The Short Answer
Carnival’s published luggage guidance says that a suitcase or carry-on bag should be no more than 16 inches high by 24 inches wide when it lies flat, and should weigh no more than 50 pounds. The length of the bag is not treated as a limiting factor in that guidance. The idea is that the bag has to fit through the security screening equipment at the cruise terminal.
Carnival can change its policy, so confirm the current numbers on its website before you pack. This article is a summary, not an official source.
How to Measure Your Bag
The measurement is easy to get wrong, because it describes the bag lying flat, not standing on its wheels the way an airline sizer does.
- Lay the packed bag on its back on the floor.
- Measure the thickness (height off the floor). That is the 16-inch figure.
- Measure the width across the bag. That is the 24-inch figure.
- Include bulging pockets, handles that don’t retract and anything attached to the outside.
Because packed bags tend to bulge, measure after you pack, not before.
Weight
The guidance is 50 pounds per bag. Weigh your bags at home on a bathroom scale and leave a margin, since scales differ and you may buy souvenirs.
Carnival also suggests limits on the number of bags: roughly one per person on shorter cruises (three to five days) and no more than two per person on longer sailings. Many cruisers pack fewer than that.
Carry-On vs Checked Luggage
- Checked bags. You hand these to porters at the terminal. They are screened and delivered to your cabin later, sometimes into the evening.
- Carry-on. This stays with you through the terminal and boarding. Your cabin may not be ready right away, so it needs to hold what you’d want for the first few hours and the first night.
There is also a cutoff for porter service, which has been reported as about two hours before the ship’s sailing time. If you arrive after it, you may need to bring all your bags on yourself.
What to Keep in Your Carry-On
- Passport and other identification or citizenship documents
- Boarding pass and any required forms
- Prescription medication and medical supplies, in original containers
- Wallet, keys, phone and other valuables
- Power banks and spare batteries (see below)
- A swimsuit, a change of clothes and sunscreen
- Anything a child, or you, would need on the first evening
If you have a medical device such as a CPAP machine, it should go in your carry-on. Contact Carnival’s accessibility team before sailing if you need special arrangements.
Drinks and Coolers
For sailings from U.S. ports, Carnival’s beverage policy has been reported to allow:
- Up to 12 sealed, unopened cans or cartons of non-alcoholic drinks per person, each 12 ounces or less. Water and soda in plastic or glass bottles are not allowed.
- One sealed 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per guest aged 21 or over, brought on at the start of the cruise. A corkage fee has been reported if you open it in a restaurant or bar.
- A small personal cooler, up to 12 by 12 by 12 inches, for medication or permitted drinks.
These are carry-on items and shouldn’t go in checked bags. Rules differ for non-U.S. departures, so check the details for your sailing.
Power Banks and Electronics
Carnival has said power banks and portable chargers must be in your carry-on, not checked luggage, and shouldn’t be left charging unattended in the cabin. Airlines have their own battery rules too. Some items, such as clothing irons and certain heating devices, are not allowed on board, and a list of prohibited items is published by Carnival.
Remember the Airline
If you are flying to the port, your airline’s size, weight and fee rules apply as well. A bag that is fine for the ship may be too big or heavy for the plane, and the other way around. Pack to whichever limit is stricter.
Related Reading
- What to expect on your first Carnival cruise
- What to wear: the Carnival dress code, to help decide how much clothing to bring
- How much money to bring