Carnival Cruise Line's policy falls somewhere in the middle and Brand Ambassador John Heald recently explained how his cruise line's passengers should handle their luggage once they board the ship. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.

Some cruise lines have raised their prices in response to rising demand as companies reported record numbers in 2024.

Many passengers, however, enjoy smaller ships and the ability to sail more interesting itineraries. Royal Caribbean has committed to building new smaller ships, under the working name Discovery Class, albeit without setting a date for placing an order for one.