Should I be nervous about Onboard Airline Check in?

[steveyjc81]

I think I am probably over reacting, but I am a little nervous about DCL Onboard airline check in program. Our flight isn't until 6pm on debarkation day, so seems like a long time for the luggage to be sitting somewhere?

Has anyone ever had any nightmare stories? Do we get luggage receipts? I think I'm more nervous as out holiday (vacation) isn't ending, we have another section in which I wouldn't want lost luggage!

Argh!

 

[Mokat76]

I had that exact scenario. I checked my bags onboard and picked them up when I got home. No worries. It got there when I did.

The other option is to schlep all your luggage through customs onto the bus then off the bus through the airport then stand in those lines and check your luggage early. Or you could drag bags all day. Ugh.

 

[debsters41]

The onboard airline check in program alone is worth the price of the transfers, just sayin'. Our flight was earlier than yours, but we had a stopover in Detroit (to go to Newark, go figure) and that flight was delayed by a couple hours. Our luggage appeared on the conveyor belt in Newark right on time. I wouldn't worry! Have a great cruise!

 

[MPS516]

I have traveled from the cruise to Washington DC while the rest of the family went home, got my bags off the carousel in DC and they got theirs at home airport, FANTASTIC ! I love the service and use it every time it is offered.

 

[steveyjc81]

Thanks for the replies, maybe I should just relax and hope for the best

 

[SuperDry]

Another thing to condider is that in many cases, you can't check bags at the airport until 4 hours prior to departure. So if you take them yourselves for a 6pm flight, you may have to hang onto them until 2pm.

Also, they print a bag check number(s) on the boarding pass they give you.

 

[Tinkerboy00]

we had the same thing and I was really nervous about if our luggage would make it on the right flight, or if it would be sitting at the terminal back home hours before we arrived.

Im not sure how they do it, but Disney always has a way. Our luggage made it on our flight and came off with everyone elses. It really is magic.

Using this service was so much easier for us, we didn't have to worry about anything at all. It made life a little easier for our trip home.

 

[CowboyPrincess]

I think I am probably over reacting, but I am a little nervous about DCL Onboard airline check in program. Our flight isn't until 6pm on debarkation day, so seems like a long time for the luggage to be sitting somewhere?

Has anyone ever had any nightmare stories? Do we get luggage receipts? I think I'm more nervous as out holiday (vacation) isn't ending, we have another section in which I wouldn't want lost luggage!

Argh!

We flew united to Newark in December. We used on board check in when disembarking the fantasy. When we got to Newark only one of three bags came off the belt. Turns out the other two were placed on a later flight. Our flight landed about 6pm the next was at 8 and it was delayed. We choose to leave the airport and have united deliver our bags to our house. Everything went smooth and easy until this point. United told us for almost 2 days the driver had the bags but since they were an outside company they had no means of contacting them and getting more info. Our bags did arrive in the middle if the night in good condition with all contents inside.

In this situation it seems that united was the problem not disney but it being the first time we used this services it will be harder for me to use it again. United blamed the situation on increased baggage from the holiday. We flew on 12/22.

If you trust your airline give it a try. It really is nice an convenient.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We flew united to Newark in December. We used on board check in when disembarking the fantasy. When we got to Newark only one of three bags came off the belt. Turns out the other two were placed on a later flight. Our flight landed about 6pm the next was at 8 and it was delayed. We choose to leave the airport and have united deliver our bags to our house. Everything went smooth and easy until this point. United told us for almost 2 days the driver had the bags but since they were an outside company they had no means of contacting them and getting more info. Our bags did arrive in the middle if the night in good condition with all contents inside.

In this situation it seems that united was the problem not disney but it being the first time we used this services it will be harder for me to use it again. United blamed the situation on increased baggage from the holiday. We flew on 12/22.

If you trust your airline give it a try. It really is nice an convenient.

We've had this happen on US Airways and a couple times on Southwest for non-cruise vacations. I would guess it happens with all airlines at some point. We just hear a thump on our front porch and we know it's our bags getting home. I don't consider this "lost" luggage, simply delayed.
The only time we found it really inconvenient was when ds13 was little & still using a booster seat, the high-back style, and we had it in a zippered car seat bag. I felt bad to have him use the car's seat belt but luckily we're not that far from PHL. Also another time we had packed our clothes still wet from swimming at Slide Rock State Park in AZ where they recommend denim shorts, not bathing suits. It was July and boy did that bag stink!

We've done the onboard check in with DCL several times. Once we tried it, we fell in love with how convenient it is. It's sad enough getting off the ship but DCL makes it as easy as possible. We've never had any issues with bags. I intentionally book a participating airline & use DCL transfers just to be able to have this service.
We've tried the rental car route and it's such a PITA with schlepping bags to the shuttle, waiting for the shuttle, more schlepping on & off shuttles (At some point in all of these steps ds lost his Nintendo DS.) and then cramming them in the trunk. Not hard for a 3 nt cruise with just me & dh but for 4 of us on a 7 nt cruise with formal wear, pirate gear, etc. it's a lot of luggage and probably the worst way to end a beautiful cruise.

 

[EeyoreIsMyName]

I think I am probably over reacting, but I am a little nervous about DCL Onboard airline check in program. Our flight isn't until 6pm on debarkation day, so seems like a long time for the luggage to be sitting somewhere?

Has anyone ever had any nightmare stories? Do we get luggage receipts? I think I'm more nervous as out holiday (vacation) isn't ending, we have another section in which I wouldn't want lost luggage!

Argh!

We were nervous about using this service for the first time too, but everything went off without a hitch. You do get a luggage receipt with your airline tickets just like you do at the airport. They stored all the luggage in a manned area in cages that are picked up by a transport service. The best feature is not having to drag around all those bags until you can check in.

 

[kyokun916]

Did onboard airline check-in for a flight that left at 3pm. Even had a layover before getting home and it arrived safe and sound.

 

[jdb in AZ]

The onboard airline check in program alone is worth the price of the transfers, just sayin'. Our flight was earlier than yours, but we had a stopover in Detroit (to go to Newark, go figure) and that flight was delayed by a couple hours. Our luggage appeared on the conveyor belt in Newark right on time. I wouldn't worry! Have a great cruise!

We used onboard airline check-in service with another cruise line. They called it "valet luggage service" and charged an extra $20 per person, over and above the cost of bus transfers from Seward to Anchorage. Then they upgraded us to passenger train service instead of the bus, and didn't charge us the difference, so we can't complain about that.

Meanwhile, the onboard check-in service is sooo convenient, I really wish Southwest would become a participating airline at MCO.

 

[cwdefouw]

Our only issues have been with Airtran, with no seats pre-choosen. When they check you in, they choose any seat that is available, not necessarily together. This could probably be corrected at the airport, but these days with flights being so full, who knows. Also, we were planning to use our A+ rewards to upgrade to business, before check-in, this can be done at midnight the day before the flight. However, Disney checked us in about 50-60 hours before the flight, before we could call and get the upgrade done, so we had to get the upgrade done later, which meant we did not get the one checked bag free that normally comes with a business class seat. (Disney had already charged us for the bags) This wasn't a huge issue, but we were not expecting them to be able to check us in that far in advance.

As far as luggage goes, we have had 0 problems even with at 3:00 PM flight out of MCO.

 

[Julylady]

We just did this in June after cruise on the RCCL Allure. It worked perfectly!

 

[jessa07]

Will it mess up the process if you check in yourself 24 hours prior from the ship? We fly Delta and like to purchase "upgrades" to exit row seats, which I know Disney won't do for you!

 

[jetskigrl]

We just used the service last Saturday on the Fantasy for a 5:30 PM flight. It worked perfectly. It sure was nice to put those bags out the night before and not have to worry about them until we got home

 

[Illini_Fan]

I should probably know this, but do you book the transfer via the DCL site or via your TA?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I should probably know this, but do you book the transfer via the DCL site or via your TA?

Through your TA.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Our only issues have been with Airtran, with no seats pre-choosen. When they check you in, they choose any seat that is available, not necessarily together. This could probably be corrected at the airport, but these days with flights being so full, who knows. Also, we were planning to use our A+ rewards to upgrade to business, before check-in, this can be done at midnight the day before the flight. However, Disney checked us in about 50-60 hours before the flight, before we could call and get the upgrade done, so we had to get the upgrade done later, which meant we did not get the one checked bag free that normally comes with a business class seat. (Disney had already charged us for the bags) This wasn't a huge issue, but we were not expecting them to be able to check us in that far in advance.

As far as luggage goes, we have had 0 problems even with at 3:00 PM flight out of MCO.

We have flown home on AT & always make sure to buy seats. I think any time you leave check in to someone else and that would be a time to make choices/decisions, they won't be doing all of that. They simply check you in. For a few extra $ it's worth it. jmho.

 

[cheerbearsmiles]

We just used the service last Saturday on the Fantasy for a 5:30 PM flight. It worked perfectly. It sure was nice to put those bags out the night before and not have to worry about them until we got home

I'm trying to sell my husband on the idea of using the on-board check-in, but he's wary of leaving our bags out in the hallway. Do they stay out there long, or does the room host whisk them away as soon as they see them in the hall?