Don't freak out.... Each passenger can check two bags (check the weight limit - that's the one we always have to watch), and you can carry one on (a small one). I usually cross pack clothes so that should a bag get lost, there are still clothes for both of us in the other suitcases.... I have really loud colored luggage - and I put louder colored luggage straps around them with about 3 name tags (I travel extensively for work, and it just seems to work better). I feel (and can't prove it's true, but I've been to about 40 countries over the last 3 years and 2 cruises) and the only time I've ever lost my luggage was in Senegal - and it found me 4 days later (it evidently flew to South Africa, Belgium, and then back to Senegal). It was gray. So, now I have lime green, electric blue, etc. Have a great cruise - and Rome is AMAZING!!!

I think if you arrive a day or two before your cruise, you will most likely have your luggage. The problems I have read about people not getting their luggage on the cruise ship is because they arrive the day of the cruise and somehow the bags don't make it. Personally, I would arrive at least a day before going on any cruise because you just neve know what will happen with the flights. We arrived two days before in BCN and relaxed and enjoyed the city before starting our cruise.

Thanks Debi. I am a nurse, hubby is in the US Army and cannot leave any earlier. We leave the day before just to arrive in Italy on time. We land at 1030 and the ship leaves at 5pm...I was hoping that would give us plenty of time to get there. Cross packing is a great idea. I'm usually territorial with my stuff, but I can change! Thanks again.

I have heard that losing bags is common going through Heathrow and that they can't accomodate all the bags. So, one might be aware when going through Heathrow, to pack a few more items in your carry on.

A couple of hints to help prevent lost luggage or to make lost luggage easier to recover:
1. ALWAYS have your name and destination (cruiseship, hotel, whatever) on luggage tags)
2. ALWAYS have your name, destination and HOME address and phone number on a slip of paper INSIDE your luggage. That way if the external tags get turn off, there will still be some way to dtermine who the luggage belongs to
3. ALWAYS learn what the airport code for your destination is AND when you are checking your luggage in LOOK at the tag they attach at the check-in counter to see that it has the CORRECT destination code. We prevented lost luggage by paying attention to this little detail. Twice the check-in counter put the WRONG destination tag on. We spoke up and got it corrected. The same thing happened to a friend of ours.
4. Pack necessities, at least one change of underwear, anything valuable or that you cannot bear to lose and ALL medications in your carry-on.