Yes, you are permitted to carry your own luggage onto a Princess Cruise ship, a practice often referred to as "self-assisted" boarding. However, there are significant practical limitations to consider. Unlike checked bags, which are taken by porters at the pier and delivered to your stateroom later in the afternoon, any luggage you carry yourself must pass through a standard X-ray security scanner, similar to those at an airport. This means your carry-on bags must be of a size that fits through the machine (typically around 24 inches wide and 16 inches high). Additionally, staterooms are often not ready for occupancy until several hours after boarding begins; if you carry all your bags, you will have to keep them with you while you explore the ship or eat lunch, which can be cumbersome in crowded elevators and buffet areas. Most experienced cruisers choose to carry a small "day bag" with essentials (medication, documents, swimwear) and check their larger suitcases to be delivered to their room for a more relaxed start to their vacation.