Luggage Tags

[vbmom87]

I just received my documents for my first ever cruise. Naturally I am very excited. I have a question about the luggage tags provided. I booked my airline tickets independently. Do these tags go on before my flight, or do I put them on my luggage just prior to embarking? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

[sail7seas]

Not a dumb question. Put on your HAL luggage tags after you claim your suticases from the carousel at the airport.

Have a great cruise!

[jhannah]

I'll take the other side. If you are going from the plane to the ship, then put them on before you check them at your origination airport. Then, should your bags not be there on your arrival, there will be an easy-to-see flag showing where your bags need to go ... and that they need to go at once the minute they're located.

[vbmom87]

I'll take the other side. If you are going from the plane to the ship, then put them on before you check them at your origination airport. Then, should your bags not be there on your arrival, there will be an easy-to-see flag showing where your bags need to go ... and that they need to go at once the minute they're located.

That makes sense. We are flying out two days ahead. Would you still recommend we put the HAL tags on our suitcases before we head to the airport?

[jhannah]

No. If you're going to be there a day or days ahead of boarding then wait and put them on just before you head to the ship.

[vbmom87]

No. If you're going to be there a day or days ahead of boarding then wait and put them on just before you head to the ship.
Thanks!! So much to learn. Trying to go over those final details.

[Sir PMP]

I'd follow sail7seas, I don't want the baggage loading crew at the airline to know that I am going on a cruise, for obvious reasons.

[jtl513]

When flying into AK for the land part of a cruise-tour you should put your tags on at home or your origination airport, because the bags are pulled off the conveyor belts in AK by HAL (and Princess) employees, and stacked in different areas for shipment by truck to your first hotel.

[Sue's Mom]

Can I please take this opportunity of recommending Globalbagtag.com (and no I don't work for them!). My DH and I have them, our DD and her family have them and her MIL and FIL have them. The MIL and FIL had suitcases go missing when they flew out from London Heathrow to Australia in fog last year. They flew out but their suitcases did not! However, because the cases had globalbagtags on them and their journey was registered on the Globalbagtag website the airline new exactly where to send suitcase and they arrive two days after their owners. Result!

[Boytjie]

I'd follow sail7seas, I don't want the baggage loading crew at the airline to know that I am going on a cruise, for obvious reasons.

What could the obvious reasons be?

[trvlcrzy]

What could the obvious reasons be?

1. would there be valuable items in your suitcase because you are taking a cruise?

2. you will be away from home... and often times your home address is marked on your luggage tags.

I have started using my work address on my luggage tags. If my luggage goes missing, it can be delivered to my work address. If a thief is looking to rob my house, he'll be surprised to arrive at a school!

[wizard-of-roz]

Have a wonderful first cruise....

And, that "bug" that you'll catch has a cure it's called; booking another cruise.....

You can do it while onboard...Look into it...You won't be sorry!!!!!!

[Sue's Mom]

I simply cannot imagine putting my home address on the outside of our luggage. We have not done this for years. It is recommended that a home address is put inside the luggage and to us TA locks. We use the TA locks and the globalbagtags. Therefore no need for any addresses anywhere.

Surely no-one puts valuable goods in their luggage!!!!!

[vbmom87]

I simply cannot imagine putting my home address on the outside of our luggage. We have not done this for years. It is recommended that a home address is put inside the luggage and to us TA locks. We use the TA locks and the globalbagtags. Therefore no need for any addresses anywhere.

Surely no-one puts valuable goods in their luggage!!!!!

What are TA locks?

[Sue's Mom]

Oops - perhaps I mean "TSA". The locks that the security authority can open with a special key but no-one else is supposed to be able to.

Sorry, I'm from the UK so I cannot recall the precise wording.

[vbmom87]

Oops - perhaps I mean "TSA". The locks that the security authority can open with a special key but no-one else is supposed to be able to.

Sorry, I'm from the UK so I cannot recall the precise wording.

Thanks, I don't fly much, so was not aware of these special locks. I will be sure to look for some. Thank you.

[pengu1n]

We use plastic cable ties to secure our luggage rather than the TSA locks. That way, I know immediately if our luggage has been opened and searched (never has been.)

[RuthC]

We use plastic cable ties to secure our luggage rather than the TSA locks. That way, I know immediately if our luggage has been opened and searched (never has been.)
You can buy TSA locks with a "pop-up" feature that lets you know (by a color band) if the lock was opened. It's easily reset for the next trip.

[Boytjie]

We use plastic cable ties to secure our luggage rather than the TSA locks. That way, I know immediately if our luggage has been opened and searched (never has been.)

TSA locks have an indicator that tells you if it was opened.

[Williebill]

Where can the TSA locks be purchased?

[RuthC]

Where can the TSA locks be purchased?
I bought mine at JC Penney. IIRC they were about $10.
I think they're American Tourister, or else they're Samsonite (same difference). You should be able to buy them in the luggage outlet stores for that brand, too.