Princess Cruises Luggage Policy 2026: Rules, Fees & Packing Tips 

Princess Cruises does not enforce strict weight or size limits on passenger luggage. The cruise line recommends packing a reasonable amount you can comfortably manage. However, airlines flying you to your departure port have their own restrictions  typically 50 lbs per checked bag  and cabin storage space is limited, so packing light pays off.

Planning what to pack for a Princess cruise involves more moving parts than most travelers expect. There’s the airline leg to navigate, the cabin storage reality to accept, a list of prohibited items to avoid, and a handful of optional luggage services that can make boarding  and disembarking  dramatically easier.

What Is Princess Cruises’ Luggage Allowance in 2026?

Princess Cruises does not set formal weight or size limits for passenger luggage. According to Princess Cruises’ official pre-cruise FAQ, the cruise line recommends packing “a reasonable amount that you can comfortably manage,” noting that large or excessive luggage may be difficult to store in the stateroom. Unlike airlines, Princess does not charge excess baggage fees at the pier.

That said, practical constraints apply:

• Stateroom storage is limited. Interior cabins have less under-bed and closet space than suites or mini-suites.
• Airlines impose their own rules. If you’re flying to the departure port, your airline’s baggage policy applies  typically a 50 lb (23 kg) per checked bag limit, with fees ranging from $30–$150 for additional or overweight bags depending on the carrier.
• Carry-on bags must fit in the overhead bin if you’re flying, following standard TSA guidelines (usually 22″ x 14″ x 9″).

How Much Luggage Are You Allowed to Take on a Princess Cruise?

You can bring as many bags as you can reasonably manage, as Princess Cruises imposes no official bag count limit. However, most passengers bring one to two checked bags and one carry-on per person. Suite guests benefit from additional storage, while interior cabin guests should aim for one medium suitcase (around 24–26 inches) plus a day bag per person.

A practical breakdown by trip length:

Use the 5-4-3-2-1 packing rule for shorter sailings: 5 pairs of socks and underwear, 4 tops, 3 bottoms, 2 pairs of shoes, and 1 formal or dressy outfit.

What Can You Bring on a Princess Cruise?

Most standard travel items are permitted, including hard-shell and soft-shell suitcases, duffel bags, backpacks, and carry-on bags. Beyond clothing, here’s what else gets the green light:

Personal & cabin items:

• Prescription medications (bring documentation and original packaging)
• Over-the-counter medications
• Small personal fans (check with Princess before boarding, as some ships restrict these)
• Hair dryers, curling irons, electric shavers, and electric toothbrushes
• Small personal coolers

Specialty items:

• Golf clubs  permitted but stored by crew; returned on shore days
• Musical instruments  allowed with consideration for volume and time of use
• Mobility aids  wheelchairs and mobility scooters permitted; notify Princess in advance for accessible cabin arrangements
• Medical devices  CPAP, BiPAP, nebulizers, and oxygen concentrators allowed; distilled water is available onboard

Alcohol:
Princess allows guests to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per person (not per cabin) at embarkation. It can be consumed in your stateroom. If you bring it to the dining room, a corkage fee applies. Hard liquor and beer purchased at ports of call will be held by security and returned at the end of the cruise.

What Cannot You Bring on a Princess Cruise?

Princess Cruises prohibits a range of items for safety, fire prevention, and security reasons. Bringing prohibited items risks confiscation  and in some cases, denial of boarding.

Outright banned items:

Notable edge cases competitors often miss:

• Surge protectors: This catches many travelers off guard. Standard power strips with surge protection are prohibited. Cruise-approved extension units without surge protection can be purchased onboard.
• CBD products: Even if legal in your home country, cannabis and CBD are banned on all Princess ships due to varying international waters and port regulations.
• Bottled water: Princess prohibits bringing water packaged in bottles. Fill a reusable bottle instead  filtered water is available throughout the ship.
• Drones: Technically permitted onboard but must be kept with security and used only in port, never at sea.

What Are Princess Cruises’ Baggage Fees and Charges?

Princess Cruises itself charges no standard baggage fees at embarkation or disembarkation. However, optional paid luggage services do come with costs:

EZCheck (Airport Luggage Transfer)

Available at Fort Lauderdale (for FLL and MIA airport flights) and Seattle (for SEA airport flights only).

• Cost: $25 per person (covers all bags, regardless of number)
• Your bags are collected outside your cabin the night before disembarkation, checked in on your behalf, and delivered to your home airport’s baggage carousel
• Airline baggage fees (if applicable) are charged to your shipboard account
• Your boarding pass is also printed as part of the service
• Flight must depart after 11:30 AM from Fort Lauderdale (2:30 PM from Miami International)
• Must enter flight details in the Cruise Personalizer before boarding

Not available in: Vancouver, California ports (state regulations prohibit it), or most other homeports.

Port Valet (Seattle Only)

A free service operated by the Port of Seattle  not Princess directly. Your bags move from outside your cabin door directly to your domestic airport baggage carousel. Available to Seattle-departing guests only.

Princess Luggage Valet (Luggage Forward)

A door-to-door luggage shipping service via Princess’s partner, Luggage Forward (luggageforward.com or 1-888-693-8229).

• Ships luggage from your home directly to your stateroom, and back again after the cruise
• Pricing varies by route: Transatlantic routes can cost approximately $350 or more per suitcase
• Domestic US routes are considerably less expensive
• All-inclusive rates are charged at booking; no hidden fees
• Available to/from 170+ ports worldwide

What Are Princess Cruises’ Luggage Weight and Size Limits?

Princess Cruises itself sets no official weight or size limit on passenger bags. The cruise line does not enforce dimensional or weight restrictions at the pier. Size and weight restrictions are determined by your airline for the flight portion of your journey, not by Princess.

What this means in practice:

• A 32-inch suitcase weighing 60 lbs will not be turned away at the gangway  but it may be charged as overweight by your airline
• Passengers with excessively large luggage may face difficulty navigating corridors and fitting bags under the bed or in the closet
• There is no formal heavy bag surcharge applied by Princess Cruises at embarkation or disembarkation

Embarkation Day: What Should You Pack in Your Carry-On?

Checked bags are typically not delivered to staterooms until the afternoon or evening of embarkation day. Pack a separate carry-on with embarkation essentials so you can enjoy the ship from the moment you board.

Embarkation day carry-on checklist:

• Travel documents (passport, boarding pass, printed QR code from OceanReady®)
• Medications you’ll need during the day
• A change of clothes and swimwear
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Phone charger and valuables
• Snacks if required for medical reasons

Smart Packing Tips to Maximize Cabin Space

Cabin storage  especially in interior and oceanview rooms  requires intentional packing. These strategies help:

• Roll, don’t fold: Rolling clothing compresses volume and reduces wrinkles
• Use packing cubes: They compress soft items and keep categories separate
• Wear bulky items: Wear your largest shoes and heaviest layers on travel day
• Use the space under the bed: Most Princess staterooms offer under-bed storage for suitcases
• Vacuum bags for formal wear: Great for protecting suits and dresses during transit
• Bring a collapsible tote: Useful for port days, beach visits, and souvenir runs

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Princess Cruises have a luggage weight limit?
No. Princess Cruises does not enforce a weight limit on passenger baggage at the pier. Weight restrictions are set by your airline for the flight to and from your homeport.

Can I bring a carry-on bag on a Princess cruise?
Yes. Carry-on bags are permitted and encouraged, particularly since checked bags are not delivered to staterooms until the afternoon of embarkation day.

Can I bring my own bottled water on a Princess cruise?
No. Princess Cruises prohibits bringing water or other non-alcoholic beverages packaged in bottles. Filtered water is available throughout the ship free of charge.

How many bottles of wine can I bring on a Princess cruise?
One 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per person is permitted at embarkation. A corkage fee applies if consumed in a dining venue.

Is there a charge for using EZCheck on Princess Cruises?
Yes. EZCheck costs $25 per person (not per bag) and is available at Fort Lauderdale and Seattle homeports only. It covers unlimited bags and includes boarding pass printing.

Can I bring a CPAP machine on a Princess cruise?
Yes. CPAP, BiPAP, and similar medical devices are permitted onboard. Distilled water for CPAP machines is available upon request. Notify Princess in advance for best accommodation.

Are surge protectors allowed on Princess ships?
No. Surge protectors are prohibited. Standard power strips without surge protection can be purchased onboard, and most modern staterooms include USB ports and multiple outlets.

What happens to alcohol I buy in port?
Hard liquor and beer purchased at ports of call are held by ship security and returned to you on the final day of the cruise. Wine and champagne may be returned sooner at the crew’s discretion.

Can I bring golf clubs on a Princess cruise?
Yes. Golf clubs are permitted but will be stored by crew members and returned to you on shore days when you plan to use them. Notify the ship in advance if possible.

Does Princess Luggage Valet ship luggage internationally?
Yes. Princess’s Luggage Forward partnership covers service to and from over 170 ports worldwide. International routes such as transatlantic sailings can cost $350 or more per suitcase depending on origin, destination, and bag size.