Luggage transfer after cruise

[yfamdiscruise]

I was sure I read something on here about luggage transfers after the cruise, but of course now I can’t find it. Sorry if this is a repetitive question!
We are doing DCL transfers back to MCO after our cruise. We fly out late in the afternoon, and I’d rather not be stuck hauling our luggage around all morning/afternoon until we can check it a few hours before our flight. Is there an option in which DCL collects our luggage from our room the last night of the cruise and we don’t see it again until we reach our home airport? Does that have something to do with checking in for our flight while still onboard? Is that possible with all flights or only flights booked through Disney?
I’d appreciate any clarification you could offer! (Or even a link to a thread where this has been discussed before.) Thanks!!!!

 

[Shanti]

I was sure I read something on here about luggage transfers after the cruise, but of course now I can’t find it. Sorry if this is a repetitive question!
We are doing DCL transfers back to MCO after our cruise. We fly out late in the afternoon, and I’d rather not be stuck hauling our luggage around all morning/afternoon until we can check it a few hours before our flight. Is there an option in which DCL collects our luggage from our room the last night of the cruise and we don’t see it again until we reach our home airport? Does that have something to do with checking in for our flight while still onboard? Is that possible with all flights or only flights booked through Disney?
I’d appreciate any clarification you could offer! (Or even a link to a thread where this has been discussed before.) Thanks!!!!

Yes, DCL offers Onboard Airline Check-in to passengers traveling on many airlines (Southwest isn't one of them). DCL will send your check-in luggage to the airline for you, so you'll never have to see it between the last night of the cruise & your arrival at your home airport. Flights do not need to have been booked via Disney. However, you do need to be using Disney transfers to get to the airport to use this service. You will need to check-in for your flight while onboard. Here's a link to an informational article about it:

http://www.disneycruisemomblog.com/disney-cruise-lines-onboard-airline-check-program/

 

[yfamdiscruise]

Yes, DCL offers Onboard Airline Check-in to passengers traveling on many airlines (Southwest isn't one of them). DCL will send your check-in luggage to the airline for you, so you'll never have to see it between the last night of the cruise & your arrival at your home airport. Flights do not need to have been booked via Disney. However, you do need to be using Disney transfers to get to the airport to use this service. You will need to check-in for your flight while onboard. Here's a link to an informational article about it:

http://www.disneycruisemomblog.com/disney-cruise-lines-onboard-airline-check-program/

Thank you so much for the information!! Just what I was looking for!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Just be SURE that you have clothes and shoes for the day of the flight laid out far far away from where you’re packing. Otherwise you might end up flying home with flip flops instead of socks and shoes. Cross country. In January.

(Perfect storm of concierge room stateroom attendant neatening my separated but-too-close groups of shoes, DH asking a vague question about what shoes are being packed, and me not turning my head to see they’d all been clumped together)

At least when you have luggage with you in the way to the airport you can reunite with your shoes at customs. But not when they are on their way to the airport!

 

[DWillowBay]

5.(Southwest isn't one of them).

http://www.disneycruisemomblog.com/disney-cruise-lines-onboard-airline-check-program/[/QUOTE]

BLAH! That's awful! I just assumed that when this service was available that it worked with all the same airlines that WDW Resort airline check-in program does. I'm so glad (or...not so glad) that I read your post. We will have many hours at MCO before our flight at 3:55. Does this mean we cannot go through security until we check in for our flight / check our luggage? How early can that happen? I'm traveling with my adult autistic son and this is not a helpful development, so just trying to figure this out. TIA!

 

[keaster]

5.(Southwest isn't one of them).

http://www.disneycruisemomblog.com/disney-cruise-lines-onboard-airline-check-program/

 

[mmouse37]

I have never had a problem checking luggage at MCO much earlier than my flight. I know it was a thing in Barcelona but I never experienced it at MCO. I would call your airline to make sure how far in advance you can check luggage. I have checked it in about 7 or 8 hours in advance. Of course, unless things have changed which is quite possible.

MJ

 

[jdb in AZ]

I have never had a problem checking luggage at MCO much earlier than my flight. I know it was a thing in Barcelona but I never experienced it at MCO. I would call your airline to make sure how far in advance you can check luggage. I have checked it in about 7 or 8 hours in advance. Of course, unless things have changed which is quite possible.

MJ

Unfortunately, SWA doesn't allow you to check in your luggage that early, even at MCO. We love SWA and are part of their frequent-flyer program, but coming home from a cruise it's simpler to fly on an airline that participates in the on-board check-in program.

 

[Shanti]

That's awful! I just assumed that when this service was available that it worked with all the same airlines that WDW Resort airline check-in program does. I'm so glad (or...not so glad) that I read your post. We will have many hours at MCO before our flight at 3:55. Does this mean we cannot go through security until we check in for our flight / check our luggage? How early can that happen? I'm traveling with my adult autistic son and this is not a helpful development, so just trying to figure this out. TIA!

I recommend calling SWA to ask about their policy & if they could make an exception due to your son's special needs. I agree that it stinks that they don't participate with DCL's check-in program the way they do at WDW.

 

[yfamdiscruise]

Just be SURE that you have clothes and shoes for the day of the flight laid out far far away from where you’re packing. Otherwise you might end up flying home with flip flops instead of socks and shoes. Cross country. In January.

(Perfect storm of concierge room stateroom attendant neatening my separated but-too-close groups of shoes, DH asking a vague question about what shoes are being packed, and me not turning my head to see they’d all been clumped together)

At least when you have luggage with you in the way to the airport you can reunite with your shoes at customs. But not when they are on their way to the airport!

Very good tip!

 

[mmouse37]

Unfortunately, SWA doesn't allow you to check in your luggage that early, even at MCO. We love SWA and are part of their frequent-flyer program, but coming home from a cruise it's simpler to fly on an airline that participates in the on-board check-in program.

I have never flown SW so that's probably why I didn't realize they have a restriction.


MJ

 

[Bellabully]

Boo! Why isn't Southwest part of the check in. Crazy that they do it at the resorts, but not for cruise

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have never flown SW so that's probably why I didn't realize they have a restriction.


MJ

It probably explains why SW is part of the resorts check in program and not the DCL check in program. At the resorts, you are assigned to a certain pick up time (with baggage check in). Probably falls within the time parameters.

On DCL, all checked bags pretty much arrive at the airport by 10:00, and must be checked in asap (regardless of flight time, so long as it's still the same day), so that the luggage trucks are available for taking the new cruisers bags back to the port.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Boo! Why isn't Southwest part of the check in. Crazy that they do it at the resorts, but not for cruise

They experimented with it but opted not to make it permanent. Bummer.

 

[Silver Queen]

They experimented with it but opted not to make it permanent. Bummer.

Yes, we are frequent SW fliers and remember this. We also were disappointed when they discontinued participation. Fortunately it doesn't become an issue for us too often since we usually extend our vacation on land for a few days after completing the cruise. Getting off of a Disney ship and going straight home was too much of a downer.

 

[xQuizx]

There are porters where the bus drops you off at MCO. We had one porter load our luggage to a cart and walk with us to the Southwest area to check in our luggage. It stinks that Southwest doesn't do the same as the other airlines, but having the porter there made the check in process easier.

 

[bumbershoot]

Getting off of a Disney ship and going straight home was too much of a downer.

Getting off any ship and going straight home is a downer. Sigh.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I recommend calling SWA to ask about their policy & if they could make an exception due to your son's special needs. I agree that it stinks that they don't participate with DCL's check-in program the way they do at WDW.

Yes, do this.

For a long time, SW would not check bags until 3 hours prior to flight time. More recently, this was increased at 4 hours prior. I don’t know if there has been a further increase since MCO has added an hour to the recommended time for airport arrival in advance of flights from 2 hours to 3 hours.

 

[bumbershoot]

We will have many hours at MCO before our flight at 3:55. Does this mean we cannot go through security until we check in for our flight / check our luggage? How early can that happen? I'm traveling with my adult autistic son and this is not a helpful development, so just trying to figure this out. TIA!

Not sure when your trip is, but right now they are suggesting you get to mco 3 hours before your flight. So that has you walking in at 12:55.

If you’re last off the ship at 9, then you go through the lines to customs then customs, you might be outside at 9:30, maybe even as late as 10? Takes about an hour to get to mco. So that’s a couple hours before checking in bags with SW and being able to go through security.

How are you getting to the airport? Is it possible to rent a car and go and do or see something before heading to the airport, instead of going straight there?

And fwiw it’s far more interesting outside of security, with shops and things to look at. Maybe that’s the exact opposite of what you need with your son though.

I would consider having your own transportation and just not heading straight to the airport directly after the cruise.

 

[DWillowBay]

There are porters where the bus drops you off at MCO. We had one porter load our luggage to a cart and walk with us to the Southwest area to check in our luggage. It stinks that Southwest doesn't do the same as the other airlines, but having the porter there made the check in process easier.

Thank you! This is what I was hoping for. If I can get some help from a porter, this will go much better. Thank you. I feel encouraged!!