Is carrying your luggage onto the ship allowed?

[carlandellie31]

Hey friends. DCL newbie here.

I've read that you can carry your luggage off the ship, which will work out great for us since we're driving. But I haven't seen anything about carrying luggage on instead of giving it to the porters to deliver later. And, yes, I realize that we would have to tote it with us until rooms are ready.

Since passengers go through airport-like security I imagine it could be tricky, but the question came to me and I'm just wondering if it's possible.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Dug720]

As long as it fits through an airport-style scanner you can. If it will not fit, you will have to check it.

And yes - you will have to keep it with you until cabins are ready.

 

[lanejudy]

If all your luggage is carry-on size and you can manage it, yes you may carry it on. But it can't be the larger-sized suitcases as those will not fit through the scanners at passenger security.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[jrabbit]

the only way I would do this is if I were arriving late (after the staterooms open up) and went straight there to drop the bags.

Even with everyone's carryons, Cabanas and the MDR that's open for embarkation lunch are crowded with just the carryons. Even more luggage just adds to the congestion.

and on the Dream where there are a preponderance of First Time Cruisers that are already overwhelmed by the experience and being on the ship (just like first timers to WDW) - even more chaos and congestion.

 

[DLgal]

As mentioned, carry on size is allowed. Otherwise you have to turn it over to the porters. They scan all the luggage that comes onto the ship using those huge machines that TSA uses.

 

[apathetic]

Getting around the ship on embarkation day is extremely difficult. Elevators have lines 10+ deep on every deck. If you can carry it on, you really won't be able to do anything but babysit it. And getting to your room will be a nightmare unless you are really close to deck 3. There is no way I'd consider carrying on anything but the essentials.

 

[RedSox68]

One thing NCL did when we boarded in Hawaii that we thought was fantastic was they allowed you to "check" your luggage at the theater door -- like a coat check. They tagged your luggage and gave you the receipt and you could go to lunch luggage and stroller free. I wrote to Disney upon our return about that wonderful amenity. They thanked me, but of course never instilled it. That would be such a lovely gesture since Cabanas can get very crowded with all the luggage

 

[DWillowBay]

I realize this would vary depending on a person's PAT and such, but ...how long is it typically until rooms are ready?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I realize this would vary depending on a person's PAT and such, but ...how long is it typically until rooms are ready?

Rooms are typically available at 1:30. Of course, that can vary, but it's pretty standard.

 

[RedSox68]

Rooms are typically available at 1:30. Of course, that can vary, but it's pretty standard.

Yeah, in all our cruises on DCL I don't remember room openings going much past 1:30.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

We were on the Wonder in December, it was 1:40 and the officer was in the hall getting on the room steward who still had his area closed. They told him the rest of the rooms are ready and we need to open. They are pretty strict to the 1:30 time.

 

[RedSox68]

FYI, any bottles of water or wine that you are taking onboard should/must be in your carry on luggage and cannot be checked.

 

[Dug720]

Yeah, in all our cruises on DCL I don't remember room openings going much past 1:30.

We were on the Wonder in December, it was 1:40 and the officer was in the hall getting on the room steward who still had his area closed. They told him the rest of the rooms are ready and we need to open. They are pretty strict to the 1:30 time.

There was something (inspection I think) on the Fantasy the Saturday of Presidents' Weekend 2015 that delayed debarkation which delayed boarding which delayed cabins being ready until about 2:15. We were advised in the terminal and signs were up at the hallways.

 

[Dug720]

FYI, any bottles of water or wine that you are taking onboard should/must be in your carry on luggage and cannot be checked.

Or soft drinks. Or juice boxes.

Basically if it is a beverage you must carry it on.

 

[Rebecca Pocahontas]

We carried on our luggage - carry on suitcase & backpack. We boarded at around 11:30-45 went up to lunch and just sat at an outside table with our luggage eating and enjoying the Miami scenery. Before we knew it, it was already 1:30 and our rooms were ready. The time went by so fast. I was thinking we would have to be dragging our luggage with us all over the place and it was going to be a long wait. But it went by so fast.

 

[carlandellie31]

Thank you all so much for your responses. I appreciate it.