Smoother Sailing for Cruise Passengers’ Bags

Dreading the hassle of schlepping your steamer trunk through airports? A couple of cruise lines are making it easier on their customers by shipping their bags for them.

Passengers booking the entire 108-day world cruise of Holland America’s Amsterdam, which begins Jan. 4 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., can ship up to 100 pounds of luggage for free from their homes to their ship stateroom in Fort Lauderdale and back from Los Angeles, where the cruise ends. An excess baggage fee of $1 per pound above 100 pounds will be waived for certain cabin categories.

Starting Aug. 15, the small, luxury Seabourn line will ship luggage via DHL from passengers’ homes to any of its ships’ embarkation points worldwide--for a price. The so-called “Personal Valet” service varies by weight and destination. For instance, a suitcase up to 30 pounds shipped from the U.S. to London will cost $200, the line says.