Make sure you tip your porter! We just got back from our Mexican Riviera cruise and it started off with a luggage fiasco. We arrived at port to drop off our luggage before parking our car and a porter was waiting for us. He took our bags and I asked him a few questions and failed to tip him before heading for the parking lot. After parking I found him and gave him a tip. Long story short, we get to our room and no bags. After an hour so waiting for the crew to find them it turns out our tags had been removed. We had transported luggage in our vehicle for others in my family and their tags had been removed also. So lesson learned. Make sure you TIP! The person helping you may end up being a juvenile and decide to "teach you a lesson".
This isn't just confined to Los Angeles. Back when there were skycaps, I learned that if you don't tip them you and your bags will go to different destinations.
Yeah...one time I dropped teen DD and luggage at a bench near the entrance and went to park car. Got back--DD there, but luggage gone. Skycap had come over to her and asked if he could take bags. She said OK, and he said "You know we work for tips, right?" She said he'd have to wait for her mom then. Bag was slashed when it arrived at other end. Can't prove anything, of course...but it was MY best bag. Grrrrr. OP, I hope you reported to DCL that the tags were on when the bags were given to the porter. Don't know if he can be identified, but they need to know there is a rotten apple in the mix!
Wow...good to know. I've always tipped before leaving my bags so we've never had any problems but it honestly doesn't make me feel like tipping them when I know I'm basically being blackmailed into it. I've considered trying to cruise with just a carryon. This just encourages me to try it.
