The What and How of Signature Express Service

[NMLady]

I've seen Signature Express Service mentioned and am interested in learning more about it since it would be great if we could put our bags out the last night of the cruise and not hassle with them until we get home. We would carry our binoculars, cameras and other valuables in our backpack carryons, leaving nothing valuable in the suitcases. We have TSA locks for them.

We are disembarking in Seattle 5/31, noon flight on American Airlines.
We have a connecting flight in Dallas/Ft Worth.

Can we use Signature Express Service (we have two checked bags total).

If so, how much does it cost and how do we make arrangements for it.

THANKS for any info you can give me.

[LADYLAYLA]

I've seen Signature Express Service mentioned and am interested in learning more about it since it would be great if we could put our bags out the last night of the cruise and not hassle with them until we get home. We would carry our binoculars, cameras and other valuables in our backpack carryons, leaving nothing valuable in the suitcases. We have TSA locks for them.

We are disembarking in Seattle 5/31, noon flight on American Airlines.
We have a connecting flight in Dallas/Ft Worth.

Can we use Signature Express Service (we have two checked bags total).

If so, how much does it cost and how do we make arrangements for it.

THANKS for any info you can give me.


Hey NMLady

With a noon flight I dont think you will be eligible for the Signature express service. If I recall, it refers to the earliest flights being 1pm. when you are on the cruise, the staff will distribute a information sheet regarding it and you can fill it in with all your details, flight info etc. They will let you know if you are eligilbe. It is around 16 per person and well worth it! They check you in, they print your boarding passes and luggage tags for the bags, and once you set your bags out that last night, you may not see them until you get home. I asy may because on our cruises out of Fort Lauderdale, we have had to grab the bags, go through customs and deliver them to the SES truck Very simple and very easy!

Enjoy the Amsterdam -- I really wish we were still going on that trip :(

[ajmsta]

Last Sept. on the Westerdam we had a 11:35am flight out of SEA. and used Signature Express Service. It was great!!:)

[jtl513]

Just a heads-up: the HAL site now appears to be calling this Luggage Direct instead of Signature Express Baggage Service. Maybe there was some confusion with Signature of Excellence or Signature class ships. :)

The HAL site doesn't give any help about answering your questions except that the price is $19 per person:

Luggage Direct

Luggage Direct offers you the opportunity to receive your airline boarding passes, and check your luggage in to your flight while still onboard your Holland America Line ship. Our TSA certified partners will take your luggage directly from the ship and deliver it to your outbound aircraft. You will then claim your luggage when you arrive at your final airport destination.

Please note the following general information about Luggage Direct:



Cost is $19 per person at all ports
Airline assessed baggage fees will be applied to guests' onboard account - fees vary by airline and all pricing is communicated directly from the airline to our partner company, BAGS, Inc. These fees are collected onboard and are then distributed to the airlines.
Guests are able to check no more than 2 pieces of luggage per person.
Upgrade Requests, Seat Assignment Requests, and Flight Changes cannot be accommodated onboard.
There are restrictions established for each homeport city.
Restrictions include: participating airlines, earliest and latest flight times, and citizenship requirements.
All flights must be Domestic (inclusive of U.S. Territories).
In Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada all flights must be bound for the U.S.

[Krazy Kruizers]

John is right -- not much help on HAL's web site. A few months ago there was a lot more information there -- but it is gone.

I know I reported about it sometime -- can't seem to find it.

[Travalerie]

Nevermind, reading another post, we have a late flight, around 11 so we won't be able to use the service.

[sylteach]

Sorry to hear about the time of your flight. We flew out of Vancouver and the latest flight we had was 11:50am. We had to go through Canadian customs and US customs and security and had no problems getting there on time.

[NMLady]

THANK YOU to all of you for giving me such excellent information. It sounds as if we might be eligible for it, even with a 12:10pm (noon) flight.
I'll be watching for the info paper onboard about luggage service called by any name. :D
The charge for the service is extremely reasonable considering the hassle & time it saves not having to check-in luggage at the airport but just going straight to the security lines.

Thanks again. Each of you added significant additional info.

Lady Layla, I'm sorry too that you had to cancel the Alaska cruise on the Amsterdam. It's going to be awesome.

[NMLady]

Last Sept. on the Westerdam we had a 11:35am flight out of SEA. and used Signature Express Service. It was great!!:)


Had you been on an Alaska cruise with a Canadian port stop (like Victoria)?
If so, did you have to go through customs with your bags when you docked in Seattle or were you done with your bags once you put them outside your door the last night of the cruise? That's what we're hoping for.