Return of Items Left in Cabin???

[Cruisergal1208]

Has anyone ever left an item in your stateroom and had it returned by HAL?? We left a 20 inch TravelPro suitcase under our bed and have requested it be found and returned to us. According to a discussion with Seattle today, they still have not located it. It had our ID on it and we gave them the cabin # and all details of our booking. We did not realize we had left it until we returned home from a 20 day cruise. Just wanted to ask if you have had a similar situation and what the outcome was.
Thanks
Cruisergal

[ger_77]

You left a suitcase under your bed? What on earth did you do with all the things you had packed in it?:eek: I can't imagine leaving a suitcase. I hope it's returned to you soon!

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

[sail7seas]

Was the bag fully packed? I'm trying to imagine how you got all your things packed without using that bag. :)

Hope you get it returned. Good luck. Please let us know.

[Cruisergal1208]

You left a suitcase under your bed? What on earth did you do with all the things you had packed in it?:eek: I can't imagine leaving a suitcase. I hope it's returned to you soon!

Smooth Sailing! :):):)
We had packed shoes and misc. in it. I won a HAL travel bag on wheels and used that to pack things in and never missed the other small bag till we returned home. I sure hope the passengers in our cabin on the next cruise were honest and turned it in.

[djhsolara]

I certainly do not know how thorough the "scrub-down" is between sailings...but I've heard of people finding things (undergarments, socks, etc) under their beds when they get to their staterooms. And anyone reading this, please do not flame me for saying this...just my speculation from what I've heard. This leads me to believe that they probably do what the sweeper reaches...and it possibly could be that your bag went further under the bed and they did not see it. If this is the case, while we would all like to think that everyone would be honest about it we all know that not everyone in this world is honest all of the time, it could be that your bag was found by the next guest in the room and it went home with them. So it could quite possibly be that HAL does not have your bag to return to you.

[Cruisergal1208]

You left a suitcase under your bed? What on earth did you do with all the things you had packed in it?:eek: I can't imagine leaving a suitcase. I hope it's returned to you soon!

Smooth Sailing! :):):)
We had packed shoes and misc. in it. I won a HAL travel bag on wheels and used that to pack things in and never missed the other small bag till we returned home. I sure hope the passengers in our cabin on the next cruise were honest and turned it in.

OPPS!! sorry for the double post

[HALFans]

On our last Oosterdam cruise we found a new sterling silver necklace in the sofa.

When we turned it in to the front desk they seemed a little surprised.

I hope it found it's way to the owner.

[INSIDERS CABIN]

on the Euro inaugural, new ship, as we were stowing the big suitcases underneath the bed, we discovered a large, worn and grungy pair of red velvet mules (those are slip on shoes). I put them in the wastebasket. The steward obligingly pulled them out and put them back under the desk. I tried it once more; he retrieved them again. We finally just left them when we moved out. If they had not been so gross, i would have turned them in, but who wanted to touch them and carry them about?:confused:

[the_dylaness]

Why on Earth did the steward keep pulling them out of the trashcan!?! I mean, I can see if you'd thrown away something clearly of value by accident (like large gold bricks or something) but a grungy pair of slippers? That you threw away twice?

On our last cruise, one of our expeditions was a volcano hike. It was very strenuous and very, very muddy. I'd worn an old t-shirt planning on tossing it and DH had worn some very old completely done-for pants. When we got back and tossed the nasty shirt and the pants that were mud-soaked almost up to the knee, our steward questioned us the next day about why we'd thrown away our clothes. I think it was pretty obvious by their condition that they weren't going to be cleanable and I kind of wondered why he cared so much about the contents of our trash, anyway. :rolleyes:

[Boytjie]

Why on Earth did the steward keep pulling them out of the trashcan!?! I mean, I can see if you'd thrown away something clearly of value by accident (like large gold bricks or something) but a grungy pair of slippers? That you threw away twice?

On our last cruise, one of our expeditions was a volcano hike. It was very strenuous and very, very muddy. I'd worn an old t-shirt planning on tossing it and DH had worn some very old completely done-for pants. When we got back and tossed the nasty shirt and the pants that were mud-soaked almost up to the knee, our steward questioned us the next day about why we'd thrown away our clothes. I think it was pretty obvious by their condition that they weren't going to be cleanable and I kind of wondered why he cared so much about the contents of our trash, anyway. :rolleyes:

Perhaps the steward was just be cautious that something wasn't thrown away inadvertently. I can imagine some passenger mistaking the garbage can for a laundry basket and losing a piece of clothing that way, then complaining bitterly at the front desk demanding to get a free cruise as compensation. :D

On one of our cruises there was a pair of old sneakers in the closet when we boarded. I put them in the garbage and told the steward where I found it and why it was there. Hopefully it dawned on him that he should check the cabin more carefully on turn-over days.

[carolmacey]

Why on Earth did the steward keep pulling them out of the trashcan!?! I mean, I can see if you'd thrown away something clearly of value by accident (like large gold bricks or something) but a grungy pair of slippers? That you threw away twice?

On our last cruise, one of our expeditions was a volcano hike. It was very strenuous and very, very muddy. I'd worn an old t-shirt planning on tossing it and DH had worn some very old completely done-for pants. When we got back and tossed the nasty shirt and the pants that were mud-soaked almost up to the knee, our steward questioned us the next day about why we'd thrown away our clothes. I think it was pretty obvious by their condition that they weren't going to be cleanable and I kind of wondered why he cared so much about the contents of our trash, anyway. :rolleyes:

They don't want to be blamed for throwing out something which may have accidentally fallen into your trash can.

[CowPrincess]

I left behind a pair of sandals :( and when I realized they were missing, contacted HAL. About 4 months later I got e-mail saying my sandals had not been found. (they were almost brand new, and worth $300 or so, so the next inhabitants of the cabin may have gotten a bonanza!)

[CruisinManiac]

$300 for a pair of sandals! :eek:

I found a navy blue skirt on my last cruise. It was size 3, and sitting on the closet shelf. Looked like the type that stewardess wear. When I gave it to our room steward, he looked at my surprised, and said "are you sure it's not yours?" :rolleyes: Uhhhh, first of all I was very sure. Secondly, it was about 14 sizes too small for me. LOL That was very obvious when I held it up to the steward. Bless him. :D

To the OP, most found items are turned over to Lost, and NOW Found. Then they are donated to charity. I think you are out of luck.

[Wini18]

We did leave a medium collapsed case on the shelf in one of the closets. We realized it when we got home and lo and behold about 2 months later it arrived via UPS. I was very impressed - so you may be lucky. Hope so!;)

[kenish]

I hope the OP gets the suitcase back....think of all the exotic places it will have visited without its owner! Cruise lines may store lost and found items until the ship returns to the US to save shipping costs.

On long trips we bring old socks and underwear for half the trip. We do laundry halfway through the trip then discard things after one final wearing. The first night we threw out our dirty underwear and socks, the steward took them out and folded them (eww!) We explained what we were doing and problem solved. He had never heard of the idea and thought it was cool.

[blsmeister]

Dear Cruisegal,

I just received a post card from Holland America's Lost and Found Department, it bares no representatives name. Remember how everyone's name was plastered upon their chests the entire cruise? Well this doesn't
match up with that type of customer service.

What bothers me the most regarding this entire situation is that Holland America is well aware of what cabin you resided in, they have your name, address, e-mail, and credit card information on file. If you were to call them this minute to purchase another cruise from them, Holland America would have no problem locating your information, BUT DO THEY GO THE DISTANCE to instill a sense of security or safety? NO! We've had once left a sweater behind with a well known hotel chain, by the time we reached our home, we had already received an e-mail asking us to contact them in regards to our possessions. We contacted the hotel, granted them the permission to use our charge to send us the article UPS. Does this chain retain our business? Definitely!

The entire process that Holland America puts you through afterwards in trying to contact their lost and found department doesn't measure up to the service we thought we received on board the Veendam. It made us take another look at our Cabin Steward and really wonder if he deserved the additional tip we left him? By him not tagging the garments with our DELUXE SUITE NUMBER and turning them to the concierge in the Neptune Lounge so that they could be delivered to Lost and Found made me wonder how safe we really are aboard these ships? I believe the service you receive once you leave a property truly is indicative to whether not you should do business with a company again, but I guess with Holland America service is based on presence? (Out of sight, Out of mind)
I plan to communicate this in writing to:
Stein Kruse
President & Chief Executive Officer
Holland America Line
300 Elliott Ave. West
Seattle, WA 98119
phone: (206) 281-3535
fax: (206) 281-7110
Toll-free (877) 932-4259

Sincerely,

BLSMeister:confused:

[serendipity1499]

[quote=blsmeister;17662988]Dear Cruisegal,

I just received a post card from Holland America's Lost and Found Department, it bares no representatives name. Remember how everyone's name was plastered upon their chests the entire cruise? Well this doesn't
match up with that type of customer service.

:confused:Assume you have lost something of value... Was the postcard sent from the ship's Lost & Found or the Lost & Found Dept in Seattle?..What did the postcard say ?

What bothers me the most regarding this entire situation is that Holland America is well aware of what cabin you resided in, they have your name, address, e-mail, and credit card information on file. If you were to call them this minute to purchase another cruise from them, Holland America would have no problem locating your information, BUT DO THEY GO THE DISTANCE to instill a sense of security or safety? NO!

The entire process that Holland America puts you through afterwards in trying to contact their lost and found department doesn't measure up to the service we thought we received on board the Veendam. It made us take another look at our Cabin Steward and really wonder if he deserved the additional tip we left him?

A bit Harsh, don't you think? You are assuming the Steward found your lost article..Is it possible the passengers who occupied the suite after you found it?

By him not tagging the garments with our DELUXE SUITE NUMBER and turning them to the concierge in the Neptune Lounge so that they could be delivered to Lost and Found made me wonder how safe we really are aboard these ships?

If found by the Steward, how do you know he did not turn the item into Lost & Found on the ship? It is my understanding that the Conceriege's are rotated from the front desk & may not be the same ones you had..

Betty

[Cruisergal1208]

I am the OP and this morning I had a talk with my TA about finding out the exact procedure HAL follows to try to locate something left behind. I think a simple call to the ship from the home office would have started the search. After all, the ship was returning to Ft. Lauderdale in 10 days. Anyway, I want more of an explanation of what is done and not just a "sorry, it has not been found" statement. I would not be concerned if it was not a very nice TravelPro suitcase. Yes, it is our fault for not remembering what we had brought with us and next time, I will take a picture of all of the luggage and compare it with what we are packing and returning with. That might be a good idea for all travelers with several pieces of luggage in case the airlines lose it.
Thanks to all who have shared their thoughts and concerns.
Cruisergal

[kenish]

A few months ago I realized my drivers license was missing out of my wallet. Fortunately I had seen it earlier in the day and called stores I had visited. The grocery store had it in their lost & found. When I went to get it, they had a drawer full of credit cards, a few wallets, and keys (some with the store's club card barcode tag attached). I'm sure most of the items had their owners frantically looking and/or cancelling cards. You think the store would make a quick phone call since the owners of most items were easy to track down.

[Cruisergal1208]

Well, I am now in the process of starting the paper work with my travel insurance company since HAL does not seem to be concerned about helping to find my piece of luggage. Will keep you all posted as to the outcome.
Thanks for all of your comments.
Cruisergal

[aussiedisneyfan]

Interesting thread. I am now certainly not holding my breath for my daughters ipod nano to make it way back to me. We have no idea where she lost it onboard. It had her name and my cellphone number engraved so if anyone found it, it certainly should have been handed in. The camera, and nintendo DS was handed in. (sense a trend in this family?) :o

[Cruisergal1208]

Received a letter from the home office saying my luggage has not been turned in. Now waiting for the forms from the insurance to see if they will cover it.
Cruisergal

[ger_77]

How sad that someone didn't have the strength of character to turn in something that obviously did not belong to them. I hope your insurance claim goes through quickly and when the time comes to replace it, the same piece of luggage can be purchased at half price leaving you enough change for a few froo froo drinks onboard!

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

[Cruisergal1208]

Just an update on the luggage. After sending emails directly to the HM on the Noordam, it has been located and will be off loaded on Feb. 2 and will be shipped to me (at my expense of course). It pays to be persistant and to contact the correct person(s) to handle the situation.

Thanks to all of you for your responses and support.
Cruisergal

[Krazy Kruizers]

So glad to hear that you are going to get back your piece of luggage.

[docksider21]

After sending emails directly to the HM on the Noordam, it has been located and will be off loaded on Feb. 2 and will be shipped to me (at my expense of course).


How did you get the HM's email address?

Glad it is on its way back. Or you could have them to hold it, and book another cruise on the Noordam so as to collect it!

[mamaofami]

That's great that your luggage is on its way back to you.

[Cruisergal1208]

(How did you get the HM's email address?)

I am sorry but I can not say how I got that information. The person helping me has not given their name, just gave me some very good advice and asked to remain anonymous. I would tell anyone with a similar experience to just keep after it.

We WILL sail with HAL again as we have 2 deposits on future cruises.

I still can not believe how fast I received information from the Noordam once they were contacted!!.

[sail7seas]

Happy your suitcase was located and will be sent to you.

I was at my bank today and when in the private room with my safe deposit box, I noticed something shiny on the floor. When I picked it up, I found it was an antique platinum pin with about 7 bright blue sapphires and diamond accents. Really pretty piece and clearly valuable.

I gave it to the person who manages entry and exit to the boxes. I would venture to say that's as far as it got but I wouldn't have dreamed of keeping it. The owner probably has no clue they dropped it and that it never made it back into their box.

Either a person is honest or they are not.

[mamaofami]

Sail, it's wonderful that you did that.

After my mother died, I was in the vault one day and then I got a phone call that a piece of jewelry had been found. They called everyone that had been in the vault that day. I had to go through all my mother's things to make sure that nothing was missing, and it was very hard for me to remember what was in there. But, it wasn't hers and then the officer of the bank gave me a description of the item and I knew it wasn't mine. Yes, there are some honest people in this world.

I always believe what goes around comes around.

[ger_77]

Hooray, I'm glad you finally got some good news about your luggage! I hope it arrives in good condition.

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

[Cruisergal1208]

Wow, Sail, that was a wonderful thing you did. A few weeks ago, I found an international driver's license in a parking lot here. It was from India. A policeman drove by just minutes after I found it and I flagged him down to give it to him. About a week after that, I found something else and just this past Sunday, we found someone's car key in the parking lot of Longhorn's. So maybe I am being repaid for finding and turning in all of those things.

I hope it arrives ok, too. The ins. co. said to be sure to let them know if it is not in good shape.

Hope other's lost items will be returned to their rightful owners.

Happy Travels,
Cruisergal

[CruisingChics]

(How did you get the HM's email address?)
I am sorry but I can not say how I got that information. The person helping me has not given their name, just gave me some very good advice and asked to remain anonymous. I would tell anyone with a similar experience to just keep after it.
We WILL sail with HAL again as we have 2 deposits on future cruises.
I still can not believe how fast I received information from the Noordam once they were contacted!!.

(hi cruisergal~!!) :-)
here's a tip for all:
get the business card of the HM on every future cruise from here on out.
get the business card of every STAFF person on board that you meet, especially if you think it might come in handy someday.
you never know when you might need that info, later, after you've left.
if, after about 6months, toss out the business cards you don't need anymore because those people are probably on a different ship.(although the email address remains the same)

AND last but not least,
continue to post your situations here because HAL people in Seattle AND those at sea DO read them, and sometimes (people like me) get a little itch to help out when we see that a problem just needs a little *encouragement*

happy sailing~!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

One time we found a small black jewelry box in the safe on one of our cruises. We took it right away to the concierge who contacted Seattle via the front office.

I have often wondered if that person got their jewelry box back.

Our cabin steward was called to the front office and he told us that he got a chewing out because he hadn't checked the safe after the other people left and we turned in the box.

[Cruisergal1208]

Good news!!! My luggage is now safe at home and in good condition. I thank all of you for your help and suggestions. I just wish I could have continued to sail with it on the extra cruises after I disembarked on Dec. 7th. It was off loaded in Ft. Lauderdale on Feb. 2 and arrived here Feb. 5. Great service once the "right" people were contacted.
Happy sailing and smooth seas!!
Cruisergal1208

[robertmartha]

On our HAL cruise to alaska a few years back we were waiting in the neptune lounge to disembark. Our color was called and off we went. Waiting in the airport we realized that my oldest daughter who was holding our digital camera...was not holding it anymore! The last any of us could remember seeing it was in the neptune lounge. My wife contacted Seattle the following Monday and within two weeks our camera was back in our hands with all our vacation memories. We were HAL fans prior to that incident but that really sealed the deal for us. We were convinced we would never see the camera again because we really had no idea where it was misplaced. Imagaine our delight when it was delivered to us.

[ger_77]

Cruisergal, I'm happy your luggage made it home safe and sound - it's too bad you couldn't have gotten credit for the days your luggage was still onboard, though! You'd have been wearing a medallion in no time (if you aren't already). It's nice to see a happy ending to your story.

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

[Cruisergal1208]

I will say the staff in the Seattle office were of no help. They reported it had not been found or logged into lost and found. It was the staff on board the Noordam that responded immediately upon being contacted by me. I still do not know how much they charged me to return it. It will show up on my charge card account.

[lmt1022]

I had been hopefully waiting for the last month for my left articles to be "found." I just received HAL's standard letter of "sorry, but hope you enjoyed your cruise anyway!" letter.
I left 4 jackets (worth over $400) in the hall closet in our suite. Yes, it was my fault - but, HAL staff did play a part in the loss as I was so rushed out of the room my head was spinning. I wasn't even finished dressing yet and I had the mini bar guy, the steward and someone from the kitchen - that I had not called (picking up my room service tray when I wasn't even done eating!) and 2 workers out on the balcony spraying the deck - all before 8:30 am! Someone in our group even took a quick picture of this as we thought we were being "punked.!
So, yes, I was feeling a little rushed and left my jackets in the closet. I realized it, called HAL lost and found and weeks later I get his "card." Either the steward was dishonest and kept the items, or they didn't check the closet and the new passengers were dishonest...or one or the other DID turn them in and the items were lost in HAL's system. I am very disappointed.
Can anyone please assist me in getting the HM of the Zaandam's email or phone number ...please.
Thank you.!

[lmt1022]

OK, I found the hotel managers name from a correspondence he had left in the room. Now I just need his email address. Does anyone know what the HAL format is for email? For example, in our company every person has their first name, last name and then @ ... john.smith at business.com.

Anyone know this information?
Thanks.

[KAKcruiser]

You could try calling ships services. Even if they can't give out the email address, they might be willing to send a message to the ship.

[dandro]

I wasn't even finished dressing yet and I had the mini bar guy, the steward and someone from the kitchen - that I had not called (picking up my room service tray when I wasn't even done eating!) and 2 workers out on the balcony spraying the deck - all before 8:30 am!

Ever think of locking the door of your stateroom and/or informing the staff politely that you are not ready to depart yet? When you filled out your disembarkation form, what time did you specify that you would be leaving?

[lmt1022]

Ever think of locking the door of your stateroom and/or informing the staff politely that you are not ready to depart yet? When you filled out your disembarkation form, what time did you specify that you would be leaving?


In fact, yes I did. However, my family (in 3 other cabins) were in and out that morning and the staff walked in with them. When I politely asked that the steward "please come back in a few minutes when my Mom is done dressing" and then he still reaches for the trash can OR when my Mom asks nicely "can I please at least have my coffee" - while the room service person is walking out the door with our uneaten breakfast tray OR when I request the mini bar fellow to come back in a few minutes and he acts like he doesn't speak English - - that is an issue. We had requested a disembark time for after 9:00. I recieved our time the prior evening for 8:00. I spoke with the concierge at the Neptune and she stated we had until 9:45am to leave. I told her 9:00 was fine and she said she would take care of it.

[Highbypass Turbofan]

On our 1st 'big' ship cruise, which was RCCL between Lax and Ensenada, I left a very expensive hat on the chair seat in our cabin. I discovered it missing while enroute from the dock to the airport. Upon returning home, I immediately called RCCL. After several days, they stated that even though it was found, it could not be retuned due to U.S. Customs regulations and would have to be destroyed.
I used to work closely with Customs in an airport enviroment and the RCCL agent was correct. So, I love my new hat that I had to repurchase...oh well...my fault.
I would assume that a piece of luggage would have the same import restriction.

[suse]

I'm still interested in the person who has those sandals. Very expensive sandals. What do they look like and where do you wear them? Did you buy them for the cruise or were they special for another occasion? I'm am so into this. Let us know.:)

[CowPrincess]

Either the steward was dishonest and kept the items,

IMHO it is highly unlikely the cabin steward was dishonest. Why would anyone who lives for months in shared accommodations in a room like a broom closet want or need your jackets?

Really, really sorry they've been lost, but to suggest that your steward was dishonest is not supported by any facts. That kind of innuendo is completely uncalled-for.

[suse]

Yeah, cowprinces is completely and unequivically correct. Wrong to accuse anyone of wanting your jackets. Besides, it's used clothing. Most people have a little pride and not just in your culture.:)

[Pete Jackson]

First the good news: I got a letter from HAL more than six months after our Veendam Jan 07 cruise, and inside was a digital camera memory card that I must have left in the safe! I never realized that I was missing it (must have already downloaded the pics to the laptop), but it has value nonetheless.

Now the bad news: On our May 16 Rotterdam cruise, I found a small empty suitcase under the bed with the HAL tag still on, saying Jan 9th, 2009 departure. Well, the ship had just completed a world cruise when we got on, so that case was really well traveled, both in time and distance.
I just left it in the closet and told the steward.

[Sharon in AZ]

OK, I found the hotel managers name from a correspondence he had left in the room. Now I just need his email address. Does anyone know what the HAL format is for email? For example, in our company every person has their first name, last name and then @ ... john.smith at business.com.

Anyone know this information?
Thanks.

I would go to the HAL website for this information.....or you may have to do more research to get the email address.

[Sharon in AZ]

I know this thread is old but have to tell of our experience. Years ago, probably 10 years ago, my husband left his Movado watch in the safe. It was easy to miss in our room check on disembarkation morning. Weeks later we received a package from a stranger with the watch and a note. He wrote that he was the next passenger in the cabin we had occupied and found the watch. After speaking with the Hotel Manager he insisted upon the address of the previous passenger so he could return the watch. Of course the Hotel Manager didn't want to release our address at first but I guess after much persuasion they did. Lucky for us!

So, if I was the person finding something of value I would definitely speak with the Hotel Manger, not the Room Steward. Not sure they would ever release an address now with all the restrictions, but I would feel better leaving an item with a Hotel Manager than a Room Steward.