AirTran Baggage Fees with DCL Ground Transportation

[Princess Bette]

After we received our cruise documents, we decided to fly (AirTran) to Orlando instead of driving our own vehicle. We will be arriving several days before the cruise and renting a car. We have decided to add DCL ground transportation to MCO upon disembarkation. How are the baggage fees handled since the luggage is put in the hallway the night before and not seen again by us until we land at our home destination? Also, can someone tell me about getting boarding passes prior to disembarkation? This is our first time flying with AirTran - it's always been with Southwest before. TIA!

 

[mmouse37]

After we received our cruise documents, we decided to fly (AirTran) to Orlando instead of driving our own vehicle. We will be arriving several days before the cruise and renting a car. We have decided to add DCL ground transportation to MCO upon disembarkation. How are the baggage fees handled since the luggage is put in the hallway the night before and not seen again by us until we land at our home destination? Also, can someone tell me about getting boarding passes prior to disembarkation? This is our first time flying with AirTran - it's always been with Southwest before. TIA!

You need to sign up for DCL Onboard Airline Checkin program (it is not automatic) You would qualify as long as you are flying a participating airline and taking at least one leg of DCL transportation and your flight can't be earlier than 11:25 am. When you check in at the terminal tell them that you want to participate in the OAC program. You airline luggage tags and airline boarding passes will be delivered to your stateroom..you do not have to do anything...Disney takes care of. I believe the fees are charged to either your on board account or the credit card you have on file with the cruise.

We have a credit card that gives us free bags on Continental (the airline we flew for the cruise) so I had to go to Guest Services and show them my credit card so they could waive my baggage fees or else they would have charged me.

You would leave your checked bags out in the hall on the last night....you don't have to claim them the next day....you will see them again at your home airport. You would just leave the ship with your carryons.

MJ

 

[Princess Bette]

Thanks MJ!

 

[clten]

Part of the paperwork for signing up for the Onboard Airline Check-in, you have to list each person and tell them how many bags each person will be checking. This is how they figure out your baggage fees (these days they are charging them right to your onboard account). When they bring you your onboard check-in packet, there will be tags for your bags based on how many pieces you put on your sign-up paperwork. If you need more (or less) you have to go to Guest Services because it will affect your baggage charges.

Remember the bags with these airline tags are the ones that are going to be checked in with the airline. We usually also have a "carry-on" bag that we don't want to schlep with us to breakfast. We put a regular DCL baggage tag on that and pick it up in the port before we head out to the bus.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

OP, remember to keep some kind of bag in your room until morning when you leave. For 4 of us, just nightgowns & PJs fills a backpack. Be sure to put clothes out for the morning to wear home while you're busy packing up.

We love OBCI so much that we fly home on participating airlines just so we can do it, and believe me, we luv SWA too. With a family of 4, it's so convenient to walk off the ship almost empty handed and just hop on the DCL bus.

Have a great cruise!!

 

[Princess Bette]

Part of the paperwork for signing up for the Onboard Airline Check-in, you have to list each person and tell them how many bags each person will be checking. This is how they figure out your baggage fees (these days they are charging them right to your onboard account). When they bring you your onboard check-in packet, there will be tags for your bags based on how many pieces you put on your sign-up paperwork. If you need more (or less) you have to go to Guest Services because it will affect your baggage charges.

Remember the bags with these airline tags are the ones that are going to be checked in with the airline. We usually also have a "carry-on" bag that we don't want to schlep with us to breakfast. We put a regular DCL baggage tag on that and pick it up in the port before we head out to the bus.

Good tip about putting DCL tags on the carry-on bags! Thanks!

 

[Princess Bette]

OP, remember to keep some kind of bag in your room until morning when you leave. For 4 of us, just nightgowns & PJs fills a backpack. Be sure to put clothes out for the morning to wear home while you're busy packing up.

We love OBCI so much that we fly home on participating airlines just so we can do it, and believe me, we luv SWA too. With a family of 4, it's so convenient to walk off the ship almost empty handed and just hop on the DCL bus.

Have a great cruise!!

That sounds so much better than trying to handle all the luggage! Thanks!

 

[fishhooks]

What time do you have to have your luggage outside your stateroom door dor pick up the night before. We have the late dining will they have to be out before we go to dinner?

thanks

 

[mmouse37]

What time do you have to have your luggage outside your stateroom door dor pick up the night before. We have the late dining will they have to be out before we go to dinner?

thanks

Usually before 11:00 but they will pick up until about 3 in the morning....but, that said, since your room steward is the one who removes them from the hallway (for the most part) it would be considerate to at least get them out at a reasonable time.

They probably have a crew that roams the halls in search of bags that were put out late but they really do want them out by 11:00.

And, I want to add that if you are on the OAC program and your flight is before 1:00 pm, DCL wants you off the ship and on a bus to MCO by 8:00 am. If your flight is after 1:00 pm then you can stay onboard for a bit longer (but not much) as everyone needs to be off the ship no later than 9:00-9:30 (in theory). You will get a letter the night before that explains everything about debarking the next morning on the program.

MJ

 

[fishhooks]

Were flying by Airtran, I have a credit on my airtran account, how can I have DCL usse it, instead of charging my on board account.

Thanks

 

[mmouse37]

Were flying by Airtran, I have a credit on my airtran account, how can I have DCL usse it, instead of charging my on board account.

Thanks

No idea...I don't know what the procedure would be. Maybe try to call Airtran and see what they say. When onboard ask at Guest Services.

MJ