Theft Alert Crown Princess Passengers

[Catnip]

 

Unfortunately, even though the passengers are presumed to be 'rich' enough to enjoy the vacation, the 'poor' crew demonstrate better behavior and ethics...

 

AMEN!!!!!!!!

[cynbar]

Well, as the OP says, she has cruised several times and maybe got a little complacent. This post should remind all of us of things we probably already knew, but haven't thought about as much as we should.... so I for one would like to thank the OP for that, not discuss what she did wrong.

[SaylorGirl]

I am a little confused at the people who are second-guessing the OP and her sister. They were stolen from and that is OUTRAGOUS.

 

Baggage handlers are paid to perform a task. They have no right to steal from the bags. If they steal something, THEY are the ones who should be hung out to dry. I don't care of the OP packed the crown jewels in her bag, there is no excuse for theft.

 

To the OP, I hope you contacted Princess with your complaint. They need to be made aware of this problem.

 

Jennew - do not assume it was the baggage handlers. Do you know how many passengers are up and down the halls? With all the bags out it would be very easy to grab a bag and pilfer through it. If you wouldn't leave the bag in an unlocked car at night you shouldn't leave it in the hallway unlocked either.

 

To the OP sorry this happened to your sister.

[rkaplan]

This also happened to us. We set out luggage out and we had bought the kids gifts of silver jewelry. It wasn't expensive and we put in inside our dirty clothes. It was in the years you could lock you luggage when flying so we were sure it happened on the cruise. That was our first cruise and our first cruise on Princess (that was 8 yrs ago). We totally understand what you are going through.

[DNCButler]

So sorry to hear about the loss. But these are my travel rules:

 

DO NOT put valuables or medication in your checked luggage.

 

DO NOT put your bags out into the hallway unless they are locked with TSA approved locks.

 

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS lock your bags with TSA approved locks and zip ties if you have them no matter where you are travelling to.

 

It's sad but it happens on cruise ships, resorts and hotels or even rental cars. How many times have we seen posts about people leaving cameras or purses in their rental cars only to come back a few minutes later to find it all gone? It happens everywhere and just because you are on a cruise ship doesn't mean the other passengers are honest. It's a shame though and I sympathize with your sisters loss.

[Colo Cruiser]

So sorry to hear about the loss. But these are my travel rules:

 

DO NOT put valuables or medication in your checked luggage.

 

 

Locks or no locks don't put valuables that you dont want to loose in your checked bags period!!!!!!!:eek:

[sjbdtz]

Here's a totally different take on the matter....if you're able-bodied, why not just hang-onto your bags, and use Express Disembarkation?

 

You get to leave the ship whenever you're ready (no waiting for colors to be called), and you have control of your bags the entire time.

 

Most upright rolling suitcases have a loop-strap on top which you can use to attach to a smaller bag, so that you can roll both bags at the same time (the loop lifts the smaller bag at the same time as you tilt the large bag).

 

I usually have 3 bags (2 suitcases + computer bag), and have the strapped together so I'm only ever pulling one handle...the other two bags just tag-along!

 

 

 

On another note, is it at all possible that the jewellery was packed in its own package, prior to being put in the suitcase....and that the small package was left behind?

 

Try contacting lost & found....maybe it's still sitting there waiting to be claimed?

[debbieinct61]

Here's a totally different take on the matter....if you're able-bodied, why not just hang-onto your bags, and use Express Disembarkation?

 

You get to leave the ship whenever you're ready (no waiting for colors to be called), and you have control of your bags the entire time.

 

Most upright rolling suitcases have a loop-strap on top which you can use to attach to a smaller bag, so that you can roll both bags at the same time (the loop lifts the smaller bag at the same time as you tilt the large bag).

 

I usually have 3 bags (2 suitcases + computer bag), and have the strapped together so I'm only ever pulling one handle...the other two bags just tag-along!

 

 

 

On another note, is it at all possible that the jewellery was packed in its own package, prior to being put in the suitcase....and that the small package was left behind?

 

Try contacting lost & found....maybe it's still sitting there waiting to be claimed?

 

Just checked in to see what other ideas my fellow travelers came up with...and to reply to a few. Unfortunately, Express was not an option for us, my sister has liver cancer & had just come off a course of chemo the day of embarkation. I think that was part of the reason for all her baubles, she had been feeling pretty lousy & my sweetie sent us both with orders fror R & R & a little fun. The jewelry case arrived home, but had been picked thru. Thank God, as one poster noted, that her many meds were on her at all times, could you imagine if someone got a hold of the industrial size bottles of Tylox & Oxycontine?

 

Also, to the poster who noted this was my first post & a negative one, When I first discovered this site 2yrs ago or so, I was (& still am) fairly computer illiterate. I got deep into the member reviews, and thought by adding my own reviews of ships (both positve BTW) I was adding to the general spirit of sharing, both good & bad, that makes this site so worthwhile. To me, anyway.

[bdjam]

Jennew - do not assume it was the baggage handlers. Do you know how many passengers are up and down the halls? With all the bags out it would be very easy to grab a bag and pilfer through it. If you wouldn't leave the bag in an unlocked car at night you shouldn't leave it in the hallway unlocked either.

Not to mention anyone who happens by the luggage when it’s on the pier – porter or passenger.

[broberts]

What exactly is a TSA lock? - sorry I just don't know.

 

They are locks approved by the Transport Security Administration for use on airline luggage, see http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/locks.shtm.

[Princess Chatterer]

debbieinct61 if I were guessing I would have thought your luggage went through the Vancouver airport.

 

Now why would I suspect this airport? Maybe my direct experience that's why.

[debbieinct61]

debbieinct61 if I were guessing I would have thought your luggage went through the Vancouver airport.

 

Now why would I suspect this airport? Maybe my direct experience that's why.

 

Sorry to hear about that Wokie. Lately I have been avoiding airports altogether, I have enough time on my hands, I can drive to where I need to get. That's why I thought NYC would be great, only 2 hour drive from home...but to reference anothers posters thoughts on fellow travelers, or employees with less honesty, I didn't get that vibe at all from the 2 70 year oldish couples in either suite adjacent, nor from my really graet room steward. As for Porters, there were a total of mabye 5 for all disembarking passengers, we literally dragged (thanks to the gentleman who helped my sister) our suitcases ourselves to our car. So it was pretty narrowed down to the time the bags were left out overnite, but they actually had been picked up by the time we got back to our cabin about 9:30 pm. My Sis is going to call Princess, but won't probably pursue beyond that because she has to concentrate of spending her time on more positive things.

On another note, maybe it's just me getting older & more aware, but I kinda felt guilty spending money on this cruise. Then i started doing the math, as an ex waitress way long ago, tips interest me. 3000x10x9( do we get tip charged for that last day?) if my math is right is 27,000 divided by what 1000 employees? Plus all the extra 15% grats, and the additional cash I tip for excellent service, and then I get a little PO'd. IS it just me , or are Americans being treated with a little more disdain these days?

[willysgrandma]

Also, to the poster who noted this was my first post & a negative one, When I first discovered this site 2yrs ago or so, I was (& still am) fairly computer illiterate. I got deep into the member reviews, and thought by adding my own reviews of ships (both positve BTW) I was adding to the general spirit of sharing, both good & bad, that makes this site so worthwhile. To me, anyway.

 

Pay no attention to whoever said that - I did not take your post as negative, I took it as a very helpful post for bringing something to our attention that many of us probably have never thought about.

 

It never occured to me that perhaps a fellow passenger may open your bags and rifle through them (if it was not the crew) when they are left out at night. Your post opened my eyes to the fact that somnething like this CAN happen and I went out today and bought more TSA locks - why take a chance?

 

Thank you for posting - for those of us who have cruised many times, you just put those bags out at night without thinking that something could happen.

[DNCButler]

Locks or no locks don't put valuables that you dont want to loose in your checked bags period!!!!!!!:eek:

LOL I think that's what I said!

[DNCButler]

The other thing I try to use are those zip tie plastic strips. I put one one when I check my bags at the airport. When I arrive I check them, if they are still in tact then we go from there until I see one missing. At that point I check my bags to see WHY they have been opened. I learned the hard way when my personal items went missing between checkin at the airport and when they arrived to me on the carousel!

 

Debbie, by any chance did you (or your sister) have travel insurance? If so, then you can try to make a claim on that.

[sjbdtz]

On another note, maybe it's just me getting older & more aware, but I kinda felt guilty spending money on this cruise. Then i started doing the math, as an ex waitress way long ago, tips interest me. 3000x10x9( do we get tip charged for that last day?) if my math is right is 27,000 divided by what 1000 employees? Plus all the extra 15% grats, and the additional cash I tip for excellent service, and then I get a little PO'd. IS it just me , or are Americans being treated with a little more disdain these days?

 

I'm confused by what you're saying....but either way, you're missing a 0.

 

It would be $270,000 divided by 1000 employees, or basically an income of $270/10 days plus whatever you give in cash.

 

Definately below the poverty line in US terms. (about $9,700 annual income, plus I think they get some base amount (about $10/week if memory serves).

 

 

I'm not sure why you get PO'd....is it because you think that's too much? Too little?

 

And I didn't understand the disdain comment.

 

Please clarify. :)

[vator90]

Folks, this is getting borderline paranoid. Fellow cruisers rifling through your things and such. The OP said she did not fly, put her bags out when instructed and so on. Aparently they were unlocked and someone took the oportunity to steal from someone. Before we all turn into Sherlock Holmes, lets take from this what we should. Feel sympathy for the OP for being victimized (nobody is perfect, coulda benn any of us in this circumstance), and secondly, take extra precautions to safe gaurd our belongings. Ever hear of duct tape and a sharpy? Wrap one wrap of duct tape around the suitcase, and write something, like your name, across the seam of the case. They can retape, but cant duplicate your signature.

[Sandytoes]

$270,000 divided by 1000 employees, or basically an income of $270/10 days plus whatever you give in cash.

There are salary crew members who do not particpate in the tip pool. Tips are shared by the ship's crew, with the exception of Stage staff, photographer, Guest Relations Officer, Casino Dealer, and Cashiers in gift shops, the list goes on.

Crew members who do receive income from tips, depending on the company and position, they could earn anywhere up to $2,000. TAX - FREE.

They would be silly to take a chance in stealing knowing it would cost them their jobs plus having a chance of being charged with attempted felony theft.

Crew members take their jobs very seriously, they know they make more money on a ship than back home in their country.....

 

So, stealing fake gems......Would it be worth it?

[above sea level cruiser]

They are locks approved by the Transport Security Administration for use on airline luggage, see http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/locks.shtm.

 

Thanks broberts! - I had no idea what they were.

[Tom O.]

Then i started doing the math, as an ex waitress way long ago, tips interest me. 3000x10x9( do we get tip charged for that last day?) if my math is right is 27,000 divided by what 1000 employees? Plus all the extra 15% grats, and the additional cash I tip for excellent service, and then I get a little PO'd. IS it just me , or are Americans being treated with a little more disdain these days?

 

I've done the math too. I figure the average person in the pool gets between $150 and $200 per week in tips (Grand Class ship - 2600 passengers approximatly 1000 crew in pool = $182 + 15% beverage service). That sounds like a lot, but their regular salary is very low, I have heard that it is somewhere between $100 and $200 per week (this is heresay I heard here on CC but it sounds about right). So, under the best of circumstances, the most they could possibly earn is a total of about $400 per week. Since they don't work all year round, that would be, at most, about $18,000 per year. That is a terrible rate of pay, and they have to work 12 hours per day, 7 days a week in order to get it. So don't begrudge them their tips, they earn every penny of them.

[BILLP1]

My wife had a lock on one of her bags broken off on Oct 18 return on the Crown Princess. Thet broke the hook on the zipper that the lock attaches to.

 

WE DROVE AND DID NOT PASS THROUGH AN AIRPORT..

 

Nothing missing because we carry anything of value in our carry off bag.

[Jacqueline]

Is it really NEWS and an ALERT that someone got fake jewelry that looked to be of value stolen from an unlocked unattended bag ?

CAll me jaded. Being stolen from is bad and a bad feeling. My dad was pickpocked in Italy on a cruise, But he was dumb and made every possible mistake. It was upsetting and he had to cancel his credit cards.

But guess what ? I did not come back and post a "Watch out for Pickpockets in Sicily" thread.

[kinwad2000]

Hello??? Is anyone home out there? Did ANYONE pass Reading Comprehension in grammar school/?? The poster WASN'T NEAR AN AIRPORT!!!! The lock problem happened at the port!!! WHAT is so difficult about understanding this? I, as well, had the same problem with the same cruise.

Before you post, PLEASE at least understand the original poster's comments. It will save us all alot of time!

[Jacqueline]

Welcome to the board. I see that you just joined today !

[debbieinct61]

When I got out of the army, I spent many years in the hospitality industry. Our rate of pay (1986 or so ) was $2.55 hour, plus tips. You can bet I am fully aware of how tips can make or break a job like this. That's why it's interesting to me to do the math( although as anouther poster pointed out, my math was wrong!)I also, at start, tip my steward extra $100 cash, and tips various waiters & coffee people throughout the trip, on top of the $10 daily PP on my shipboard account. I do this in the beginning of the trip, it makes them happy, they remember me for the rest of the trip, and I get better service. And as someone noted, the hours are hell. What I meant by disdain, I should have clarified was more the attitude I felt from some of the folks at the port stops, particulary Ocho Rios, that they are just alittle fed up with Americans in general, maybe the economic turmoil here ( I know some of you don't feel it, but it's there) has added to things. I try to help keep their enocomies afloat, but I can't do it alone! There's only so much asphalt I can make in CT before it gets cold! So fellow cruisers...lets save the world, one straw market at a time! Give them your Lincolns, your Jacksons, maybe a Franklin or 2, do your part!!! Please don't bash, just injecting a little levity into the morning. Good Day to all!