lost luggage

[donna99]

We are on the Oosterdam and many articles of passsenger luggage actually fell in to the ocean at port. While some has been recovered, ours is still missing. Yes, we are on the boat as I write this!!! Has anyone ever experienced anything like this?? What should we expect in terms of compensation and customer service. It's been, needlesss to say, a slight departure from the vacation we'd hoped for. I'd love a response!

Thanks

Donna

[Mary Ellen]

WOW. The closest situation I'm familiar with was some friends who, due to airline delays, made it to the ship (up the crew gangway - with the ship underway as soon as the hatch closed), but their luggage didn't. Since their air was with HAL, HAL took responsibility. This was a 2-week Christmas cruise and their first port was in three days (where their luggage could catch up) and after Christmas. HAL gave them $ to buy casual clothes in the gift shop and comped them the rental formalwear.

Your situation is different, in that who knows when/if your bags will find you.

If you booked through a 'brick & mortar' TA, I'd also e-mail them to have them contact HAL in your behalf. I'm not sure how much an on-line/call center TA could/would do for you.

GOOD LUCK

[Krazy Kruizers]

WOW!

I have never seen luggage fall into the ocean as it was being loaded or unloaded from a ship. But I must admit I have seen some close calls.

I assume that you are in San Diego - luggage is then in the harbor.

Boy what a mess some people will have when they get their luggage.

Hope HAL is going to pay for all the ruined clothes, etc.

[Dmgernant]

WOW Please keep is updated on what happens.
I will be on the Oosterdam on the 19th.

[Philip217]

I have a good friend who is part of a large group on your cruise this week.
He also had one bag dropped into the harbor.
It might be added that the local stevedores were unfortunately responsible for this mess. The fellow driving the forklift on the pier dropped an entire steel cage filled with bags (about 50 pieces) into the harbor, before he reached the ship.

HAL hired divers to retrieve the bags, has already dry-cleaned and laundered and pressed all his clothing, sent him a bottle of wine, bought him dinner in their specialty restaurant, offered to replace anything damaged, brought the Ship's Doctor to him to arrange replacement of any medications, arranged toiletry kits, has filled out all the insurance papers for him, and generally offered to do anything else he might want them to do.
He is pretty happy at this point.
Nobody was killed or injured, he didn't lose anything important, and he has a great story to tell when he gets home.
I wonder if HAL is able to get a more responsible stevedoring company in San Diego to handle their bags in future.

[flapr]

Hmmm, is that why "O" was late sailing yerterday?

[torpeedo]

I wish I could remember who and when but someone had posted about his bag going into the drink last year. He had a fantastic sense of humor and it was a great post. HAL did take really good care of him. Hope you find your bag on dry land and not in the harbor.

[Esme]

Hmmm, is that why "O" was late sailing yerterday?

Yes! What a nightmare for everyone, eh! But it sounds like Philip's friend is taking it in stride. Not much you can do - these things happen and it certainly was not HAL's fault. Sounds like the Captain, HM and GRM are doing everything in their power to be helpful and accommodating to these unfortunate paxs.

I am sure that stevedore will be fired or was fired on the spot. :(

[jhannah]

I am sure that stevedore will be fired or was fired on the spot.
Don't count on it! The unions make it extremely difficult to get rid of someone ... even for malfeasance.

[sail7seas]

Eh....what a mess! So sorry to hear this happened to pax but very happy to hear that HAL (through it's onboard officers) is being so responsive. Doesn't seem there is much more they can do than what has been offered.

[Esme]

Don't count on it! The unions make it extremely difficult to get rid of someone ... even for malfeasance.

Jim - I thought of that after I had posted, but didn't bother changing my post. They all probably laughed about it.! :rolleyes:

[dakrewser]

We were watching them load luggage when we sailed two weeks ago and they were running around like mad trying to get it all aboard before we left port. Given that the ship was in the "lesser" slip this week, I could easily envision some luggage getting dumped.


Best of luck!

[Pudgesmom]

I am sure that stevedore will be fired or was fired on the spot. :(

Let he (or she) who has never made a mistake on the job throw the first luggage overboard. ;)

Beth

[Sea Island Lady]

I am amazed that the OP found this web site to post the bad luck with luggage!

Did anyone else notice this is a first post. I wonder if it is a regular who couldn't remember their password and had to make a new ID.

So sorry about your luggage. I have heard of this happening several times. I trie to put most of my clothes in large 2 1/2 gallon zip locks for this reason. This trick does not work with the dinner clothes, however.

[Sierrachik]

I am amazed that the OP found this web site to post the bad luck with luggage!

Did anyone else notice this is a first post. I wonder if it is a regular who couldn't remember their password and had to make a new ID.

So sorry about your luggage. I have heard of this happening several times. I trie to put most of my clothes in large 2 1/2 gallon zip locks for this reason. This trick does not work with the dinner clothes, however.

It is also entirely possible they've been reading the board for a long time, only as a guest. It could be this is the first time they've found a topic not covered very often here.

I'm glad HAL is working with these passengers :)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

This is really interesting. I can honestly say from a By Standers View points we heard nothing of this and we were doing a lot of standing by the pier. I have to admit I had never heard of this problem before but they way things are set up in San Diego I could see how it could easily happen.

[Bill S]

We were on the Noordam in 1999 and a luggage container went was dropped while loading, so it probably happens a lot more than what we'd like to think. What a mess! I hope HAL treats all affected by this incident in a fair manner. I don't what they do if your luggage is not recovered. Boy, talk about another reason to have travel insurance!

[KSCnCA]

Just as important as not packing your like items together. If you over-pack (as I do) and then miss half your bags you would still have enough to wear! :)

[ekerr19]

We've seen cages drop, but never in the water! Yuck. Hope everything works out for those folks.

I would be upset as HAL's shops do not have a lot of clothes or selection... :(

They also have very limited supplies and sizes...

[dot73]

I'm leaving from the same dock next week. I wonder if I can buy water wings for my suitcases.

[KAJOKG]

We are on the Oosterdam and many articles of passsenger luggage actually fell in to the ocean at port. While some has been recovered, ours is still missing. Yes, we are on the boat as I write this!!! Has anyone ever experienced anything like this?? What should we expect in terms of compensation and customer service. It's been, needlesss to say, a slight departure from the vacation we'd hoped for. I'd love a response! Thanks
Donna

No, we have never experienced this, but my daughter and her husband were watching them load luggage onto a ship while still at the departing pier and saw a bunch of luggage go overboard. They could not believe their eyes! I hope yyou have insurance.

[haywood]

Karen: How did you find the O/Mexican Riviera trip? Were you traveling with children?