It’s worth noting that while I was testing this service, I did not book any form of express shipping and expected my bag to arrive a week (or five business days) after it was picked up. Much to my surprise, 48 hours after it shipped, my trunk arrived at its destination. Luckily, this was my parents’ house, so they were happy to hold it for a few days before I arrived. I got an email that morning that my delivery was going to arrive early, and the brand let me know that in most cases, there doesn’t actually need to be someone there to pick up the bag when it arrives. My parents were both home when my bag arrived, so they were able to collect it. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that when it comes to luggage shipping, the timing isn’t as exact as checking a bag on a flight is, so if you’re staying at a hotel or vacation rental, you may have to call ahead to ensure that they’re able to store your bag for a few extra days in advance if it arrives early.

Who is luggage shipping best for?

While I used Luggage Forward on a long weekend to visit my family, luggage shipping seems best suited for long-term stays. It’s a great option for those who are moving temporarily (study abroad students, those visiting family for a few weeks at a time, or bi-coastal folks), those who are bringing more than they could possibly carry alone (destination wedding hosts), or anyone who needs big and bulky items for their trip (like tents, skis, or golf clubs). While you won’t receive your luggage immediately upon arrival at your airline gate like you would if you checked it, you can rest easy knowing that your bags will be waiting on your doorstep once you arrive at your final destination. This means no lugging heavy golf clubs or large trunks around the airport, onto buses, and through city centers. Also, if you plan on traveling with multiple bags, luggage shipping can limit stress levels on your travel day, since you’ll be able to arrive at the airport with just a personal item and not worry about getting there early to check any bags. I don’t recommend using a luggage shipping service for a short trip or a multi-leg vacation since the timing can be difficult to predict, but I would consider it for longer treks abroad.

Luggage Forward is especially good for cruise-goers, since you can schedule your pickup or drop-off directly from your cruise, making it easy to get your bags exactly where you need to go with no extra hassle. Simply check the “pick up from cruise” box, select the correct cruise line and port, and enjoy knowing that your bag will get to where it needs to be safely.

More luggage shipping options

This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler’s third annual Luggage Week, for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors.

Cruising north, back towards the Scandinavian lands of the midnight sun, we’re sailing from Tallinn towards the Swedish island of Gotland. Half-way through our Crystal Cruises‘ Baltic exploration of medieval cobbled alleys and contemporary eco-architecture, on seas once sailed by Vikings and then Czars, the Serenity has become more than our palatial retreat, it has become our home.

Even when we dock at some of Northern Europe’s most spectacular cities, guests linger over their cooked-to-order eggs, sneak in a gym session and catch up on a talk they missed on the ship’s television channel. For all the travel adrenaline of a new port-of-call, it can be hard to disembark.

Day 5: Visby, Sweden… almost

Dr Jim Rowe’s lecture had raised expectations for our day exploring Visby, on the island of Gotland. “The entire town is recognised by UNESCO. It’s beautiful,” Rowe enthused.  We were looking forward to a day of walking rose-tangled ramparts, on the 13th century walls, with views across a town of medieval beams and cobbles.

But a gusting gale and eight-feet waves, conspired to stop us from docking and the Captain declared, as most of us were breakfasting, that it would be “a sea day.” Surprisingly, with all respect to Visby, passengers seemed almost pleased. Some immediately left their waffles heading to the Aurora spa to book a treatment. Or to reception to schedule a private dance class or one-to-one tuition with the golf pro. 

Rapidly, the day’s programme developed. Lt General (retired) Mark Hartling, already scheduled to talk on Finland and Sweden joining NATO, slots in a session on “Leadership”. Whilst Dr Jane Thomason, technology lecturer, assesses how AI will impact on the jobs market, before her later lecture revealing the Metaverse .

After taking photos in Tallinn the day before, a tutorial using Adobe Firefly helps to turn grey skies blue and remove parked vehicles from images.

Our dinner is booked at Umi Uma, chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s collaboration with Crystal. The Japanese / Peruvian fusion eatery took the award of “Best restaurant at sea” in the 2024 F&B Sea Awards. 

Four chefs working at the stage of six seater sushi bar provide culinary theatre. They are performers with glinting knives as they slice raw tuna and salmon, preparing our appetisers as if they are art. My main course of Nobu’s signature dish of black cod is legendary: globally. Buttery, flaky cod in miso sauce, charred with incendiary precision. 

As a Japanese party leave, they pause and stop at the sushi bar. Bowing their heads, like religious devotees, to the skill of the chefs.

Day 6: Riga, Latvia

We’ve opted for Crystal’s “Easy Riga” tour, a 3-hour bus tour of Latvia’s capital, interspersed with short walking tours. 

Tatiana, our guide, is immensely proud of her nation, as we drive past well-preserved Art Deco houses from Latvia’s prosperous early 20th century. She also tells us that the Latvian people are beautiful. Latvian women, on average, are taller than the women of any other nation and per capita, Latvia produces more supermodels too. 

Built in 1935, the towering Monument of Freedom was built to commemorate victory in The Latvian War of Independence (1918-1920) but during the post 1945 occupation the Soviets reinterpreted the maiden topping the tower as holding stars that represented control of the three Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. 

When we hear a girl’s choir, Tatiana tells us of the power of song. In the late 1980s, Latvians knew that they could never militarily free themselves of Soviet oppression. Instead, thousands of Latvians sang for their freedom.

When the Soviets left and builders were refurbishing the Radisson Hotel they were astonished to find that the walls were filled with listening devices to spy on guests. 

Day 7: At sea

“I’ve got a busy day,” says one guest using Crystal’s daily publication of Reflections to put her day’s programme into her electronic diary: a lecture on Bitcoin, a few hands of bridge in the lounge, having her hair done in the spa, a leisurely lunchtime salad at Beefbar, an afternoon film in the Hollywood theatre, a quintessentially English sandwiches and pastries afternoon tea served in Palm Court. 

Raj, the fitness director, has a busy day ahead too: undertaking InBody scans to track key body metrics such as muscle, fat and water, then following up with personalised well-being programmes for guests.  For Raj, this is in addition to leading the daily stretching sessions and a presentation on metabolism.

As it’s “Formal Night”, with tuxedos and many a little black dress, the ship’s photographer is busy framing sharp-looking couples and families. The hottest ticket onboard, as there are only 140 seats in the intimate Stardust Club, is for a nostalgic Supper Club evening. There’s a 1960s glittery Hollywood look to guests seated at tables of four for a menu that includes caviar, artichoke veloute, lobster and chocolate mousse. Of course the seven-piece mini-orchestra, with singer, played Misty. 

Day 8: Warnemünde, Germany

Back in the days of the GDR, nicknamed the German “Dictatorial” Republic, Rostock, far from the barbed wire and machine-gun check points of Berlin, was used to welcome visitors. Some VIPs, such as Fidel Castro, stayed at the Neptun Hotel, which still dominates the Warnemünde skyline, which with all its surveillance was nicknamed the Stasi Hotel. 

After four days of heavy allied Second World War bombing of Rostock’s harbour, post war the occupying Soviets rebuilt portions of the city, in the local architectural style, but with wide avenues for military parades. 

Today the docks are largely used for leisure but one crane, close to a ground level wedding venue, has been repurposed as a wedding night hotel room. Currently, it’s fully booked for two years.

Rostock’s St Peter’s church, free from surveillance, became a central point for the organisation of the silent and peaceful protests in the late 1980s, that contributed to pressuring Soviet President Gorbachev to allow freedom of movement between East and West.

Back on board the Serenity, our final dinner booking is at the Osterio d’Ovido for a sophisticated taste of Italian cuisine; lobster as an appetiser, a traditional gnocchi pasta in a delicate mushroom ragout, duck topped with a cashew sauce and finally a dessert of coffee foam on hazelnut ice-cream. Authentic Italian flavours, immaculately sourced and beautifully presented. As ever the red and white wines poured are of a far superior quality to the house wines usually served in restaurants. 

Day 9: Copenhagen, Denmark

Some passengers stay on board for the next cruise to Oslo but most head for Copenhagen’s airport, disembarking seamlessly through Crystal’s smooth logistical operation. For those with late flights there’s an opportunity to book a tour of Copenhagen, concluding at the airport.

The cost

Crystal Cruises’ itineraries sail through the continents. The next comparable cruise will be a nine-night Southampton to Copenhagen cruise departing 27th July 2026 on Crystal Serenity. Prices start from £4500pp for a double guest room with ocean view and from £6900pp for a Sapphire Veranda Suite. These prices includes all meals and drinks, WiFi, port fees and gratuities. 

The final verdict

As we disembarked one guest revealed that she had her next 24 Crystal Cruises booked through into 2028. 

It was no surprise. Crystal provides ultra-luxurious cruising with warm intimate service, attracting well-travelled and appreciative guests.

There’s simply so much choice, for both on-shore excursions and on-board activities, that it’s inevitable that guests step ashore wanting more.

Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by Crystal Cruises.