The Best Cruise Luggage, According to Travel Experts

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Cruises continue to hit new records as travelers set sail in search of new adventures. More than 31.7 million people boarded a cruise ship in 2023, which is almost 2 million more passengers than in 2022, according to a recent report from the Cruise Lines International Association.

With the increase in passengers boarding cruise ships, The street reached out to some veteran travelers to get expert advice on the best type of suitcases to bring on board. We were surprised by some of the helpful tips and considerations involved in carrying a suitcase on a cruise, beyond what you'd normally bring to a regular hotel room, such as making sure it fits under the bed to preserve valuable cabin space.

“Cruise luggage is very important and quality matters,” said Sheri Griffiths, founder of CruiseTipsTV and cruise industry influencer. “While cruise lines allow you to pack unlimited amounts of suitcases, you'll want quality pieces that will survive the flight to your cruise port of embarkation.”

With major cruise lines like Virgin Voyages, Royal Caribbean and Carnival launching new ships and routes, now is the perfect time to pick up some new luggage and be ready to pack for an exciting adventure at sea.

Level8 Hardside Carry-on Luggage, from $155 (was $200) at amazon

The Level8 series is durably constructed from a triple layer of rigid polycarbonate that provides the stability of high-quality luggage, but without being heavy. The cargo capacity is a generous 40 liters, perfect for multi-day trips.

“Each suitcase has four double spinner wheels so it glides effortlessly. I love that each compartment has a mesh cover with pockets, so it's easy to stay organized,” said cruise blogger Jenni Fielding. She is the author of the popular cruise mummy blog and has taken over 40 cruises in the last ten years with his family.

Fielding also shares that it's vitally important to understand the size of a suitcase before taking a cruise, to ensure it can easily slide under the bed or onto shelves, which can help preserve valuable cabin space.

Sunbee 3-Piece Luggage Set, $110 (was $399) at Walmart

For the cruise traveler who plans to spend a lot of time at sea, the Sunbee three-piece set is perfect for longer stays due to the variety of sizes. Sunbee offers high quality and value with a set that is lightweight and ergonomically designed with a telescoping handle.

“The larger wheels make it easier to maneuver on many surfaces, including carpet. (The set is) durable and reliable for days on the go.” Dream holidays Kristin Randall said. The luxury travel planner has sailed more than 200 days at sea on multiple cruise lines and shares that Royal Caribbean is her favorite.

Bric's BYUlisse Spinners Collection, $179 at amazon

The BYUlisse Spinners collection is a high-quality, stylish suitcase available in a variety of bright colors and sizes. As many bags tend to look alike, there is always the unfortunate chance of someone accidentally grabbing your suitcase, so having a unique style or color can be important, and this collection has beautifully designed luggage that can be personalized for the owner.

“One of our favorite suitcase sets is from Bric's. We love that it's colorful, lightweight, and has the build quality of the famous Bric's! One side of the suitcase has an elastic strap to keep everything in place, while the other side has a zippered flap that closes well”, travel photographers instagram.com/humminglion/?hl=en”>Henry Wu and instagram.com/zorymory/?hl=en”>Zory Shahanska saying. They have both traveled the world and have both taken six cruises, their favorite being Viking's Antarctic Explorer.

Level8 Grace Hardside Luggage Set, $349 (was $410) at amazon

The Level8 collection also comes with a three-piece set that provides flexibility and value for families or couples traveling with multiple items. The set is constructed from a durable three-layer micro-diamond textured surface that is strong and resistant to the wear and tear expected in travel. The set comes in a variety of colors, including blue, black, and champagne.

“Their wheels are top-quality, most suitcases include TSA locks, and the hard-side luggage is sturdy. Our favorites are the carry-on size and the Grace Extendable, which securely holds a laptop for business trips,” he said Griffiths.

Griffiths, who has been on more than 40 different cruises, says he only takes “carry-on luggage only” on his cruises so he can get around airports and on board quickly.

It New York Soft Carry-on Luggage, $119 at amazon

When looking for lightweight luggage, choose it. The suitcase is made of a fiberglass frame that provides easy maneuverability with strong protection of the items inside. Candie Steinman, luxury travel planner for Dream holidaysHe has taken over 200 cruises and prefers AMAWaterways river cruises.

“I'm a luggage fanatic and have many different suitcases for different types of cruise trips. My favorite type of luggage is the It. They have lightweight suitcases, so you can pack more, and the carry-on size is usually less of 4 pounds,” Steinman said..

Level8 24-inch checked luggage, $230 at amazon

When a longer cruise requires checked luggage on planes, the cruise expert and Life well traveled Founder Level Schattauer recommends this Level8 Checked Luggage 24. The luggage comes with a built-in TSA code and a smooth zipper for easy, hassle-free access to items. The interior has two extremely large and spacious lined compartments with mesh pockets to easily organize various items.

“I've flown these several times and they've worked very well,” said Schattauer, who has the credibility of having been on 38 different cruises over 20 years, and shares his experiences on instagram.com/lifewellcruised/”>social media.

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