For those who know about cruises... What happens when...?

[AKL_Megs]

Your luggage doesn't make it?

I've never been on a cruise before, but I just felt so bad for this couple today...

Our flight was delayed leaving Detroit today, and so we arrived late into Memphis. Anyways, a couple on board literally had 15 minutes to make their connection. Luckily, they were in the front of the plane, and I am pretty hopeful that they JUST made it to their connection before the door closed, but they had neglected to bring "crusie necessities" on their carry-on bags, and I am highly doubtful that their checked bags will make it onto their connecting aircraft before the plane pushes back.

So... what happens? It's not like the airline can "deliver" it to the ship! Do they just not go? Do they take a later flight? Well, no, they can't, because then they will miss their ship (they said they only had a couple hours).

I just wonder what happens in these situations! (Makes me NEVER want to book a cruise, how nerve wracking!)

I just feel so bad for them. The wife said she didn't even have her bathing suit!

 

[LisaR]

I would have a hard time feeling sorry for them. When you have to be anywhere at a set time and you are relying on an airline to get you there, it is your responsibility to allow extra time for delays. Most people would book a cheap hotel for the night before and fly in early instead of risking missing the ship altogether. While you can't plan for every extenuating circumstance, you can certainly plan a little better than this couple did. Not clue what will happen to their luggage.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

It happened to a few people that we talked to on a Carribean cruise several years ago. The cruise line gave them a certain amount of credit to use in the on-board shops. They sell clothes, bathing suits and anything else you might need there, including underwear. For formal night, they have a shop that rents out tuxes and dresses. The passengers without luggage were given a voucher so they didn't have to pay the rental fee. Many people on that cruise had an overnight in Ft. Lauderdale before boarding the ship so we had overnight bags with a change of clothes and toiletries. It was kind of hard to check our luggage one day knowing we wouldn't see it until the next day on the ship!

 

[trip]

I think they have learned a life lesson...... If taking a cruise, plan to arrive the day before.

 

[taylor1293]

It's my understanding that the airline will deliver it to their next port, since the delay was the airlines fault. If they bought travel insurance, they would be compensated that way.

Not everyone is able to take an extra day off work and fly down a day early, even though that would be the recommended way to travel. Hopefully they were able to get their luggage on time and will have a wonderful cruise .

 

[dislaney]

I've had this happen and they do give you a ship board credit. I didn't have my clothes for a couple of days because they kept saying they were sending it to the next port of call and my luggage kept missing us. It all worked out in the end and we laugh about it now but it wasn't that funny then!

 

[johnsontrio]

The only time we have ever flown in the day of the cruise is to San Juan where departure time is 10pm. Most cruises leaving from the US mainland depart around 4pm. It is not worth the stress of worrying that you are going to make it on time, much less your luggage. We usually Priceline a hotel room and fly in a day early. DH and I make a practice of packing some of our clothes in the other ones luggage so that in the case of missing luggage, we each have something. We also usually put something to sleep in and a bathing suit in our carry on.

Cruise insurance will reimburse them for expenses for items bought on board up to a certain amount. The airline will also try and have their luggage at the first port of call. Better to avoid all that if possible. In some cases, the first port is the cruise lines own private island and it's not possible for the airline to deliver luggage. We have been on cruises where the luggage didn't arrive until Day 5 or so. Those poor people wore the same clothes all over the ship for days.

 

[wdwfan16]

Your luggage doesn't make it?

I've never been on a cruise before, but I just felt so bad for this couple today...

Our flight was delayed leaving Detroit today, and so we arrived late into Memphis. Anyways, a couple on board literally had 15 minutes to make their connection. Luckily, they were in the front of the plane, and I am pretty hopeful that they JUST made it to their connection before the door closed, but they had neglected to bring "crusie necessities" on their carry-on bags, and I am highly doubtful that their checked bags will make it onto their connecting aircraft before the plane pushes back.

So... what happens? It's not like the airline can "deliver" it to the ship! Do they just not go? Do they take a later flight? Well, no, they can't, because then they will miss their ship (they said they only had a couple hours).

I just wonder what happens in these situations! (Makes me NEVER want to book a cruise, how nerve wracking!)

I just feel so bad for them. The wife said she didn't even have her bathing suit!

This is why it is recommended that you arrive the day before for a cruise.

 

[Acklander]

Also, there's the chance that their luggage went on an earlier plane than the people did, therefore it will be waiting for them at the final airport. You'd be shocked if you knew how often that happens.

 

[janets]

Luggage will hopefully catch up with the ship at the first port of call. Travellers will get a voucher for necessities, but the ship stores don't usually have underwear.

I always put some clothes that I might need within the first few hours in a carry on, as often the luggage will not arrivce at your cabin before the first dinner. And it is advisable to arrive the day before a cruise to avoid any issues with flight delays or cancellations, delayed luggage, etc. However, it often is not possible for some people due to schedules.

If that is the case, bring clean underwear and a few items in your carry on just in case. And travel insurance will cover you for reimbursement.

 

[Ohiodislover]

Also, there's the chance that their luggage went on an earlier plane than the people did, therefore it will be waiting for them at the final airport. You'd be shocked if you knew how often that happens.

This happened to me in Mexico. I was traveling by myself, so had no one to panic to at the airport when my luggage wasn't on the belt. As I walked over to the counter, I looked over and saw my bag beside the counter. I didn't know the airlines did this until then.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

this is why we always fly in at least a day early - and always get insurance!!! We have also become better at what to pack in the carry on!

One year we were so glad we arrived in Puerto Rico a day early - a hurricane was coming in and they closed the airport early the day the cruise was leaving.
The ship also left a couple hours early.

I am glad the cruise lines take care of everyone - but feel better with my own things and no worries.

 

[JoiseyMom]

If you booked the airfare with the cruiseline, they should help you out. If you bought travel insurance, it covers a certain amount for you, depending on your coverage. If you are not covered at all, then you are at the mercy of the airlines. You could be SOL.

The cruiseline doesn't have to do anything for you, if they didn't book your flights.

We never cruise without insurance!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Your luggage doesn't make it?

I've never been on a cruise before, but I just felt so bad for this couple today...

Our flight was delayed leaving Detroit today, and so we arrived late into Memphis. Anyways, a couple on board literally had 15 minutes to make their connection. Luckily, they were in the front of the plane, and I am pretty hopeful that they JUST made it to their connection before the door closed, but they had neglected to bring "crusie necessities" on their carry-on bags, and I am highly doubtful that their checked bags will make it onto their connecting aircraft before the plane pushes back.

So... what happens? It's not like the airline can "deliver" it to the ship! Do they just not go? Do they take a later flight? Well, no, they can't, because then they will miss their ship (they said they only had a couple hours).

I just wonder what happens in these situations! (Makes me NEVER want to book a cruise, how nerve wracking!)

I just feel so bad for them. The wife said she didn't even have her bathing suit!

DS might know-he works on one of Princess's ships. Until I talk to him (should be later today he's in port), my guess is not good-hopefully he has an idea.

 

[redwingfan3991]

Its sad to say but airlines will hold for bags before they passengers.
The bags probably made it.

 

[mickeyboat]

It happened to us on our DCL cruise. They flew our bags to our first port of call - St. Maarten 3 days later. DCL loaned us formalwear, washed our clothes daily, provided toiletries and made arrangements for a voucher to purchase some clothes. You are right, there are no underwear in the gift shops.

I did have necessities packed in our carry-on bags - the things the kids sleep with, their bathing suits, a change of clothes. We did actually spend the night at a hotel near our departing airport the night before because we live almost 2 hours from the airport and wanted to make sure we were not delayed getting there by winter weather. We did not anticipate flight delays would make us as late as they did. (This was 2004)

We had to fly standby for our connecting flight and had to race through the airport to make it. We were greeted at the gate in Orlando by a CM who raced us to the bus. We had to board the ship through Deck 1.

I was pretty bummed that all my careful packing went to waste, but it was o.k. We made due. We did have trip insurance and was reimbursed through the airline and trip insurance for $500.