s what the bag looks like when it’s unfolded…
I think that using the Scrubba bag is the easiest way to wash clothes on a cruise ship.
Here’s how to use it:
Put the clothes in the bag
Add a little water and travel wash
Roll down and clip the top
Turn the valve to let out the air
Rub the clothes for a couple of minutes
Tip out the water
Rinse with clean water inside the bag
Remove the clothes and hang up to dry
Here’s what the bag looks like with clothes inside…
The Scrubba Washbag has some really clever features – like the internal washboard with nobbly bits that help to rub the dirt out of your garments.
I like how the valve makes it easy to expel all of the air and the top clip makes the bag watertight so there’s no need to worry about water going everywhere.
If your clothes have bad stains (as let’s face it most kids’ clothes will do), then you can hang the bag in your bathroom with water and use it to soak the clothes until you’re ready to wash them. This keeps your sink free for washing hands and whatnot.
This is also really handy for any clothes that you wouldn’t want to leave stinking out your suitcase, such as gym clothes or kids’ underwear if they’ve had an accident.
When I’m not using my Scrubba washbag for washing clothes, I’ll keep it in my day bag to put wet swimsuits in, so they don’t make everything else damp. The washbag only weighs as much as a small apple and it folds up really neatly so it takes up no space at all.
How To Dry Clothes on a Cruise
Most cruise ships have retractable clotheslines in the shower where you can hang clothes to dry. Hanging clothes and towels on the balcony isn’t allowed, but you can drape items over the backs of chairs while the ship is in port.
After washing your clothes, wrap each item in a bath towel and squeeze it tightly to remove any excess water before hanging it up.
A clever solution to the problem of drying clothes on a cruise is to invest in a couple of strong magnetic hooks. The walls of cruise cabins are made of metal so it’s easy to rig up a clothesline across your room.
You can’t rig a washing line on your cruise ship balcony, but if you do it indoors just next to the sliding balcony doors you’ll get better airflow. Just remember to close the balcony doors when you leave the room.
For small items like socks and underwear, you may be able to dry them quickly using a hairdryer on a low setting. Just take care that they don’t overheat and set on fire!
Of course, if your cruise ship has a self-service launderette you’ll be able to put everything in a tumble dryer and get it dry quickly and easily.
How To Iron Clothes on a Cruise
Irons aren’t provided in cruise ship cabins and it’s almost always forbidden to bring your own travel iron or clothes steamer. However, there are many ways you can get the creases out of clothes during your cruise:
Send your clothes to be professionally pressed
Use the iron in the self-service launderette
Use hair straighteners
Pack crease release spray
Steam clothes in the bathroom while you take a hot shower
Spray with water to dampen before drying with a hairdryer
Many cruisers swear by wrinkle remover spray that you can get on Amazon. You just spray your clothes and the wrinkles will disappear, as if by magic!
I purposefully choose dresses that don’t crease to take on a cruise. If something looks creased in the shop, I simply won’t buy it!
When shopping for cruise dresses online, look out for man-made fabrics like polyester and nylon rather than cotton and linen which are naturally prone to creasing.
Find What Laundry Services Are Available on Your Ship…
If you’d like to know what laundry facilities to expect on your next cruise, you’ll find the info for every cruise line below…
Azamara
Laundry services on Azamara cruises
Laundry, pressing and dry cleaning are available on Azamara cruise ships for an extra cost. Prices range from $1 for a pair of socks to $10 for a suit to be dry-cleaned. Items are usually priced individually, but special offers are often available so you may be able to get a bag of laundry cleaned and pressed for around $30.
Guests staying in suites get one free bag of laundry per stateroom per week, as do Azamara Circle members at Explorer level or above.
You can see a full Azamara laundry price list here.
Self-service laundry facilities on Azamara
Self-service laundry facilities are available on all Azamara cruise ships. You’ll find the launderette on Deck 7, midship. It’s open from 8 am until 9 pm and detergent is provided free of charge.
In the laundry room, you’ll find a number of washing machines and tumble dryers plus two irons and ironing boards.
This photo of the launderette on Azamara Journey is courtesy of Tripadvisor
Carnival
Laundry services on Carnival cruises
Carnival cruise ships offer a valet laundry service with options for washing and pressing, pressing only or dry cleaning. Laundry typically takes 48 hours, although there are next-day and same-day service for an extra fee.
Laundry prices on Carnival cruises begin at $2 for small items to be washed and pressed and cost up to $8 for a suit to be dry cleaned. Pressing only is 80% of the price of washing and pressing. You can pay 50% more to get your items back the same day.
Carnival often has laundry specials where you can get a whole bag of laundry washed and folded for $15 or five bags for $50. You can also get 12 items pressed for $20 or 24 items for $30.
Guests who are platinum and above in the VIFP loyalty scheme also get some laundry done for free. This also applies when the cruise line switches its loyalty program to Carnival Rewards in June 2026.
Dry cleaning is only available on these Carnival ships: Carnival Breeze, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Magic, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Valor, Carnival Vista and Mardi Gras.
You can see a full Carnival laundry price list here.
Self-service laundry facilities on Carnival cruises
Most Carnival cruise ships have self-service launderettes which have two or three washing machines and dryers plus an iron and ironing board. However, on Carnival Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, no washing facilities are provided, only ironing rooms.
Ironing room on Carnival Celebration
The cost for self-service laundry on Carnival cruises is $3.50 per washer load and $3.50 per dryer load. Detergent and softener cost $2.00 per box.
On most Carnival ships, the washing machines and dryers are paid for using your cruise card. However, on Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Elation, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Sensation, the machines are coin-operated. You can get change at guest services if needed.
This photo of the launderette on Carnival Fantasy is courtesy of Tripadvisor
Celebrity Cruises
Laundry services on Celebrity Cruises
The fees for laundry services on Celebrity Cruises start at $3 for a pair of socks or underwear to be washed and pressed and go up to $21 for a suit to be dry-cleaned. You can get four items dry-cleaned for $28. During your Celebrity cruise, there may be special offers on laundry, such as $50 per bag.
On Celebrity Cruises, Captain’s Club members get free laundry, depending on how many points you have. Classic members get 10% off laundry services, Select, Elite and Elite Plus members get some free laundry, pressing and dry cleaning, whereas Zenith members get free laundry throughout the cruise.
You can see a full Celebrity Cruises laundry price list here.
Self-service laundry facilities on Celebrity cruises
Celebrity Cruises does not offer self-service laundry facilities on any of its ships. Instead, laundry, pressing and dry cleaning are available for a fee.
Costa Cruises
Laundry services on Costa Cruises
On Costa cruises, you can send off your laundry to be washed, pressed or dry cleaned. It costs from $1.50 for small items up to $16 for an evening dress, with a 50% surcharge if you require a same-day service and a 50c surcharge if you want your clothes folded rather than on hangers.
On some Costa cruises, you may be able to get a bag of laundry done for around $20, but this isn’t always available.
You can see a full Costa Cruise laundry price list here, although it’s from 2012 so the prices will be out of date but it should give you some idea.
Self-service laundry facilities on Costa Cruises
There are no self-service laundry facilities on any Costa cruise ships. Instead, guests are invited to use the laundry, pressing and dry cleaning service for an extra fee.
Cunard
Laundry services on Cunard
On Cunard cruises, you can arrange for your clothes to be professionally washed, pressed or wet cleaned (an environmentally-friendly alternative to dry cleaning for delicate and non-washable garments).
Cunard laundry prices start at $3 for underwear and socks to be washed and go up to $20 for a specialist clean for a two-piece suit.
Laundry generally takes two days, although you can request a same-day service for a 50% surcharge.
You can see a full Cunard laundry price list here although those prices may now be a little out of date.
Self-service laundry facilities on Cunard
Cunard cruise ships have self-service launderettes on board with washing machines, tumble dryers, irons and ironing boards. Washing powder is provided free of charge, although you may bring your own if you prefer. The launderettes are open from 7.30 am until 9 pm.
You’ll find launderettes on the following decks:
Queen Elizabeth – Decks 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Queen Victoria – Decks 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Queen Mary 2 – Decks 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11
Queen Anne – Decks 1, 4, 7, 8, 10
This photo of the laundry room on the Queen Mary 2 is courtesy of Tripadvisor
Disney Cruise Line
Laundry services on Disney cruises
Laundry and dry cleaning services are available on all Disney Cruise Line ships. Laundry is priced per item, ranging from $1.20 for a handkerchief to $4.80 for a blouse. Dry cleaning starts at $3 for a tie to $13.20 for a three-piece suit.
The laundry is returned the next day. However, you can request a same-day service for a 50% surcharge or get your laundry back in just three hours for a 100% surcharge. Pressing only is 50% of the dry cleaning price.
You can see DCL’s laundry price list in the photo below.
Self-service laundry facilities on Disney cruise ships
Each Disney cruise ship has a self-service laundry room with washers, dryers, irons and ironing boards. Use of the washers and dryers is $2 each, while detergent and use of the ironing equipment are free of charge. Payment is made using your cruise card.
The laundry rooms on Disney cruise ships are open 24 hours per day. You’ll find them on the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic on decks 2, 6 and 7, and on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy on decks 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
On Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, you instead get one centralised laundry room instead of lots of smaller ones. It’s located on Deck 8 and has 26 washing machines, 30 dryers and 8 ironing board stations.
Fred. Olsen
Laundry services on Fred. Olsen cruises
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers laundry, pressing and dry cleaning services which are charged per item. Prices start at £1.15 for small items like socks and handkerchiefs and go up to around £3.50 for a shirt and £6.20 for a jacket. Dry cleaning ranges from £2.50 for a tie to £12.95 for an evening dress.
Items sent to the laundry before noon are returned the next day. Alternatively, you can request a same-day service for a 50% surcharge.
You can see a full Fred. Olsen laundry price list below. I took this photo on my cruise on Borealis in 2023, so prices may have slightly increased since then.
Self-service laundry facilities on Fred. Olsen cruises
Each Fred. Olsen cruise ship has at least one laundry room on board where you’ll find self-service washing machines, tumble driers, irons and ironing boards. Laundry costs £2 (inclusive of detergent and softener). You’ll need to buy a token at guest services.
Holland America Line
Laundry services on Holland America Line cruises
Each ship in the Holland America Line fleet offers a full laundry, pressing and eco-friendly dry cleaning service. You can pay by the item (from $2), by the bag (from $20) or buy an unlimited laundry package for the duration of your cruise (from $7 per day).
Laundry is charged at $25 per bag in North America and $30 per bag in Europe. The unlimited laundry and pressing package costs $8 per stateroom per day in North America and $9 in Europe. If you book ahead of time, you can get the $8 rate in Europe too.
Self-service laundry facilities on Holland America Line cruises
Self-service launderettes are only available on board two ships in the Holland America Line fleet – Amsterdam and Maasdam ships. There is a charge to use the washing machines and dryers and these are coin-operated. Irons and ironing boards are provided at no cost on these two ships.
This photo of the laundry room on Maasdam is courtesy of Tripadvisor
Marella
Laundry services on Marella Cruises
Guests cruising with Marella can get clothes professionally cleaned and pressed on board. The price is £16.95 for a bag of laundry or you can pay per item. Prices range from 95p for underwear to £4.40 for a dress to be washed and folded, with an additional charge for pressing.
Guests staying in suites with ‘Premier Service’ get free pressing of up to three items per person in the first 24 hours on board.
There is no dry cleaning available on Marella cruise ships.
You can see a full Marella laundry price list below, though it’s a little out of date now – prices are between 10p and 50p more per item. It still gives you a good idea of what you’ll pay.
Self-service laundry facilities on Marella Cruises
Marella cruise ships do not have any self-service laundry facilities on board. This is because the ships were originally built for Royal Caribbean – a cruise line that doesn’t offer self-service laundry.
Marella Cruises is one of the few cruise lines that allows guests to bring a travel iron on board. However, the website states that if the divide is determined to post a hazard it will be removed.
MSC Cruises
Laundry services on MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises offer a washing, ironing and dry cleaning service. You can request your laundry to be returned folded or on a hanger, with a next-day or same-day service.
On MSC Cruises ships, laundry is priced by item and costs from €2 for small items to be washed and ironed up to €15 for a suit to be dry cleaned. There’s a 50% surcharge for express delivery.
The image below shows the laundry price list from my most recent MSC cruise on board MSC Virtuosa.
Self-service facilities
MSC Cruises ships do not offer any self-service laundry rooms. Instead, guests are invited to send their clothes to be professionally cleaned for a fee.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Laundry services on Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line offers a valet laundry service on board its fleet of ships. The price per item ranges from $1.95 for underwear to be cleaned to $19.95 for an evening dress to be dry cleaned. Pressing only is around half the price of laundry.
Your items will be returned the next day, or you can request an express same-day service for a 50% surcharge,
Midway through the cruise, NCL usually has a special offer where you can fill a paper bag of clothes and it will be laundered for around $25.
Members of the Latitudes Rewards loyalty programme may get free or discounted laundry. Gold members get 50% off one bag, whereas Platinum, Platinum Plus and Ambassador members each get one free bag of laundry per person each cruise.
Self-service laundry facilities on Norwegian Cruise Line
There are no self-service laundry facilities on Norwegian Cruise Line ships. Instead, guests are invited to send their dirty laundry to be professionally cleaned on board. You can, however, request to borrow an iron and ironing board by telephoning guest services. This will be delivered to your stateroom and you can use it for an hour.
P&O Cruises
Laundry services on P&O Cruises
A washing, pressing and specialist wet cleaning service is available on all P&O cruises ships.
The price is per item and begins at 50p for socks and handkerchiefs to be washed and pressed, going up to £16.50 for an evening dress to be specially cleaned. Trousers cost £4.40 to be washed and pressed, £5.50 to be especially wet cleaned or £3.30 for pressing only.
Laundry is returned within two days and there’s no option to request an express service. You can use any onboard spending money you may have to pay for laundry and specialist cleaning.
You can see a full P&O Cruises laundry price list below…
Self-service laundry facilities on P&O cruises
Each P&O Cruises ship has several self-service launderettes where you’ll find washing machines, dryers and ironing stations that are open from around 8 am until around 10 pm. You will need to provide your own detergent or you can buy Bold 3-in1 for £1 per tablet from the onboard shop.
On P&O Cruises the launderettes are in the following locations:
Arcadia – Decks C, D & E
Aurora – Decks A, C & F
Azura – Decks Riviera, A, B, C, D, E & P
Britannia – Decks A, B, C, D, E, F & G
Ventura – Decks Riviera, A, B, C, D, E & P
Iona – Decks 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 & 15
These photos of the laundry room on board Iona were kindly provided by Sanna from VeganCruiser.co.uk
Princess Cruises
Laundry services on Princess cruises
Princess Cruises offers a professional laundry service with clothes washing, pressing and dry cleaning. The price is per item and varies from $1 for a handkerchief to be washed to $11.50 for an evening dress to be dry cleaned. Laundry is returned the next day, or you can request a ‘Presto’ same-day service for a 50% surcharge.
You can see a full Princess Cruises laundry price list below.
Self-service laundry facilities on Princess cruises
Princess Cruises’ ships each have self-service launderettes with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. It costs $3 to use each machine, while soap, bleach and fabric softeners cost $1.50 each. You use your Medallion to purchase tokens for the machines. There is no charge to use the ironing equipment
These photos of the laundry room on board Royal Princess were kindly provided by Sanna from VeganCruiser.co.uk
Royal Caribbean
Laundry services on Royal Caribbean cruises
Royal Caribbean International offers washing, pressing, steaming and dry cleaning services. This is charged per item with prices ranging from $1.99 for underwear and socks to be washed and pressed through to $14.99 for a suit to be dry cleaned.
Most cruises also have ‘wash and fold’ special offers mid-way through the voyage. With this deal, you can send a bag of laundry to be cleaned for $34.99.
On Royal Caribbean cruise ships, laundry is returned the next day, although you can request an express same-day service for a 50% supplement.
You can see the full Royal Caribbean laundry price list here.
Self-service facilities
There are no self-service laundry facilities onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships and irons are neither provided nor allowed on board. Instead, guests have the option to use the professional laundry and pressing service for a fee.
Virgin Voyages
Laundry services on Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages offers a full laundry service with options for wash and fold, wash and press, press only or eco cleaning (which is similar to dry cleaning).
Laundry prices on Virgin Voyages are $4 per item for pressing only, $5 for wash and fold, $6 for wash and press or $7 for eco cleaning. Alternatively, you can have a full bag of laundry washed and folded for $30.
The set pricing per item means that you pay the same whatever the item is – so you’ll pay $5 to have an evening dress washed but also $5 for a pair of socks. If you have lots of small items, the ‘by the bag’ option definitely works out to be cheaper.
Clothing send to the laundry on Virgin Voyages ships will be returned by 5.30 pm the next day. However, you can request a same-day service for an extra $20.
You can see a full Virgin Voyages laundry price list here.
Self-service facilities
Virgin Voyages does not offer any self-service laundry facilities. If you need clothes washing or ironing, there is a laundry service available for a fee.
How Do Cruise Laundry Prices Compare?
Here’s a table that compares the laundry prices for each cruise line. The cheapest cruise lines for laundry are Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. The most expensive are Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises.
Cruise Line
Wash & Press (per item)
Pressing only (per item)
Wet/Dry Cleaning (per item)
Wash & fold (per bag)
Self-service machines
Detergent
Azamara
$1 to $7
$2 to $5
$2 to $10
not available
Free
Free
Carnival
$2 to $8
£1.25 to $6
$3 to $11
$15
$3.50
$2
Celebrity Cruises
$3 to $17.50
$4 to 14
$5 to $19
not available
not available
not available
Costa Cruises
$1.50 to $16
$1 to $9
$1.50 to $14
$20
not available
not available
Cunard
$2 to $8
$1.50 to $11
$2.50 to $15
not available
Free
Free
Disney Cruise Line
$1.20 to $4.80
$1.50 to $6.60
$3 to $13.20
not available
$2
Free
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
£1 to £5.50
£1 to £5
£2 to £10
not available
£2
Free
Holland America Line
$2 to $6.50
$2 to $6.50
$3 to $10.50
$25 to $30
Only on two ships
Free
Marella Cruises
£3.60 to £7.60
£1.20 to £3.60
not available
£16.95
not available
not available
MSC Cruises
£1.90 to £10.90
50p to £7.50
£2.90 to £13.90
€15 to €40
not available
not available
Norwegian Cruise Line
$1.95 to $11.95
$2.95 to $6.95
$4.95 to $19.95
$19.95
not available
not available
P&O Cruises
50p to £4.40
£1.65 to £8.80
£3.30 to £16.50
not available
Free
£1
Princess Cruises
$1.25 to $4.50
$2.20 to $9.20
$2.75 to $11.50
not available
$3
$1.50
Royal Caribbean
$1.99 to $8.99
$1.99 to $14.99
$3.99 to $14.99
$34.99
not available
not available
Virgin Voyages
$6
$4
$7
$30
not available
not available
The Bottom Line
Doing laundry on a cruise ship is sometimes a necessity, especially if you’re cruising for two weeks or more, taking back-to-back cruises or are cruising with a baby.
If money is no object, the easiest way to get your clothes clean on a cruise ship is to send everything off to be professionally cleaned. However, laundry fees can be incredibly expensive, so unless this is thrown in as a free perk, you’ll want to be mindful of the cost of this.
If you plan to use the self-service laundry on board, you’ll want to time your trip for when you can least expect a queue. Laundry rooms close in the evening and reopen again in the morning so as not to disturb those sleeping in cabins nearby. A good time to visit is as soon as it opens.
I do most of my laundry by handwashing it in the cabin. This task is made so much easier by the use of a Scrubba washbag. These nifty portable washing machines also come in handy for camping, caravan holidays or anywhere else where you may need to wash clothes quickly and easily.
Related Posts:
If you found this interesting, please share!
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Does anyone else still just have that slight pang of anxiety when you see your suitcase disappear on the conveyor belt at an airport? That moment where you think, “I do hope I see it again on the other side…”
I don’t think it’s just me. You’ve planned for this holiday, and the last thing you want when you’re about to board a cruise ship is to arrive in your embarkation city and find that your suitcase won’t be joining you when you get on the ship.
Airlines don’t release stats on lost luggage – why would they, if they don’t have to? But a clever website has managed to rank airlines to find the worst offenders for losing luggage – with some surprising names in the top 20.
The Worst Airlines for Lost Luggage
Before I list the names, let me clarify. As I said, airlines don’t publish information on lost suitcases.
So instead, the website Luggage Losers has put together a very clever algorithm which scrapes mentions of lost luggage across various websites and social media platforms, in over 100 languages.
It then cross references that with the data that is available on lost luggage to provide a very clever estimate of the airlines and airports that are the worst offenders.
Also, the rankings are updated regularly, so this table is accurate at the time of writing but may shift. Check the website to see how things are changing!
Here’s the latest top 20 worst performing airlines, followed by some other notable entries in the list…
Rank
Airline
Probability of loss/delay of case
% Probability
Estimated no. of lost cases in the last 30 days
1
Frontier Airlines (US)
1 in 22
4.53%
55,656
2
Air India (IN)
1 in 39
2.56%
55,816
3
IndiGo (IN)
1 in 41
2.45%
72,201
4
Kenya Airways (KE)
1 in 75
1.34%
8,243
5
Iberia (ES)
1 in 76
1.31%
16,356
6
Aer Lingus (IE)
1 in 111
0.90%
7,734
7
SpiceJet (IN)
1 in 114
0.88%
8,205
8
Virgin Atlantic (GB)
1 in 127
0.79%
5,793
9
Aeromexico (MX)
1 in 132
0.76%
8,241
10
Spirit Airlines (US)
1 in 150
0.67%
12,536
11
British Airways (GB)
1 in 189
0.53%
21,810
12
Wizz Air (HU)
1 in 191
0.52%
5,310
13
Qatar Airways (QA)
1 in 211
0.47%
15,984
14
Royal Air Maroc (MA)
1 in 218
0.46%
3,884
15
Emirates (AE)
1 in 241
0.41%
15,529
16
Vueling (ES)
1 in 243
0.41%
7,215
17
Air Canada (CA)
1 in 269
0.37%
10,636
18
easyJet (GB)
1 in 274
0.37%
13,070
19
EgyptAir (EG)
1 in 287
0.35%
2,886
20
KLM (NL)
1 in 288
0.35%
6,251
…23
Delta Air Lines (US)
1 in 325
0.31%
40,228
…26
Jet2 (GB)
1 in 337
0.30%
3,878
…29
American Airlines (US)
1 in 350
0.29%
41,733
…31
United Airlines (US)
1 in 374
0.27%
30,597
…35
Ryanair (IE)
1 in 468
0.21%
13,571
…44
Southwest Airlines (US)
1 in 555
0.18%
19,287
…52
JetBlue (US)
1 in 664
0.15%
5,782
…65
Qantas (AU)
1 in 1,341
0.07%
1,455
Is your regular airline on this list? If not, click through to Luggage Losers to see the full table of 83 airlines.
I’m pretty shocked by some of the stats though. Imagine an airline having issues with almost 5% of passengers! Those are some crazy odds.
Here’s the worst performing airports too:
Rank
Airport
City
Probability of loss/delay of case
% Probability
Estimated no. of lost cases in the last 30 days
1
Liberty
Newark, NJ
1 in 49
2.04%
73847
2
London City
London
1 in 62
1.62%
4617
3
Gandhi
Delhi
1 in 68
1.48%
78493
4
Shivaji
Mumbai
1 in 85
1.17%
46171
5
Heathrow
London
1 in 128
0.78%
50777
6
Juárez
Mexico City
1 in 135
0.74%
27704
7
Gatwick
London
1 in 206
0.49%
18462
8
Hongqiao
Shanghai
1 in 253
0.40%
13851
9
Stansted
London
1 in 293
0.34%
4617
10
Denver
Denver, CO
1 in 370
0.27%
13849
11
Brussels
Brussels
1 in 398
0.25%
4616
12
Orlando
Orlando, FL
1 in 403
0.25%
9231
13
Pearson
Toronto
1 in 426
0.23%
9232
14
McCarran
Las Vegas
1 in 439
0.23%
9231
15
O’Hare
Chicago
1 in 481
0.21%
13848
16
Luton
London
1 in 488
0.20%
4616
17
Zurich
Zurich
1 in 523
0.19%
4616
18
KLIA
Kuala Lumpur
1 in 530
0.19%
9234
19
Dubai
Dubai
1 in 532
0.19%
13850
20
Frankfurt
Frankfurt
1 in 583
0.17%
9231
21
Dallas/Fort Worth
Dallas
1 in 607
0.16%
9234
22
Schiphol
Amsterdam
1 in 620
0.16%
9232
23
Charles de Gaulle
Paris
1 in 628
0.16%
9232
24
LAX
Los Angeles
1 in 765
0.13%
9232
25
Miami
Miami
1 in 797
0.13%
4617
26
Charlotte Douglas
Charlotte, NC
1 in 831
0.12%
4615
27
Sea-Tac
Seattle
1 in 849
0.12%
4617
28
El Prat
Barcelona
1 in 855
0.12%
4616
29
SFO
San Francisco
1 in 1,010
0.10%
4616
30
Changi
Singapore
1 in 1,125
0.09%
4617
31
Hartsfield–Jackson
Atlanta
1 in 1,879
0.05%
4616
Lost Luggage at the Port
While most luggage issues happen during air travel, it’s not impossible to run into problems at the cruise terminal itself.
Your suitcase is typically handed over to a porter, tagged with your stateroom number, and loaded onto the ship – without you seeing it again until later that day.
Rare scenarios where things can go wrong:
Incorrect stateroom number on the tag
Luggage delayed or missed during port loading
Unlabelled bags causing confusion
Cruise lines are very experienced at handling luggage logistics, and mishaps at this stage are rare – but they do happen.
A little bit of prep can save you a lot of potential pain – here are some helpful tips for luggage when you’re preparing for a cruise.
1. Use Trackers (AirTag or Tile)
Place an Apple AirTag, Tile, or similar GPS tracker in your suitcase. If your bag gets lost in transit, you’ll often know where it is before the airline does.
It won’t stop your case from getting lost, but at least you’ll know it definitely is (and hasn’t been accidentally taken by someone else).
2. Split Packing
If you’re traveling with a partner or family, mix outfits across bags. That way, if one bag is delayed, everyone still has essentials.
It’s a classic tip but one I think that makes a lot of sense. It might be a little more fiddly if one of you is more organised and the other is a last-minute packer, but you won’t regret it if one case does go missing.
3. Essentials in Carry-Ons
Another golden rule of any kind of travel is to make sure you keep anything essential in your carry-on bags.
This includes the obvious stuff like your travel documents and your medication, but also think about what you might want in the first few hours of your cruise – even if your suitcase doesn’t go missing, you might not get it until the evening of embarkation day.
Pack swimwear in your carry-on and you can kill some time by the pool while you wait for your cabin to be ready.
4. Label Inside & Out
External tags can fall off. Always include a card inside your bag with your name, ship, sailing date, and phone/email.
Then if something does happen to the external tag, there’s still a way your bag can be identified and you can be contacted.
5. Take Photos of Packed Bags
Photograph your luggage inside and out before flying. It’s proof for insurance and helps when describing your suitcase to the airline.
6. Use Luggage Tag Holders
The luggage tags you get from your cruise line can be damaged in transit, which can cause problems for it reaching your cabin.
Luggage tag holders will protect the tags and make sure they get to their final destination – your cruise cabin.
If your suitcase doesn’t make it to the destination airport, here’s what you need to do:
Report it to the airline: There’ll be a baggage desk at the airport. Go and tell them everything and fill out a claim form.
Check your tracker: If you have a tracker in the case, use it and show it to the baggage desk. This will help them identify what’s gone wrong, and what can be done to resolve it.
Contact your travel insurance: Let them know about the issue and start a case.
Carry on to your cruise port and board: Unless the airline tells you differently, you’re very unlikely to get the case before you sail and so you’ll need to continue with your travel plans. Assume that you’ll get the suitcase returned to you at home at a later date, if it can be found.
Visit Guest Services onboard ASAP: It’s going to be busy on the first day, but speaking to Guest Services is a must. They’ve seen this before and can help you – they might even have a few freebie essentials like toiletries that they can offer
Visit the onboard store and buy missing essentials: Pick up what you need – and make sure to keep receipts! You’ll need them to claim back on your insurance later.
Shop in port for anything else: If you’re missing outfits for the cruise, you’ll get better prices if you shop in port rather than onboard (where you might only find cruise line branded merch, anyway).
Use the laundry services onboard: Don’t buy tons of new clothes you don’t want. Buy a couple of outfits and get them cleaned – and then make sure to add the laundry charges to your travel insurance claim.
The Importance of Travel Insurance
If there’s one safety net that can really help when your suitcase goes walkabout, it’s travel insurance.
No, it won’t magically summon your missing case from the luggage void – but it can save you hundreds of £s/$s in emergency costs, and make the whole process a lot less stressful.
Most decent travel insurance policies will include cover for two key things related to luggage – Baggage Delay Cover and Baggage Loss Cover.
My Recommendation
My recommendation for cruise insurance depends on where you live.
These are trusted price comparison sites that will quickly get you lots of quotes to match your exact needs.
1. Baggage Delay Cover
This kicks in if your luggage is delayed for a certain amount of time (usually 12–24 hours). You’ll typically be able to claim for emergency purchases—think toiletries, a few clean clothes, or even a swimsuit so you don’t miss out on pool time.
Some policies will give you a set amount per day, others work on reimbursement with receipts. Always keep those receipts and check the details before you travel so you know what you’re covered for.
2. Baggage Loss Cover
If your luggage is officially lost – usually after 21 days – it can be classed as missing permanently. That’s when baggage loss cover kicks in, and you may be reimbursed for the value of your suitcase and its contents (up to a maximum amount, depending on your policy).
You’ll likely need:
Proof of ownership or value of contents
A copy of your baggage claim form from the airline
A full list of what was lost
Don’t Leave Insurance to the Last Minute
It’s a common mistake, but travel insurance should ideally be booked when you book your trip, not just the week before departure. Early purchase means you’re covered for more scenarios in the run-up to travel – like trip cancellation or needing to rebook flights if something goes wrong.
Final Word
Lost luggage is frustrating – but it doesn’t have to be a disaster. With smart packing, the right tech, and a bit of insurance, you can cruise with confidence.
And remember, these mishaps are rare – most passengers and their suitcases make it to the ship just fine.
My Recommendation
My recommendation for cruise insurance depends on where you live.
These are trusted price comparison sites that will quickly get you lots of quotes to match your exact needs.
Related Posts
If you found this interesting, please share!
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
I hate that feeling when I’m packing for a holiday where there’s a flight involved, and I have to make sacrifices on what makes it into the suitcase.
It’s a fine art, and I’ve refined it over the years – but I still resent it just a little bit.
With a Princess cruise, things a little different.
But you haven’t got complete freedom…
Luggage Limits on a Princess Cruise
Princess Cruises does not have a limit on the amount of luggage you take on board. There are no weight or size limits for the number of suitcases, and you can take as many cases as you want onto the ship.
However, it’s not quite as simple as that. It’s great that the Princess cruise luggage policy doesn’t have a cap, but you need to think about the practicalities. How much luggage can you take on a cruise before it becomes difficult for you, and what about flights?
Departure Port Location
While it’s great that Princess lets you pack as many suitcases as you want, without a care in the world about weight, how are you going to get your luggage to the departure port?
If you’re sailing from a port in another country, you’re going to have to fly there, and if you do that then you need to abide by the airline’s luggage restrictions. You can’t turn up and tell them you’re on a Princess cruise and therefore it’s fine if your bag is 5kg too heavy.
So for cruises departing from other countries, you’re limited by the airline. What about cruises from your home country?
There’s no need to worry about the Princess Cruises luggage allowance from Southampton, since there’s no limit. You do have the chance to take as many cases as you want onto the ship. But think about how you’re actually going to get them to the port.
Are you driving? If so, and your car has space, then that’s fine. A taxi might also be OK but they may have limited boot space, and the driver may not be comfortable with you holding suitcases on your lap.
Taking the train? You’re taking a risk by carrying lots of bags since there might not be space in the luggage racks. Plus you don’t want to have to spend a long time loading and unloading cases at your station.
Once you’ve got all your luggage to the port, you can wave goodbye to it as it is loaded onto the ship. Later that day, it’ll be waiting for you outside your room, and you can get to unpacking.
But then, if you’ve taken a load of extra bags, where do you put them once they’re unloaded?
Typically, a stateroom can hold two large suitcases, either under the bed or in the back of the wardrobe. But that’s about it. Any more, and they’re going to have to be placed on the floor somewhere.
Wardrobe space on Enchanted Princess
This isn’t so much of an issue if you’ve booked a suite, although it will spoil the look of the room. But if you’ve booked an Interior Stateroom, your space is already at a premium.
Do you really want to have to climb over the case or the bed each day, just because you wanted a few spare outfits? It’s less a case of how many suitcases can you take on a cruise, and instead how many do you want to have to find space for in your room?
Leaving the Ship
You also need to consider your journey home. If it’s a round-trip from a port in your home country, then again you don’t need to worry about airline restrictions. But you do need to think about actually getting off the ship.
When you’re leaving a ship, you’ve got two options. You can either check your luggage, which means putting new tags on it and leaving it outside your room the night before, or you can carry it off with you.
If you’ve brought too much that you can’t carry it in one trip, then you’ll need to check it. It’s not the end of the world but it will slow you down a lot, since you’ll then need to go find your bag at the port.
When everyone is trying to leave at once, either driving off the car park or snapping up all the cabs, then delays like this can become a little frustrating. So it’s something else to bear in mind.
Princess Cruises Packing Tips
Here are some tips for packing your luggage for your Princess cruise.
1. Know the Dress Codes
Princess has two dress codes – one for regular dining and one for formal nights.
Regular dining is smart casual, so avoid pool and beach clothing, shorts, fraying/holed jeans and sandals, though feel free to bring these to wear during the day.
Formal nights include tuxedos, dark suites, elegant pantsuits, cocktail dresses or ball gowns.
Here’s an example of a casual dress that I wore on a Princess cruise in the summer…
Here’s what we wore on a recent Sun Princess cruise for formal night:
2. Use the Laundry Facilities
You don’t need to pack an outfit for every day of your cruise. Each Princess cruise ship has a self-service launderette that’s equipped with washing machines, dryers and ironing equipment.
If you don’t like the idea of spending time doing laundry on your cruise, there’s also a laundry service that allows you to send your clothes off to be washed or dry cleaned and pressed.
You can see the latest prices for the self-service and professional laundry service in my Cruise Laundry Guide.
3. Know What To Pack
There are also some items, like pool and beach towels, that are provided so you don’t need to waste space in your case by bringing your own.
While many cruise ships only provide bath robes for suite guests, Princess Cruises make them available for everyone, for free. If there isn’t one already hanging in your closet, just ask your stateroom attendant and they will bring you one.
Princess Cruises has a number of prohibited items you shouldn’t bring on board. They’ll be confiscated if you try to bring them onto the ship – all luggage is scanned. Familiarise yourself with the list of Princess cruise prohibited items before you pack.
4. Bringing Your Own Drinks
Every passenger of drinking age is allowed to bring one 750ml or smaller bottle of wine or Champagne onto the ship, but no beers or spirits. This can be drunk in the cabin or brought to a restaurant, but in the restaurant, there will be a corkage fee.
The cruise line asks you to always pack your essential medicines or any valuables into your hand luggage, rather than your suitcase. That way, if something happens to your case, you have the important things with you.
Final Word
It’s exciting to be able to take as much luggage as you want on your cruise, but in reality, most people stick to a suitcase or two at most. Otherwise, it can still be a bit of a logistical nightmare.
The good news is that if you are sailing from a port in your home country, you don’t have to break out the scales to check the weight of your cases – just make sure you can close them, ideally without sitting on them, and you’ll be good.
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
There’s no shortage of cruise packing lists online.
Heck, I’ve contributed a few myself, because I know they can be handy. Some people who work for cruise lines have even told me they use my packing guides when they’re travelling!
Having a list of what to pack for a cruise take away a few of those pre-cruise stresses, particularly if it’s your first cruise or your first time travelling with a baby or child.
But here, rather than listing hundreds of items (do you really need someone to tell you to pack shoes?), I’m going to focus on the nine cruise essentials – things which you really MUST NOT forget to take with you on your cruise.
1. Passport
Most people will need a passport to take a cruise – it’s the ultimate of the cruise necessities. Whilst there are some cases where US citizens can cruise without a passport, it’s still a good idea to get one.
If you meet the criteria to cruise without a passport, you’ll need some other form of ID such as a driver’s license. Check with your cruise line to see what they will accept.
When you book your cruise, it’s vital that you make sure that your passport has enough time left on it, as some countries require six months validity on your passport.
2. Visa
Depending on where you’re cruising to and your nationality, you may also need a visa as one of your essentials for a cruise.
Without the necessary visas, you’re likely to be refused to board the cruise ship. Staying on board and not disembarking at the port of call in question is not usually an option for anyone who has forgotten to apply for a visa.
Applying for a visa can be a lengthy process. For example, it can take up to four months to get a visa for India, making last-minute cruises to this country not an option unless you already have a visa in place.
For other countries, the application can be much quicker, but this is still something that you don’t want to leave until the last minute.
If you have a different surname to your children, you’ll need to take their birth certificate with you when you leave the country. It’s also a good idea to also get written permission from the other parent if they aren’t travelling with you.
If your name on your child’s birth certificate doesn’t match your name on your passport, because of marriage, divorce or changing your name, then you’ll also need to bring additional documentation, such as a marriage certificate, to verify this.
Taking a child abroad without parental consent is illegal, so it’s important to have everything you need to prove your case should you be stopped.
4. Travel Insurance
Another vital document to take on your cruise is your travel insurance policy.
Of course, it also covers medical treatment, which can be very expensive at sea, particularly if you have to be air-lifted to the hospital.
You don’t need to take all the bulky insurance documentation, but at the least, you should take a paper copy of your insurance company name, policy number and contact details.
When purchasing a travel insurance policy for a cruise, it’s very important that you make sure that your policy includes cruise cover. Some policies charge extra for this. If you already have an annual policy in place, check that it has cruise cover, and if not, upgrade it.
My Recommendation
My recommendation for cruise insurance depends on where you live.
These are trusted price comparison sites that will quickly get you lots of quotes to match your exact needs.
5. Vaccinations
The vaccinations needed to travel depend on your cruise line, your destination, how long you intend to stay there, what you’ll be doing there, and your general health.
It’s not always straightforward to know what vaccinations your family will need for a cruise, so it’s a good idea to check with your cruise line before you book.
Don’t leave it to the last minute, as some immunisations require more than one treatment spread over time to be effective.
As well as travel vaccinations, it’s also important to make sure that your children are up to date with all their normal immunisations and boosters. Diseases that are relatively rare in your home country may be more widespread abroad.
6. Booking Details
While you’ll likely have booking confirmations for your cruise, hotels, flights, and transfers saved electronically on your phone, it’s also a good idea to print them out.
If your phone runs out of battery, loses signal, or you smash it on the floor, you’ll be very grateful for your paper copies rather than facing an awkward delay when checking in.
7. Money
You can’t spend cash on a cruise ship. Instead, everything is charged to your cruise card, which also acts as your ID and your room key onboard.
You can link a credit or debit card to your onboard account, either before you cruise via your cruise line’s mobile app, or when you check in at the port.
It is possible to settle your onboard account with cash: you may be asked to deposit a certain amount of cash when you check in if you want to do this. Check with your cruise line for their exact policy as they vary.
Whilst it’s possible to enjoy your whole cruise holiday without spending a penny of cash, it’s worth taking some small notes like $2 bills in case these are needed in port. Check which currencies are accepted in the countries you plan to visit and exchange money in advance for the best rates.
8. Car Seat
If you’re planning on taking taxis or Ubers abroad, you may need a car seat for your children, depending on the country. Each country has different laws, and in some countries, you might find that some taxi drivers follow these more strictly than others.
If you’re cruising with children, your options are:
It’s also worth noting that just because it’s legal to travel in a taxi without a car seat, it doesn’t mean that it’s safe.
If you’re flying to join your cruise, you should arrange airport transfers in advance. Choose a company such as HolidayTaxis.com who can provide car seats for you on request.
9. Medication
Don’t forget to pack any medications that you might need for your cruise.
Cruise ships’ medical centres are generally well-stocked with most things, so you can probably pick up anything essential, but the chances are you’ll have to pay for it.
So, it’s definitely worth double-checking that you’ve packed all your tablets.
What Else?
Once you’ve arranged these necessities for a cruise, you can relax knowing that you have all the most important items packed and taken care of.
However, if you would like a really thorough list, I’d recommend that you have a look at this cruise holiday checklist, which includes everything you need to arrange from before you book until the moment you set sail.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
I’ve cruised when my kids were babies and toddlers, and know the perils of both overpacking and underpacking!
That’s why I’ve created this free printable baby cruise packing list – so you know exactly what to pack for your family cruise, and what to leave at home.
I’ve listed all of the cruise essentials for toddlers and babies below, including links to buy some really handy things that I found online and then bought myself when we cruised with both a baby and a toddler.
I bet there are some things here you’d never have even considered!
Get the free printable PDF
Just enter your email address and you’ll immediately be sent the free baby packing list which you can print off or save on your phone.
When packing for a cruise with a baby, you’ll want to pack quite light, but not too light! If you can get to your cruise ship without flying, you won’t have any restrictions on how much luggage you can bring.
But, that doesn’t mean you should bring all the baby equipment you own! Cruise cabins are generally a bit smaller than hotel rooms, so if you bring too much, your stateroom will feel very cramped.
Here are my recommendations for things to bring on your cruise with a baby…
The Important Documents
Passport
Whilst US citizens can sometimes cruise without a passport, in most cases, you’ll need a passport to cruise.
The passport rules for babies are just the same as those for adults, so don’t forget to pack your baby’s passport. It should always be top of the list of baby cruise essentials.
Birth Certificate
If your child has a different surname to his or her accompanying parents, then you’ll also need to bring their birth certificate to prove that you’re the parent.
If the parents’ and child’s passport surnames don’t match, then you’ll be asked for a birth certificate at embarkation and won’t be allowed to board without it.
Visa
Most cruises don’t require a visa, but depending on where you’re going, you may need one. Be sure to check because if you need a visa, then your child will probably need one too.
Getting Around With Your Baby
You’ll need to be able to transport your baby or toddler safely and securely not just onboard your cruise ship, but also in port and on your journey between home and the ship. This may require more than one mode of transport, so think about what will work best for you.
Pushchair
Pushchair, stroller, pram, buggy – whatever you call it, you’re definitely going to need to bring it with you.
When it comes to pushchairs, the smaller and lighter the better. Some ships will let you leave your pram in the corridor, but you may be asked to leave it in your cabin. If your usual stroller is bulky, you might want to invest in a cheap umbrella stroller which you can easily fit under the bed.
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Sun Shade or Rain Cover
Unless your pushchair has a huge hood, you’ll benefit from bringing a sunshade that you can clip on, to keep your baby in the shade at all times.
Depending on the weather, you may also wish to bring a raincover.
Car Seat
If you plan on using a taxi at any point before, after or during your cruise, you’ll need to bring a car seat.
When you’re off your ship for excursions, carting around a car seat and a pushchair can be cumbersome. One solution is to invest in a travel system where the car seat attaches to the stroller.
Alternatively, you may wish to plan to use alternative modes of transport like buses, trains or ferries that don’t require a car seat.
Baby Carrier
Baby carriers are particularly handy when flying, for when you get off the plane and have to walk to the arrivals area to collect your pushchair.
If you usually use a baby carrier a lot, then pack it for your cruise. If you don’t, a cruise isn’t the time to get your baby used to one and you’ll probably be better off using your stroller in most situations on-board.
Backpack
As well as transporting your baby, you’ll also need something to transport all their stuff, both around the ship and when you explore ashore.
Now could be the time to ditch your traditional over-the-shoulder baby changing bag and instead use a standard backpack. Not only will you fit more stuff in there, but it also leaves you hands-free for when you have to manoeuvre luggage, a pushchair and possibly chase a toddler around too.
Toddler Reins/Backpack Leash
A toddler harness, reins or a backpack leash can be great for those tots who love to wander around on their own. Definitely a good idea for the cruise packing list for toddler children who are liable to dash off!
I tried a backpack on my toddler at Disneyland, and he just spun around like a confused puppy and whined until I took it off. So this is definitely something you want to test out at home before you travel!
Clothing Must-Haves
Your baby or toddler will likely wear several outfits per day on a cruise – something for during the day, a clean change of clothes for the evening, swimwear and nightwear. This can add up to a lot of clothes so if you don’t have that many, you might want to wash some part-way through your cruise.
As well as the usual t-shirts, cardigans, hoodies, trousers, shorts, skirts and dresses, you’ll also need to pack…
Formal Outfit
A cute formal outfit like a dress or suit is a must. Even if you don’t particularly enjoy formal evenings, you could do it for the photos if nothing else. Here’s my baby and toddler in formal outfits on their first cruise…
Shoes and Sandals
If your little one has started to walk you’re going to need their shoes and, if the weather is warm, a pair of sandals. Waterproof sandals are preferred. If there’s a baby splash area on-board, the surrounding floor could be hot, so they’ll definitely need something on their feet.
Swimwear
The best swimsuits for babies and toddlers offer full-body coverage from the neck to the elbows and knees. I’d recommend choosing a swimming costume with UV protection – it’s much easier than applying sunscreen every few hours.
Hat
For warm-weather destinations, a sunhat is a must. I usually pack two or three as they tend to go missing easily and it’s good to have a spare to hand..
Underwear and Socks
Don’t forget to pack lots of socks. Wearing socks with sandals may be a fashion no-no for adults but for toddlers, it can make their sandals so much comfier.
Bringing an extra five-pack of vests is always a good idea as these can be used as day wear, a base layer or for sleeping.
Pyjamas
You’ll want to pack enough pyjamas for a clean pair each evening. Spills and leakages can happen at any time.
You may want to change your baby into their pyjamas after your evening meal, so that they can sleep in their pushchair or in the onboard nursery while you enjoy the evening entertainment.
Feeding
Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, using pureed food or baby-led weaning, you’ll need to make sure that you have everything you need for your baby.
If your baby is used to formula milk, you should bring this with you. You can often buy it on board, and some cruise lines such as P&O Cruises offer it for free, but it might not be the same brand that your baby is used to.
For babies of 12 months and older, you’ll be able to request whole cow’s milk in any bar or restaurant or have it delivered to your stateroom free of charge each day. You can also get plant-based milks like soya, oat or almond on most ships.
Powdered formula is cheaper and takes up less space, but the ready-to-feed version is more convenient.
I found that taking a mixture of the two worked best. We used powdered formula mixed with boiled water where possible, and also had some ready-to-feed bottles for in the middle of the night or when out on excursions.
Breast Pump
Breastfeeding is welcomed in all public areas on cruise ships. However, if you want your partner to share the feeding duties, or perhaps you fancy having a few drinks one evening, then you may wish to bring your breast pump as well as milk storage bags.
Most cruise cabins have a fridge. If yours doesn’t, or if it isn’t cold enough to store breast milk, you can request to have it stored in a fridge elsewhere on the ship.
Baby Bottles
Bring enough baby bottles for at least 24 hours, and you can wash them in the sink in your cabin once per day.
Sterilising Equipment
If you usually sterilise your baby’s bottles, the easiest way to do this is on a ship is with a collapsible bucket and sterilising tablets. You can soak the bottles overnight so that they’ll be ready for the next day.
If you usually use electric sterilisers, you’ll want to check with your cruise line as they may not be permitted onboard.
Cups, Bowls and Spoons
It’s a good idea to bring your own plastic or bamboo plates and cutlery for your baby or toddler. The bowl and spoons you’ll find on board may be limited to the ceramic and metal varieties.
Plastic Containers
Food containers are essential for transporting snacks. It’s perfectly fine to help yourself to items from the breakfast buffet and store them for your child to eat later on.
If you plan to take snacks off the ship, check if this is allowed in the port you’re visiting.
Most cruise ships are able to provide pureed baby food, either in jars or will make it fresh for you. You’ll also find lots of items for baby-led weaning in the buffet, such as fruit, vegetables, boiled eggs, bread and cereal.
It’s a good idea to bring some of your own baby food and snacks as well, which you can use for convenience or when you’re off the ship in the ports.
Bibs
Disposable paper bibs can be great for travel as you can just throw them away. Alternatively, choose the solid plastic bibs at mealtimes and you can wipe them clean with a baby wipe before washing them properly in your cabin sink.
Burp Cloths
You can never have too many muslin cloths. As well as burping, they’re so handy for mopping up spills, covering skin in the sunshine or as a comforter at night.
Table Mat
Some cruisers like to bring a silicon placemat to ensure that the place where your little one puts their food is clean. If the buffet is busy, you can’t guarantee that the table has been wiped after the people before you have used it. You may find this to be more convenient than bringing plastic plates and bowls with you.
Cleaning
Cruise ships are always super clean and your cabin will be cleaned twice per day. Still, you’ll need to think about washing clothes as well as any baby bottles or cups.
Travel Wash Liquid or Liquid Detergent
Some cruise ships have washing machines you can use and others don’t. If your ship doesn’t, you can wash clothes in the sink in your bathroom.
Bringing your own washing tablets for the machine is recommended. You can buy them onboard, but they’re expensive, and you may have to trek all the way to the onboard shop to get them.
Washing Up Items
When travelling with a baby you won’t be able to avoid the washing up. Dishwashing equipment isn’t provided so be sure to pack washing-up liquid, a sponge and a bottle brush.
Antibacterial Surface Wipes
High chairs will be sterilised by cruise ship staff after each use. Just to be on the same side, I usually carry anti-bac wipes just for the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve also wiped it yourself!
Hand Sanitiser
There’ll be hand gel provided throughout the ship. It’s still a good idea to bring your own to use when you get back to your cabin or when you’re off the ship on excursions.
Buy one with a keychain attachment so that you don’t have to go rummaging through your bag to find it. You can even get refillable hand sanitiser bracelets, which are a great idea for parents who always have their hands full.
Sleeping
Travel cots are provided for babies on cruises. If yours isn’t there when you arrive in your cabin, just call your stateroom attendant and they will set it up for you.
Sheets and Blankets
Whilst you will be provided with a travel cot for your baby or toddler to sleep in, the bedding provided is often limited to just a sheet. It’s a good idea to bring your own bedding with you.
Blankets often aren’t provided for babies for safety reasons, so you’ll need to bring your own. Baby sleeping bags are a great alternative to traditional blankets. You should also bring a toddler pillow if your little one usually has one at home, as well as their favourite comforter.
Night Light
If you choose an inside cabin, your stateroom will be completely dark at night. To avoid waking everybody up when you use the bathroom or tend to your baby in the night, invest in a plugin nightlight that emits a dim glow.
Changing
You’ll find plenty of baby-changing facilities on board your cruise ship. It’s not always clear where they are, but if you ask at guest services, they may be able to provide you with a map so that you can always find your nearest one.
Nappies/Diapers
Packing enough nappies for a week or more can take up a lot of space in your luggage. When we took a two-week cruise from the UK, we simply put them in a black bin bag and attached a luggage label. If you’re flying and have limits on luggage, you may wish to stock up after you fly but before you embark.
Don’t rely on being able to buy nappies on board your ship. They’re incredibly expensive and don’t always have all the sizes available. If you run out, you can usually buy more when you call at a port.
If you normally use cloth nappies, you’ll probably find it easier to switch to disposables whilst travelling.
Swimming Nappies/Swim Diapers
Many cruise ships do not allow children who aren’t yet toilet trained into the swimming pools and Jacuzzis. However, you should probably still pack swimming nappies. There may be a toddler splash area on board or you may need them for swimming in the sea.
Folding Changing Mat
A fold-up changing mat is a must, whether it’s for changing your baby on the bed in your room or on a changing table in a public toilet. In some countries, baby changing facilities aren’t available as regularly as they are at home, so if you have to change a nappy on a beach, you’ll definitely need the mat.
Baby Wipes
Imagine how many baby wipes you might need, then double it! As you’ll know, these can be used for cleaning hands, faces and everything else as well as bottoms, making them one of the handiest and most versatile items of baby stuff to pack for a cruise.
Nappy/Diaper Disposal Bags
The bin in your cabin will be emptied twice per day. However, it’s still a very good idea to bring some scented nappy bags to keep the smell of waste contained.
Toiletries
As well as packing your own toiletries bag, it’s handy to have a separate bag with everything that you need to keep your baby clean and healthy.
Baby Wash, Shampoo and Sponge
Whilst shower gel and shampoo will be provided, it’s often not the best for baby’s delicate skin so you’ll probably want to bring your own toiletries from home.
Sun Cream
Baby sun protection with SPF 50+ is essential. Yes, you can buy sunscreen onboard, but it’s going to be expensive and options may be limited, so bring your own.
Baby Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Don’t forget your baby’s toothbrush! And the same brand of toothpaste that they’re used to at home.
First Aid Kit and Medicines
There will be a fully-stocked pharmacy on your ship, but it won’t be cheap and is unlikely to be open around the clock. Be sure to pack a small bag with infant paracetamol, nappy rash cream, teething gel, a thermometer and anything else which you use at home.
Everyday Items
Here are some more miscellaneous things to add to your baby cruise packing list…
Comfort Items
Some babies have dummies or pacifiers, some have muslin cloths, blankets or a favourite toy. Whatever your baby uses to soothe themselves at home, you’ll want to bring several of them on your cruise.
Toys
I’d recommend bringing a couple of favourite toys and a few new ones. Stacking cups, a book and something to stick on the tabletop are good travel toys to add to your list.
Inflatable Baby Pool
Your own baby pool can be a good place for your baby to cool off on a hot day. Not all ships allow them, so check before you pack it.
Most cruise cabins only have showers rather than bathtubs so another use for a baby pool is to create a baby bath in the bottom of your shower cubicle. Failing that, the lid of a Pringles tube placed over the drain can function as a plug to enable you to fill the shower tray with a couple of inches of water.
Baby Swim Ring
If your ship allows babies to use the pools, then it’s worth bringing a baby swim seat, ring or armbands.
We cruised on P&O Cruises’ Britannia and kids were allowed in the Beachcomber pool with swimming nappies. However, the pool was at least six-feet deep all over, so some kind of baby floatation device would be essential.
Spray Bottle
If there are no swimming or splashing areas for babies on your cruise, it’s a good idea to have some other way of cooling them off on a hot day. Filling a spray bottle with water can be one solution to this dilemma.
Things to Leave at Home – Don’t Bring These!
Travel Cot/Pack and Play
A travel cot will be provided for you so there’s no need to bring your own.
High Chair
High chairs are always available in every dining venue on the ship.
Baby Bath
Some cruise ships, such as P&O Cruises’ family-friendly ships, provide baby baths on request. Even if yours doesn’t, a baby bath is such a bulky item that you’re better off not bringing it. Instead, you can wash your baby in the sink or in the shower.
Side-by-Side Pushchair
If you have twins or a baby and a toddler, don’t be tempted to bring a side-by-side double pushchair. I saw a family do this and it was awful for them as it was too wide for the corridor leading to their room so they had to fold it up and carry both babies every day.
We’ve used a double pushchair with one in front of the other on a cruise ship and it was okay, but it took up a lot of room in the lift and was a bit tricky to manoeuvre around tight corners.
We’ve also used two single pushchairs for our baby and toddler and this was the best idea. As we only owned one single pushchair, we borrowed one from onboard the ship, which is a good option if you’re cruising with MSC Cruises.
Packing for your Family Cruise
Before you go ahead and pack, it’s worth researching what’s already provided for you on the ship. Free-to-hire baby equipment will vary depending on whether you’re cruising with P&O Cruises, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises or some other cruise line.
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Once you know what you need, I’d recommend starting to pack quite early. Packing for a cruise with a baby or toddler can be a tough job, so you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to avoid getting stressed out and overpacking.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Prior to being gifted the Luminous Textured luggage set by Level8, we used a mishmash of odd cases – some of which were over ten years old. But oh my goodness, these suitcases are so much better than any I have tried before!
I’ve never had a matching luggage set and never tried a solid case either, so I was very keen to see what I was missing!
Level 8 is a premium luggage brand, but are they worth it? In this guide, I’ll explain how these cases have completely changed my cruise experience…
2025 Update: I have been using these cases for 18 months now and they are still as good as new!
What is Level 8 luggage?
Level 8 is a luggage brand that has managed to make a name for itself in the market due to its high-quality products. Their luggage is made from extra durable materials like polycarbonate to ensure that their luggage can withstand rough handling during travel.
The luggage also features a TSA-approved lock that provides an extra layer of security. In terms of design, Level 8 luggage is sleek and modern, with a variety of colours and patterns to choose from. The luggage also has a spacious interior that allows for easy packing and organisation.
Pros and Cons
As I tested the Level 8 luggage, I found some advantages and disadvantages. I’m sharing these to help you make an informed decision before purchasing the product.
Pros
1. Durability
The Level 8 luggage is made of high-quality materials that make it durable and long-lasting. It can withstand rough handling during travel and protect your belongings.
And I can confirm that after being taken on countless flights and cruises over the past 18 months, my cases are still as good as new!
2. Security
The luggage comes with a TSA-approved lock that ensures your belongings are safe and secure during travel. The lock is easy to set up and use, and you can be assured that only you can access your luggage.
3. Organisation
The luggage has a spacious interior with multiple compartments that allow you to organise your belongings efficiently. You can easily access your items without having to rummage through your luggage.
4. Wheels
The Level 8 luggage has four double-spinner wheels that make it easy to manoeuvre through crowded airports and busy streets. The wheels are also quiet and smooth, making it easy to transport your luggage.
Cons
1. Weight
As Level 8 suitcases are solid, they’re never going to be the lightest on the market. This may be a problem if you have weight restrictions on your cruise or flights and you choose the largest case.
With a set, you can easily get around this potential issue by packing the heaviest items in one of the smaller cases.
2. Price
The Level 8 luggage is relatively expensive compared to other luggage brands in the market. It may not be a viable option for cruisers on a budget.
3. Design
The luggage has a simple and straightforward design, which may not appeal to travellers who prefer more stylish and fashionable luggage. It may also be challenging to identify your luggage in a sea of similar-looking bags.
Overall, the Level 8 luggage is a durable and secure option for travellers who prioritise functionality, comfort and security. However, the weight and price may be a concern for some. The plain black design may not be to everyone’s taste, but there are more colours and styles to choose from on the Level8 website.
Read on for my full review of Level 8 luggage….
Security
One of the standout features of this luggage is its TSA-approved combination lock, which adds an extra layer of security to your belongings. The lock is easy to set and use, and it provides peace of mind knowing that your luggage is secure.
I’ll be honest, the last time I bothered to add a lock to my case was ten years ago when we flew to the US for our honeymoon cruise. In traditional style, we left our wedding party at midnight and headed straight to our hotel at the airport.
The thing is, my husband lost the keys to his luggage, so at 3 am we had to have a member of staff from the hotel come to our room with some bolt cutters to cut off the lock so he could open his case!
With the combination locks on the Level8 cases, this wouldn’t be a problem!
Size and Weight
When it comes to luggage, size and weight are two of the most important factors to consider. As someone who cruises frequently, I understand the importance of having a bag that is both spacious and lightweight.
The Level 8 luggage comes in a range of sizes, from carry-on to large checked luggage, so you can choose the size that best suits your travel needs. I have the set that comes with three cases. I like that the smaller one stacks inside the larger one, so they take up less storage space.
The carry-on size is perfect for short trips or as a carry-on bag for the first day of your cruise. The medium size is ideal for longer trips, while the large size is great for families or those who need to pack a lot of items.
In terms of weight, the Level 8 luggage is not as heavy as it looks. The carry-on size weighs just 3.5 kg, while the medium size weighs 4.44 kg and the large size weighs 5.8 kg.
Storage Capacity and Organisation
The interior of the luggage is spacious and well-organised, with multiple compartments and pockets that make it easy to pack and access your belongings.
I like that each side can be zipped shut, so that when you open your case, nothing spills out. If you’re taking one of those shorter trips where you don’t actually unpack your case, it’s much easier to get to your stuff when it’s already divided into two halves.
At the end of the trip, I like to use one half for clean clothes and one for dirty, so that they don’t contaminate each other!
The luggage also comes with compression straps that help keep your clothes and other items in place during transit, reducing the risk of wrinkling or damage.
The suitcase has multiple compartments, which makes it easy to organize my belongings. There’s a large main compartment for my clothes, as well as smaller compartments for toiletries, shoes, and other items. The interior pockets are also great for keeping things like chargers and headphones easily accessible.
I do miss having an outside pocket though, as that can come in handy for when you arrive at your destination and remove your jacket.
Manoeuvrability
The Level 8 luggage is designed for ease of use, with four double-spinner wheels that provide smooth and effortless movement in any direction. The wheels are also durable and can withstand the wear and tear of frequent travel.
I’ve only recently tried a four-wheel suitcase from another brand. The kids love to push it through the airport. But one problem is that it tips over really easily so I can’t really let them do it. This isn’t a problem at all with the Level8 cases. No matter how roughly you shove it, it doesn’t tip over.
Overall, the Level 8 luggage is a great option for anyone in need of a reliable and stylish piece of luggage. Its combination of design, build quality, storage capacity, and manoeuvrability make it a top choice for frequent travellers and casual vacationers alike.
Durability and Construction
When it comes to luggage, durability and construction are two of the most important factors to consider. After all, you want your luggage to last through multiple trips and protect your belongings while in transit.
The luggage is constructed with a hard shell made from polycarbonate material. This material is known for its durability and resistance to impact, making it ideal for luggage. In addition, the shell has a diamond-textured finish that not only looks sleek but also provides extra scratch resistance.
The zippers on the luggage are also of high quality, with a smooth glide and sturdy construction.
Overall, I am confident in the durability and construction of the Level 8 luggage. Let’s see if it lasts for ten years, like my previous cases have!
Aesthetics
Level 8 luggage is available in a range of colours, including black, silver, navy blue and even yellow. so you can choose the one that best suits your personal style. The Level 8 logo is prominently displayed on the front of the luggage, adding a touch of sophistication to the overall design.
One of the standout features of the Level 8 luggage is its attention to detail. The zippers are made from high-quality materials and are designed to glide smoothly, making it easy to access your belongings. The telescoping handle is also well-designed, with a comfortable grip and easy-to-use locking mechanism.
Price and Value
When it comes to purchasing luggage, price and value are two critical factors to consider. While Level8 luggage isn’t the cheapest, I do feel that you get what you pay for and that it offers good value for money.
Compared to other high-end luggage brands, Level 8 offers a competitive price point without compromising on quality. The brand’s commitment to using high-quality materials and innovative design ensures that their luggage is durable and long-lasting.
In terms of pricing, Level 8’s luggage falls within the mid-range to high-end price bracket. However, considering the quality of materials and features, the price is justified.
Final Verdict
I love my Level 8 luggage and I can confidently say that it is a solid choice for cruisers who want a durable and reliable suitcase. Its hard-shell design and TSA-approved lock provide excellent security, while the four dual-spinner wheels make it easy to manoeuvre through crowded airports.
In terms of design, the Level 8 luggage is sleek and modern, with a range of colours to choose from. However, some users may find the lack of external pockets to be a downside, as it limits the amount of quick-access storage available.
Overall, I would recommend the Level 8 luggage to anyone in need of a sturdy and spacious suitcase for their cruises. While it may not have every feature that some travellers desire, it excels in the areas that matter most: durability, security, and ease of use.
2025 Update
I have recently received a new suitcase from Level8 – The Voyageur. This one has everything that the Luminous has, with some fantastic extra features!
I love the wide handle on this version – it makes packing the inside space so much easier. And the waterproof compartment where you can stash your damp swimming costume is a genius idea!
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
A lot of people believe that the best parts of a Disney cruise have nothing to do with the entertainment or the crew, but instead are down to one little accessory they bring from home: the fish extender.
If you’ve never heard of a DCL fish extender, or you don’t know what they mean for a cruise, then I don’t blame you, as the name alone is very strange.
But they’re super popular, and there’s a huge community, and maybe you’ll be as addicted as some other cruisers are?
Fish Extenders Explained
Fish extenders are hanging gift bags that you display outside your cabin door, normally hanging from the small metal fish that indicates your cabin number. You use these to exchange gifts with other people on the cruise taking part in a fish extender gift exchange.
These are pre-organised events that are wholly organised by guests and are not officially endorsed by the cruise line. You need to join in advance and then you’ll be added to the list to take part, where you’ll normally be assigned a small group to swap gifts with.
The Name is Self-Explanatory…
The reason the gift bags are called fish extenders (often abbreviated to FEs on forums and message boards) is that the gift bags are an extension of the metal fish on the wall next to your cabin door. However, you might actually have a seahorse instead of a fish if your stateroom is starboard side.
Don’t worry, there aren’t even more complications added in by having fish extenders and seahorse extenders – they’re all called fish extenders and work in the same way.
How Fish Extenders Work
If you agree to take part in a fish extender gift exchange, you’ll need to hang a fish extender outside your room and then deliver gifts to other cabins based on your assigned list. You leave these gifts in the fish extenders and wait for gifts to be left in yours.
To take part in gift swaps with fish extenders, you’ll need to find an online group for your sailing. You can sometimes find these on popular messenger boards such as Cruise Critic or DISBoards, or on Facebook groups. Once you find a group and sign up, you’ll be given a list of everyone taking part.
If the group is small, then you might be expected to deliver gifts to everyone. If a lot of people are taking part then you’ll be assigned a smaller group within that, so that you aren’t spending a fortune. Often it’s done on a one-to-one basis, so you only need to buy one gift.
Then you’ll need a fish extender of your own. A lot of people make them, but some people prefer something a little more professional-looking than they’re capable of putting together, so will order a custom-made one from Etsy.
The bags are usually embroidered with your family name, but this is up to you.
The last step before your cruise is to buy the gifts that you’re going to deliver to others taking part.
Then when you’re on the ship, you need to hang your fish extender on the fish or seahorse, and then find time to go deliver your gifts.
Disney’s Position
Fish extenders are not an official Disney cruise activity and are not endorsed by the cruise line. For a time during the COVID pandemic and aftermath, they were banned for health and safety reasons, but that is no longer the case.
Just remember that if there is a good reason for them to temporarily restrict fish extenders then the cruise line is entitled to. You can’t complain to DCL if something goes wrong with your fish extender exchange as nothing is official at all.
The Newer Ships Don’t Have Fish…
Disney Wish and Disney Treasure don’t have metal fish or seahorses but instead have themed plaques next to the room. These are just as good for hanging gift bags and so yes, you can use a fish extender on Disney Wish or Disney Treasure even though it is not a fish.
Where To Buy Fish Extenders
If you want to buy a tailored fish extender that is customised with your name, your best bet is a site like Etsy, although this will be more expensive than making your own or buying a generic one.
There are some good storage hangers on Amazon that will do just the job and are relatively cheap. The best one I have found is this one…
How To Make a Fish Extender
To make a fish extender of your own, you’ll need some flat cloth to serve as the backing, and some other material to use as pockets. Stitch the pockets onto the flat hanger, and then attach string to the top so that you can hang it over the fish.
If you are good with embroidery then this is a lovely way to make a custom fish extender that is unique to you and your family.
Joining a Fish Extender Group
You can find fish extender groups either on online message boards or on Facebook. Once you’ve found one for your sailing, join the group and post a message asking to take part. They will have rules listed, so make sure you read those first to avoid asking unnecessary questions.
Once you’re in the group, the owner will confirm your place and send you a list of the staterooms you need to deliver a gift to.
Disney Fish Extender Gifts
How much you spend on fish extender gifts is your choice – the motto is “give what you would like to receive”. A lot of people stick to Disney magnets as they are suitably themed but quite cheap. Others may choose ornaments, but transporting them without breakage is difficult.
A lot of this will depend on who you are buying for. Some fish extender gifts are aimed at different age groups and some are for adults. Others are ‘by cabin’ where you only deliver one gift for the entire cabin to share – this might make you want to increase your budget.
Ultimately, the choice is yours but bear in mind that if there are a lot of people to buy for, you could end up spending a lot – or receiving gifts worth a lot less than you chose to spend.
The Bottom Line
Disney fish extenders are some of the strangest named items you’ll get on a cruise but they are actually quite wonderful once you know about the community involved.
They can be really magical if you’re travelling with kids – they’ll love the surprise of receiving a gift when it does appear.
There are other ways that people like to liven up their stateroom too, including cabin door decorations – where permitted, anyway. It certainly can liven up an otherwise pretty basic corridor.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Packing the right shoes for a cruise can make or break your trip! I’ve seen it all — from people wobbling in sky-high heels on deck to sore feet after hours exploring in flimsy sandals.
After countless cruises, I’ve cracked the code: six versatile pairs that cover every occasion, from beach days to formal nights. Whether you’re setting sail for sunshine or a city break, these must-pack cruise shoes will keep you comfy and stylish!
1. Comfortable Shoes For Shore Excursions
Depending on your shore excursion plans, you may find yourself walking for miles and miles, so you need some comfortable shoes that you can rely on not to hurt your feet.
When it comes to comfort, I know that Skechers won’t let me down. These lightweight walking sneakers are flexible with a bouncy sole. They come in over 25 different colours and are made of a breathable mesh that will keep your feet cool, even in the Caribbean sun. Some of the best cruise shoes for those who like to explore.
2. Water Shoes For The Beach
While you might imagine that beaches in the Caribbean have only soft white sand, that’s often not the reality. On most islands’ seabed, you’ll find some sharp rocks, sea creatures like crabs, starfish and sea cucumbers and sometimes even bottle caps and broken glass.
Packing a sturdy pair of water shoes is definitely a wise move, as you’ll then be able to paddle and swim without worrying about where you’re stepping. And if you plan to do an excursion like Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica, then aqua shoes are an absolute must-have.
These unisex water shoes come in over 40 different colours and patterns. The older styles are often in the sale too, so be sure to check those out.
3. Flip-Flops For The Pool
Once you’ve tried these orthopaedic flip-flops with arch support, you’ll never go back to wearing completely flat flip-flops again! Approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association, these orthotic sandals are designed to improve your gait and lessen foot issues like Plantar Fasciitis. And let’s be honest, flip-flops are always going to be some of the best shoes for cruise ship lounging, right?
These cute and comfy sandals are water-resistant and come in over 20 different colours. I particularly like the glittery ones, which look smart enough to wear indoors on any luxury cruise ship as well as on the lido deck.
4. Dressy Evening Shoes
Most cruise ships have at least one formal night where you can put on your best suit or evening dress and enjoy a five-course meal followed by an evening of entertainment and dancing.
Most people find that wearing very high heels can be a little tricky on a cruise ship, especially if it’s rocking due to rough seas. Staying upright can be something of a challenge.
That’s why these 2-and-a-half-inch block heels are perfect. You’ll be able to walk confidently, while still looking elegant and stylish, thanks to the thousands of rhinestones that will adorn your feet.
There are seven colours to choose from. I like Champagne-coloured shoes as I find that they go with every colour of dress. If you need shoes for cruises that look a little glam, I highly recommend them.
5. Casual Evening Shoes
On most evenings of your cruise, the dress code will be casual so you’re free to wear whatever you feel comfortable in. You can dress up for dinner or relax in jeans – it’s your call.
I personally love these platform espadrilles as they go well with every outfit choice. They’re almost flat, so they’re really easy to walk in, but a platform and slight wedge give you some extra height. There are lots of colours to choose from, but I’m a huge fan of the leopard print.
6. Running Shoes For The Gym
Cruise ships have some really amazing gyms and many also have free fitness classes, so it’s worth popping in. There’s often also a running track up on the top deck.
Even if you’re not a gym bunny, you may need training shoes for activities like rock climbing, zip-lining or laser tag. So be sure to pack some if you have an action-packed cruise planned.
These Under Armour running shoes come in lots of different colours and are lightweight and breathable, so they’re perfect for warm weather and won’t weigh down your luggage.
Final Word
So there you have it, the six pairs of shoes that you need for a cruise. I think that six is probably the most that you would ever need. But, if you plan to travel light, then you should easily travel in some running shoes and just pack a pair of evening shoes and something for the pool or beach.
That said, if you don’t need to take a flight to join your cruise, you won’t have any limit on how much luggage you can bring. So why not go crazy and pack a different pair of shoes for every day? I know some people definitely do that.
Now you have the shoes sorted, if you need some help with the rest of your outfits, I’ve written a guide to what to wear on a cruise that will help you with that too.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
The dress code on a cruise is a little more complicated than ‘anything goes’.
Unless you want the role of ‘most memorable passenger’ for all the wrong reasons, here are nine things that you most definitely shouldn’t pack for your next cruise…
1. Sky High Heels
Even if you’re used to wearing five-inch stilettos on a night out, you might want to consider leaving them at home on a cruise.
Once the ship starts rocking, walking is only going to get more tricky. Combine that with a drinks package and you have a recipe for a broken ankle. The smooth outdoor decks can be particularly slippy, especially if they’re a little wet from rain or pool splashes.
Wearing super high heels on a cruise is like wearing skis in a ballet – a spectacular performance nobody asked for. So save the acrobatics for the professionals and opt for shoes that don’t double as impromptu ice skates. Remember, the only thing you want to go overboard is your sense of adventure, not you in your high heels.
2. Offensive T-Shirts
Wearing a shirt that screams “I make questionable decisions!” in bold, offensive print might seem like a laugh at home, but on a cruise, it’s a no-go. It’s the fashion equivalent of bringing a whoopee cushion to a funeral.
Most cruises are filled with either older people, or parents of kids who are old enough to read. And neither of those are going to appreciate your offensive slogans.
3. Fancy Dress Costumes
A few years ago, someone decided to dress as a clown on a cruise. The cruise line had a policy of ‘no fancy dress’, and so some guests took offence to the outfit. The result was a mass brawl with plates and furniture being used as weapons. Six people were assaulted and two people were arrested once the ship docked in Southampton.
Of course, there are some cruises where fancy dress is okay, such as Pirate Night on a Disney cruise, where it’s encouraged. But don’t just turn up in a costume for no reason, as the other guests probably won’t like it. And you’ll look silly.
4. Swimwear In The Dining Areas
Strolling into the dining area in your swimwear is akin to showing up to a job interview in your pyjamas – sure, you’re comfortable, but you’re also the only one who is. It’s a buffet, not a pool party, so you’re going to have to throw on some clothes.
A simple beach cover-up is all that’s required for ladies or a vest for the chaps. Don’t forget some shoes though, you can’t go in there in bare feet either.
Of course, if you can’t bear the idea of getting dressed, or perhaps your swimsuit is still wet from the pool, then almost all cruise ships have outdoor snack bars. Here you can walk up and grab a burger, fries or a slice of pizza to take back to your sun lounger, no problem.
5. Casual Clothes on Formal Nights
Ah, formal night: when a cruise ship turns into a sea of tuxedos and evening gowns, and you show up in denim. Formal night is optional of course, so if jeans are all you’ve packed then you’ll be welcome to eat in the buffet or order room service.
The cruise lines vary in terms of ‘how formal is formal night’. On a recent P&O Cruise, my husband was wearing a smart suit with nice shoes, a tie and a waistcoat. He was turned away from the main dining room because he didn’t have a jacket. He explained that it was far too hot to wear a jacket in the Mediterranean and looking around the restaurant, everyone else’s jackets were on the back of their chairs.
Apparently, the jacket was required to walk from the entrance to our table ten feet away. Just as he was about to ask a fellow diner if he could borrow their jacket for the journey, the maitre d’ agreed to let him in.
To be on the safe side, gents will require a full suit with a jacket and tie and ladies will need a nice dress or trouser suit. You really can’t be too formal, so if you want to go full penguin and sparkles, you’ll fit right in.
You’re on a ship, not in stealth mode, so why the camouflage?
Seriously though, in certain ports in the Caribbean, wearing camo clothing is illegal. And the ban on camouflage often encompasses all types of camo patterns, not just those that closely resemble the military uniforms of the country. This means even camo-patterned accessories, such as hats, bags, or shoes, might be frowned upon or could lead to issues with local authorities.
If you’re planning a cruise that includes stops in any of these locations, it’s wise to leave the camo gear at home to avoid any legal complications or disrespecting local laws and customs.
7. Heavy Outerwear for Warm Destinations
Sure, you’re prepared for a blizzard, but you’ll also be sweating like a contestant on a cooking show when the sun comes out. Packing bulky coats for a cruise to warm destinations also takes up unnecessary suitcase space.
Of course, what you consider warm may vary. I recently took a Mediterranean cruise in January where I was sweating in my shorts and t-shirt. Meanwhile, the Italians and Spanish on board were wearing puffa jackets and scarves on what they considered to be a chilly day.
My suggestion is to pack light, layer up, and save the polar expedition gear for actual polar expeditions. But even if you’re cruising to the Caribbean, bring a cardigan or sweater, as the ship’s aircon can be a bit fierce sometimes.
8. Too Much Jewellery
Decking yourself out in bling on a cruise might make you feel like royalty, but it also turns you into a walking treasure chest for pirates – or, more likely, pickpockets.
Think less “crown jewels” and more “casually jewelled.” Remember, the only thing you want to attract attention as you wander around a city abroad is your dazzling personality, not your personal wealth display.
9. Tight Pants
Wearing tight trousers on a cruise, or anywhere for that matter, can be a fashion faux pas for several reasons, not least of which is the comfort factor.
Imagine navigating the endless buffet lines, indulging in the five-course dinners, or simply lounging in a deck chair with trousers that feel like a vice grip around your waist. Tight trousers leave little room for the inevitable holiday weight fluctuation, making it difficult to enjoy your vacation fully.
If you really do want to wear your favourite pair of skin-tight leather pants, I suggest wearing them on the first day and saving the floaty dresses for later in the cruise when you’ll be thankful for the extra space around your waist.
So, now you know what NOT to wear on a cruise. The next step is to make sure you pack everything you should wear – because going naked is frowned up too, on most cruises at least.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
