Prefer not to check any bags...

[seashellmama]

You can hand over whatever bags you wish to the porters at the port. I will, however, point out that those bags are not treated particularly gently, and I wouldn't give them any bags that contain valuables (jewelry, electronics, etc). This is one of the luggage distribution locations on the Fantasy (yes, some of those bags were just tossed into the pile):
View attachment 164792

And that's pretty much why leaving some carry-ons at a table on deck is not much a security issue, either.

 

[TeaBee]

Our PAT is 12:30, I chose that time specifically because we wouldn't need to wait long to board and rooms open. If I need to push it back to 1, I can I guess.



I can TOTALLY see this as me and my poor family. Happens every time, traveling with kids and In-laws just gets stressful and hectic. I'll try to talk everyone into just bringing backpacks, purses and the diaper bag as carry-on!

My kids just got cute new luggage from the Disney store, and they are afraid of it breaking. Irrational fear? For kids... Maybe so, but we're a family of over-thinkers.

We had a PAT of 12:30 on our last cruise and by the time we got through the security line, checked in, looked around the terminal for a minute, and walked on board, the rooms were open. I wouldn't worry about pushing back your PAT.

 

[Plaid Princess]

You'd think they'd have some type of organization system so that wasn't necessary. Like why aren't there bins for each floor or something like that?

I'm guessing those bins don't fit on the elevators.

 

[BartmanLA]

Just breezing through the responses here, I'm not sure if we're all answering the actual question the OP is asking, but isn't she asking about the travel to the port and checking bags with the airlines?? To me that is the riskiest for any bags and potential for any loss or damage. Once arriving at the port checking in (curbside) for everyone is handled directly by the port facilities and in the 2 times I've cruised have never had any damage, loss or delay on any of our bags at all, in fact last time we sailed out of Miami on the Wonder, I packed a cardboard box with the FE materials for our group, and strapped it to a folding luggage cart, I was worried it might be handled roughly, but amazingly they not only delivered it right to our stateroom, but the porters actually collapsed the handle on it to make it more compact and it wasn't bent or damaged at all.

 

[MSPeeler]

Just breezing through the responses here, I'm not sure if we're all answering the actual question the OP is asking, but isn't she asking about the travel to the port and checking bags with the airlines?? To me that is the riskiest for any bags and potential for any loss or damage. Once arriving at the port checking in (curbside) for everyone is handled directly by the port facilities and in the 2 times I've cruised have never had any damage, loss or delay on any of our bags at all, in fact last time we sailed out of Miami on the Wonder, I packed a cardboard box with the FE materials for our group, and strapped it to a folding luggage cart, I was worried it might be handled roughly, but amazingly they not only delivered it right to our stateroom, but the porters actually collapsed the handle on it to make it more compact and it wasn't bent or damaged at all.

We are actually driving to port, no airlines involved. I was meaning we prefer to carry on all of our luggage as opposed to handing it to porters to arrive at our stateroom later in the day.

However, I've come to the conclusion that I am no superwoman (regardless of how many times people say it!) & will most likely check our larger bags and carry on the bathroom/medical/baby stuff with a swimsuit and change of clothes.

3 weeks and counting!!

 

[Snowwhyt]

We are actually driving to port, no airlines involved. I was meaning we prefer to carry on all of our luggage as opposed to handing it to porters to arrive at our stateroom later in the day.

However, I've come to the conclusion that I am no superwoman (regardless of how many times people say it!) & will most likely check our larger bags and carry on the bathroom/medical/baby stuff with a swimsuit and change of clothes.

3 weeks and counting!!

Weirdly, I was stressed out for you. I'm so glad you're doing it that way. So much more relaxing, one bag is awkward as it is. Pick one with great wheels!

 

[Partyof4LA]

We are a family of 4. We checked the larger bags and carried one each a backpack plus DH carried a beach bag with our bathing suits. I even found just this to be a hassle to deal with until rooms were ready. We were constantly checking to be sure we had all the bags. The tables at buffet are really close and the backpacks didn't fit well on the backs of the seats so it was hard to keep them out of the way. We wanted to do the aqua duck and splash pad and weren't really comfortable leaving them unattended. And the kids complained about carrying their bags. Next time we are only planning to do one backpack with bathing suits, wine and valuables and checking everything else. I can't even imagine doing all caryons