Is carrying your own luggage on board embarkation allowed?

[MeevX]

Hello,

I was looking over the luggage restrictions on Carnival's website and found that at some ports, you're allowed to bring your luggage with you on board during embarkation and also at the end of the cruise (see below for exact wording in quotation marks). Has anyone actually took their luggage with them and not check it in with the porters? Did you experience any problems with security or when you were abroad the ship? We're planning a cruise trip with Carnival leaving from New York City, so we were wondering if the terminal here allowed it. I think it would be much better if we just took it with us while boarding and at the end of the cruise.

"Guests are encouraged to limit their checked luggage to two suitcases per person, with each suitcase not to weigh more than 50 pounds and not exceed 16"H x 24"W (no length restrictions). Please attach your Carnival Cruise Lines luggage tags PRIOR to leaving home and make sure that they are still on your bags when checking in with us. In many ports, guests have the option of carrying luggage on board at embarkation and off the ship at the end of the cruise as long as it does not exceed 16"H x 24"W (no length restrictions). This is an advantage you may want to consider as it will allow for quicker easier access to your bags. Please note that Carnival assumes no responsibility for carry-on luggage."

Many Thanks!

 

[bob]

The key is you have to be able to handle it. And handle it safely.
We have carried on and off for the last 7 or 8 cruises, Holland America, Princess
and Carnival, but we don't do 30" pullmans, we each have a 22" carry-on and a piece
of personal and we pack carefully and efficiently. For flying we do check the carry-ons
so we don't have to hassle with them plus we can then pack personal stuff in them that
would not make it past the TSA mongals, like hair spray, tooth paste and so on, these are
not an issue with cruise security, they understand you still have a life...

 

[MeevX]

Sounds good! So has long as the height is 16" or below and the width is 24" or below, we should be fine right? I'm just thinking if it would fit into the scanner.

Also, is there a limit? We're thinking two small/medium suitcases, 1 garment bag and 2 personal bags.

Thanks again Bob!

 

[bob]

two small/medium suitcases, (can you pull them)
1 garment bag (will it hang over one of the ones your pulling)
and 2 personal bags (will they sit on top of the bags that are being pulled or can you hand carry them)

yes, yes and yes, you should be good to go.

 

[MeevX]

Awesome! Thanks again for all your help!

 

[bob]

I forgot to add, with what you are talking about, any limit or restrictions will be from the airlines, not the cruise lines. For a 10 day cruise we did once take an extra carry-on for a total of three plus two personal, I pulled two the wife pulled one, we fly Southwest so we were able to check all three without any hassle or extra charges.

 

[1948buddy]

As far as Galveston is concerned, it must fit through the scanner, which has to be fairly small. Going off the ship, we carry ALL our own luggage to get off much quicker

 

[beckyw]

We sailed out of Galveston in Sept. There were lots of people taking their luggage on with them. You do have to go thru security like at the airport so the bags must fit in the scanner. And remember, you have to go thru the zigzag lines and will have to drag it all along with you. I could tell that some people were looking pretty worn out by the time they got to the check in desk.