I don't think airlines or cruise lines will pay for damaged luggage, lost luggage yes. They consider most "damage" to be normal wear and tear.
I've never had a problem, but I have always traveled with Delsey hard sided luggage. Delsey guarantees it to resist damage for life, so they would repair or replace it for free. I've had it for nearly 25 years, 6 cruises, a trip to Houston and St. Louis every year for the last 25 years, 5 trips to Canada, it just keeps on going.
I don't get softsided luggage, just tears too easily. But it is the rage, I went shopping for a hard sided suit case for my son, and almost no stores carry it anymore.