How Airports Handle Cruise Tags: A Traveler's Guide

Luggage tags are essential for ensuring your bags get to where you need them to be. They are often used for flights and cruises, with some travellers accumulating several stickers on their suitcases. However, this can cause issues, with bags accidentally being sent to the wrong destination. While the information scanned through the barcode is dated, and workers are usually careful, mistakes can happen. So, does the airport remove cruise tags? Well, it is recommended that travellers remove old stickers from past trips to avoid any confusion, and some agents will remove old tags when checking bags in.

Luggage tags can be printed at the airport

Airports have been known to provide reusable luggage tags, which can be printed with barcodes that contain information about your flight and destination. These tags can be printed at home or at the airport, and they are designed to fit easily into any travel accessory without adding bulk. However, it is important to double-check all the information typed onto the tag, as it will be automatically printed exactly as it is entered.

Some travellers prefer to purchase their own luggage tags, which can be customised with unique designs and colours. These tags are often crafted with durability in mind, adding a touch of elegance to one's luggage. They can be purchased online or at airport gift shops.

Although it may be tempting to leave your old luggage tags on your suitcase, it is important to remove them to avoid any potential issues with your baggage being misdirected. This is especially important during peak travel periods, which have been dubbed the "summers of lost luggage" due to the high number of misplaced bags.

Old stickers can cause bags to be sent to the wrong destination

It is important to remove old stickers from your luggage before your next flight to prevent the risk of losing your baggage. Baggage stickers contain barcodes that link the bag to the individual traveller, airline ticket, airline, flight and date of travel. If you don't remove old stickers, your bag could be accidentally sent to the wrong destination.

In a viral TikTok video, Ontario International Airport reminded travellers that old stickers contain information that could cause their bag to be sent to the wrong place. For example, if you flew with American Airlines and then a month later with Southwest, there would be a sticker on your luggage that tells the computer that it should go to the American Airlines terminal. While the information scanned through the barcode is dated and workers processing the bags are usually careful to make sure it lines up with the traveller's destination, they often face pressure to load flights fast and mistakes can occur.

Although rare, having several stickers with different destinations on your luggage can cause confusion for baggage handlers and automated scanners. In some cases, baggage handlers may remove old stickers when checking your bag in, or cover them with a white label, but this is not always the case. To avoid losing your luggage, it is best to get into the habit of removing old stickers as soon as you retrieve your bag.

If you are going on a cruise, it is recommended that you put cruise-specific luggage tags on your bag on the morning of embarkation or when you arrive at the pier. These tags can be purchased from the cruise line or Amazon, and some people also use tag sleeves or pouches to protect them from falling off or getting damaged.

Cruise tags can be put on luggage the day of the cruise

Cruise luggage tags are essential in guiding porters and crew members to deliver your luggage to the correct spot on the ship. Tags should be put on your luggage on the day of the cruise, as you run the risk of the tags being lost or torn off while in transit. It is best to print your luggage tags at home, allowing you to prepare before arriving at the port and ensuring a quicker check-in process. However, if you forget your luggage tags, some cruise lines will send them to you via post, or you can ask the porters at the cruise terminal for assistance. They will usually be able to provide generic tags before embarkation.

When printing your cruise luggage tags, it is ideal to print them in colour, as the labels are colour-coded for some cruise lines. However, for cruise lines such as NCL, Carnival, and Princess, it is acceptable to print in black and white. After printing, you will need to fold them, seal the ends together, and then add your details before attaching them to your bags. Fold the tag by following the instructions on each tag document, which will indicate where to "Fold Here". After folding, you should have a long, narrow strip with your cruise information visible on one side. To seal the ends, you can use tape to make the tag more durable and water-resistant.

To attach the tags to your luggage, you can staple them to the handles of your bags. Alternatively, you can purchase cruise luggage tag holders, which are made of clear plastic and come in a waterproof pouch to keep your tags dry. These eliminate the need for stapling and taping and ensure that paper luggage tags do not fall off. You can also use clear tape to seal the tags better and strengthen them by using thicker paper or card.

It is recommended to print at least two luggage tags for each member of your family or travel party. You can also request adhesive printed luggage tags from your cruise line, but this may not be available in every country or for every cruise line. Your luggage tag will display essential details such as your name, the ship's name, stateroom number, sail date, and reservation number.

Cruise tag sleeves are available to protect tags from falling off

Cruise luggage tags are provided by the cruise line and are usually printed at home by the passenger. These tags are typically made of paper and are attached to the luggage by folding, taping, or stapling them around the luggage handle. However, paper tags can easily be damaged by water or torn off during transit, leading to lost luggage.

To protect cruise tags from falling off or getting damaged, some travellers opt for cruise tag sleeves or holders. These are clear plastic protectors that the printed cruise tag can be slipped into. They are designed to fit over the luggage tags of specific cruise lines and are available on Amazon and cruisetags.com. The plastic protectors are durable, waterproof, and reusable, providing peace of mind that the tags will remain secure throughout the journey.

Amazon offers a variety of cruise tag sleeve options, including packs of 4, 5, 6, or 8, with some featuring a wire screw-type ring or a threaded cable connector for added security. These sleeves are advertised as fitting various cruise lines, including Carnival, NCL, Princess, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean.

Cruisetags.com also offers custom-made durable clear plastic tags designed to fit over the luggage papers of specific cruise lines, such as Princess, Carnival, Holland America, and Cunard. These tags display the cruise status, cruiser's name, stateroom, and ship name on both sides, making it easy for porters to deliver luggage without the need for staplers or tape.

Some travellers choose to attach their cruise tags with tape or laminate them before placing them on their luggage. However, others have reported that using plastic tag holders from Amazon has been a better solution, as they are reusable and eliminate the worry of tags falling off.

Luggage tags can be purchased online

It is important to remove old stickers from past trips to prevent your luggage from being accidentally sent to the wrong destination. While most people think of luggage tags when an airline loses their luggage, leaving several on one's bags can cause problems. Baggage handlers and airport crew are under pressure to load flights fast, and mistakes do occur.

When purchasing luggage tags online, it is important to consider the material, design, and features of the tags. Some tags offer privacy covers to keep your personal information hidden, while others provide durable connections to ensure the tags do not get lost or fall off. It is also important to ensure that the tags are the correct size and format for your specific cruise line or airline.

In addition to purchasing luggage tags online, some travelers choose to create their own tags using cardstock or printer paper and attaching them with staples, tape, or miniature staplers. However, it is important to note that some sources advise against using staples, inkjet printing, and cheap paper, as they may not hold up during travel.

Frequently asked questions