Baggage Direct & Dismmbarkation

[Denverbri69]

On our last cruise in Dec 2010 we used the baggage direct service getting out luggage home. When you use the program you get a disembarkation time of around 8AM, which is just fine. In December our flight out of FLL was at 3:30, so we had more time on our hands then we needed. For our cruise in November I am looking at a 12:50 PM flight. Baggage Direct says that you shouldn't booker a flight earlier than 1 PM. Do you think we will be OK?

[Jemima]

The times are for qualifying for Luggage Direct.

[the2ofus]

Can anyone tell me if Baggage Direct is available when disembarking in Vancouver? What is the cost for this service? We are returning home on United Airlines.

[jtl513]

Can anyone tell me if Baggage Direct is available when disembarking in Vancouver? What is the cost for this service? We are returning home on United Airlines.
The HAL site currently says:

Luggage Direct is available in selected departure ports and for selected ships, detailed below. Once onboard, a letter explaining the eligibility requirements will be sent to you.
Holland America Line is offering Luggage Direct in:


Fort Lauderdale
Los Angeles
Seattle
San Diego
Tampa

On the following fourteen (14) vessels only:


ms Amsterdam
ms Eurodam
ms Oosterdam
ms Maasdam
ms Nieuw Amsterdam
ms Noordam
ms Ryndam
ms Rotterdam
ms Statendam
ms Veendam
ms Volendam
ms Westerdam
ms Zaandam
ms Zuiderdam

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.

Those guests not participating in Luggage Direct should expect the following: Upon disembarking the ship, all luggage will be organized in the disembarkation hall by color/number order. Once you have been invited to exit the ship please come to find your color/number group and claim your bags. There will be a limited number of porters available, but individual carts will not be available. Please exit the building with all family members and luggage, as re-entry is not permitted.

[wrp96]

The HAL site currently says:

In Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada all flights must be bound for the U.S.


There used to be a program available in Vancouver similiar to Baggage Direct called US Direct, but it is NOT being offered this year - and the websites haven't been updated to reflect this. Just an FYI in case people read this and think it will be available in Vancouver.

[sswitenki]

Do you know if Delta is one of the airlines that qualify for Luggage Direct? My husband has a very hard time walking and handling luggage is very difficult for us.

[Pokeynose]

Yes, Delta is one of the airlines you can use luggage direct on. We always use luggage direct for our cruises and have never had any trouble. Both DH and I have trouble walking so it's a wheelchair getting on and off the plane, from gate to gate and never worry about luggage going home. Happy cruising.:)

[mamaofami]

On our last cruise in Dec 2010 we used the baggage direct service getting out luggage home. When you use the program you get a disembarkation time of around 8AM, which is just fine. In December our flight out of FLL was at 3:30, so we had more time on our hands then we needed. For our cruise in November I am looking at a 12:50 PM flight. Baggage Direct says that you shouldn't booker a flight earlier than 1 PM. Do you think we will be OK?

I think you will make it with plenty of time. We did baggage direct out of Lauderdale last January and we were at the airport well b efore 10AM. In fact, we tried to get on an earlier flight but figured we'd just have to wait for our luggage on the other end. When we got to JFK, our luggage was already going around the carousel since it left on an earlier flight. We considered ourselves lucky that no one walked off with any of our cases.

[Randyk47]

We've never used the luggage service though it sounds interesting. The one time we considered it we decided to hold off....it was relatively new back then.....and as it turned out they canceled the service at the dock and everybody had to claim their luggage as it was. Should explain the ship was late arriving and then didn't clear Customs and Immigration so many people missed their flights so the service had little choice in the matter and had to return the luggage so folks could go to the airport and negotiate new flights. Also would add that Mrs. K and I have advanced frequent flier status and don't pay airline luggage fees and I'm not sure how that works with the luggage service.

[Watson's aunt]

Hi

I was on the Amsterdam cruise to Alaska. I used luggage direct.My flight was not until 11:30 back to Boston (redEye) when I arrivied in Boston I waited a few minutes and my bags were among the first off the plane.

I would do this again two bags for 19.00. One was a carry on that I had stuff I bought and clothes and more important stuff was in suit case.


Mary

[tangerinebunny]

Is the 1:00 flight limit right? Where did you see that?

I'd read in a recent post here that it's 11:30. But the HAL website seems to leave it open for each port, so I've been assuming that we'll find out when we board.

[sswitenki]

I tried to send a reply earlier and lost it - hope this doesn't turn into a double reply. Sorry in advance if it does. I am so happy to hear Delta is part of the program. It will make life so easy coming home. My husbands back went out on our last South America cruise in April on The Rotterdam. Everyone was very helpful and the ship doctor very good. Our trip home was not a memorable experience. Pete was in the hospital immediately on return to the states and when steroid therapy didn't help he ended up having back surgery. His feet are very swollen and he can barely walk now. We are not sure if he will be mobile for the next cruise in December. If not, I may need to find a scooter rental. I might need to ask advice in that area also.

[surfergirle]

Our last HAL cruise we disembarked late-
If we use luggage direct will we have to leave early?
We are not early risers. We wake up have a leisurely breakfast then are probably one of the last off the ship.

[Randyk47]

Our last HAL cruise we disembarked late-
If we use luggage direct will we have to leave early?
We are not early risers. We wake up have a leisurely breakfast then are probably one of the last off the ship.

I can't think of any reason to have to depart earlier because you used the luggage service. HAL seems to be gently moving toward getting people off earlier now that they are attempting to have all cabins available at 11:30 AM for boarding passengers but that's totally separate from how and when your luggage is handled.