Porter's at San Diego??? Help!!

[temple10]

Hi all, getting ready for my December 21st sailing I will be driving to the terminal. I was thinking my husband could drive me up the curb and drop me off with the luggage go park, then be able to help me until I reached the ship. ( silly me!!) I happen to mention this to my TA and she informs me there really is no need for him to go park, she says you might as well say your goodbyes at the curb. Due to your drivers can't continue on into the terminal with you. Well.......... I have more luggage than myself and my son can carry. So at what point do you see a porter for assistance?? are they standing around outside waiting or are they few and far between?? Do you go hunt one down?? How does it work?? Also if I can Question #2 Does film get ruined or not if it is in the little black containers,in my carry on when it goes through the scanner?? I have been told going through 1 time no it does not. only if you were to put it through many times, Well my thought to that was why would you put it through many times?? anyway will my film be ok? Thank you for any advice.:) Christine

[grandma bev]

It's not very far if you have wheels on your luggage. I would advise if you have more luggage than I usually do (2 large pieces on wheels and a backpack), perhaps you ought to consider packing less.

The packing fanatic.

Bev.

[BJane]

An answer to the porter issue would be a big help to me. I will soon be taking my first cruise since becoming (hopefully temporarily) disabled. I cannot lift more than just an extremely light bag without risking further damage to my spine. Since I must use a walker I am unable to pull my regular suitcase. I will need help in both San Diego and Seattle.

[garydm]

We have departed from San Diego a number of times (we will be arriving on Silver Shadow the day you depart) and always arrived at the pier by cab and the cab was able to take us right to the door of the terminal where porters are waiting. I believe private vehicles were doing the same. You must show your ticket and passport before they allow the vehicle on the pier. If they have changed the procedure recently and don't allow drop offs, it is but a short walk to the terminal entrance from the security point and I am sure you could then get a porter to help with your bags.

Gary

[PEFER33]

We also arrived by taxi and were allowed to drive in and drop off our baggage. We left the luggage with a porter and then left in the cab to pick up others in our party who were flying in. No problem. ONE CAUTION: those people who arrived early were standing in line, with their bags, on the sidewalk. The line was not moving. I'm guessing that no bags were accepted until all departing passengers had left. We were able to watch the terminal from our hotel room.

Phil

[DaveOKC]

I think private cars can go right into the area where the porters are, as ong as you have the proper departure info. with you.
We are leaving from SD tomorrow AM (HURRAY) and I will look into it for you to be sure. If you don't mind, repost or bump your message after Dec. 11 and I will see it and be sure to respond.
Last time we took the Holiday Inn schuttle from across the street right to the front door with no problems. You might try that with a few bucks tip for the schuttle driver would solve your problem. They were not busy and I am sure they would take you if needed.
DaveOKC

[DonMaryCar]

We just did b2bs in San Diego last month and we too stayed in the hotel across the street from ship but stood and watched alot of activity the week we were in San Diego for a day during the 2nd embarkation. It appeared to me, cabs, shuttles and private vehicles were let in a locked security gate after showing the proper identification and proceed to the door of terminal. The drivers were not allowed to leave their vehicles parked but then there were 3 or 4 porters with carts there to pick up any luggage you wanted to have taken aboard the ship. I would agree with the previous poster in the fact if you arrive too early the lines are longer and you would have to handle your carry ons yourself. We had friends joining us for our second week of the cruise and had asked the front desk of the Ryndam and were told no one at terminal to handle luggage till 11:30. I'm sure sometimes it is earlier but they wouldn't guarantee it. Our question was pertaining to them leaving their luggage while we went out in San Diego. We returned to ship about 3 and they boarded and we reboarded and they took their luggage and it arrived in their cabin within 5 minutes of their arrival, so not sure if that might be a incentive to wait a little later to board, but we love to get on early so we can have lunch, check out ship and start relaxing by pool but then luggage is much slower making it to your cabin. Have a great trip, I'm sure you will

Mary:)

[temple10]

Thank you so much, I will bump this thread up on the 12th, have a wonerful time on your cruise. Thank you all for your help, I feel alittle better. Now any input on this film thing?? I have found no matter what your worry as a first time cruiser you can get the answer here or reassurance and feel so much less stressed. Thank you all again your the best!:) Christine

[DaveOKC]

I have been told to keep your film in your carry-on bag. The Xray is not as strong there as the one they use for the luggage.
I never had a problem this way.
DaveOKC

[cruznon]

If you have your husband drive onto the pier drop off area, there are porters who will pick up your luggage and check it through for you. This is the BEST way. You will have to show your tickets/passport to the security guard at the gate to be admitted onto the pier unloading zone. We had a porter pick up our bags within minutes and then went straight into the terminal bldg.:)

[DaveOKC]

NO problem in dropping you off right in front of the enterence to the dock boarding area in SD. Your husband can drop you off - you just have to show your boarding documents to the guard at the gate. The porters will immediately take your luggage to the ship.
DaveOKC

[Cruiseoften]

Hi all, getting ready for my December 21st sailing I will be driving to the terminal. I was thinking my husband could drive me up the curb and drop me off with the luggage go park, then be able to help me until I reached the ship. ( silly me!!) I happen to mention this to my TA and she informs me there really is no need for him to go park, she says you might as well say your goodbyes at the curb. Due to your drivers can't continue on into the terminal with you. Well.......... I have more luggage than myself and my son can carry. So at what point do you see a porter for assistance?? are they standing around outside waiting or are they few and far between?? Do you go hunt one down?? How does it work?? Also if I can Question #2 Does film get ruined or not if it is in the little black containers,in my carry on when it goes through the scanner?? I have been told going through 1 time no it does not. only if you were to put it through many times, Well my thought to that was why would you put it through many times?? anyway will my film be ok? Thank you for any advice.:) Christine

Giving any kind of advice these days about how things are done at embarkation is a bit like discussing last week's dinner - seems things change by the day.That said, I'd suggest you contact HAL directly.

As for luggage handling, cabin baggage is taken from you in a snap. You don't mention how old your son is but assuming he's at least a teenager he should be able to take care of things. And, with all due respect, if 2 adults can't handle carry on luggage for 2 then perhaps you should pack a little less. We've been cruising for years now and manage very well with one cabin bag each - even for a 17 day trip. Tipping is expensive these days, having laundry done on board usually comes out cheaper :) :) :)

Bon Voyage! :)

[Arubalisa]

Film- X-Ray and Film speed (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=107858)