Lost Luggage NCL

[fin]

More finger pointing and dysfunctionality. Sad.

[SueSea]

In my opinion, since NCL does not give you the option of carrying on your large bags, they should be responsible if your bags do not make it to the ship.

 

And NCL...I can't blame them entirely because it really isn't entirely their fault for the system in place. Just like everyone else, they are forced to use the system available.

 

Are they really forced to use the system available? Let's see. NCL had absolutely no problem implementing their policy of letting people carry their own bags off the ship. So they are not forced to use the dock workers for handling luggage being offloaded. This makes me question whether NCL truly has no options available to them for getting luggage on the ship.

 

Others have mentioned that passengers should have travel insurance that would pay out something for delayed or lost luggage. I'm all for traveler's insurance, but I'm wondering if NCL doesn't have insurance that reimburses them for the $200 they pay to their passengers. If not, they certainly can write off the expense.

 

And the scammers? How does NCL protect themselves against those who would abuse the system? By capping their response at a nominal amount of $200 they undermine the impetus to defraud.

 

How much fraud do you think increasing the cap to $500 would generate? The onboard shops have extremely limited selection at relatively high prices. While I don't doubt that there are those who would, how many do you think are going to cram what they can into a carryon with the hope of scoring big with a couple of new outfits?

 

And anyway, there are ways to mitigate the risk of fraud. They undoubtedly have security cameras at the luggage drop off points. Let passengers know luggage drop off is filmed, and any claims for lost luggage must include the time you dropped your luggage off so the tapes can be reviewed. It doesn't really matter if the cruise line ever checks the tapes as long as passengers believe they might. This wouldn't eliminate fraud, but would certainly make some think twice.

 

And unions, good or bad? Unions helped create the middle class. Many of the people who can afford to cruise can do so because the unions pushed for decent wages, paid vacation, etc. Unions do have their faults, but many people who have never paid union dues are reaping benefits from what unions fought for.

[dtracker]

In my opinion, since NCL does not give you the option of carrying on your large bags, they should be responsible if your bags do not make it to the ship.

 

 

 

Are they really forced to use the system available? Let's see. NCL had absolutely no problem implementing their policy of letting people carry their own bags off the ship. So they are not forced to use the dock workers for handling luggage being offloaded. This makes me question whether NCL truly has no options available to them for getting luggage on the ship.

 

9-11 makes this a non-argument. There's no danger in a pax carrying off their own luggage...no need to put their baggage through the scanners when they disembark.

 

Others have mentioned that passengers should have travel insurance that would pay out something for delayed or lost luggage. I'm all for traveler's insurance, but I'm wondering if NCL doesn't have insurance that reimburses them for the $200 they pay to their passengers. If not, they certainly can write off the expense.

 

Maybe, but doubtful. Since you're all for T/I, then let the pax get it. It's good for a lot more than lost or late luggage!

 

How much fraud do you think increasing the cap to $500 would generate? The onboard shops have extremely limited selection at relatively high prices. While I don't doubt that there are those who would, how many do you think are going to cram what they can into a carryon with the hope of scoring big with a couple of new outfits?

 

I agree with you there. Not many are that desparate!

 

And anyway, there are ways to mitigate the risk of fraud. They undoubtedly have security cameras at the luggage drop off points. Let passengers know luggage drop off is filmed, and any claims for lost luggage must include the time you dropped your luggage off so the tapes can be reviewed. It doesn't really matter if the cruise line ever checks the tapes as long as passengers believe they might. This wouldn't eliminate fraud, but would certainly make some think twice.

 

Can you imagine how much footage they'd have to look through to maybe see something or maybe not??? It's probably just quicker to give the pax $200 credit (costing them maybe $75-$100) than to spend time for security to review the tapes.

 

And unions, good or bad? Unions helped create the middle class. Many of the people who can afford to cruise can do so because the unions pushed for decent wages, paid vacation, etc. Unions do have their faults, but many people who have never paid union dues are reaping benefits from what unions fought for.

 

Totally agree with this.....ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO. If unions are so helpful now, why are they in such decline! I belonged to a union for 13 years (a long time ago), and all the help I saw from the leaders, was into their own pockets! I witnesses the expensive lunches, trips flying first class to lobby Congress, and the wage negotiations held at big fancy resorts costing $500- $1000 a night. They might as well be the Bernie Madoff's of the middle class! (I'll probably have to watch over my shoulder for a while, now. LOL!) :D :D :D

DT

[DebbieCruises]

NCL Friend, I am so sorry to hear of you lost luggage. I was wondering, did you board early or late in the day? I wonder if it makes a difference??? I have always been so afraid that the airline would lose our luggage, but I never considered that NCL would lose it! We try to board as early as we can.

[sjbdtz]

Totally agree with this.....ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO. If unions are so helpful now, why are they in such decline! I belonged to a union for 13 years (a long time ago), and all the help I saw from the leaders, was into their own pockets! I witnesses the expensive lunches, trips flying first class to lobby Congress, and the wage negotiations held at big fancy resorts costing $500- $1000 a night. They might as well be the Bernie Madoff's of the middle class! (I'll probably have to watch over my shoulder for a while, now. LOL!) :D :D :D

DT

 

Hmm....no one is that desperate? How's this.... drop off an empty $10 suitcase, mis-labelled for another ship. Even if they DO review the tapes.....

 

and you're up $490. If only the casino was that good. :rolleyes:

[smeyer418]

Totally agree with this.....ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO. If unions are so helpful now, why are they in such decline! I belonged to a union for 13 years (a long time ago), and all the help I saw from the leaders, was into their own pockets! I witnesses the expensive lunches, trips flying first class to lobby Congress, and the wage negotiations held at big fancy resorts costing $500- $1000 a night. They might as well be the Bernie Madoff's of the middle class! (I'll probably have to watch over my shoulder for a while, now. LOL!) :D :D :D

DT

yes there are Union excesses nothing like that of employers. The employers do things to keep unions out. No one today gets a Union unless they deserve it- is the expression that Unions use. Health insurance time off etc were first done at Union shops or to keep unions out. You retired at what age from you job? Like Lawyers everyone hates Unions until they need one.

[SueSea]

Totally agree with this.....ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO. If unions are so helpful now, why are they in such decline! I belonged to a union for 13 years (a long time ago), and all the help I saw from the leaders, was into their own pockets! I witnesses the expensive lunches, trips flying first class to lobby Congress, and the wage negotiations held at big fancy resorts costing $500- $1000 a night. They might as well be the Bernie Madoff's of the middle class! (I'll probably have to watch over my shoulder for a while, now. LOL!) :D :D :D

DT

 

That's right, unions have been in a decline for a while now. That's worked out real well for workers, hasn't it? I'm sorry your experience with your union was so poor. Just think how much better off you would be if you had only had your employer looking out for your best interests. I'm sure they weren't interested in lining their own pockets, having expensive lunches and lobbying Congress. ;)

[SueSea]

9-11 makes this a non-argument. There's no danger in a pax carrying off their own luggage...no need to put their baggage through the scanners when they disembark.

 

Ah, but you making an assumption here. Do we know for a fact that the dock workers put the baggage through the scanners and not the TSA? The cruise line has a small machine for carry on bags, so it's unlikely that the dock workers are responsible for security. I seriously doubt that the Department of Homeland Security is putting the luggage handlers in charge of security. And if the TSA scans the bags, then why not allow you to retrieve your bag after it's been scanned and carry it on yourself?

 

Can you imagine how much footage they'd have to look through to maybe see something or maybe not??? It's probably just quicker to give the pax $200 credit (costing them maybe $75-$100) than to spend time for security to review the tapes.

 

I did mention that the cruise lines wouldn't necessarily have to go through the tapes. Knowing that the cruise line has the tapes and says the may review them would be a detterant.

 

Hey, I'm not saying that any of these ideas WOULD work. But you can't assume there are NO options that would work. For every idea I've mentioned, I'm sure smarter folks than me could come up with dozens more, and some of those would be viable. Too often people are too quick here to pick one side or the other without considering that perhaps the middle is where we should be.

[njhorseman]

Ah, but you making an assumption here. Do we know for a fact that the dock workers put the baggage through the scanners and not the TSA? The cruise line has a small machine for carry on bags, so it's unlikely that the dock workers are responsible for security. I seriously doubt that the Department of Homeland Security is putting the luggage handlers in charge of security. And if the TSA scans the bags, then why not allow you to retrieve your bag after it's been scanned and carry it on yourself?

 

 

 

I did mention that the cruise lines wouldn't necessarily have to go through the tapes. Knowing that the cruise line has the tapes and says the may review them would be a detterant.

 

Hey, I'm not saying that any of these ideas WOULD work. But you can't assume there are NO options that would work. For every idea I've mentioned, I'm sure smarter folks than me could come up with dozens more, and some of those would be viable. Too often people are too quick here to pick one side or the other without considering that perhaps the middle is where we should be.

 

I believe the TSA has absolutely nothing to do with the screening of baggage going on cruise ships. They are responsible for the security of air travel, railroads and trucking, but not cruise ships.

[dtracker]

yes there are Union excesses nothing like that of employers. The employers do things to keep unions out. No one today gets a Union unless they deserve it- is the expression that Unions use. Health insurance time off etc were first done at Union shops or to keep unions out. You retired at what age from you job? Like Lawyers everyone hates Unions until they need one.

 

I left the union in 1983, went back to school, and retired at age 57. Yes, you're right... unions did a lot of good decades ago, but the one thing they did was keep many workers in jobs that have now been outsourced or become obsolete. The only way to compete in today's job market is to learn new skills. Sad, but true! JMHO!

 

DT :(

[dtracker]

That's right, unions have been in a decline for a while now. That's worked out real well for workers, hasn't it? I'm sorry your experience with your union was so poor. Just think how much better off you would be if you had only had your employer looking out for your best interests. I'm sure they weren't interested in lining their own pockets, having expensive lunches and lobbying Congress. ;)

 

Not so...I sat on negotiating committees. I heard how labor leaders would talk behind closed doors. They only looked out for the union man's interest when it served their own.

 

Like I said, many years ago it was much different. I don't know when things changed, but it was before I joined the work force. I would not have retired until much later had I remained unionized. My brother stayed in the union and he was able to retire at 65. He was one of the lucky ones. I have nothing against union workers, only my union experience. Each person must decide what's best for them.

 

DT

[NCLfriend]

Debbie, We stayed the previous night in Miami Beach so we could arrive at the Port by 10:45 a.m. We had completed our check in by 11:15 a.m. My intent in relaying the issues was not to begin a discussion about Union/Non-Union (I am from a union family), nor to point out "who/what" is at fault, but to save someone else from repeating the experience. We did "cross-pack" in case one piece of luggage was delayed, but never expected both to be left on the dock. In speaking with the Lattitudes rep as well as the front office manager and Hotel Director, I know they did what they could. It felt as though their hands were tied, I could sence their frustration. As of the 30 people I know of, most of whom we met in the gift shop, I believe I saw a post from one other person about this particular Sailing. From the conversations I had with some of the crew on the Jewel, This was not an isolated case but more common than I could believe. If only 2 out of 30-35 passengers made mention of it, how many other sailings have gone by where it was not listed on Cruise Critic. I was urged to contact the NCL Corporate offices in Miami, and given a name to relay the experience. So, again, I am led to believe this has something to do with "corporate", and the staff on the ship are limited in what they can do.

 

I have picked up incredibly valuable info: from CC, and thought it appropriate to pass on my personal experience. We are Platinum with NCL, and stayed in a Courtyard Villa, so this was by no means our first cruise. We just never expected it to happen to us and in turn hope our experience may promote a better experience for someone else.

 

Brian

p.s. about the "thong thing", I didn't know what else to call them, I never bought underwear in a plastic tube that was smaller then a package dress sox.

[dtracker]

Ah, but you making an assumption here. Do we know for a fact that the dock workers put the baggage through the scanners and not the TSA? The cruise line has a small machine for carry on bags, so it's unlikely that the dock workers are responsible for security. I seriously doubt that the Department of Homeland Security is putting the luggage handlers in charge of security. And if the TSA scans the bags, then why not allow you to retrieve your bag after it's been scanned and carry it on yourself?

 

 

 

I did mention that the cruise lines wouldn't necessarily have to go through the tapes. Knowing that the cruise line has the tapes and says the may review them would be a detterant.

 

Hey, I'm not saying that any of these ideas WOULD work. But you can't assume there are NO options that would work. For every idea I've mentioned, I'm sure smarter folks than me could come up with dozens more, and some of those would be viable. Too often people are too quick here to pick one side or the other without considering that perhaps the middle is where we should be.

 

I never made the assumption that nothing would work, but I do believe NCL must come up with new ideas and new approaches with the union. Like you said, there are smarter folks than us to figure these things out. My only assertion was that there were many people at fault with the OPs experience. :)

 

DT

[terrymtex01]

Debbie, We stayed the previous night in Miami Beach so we could arrive at the Port by 10:45 a.m. We had completed our check in by 11:15 a.m. My intent in relaying the issues was not to begin a discussion about Union/Non-Union (I am from a union family), nor to point out "who/what" is at fault, but to save someone else from repeating the experience. We did "cross-pack" in case one piece of luggage was delayed, but never expected both to be left on the dock. In speaking with the Lattitudes rep as well as the front office manager and Hotel Director, I know they did what they could. It felt as though their hands were tied, I could sence their frustration. As of the 30 people I know of, most of whom we met in the gift shop, I believe I saw a post from one other person about this particular Sailing. From the conversations I had with some of the crew on the Jewel, This was not an isolated case but more common than I could believe. If only 2 out of 30-35 passengers made mention of it, how many other sailings have gone by where it was not listed on Cruise Critic. I was urged to contact the NCL Corporate offices in Miami, and given a name to relay the experience. So, again, I am led to believe this has something to do with "corporate", and the staff on the ship are limited in what they can do.

 

I have picked up incredibly valuable info: from CC, and thought it appropriate to pass on my personal experience. We are Platinum with NCL, and stayed in a Courtyard Villa, so this was by no means our first cruise. We just never expected it to happen to us and in turn hope our experience may promote a better experience for someone else.

 

Brian

p.s. about the "thong thing", I didn't know what else to call them, I never bought underwear in a plastic tube that was smaller then a package dress sox.

 

NCLFriend.. believe me..most of us, if not all of us, know you posted this to help us all out. You are good. 8-) This has always been a scary issue for me as being a big guy I can't just walk into any store and buy replacement clothes. Nor can I buy a pair of jeans for $20.00 or whatever because of my size. So having lost luggage is a huge concern for me. (huge concern.. hmmm. lol.. no pun intended with that one)

[*Wink*]

...I have always been so afraid that the airline would lose our luggage, but I never considered that NCL would lose it! We try to board as early as we can.

 

Ditto!! We drive to our ports and I've always felt "so assured" that we'd not encounter these issues.. Naive!!

[njhorseman]

NCLFriend.. believe me..most of us, if not all of us, know you posted this to help us all out. You are good. 8-) This has always been a scary issue for me as being a big guy I can't just walk into any store and buy replacement clothes. Nor can I buy a pair of jeans for $20.00 or whatever because of my size. So having lost luggage is a huge concern for me. (huge concern.. hmmm. lol.. no pun intended with that one)

 

I know what you mean...this has always been my biggest travel fear.

[terrymtex01]

yes there are Union excesses nothing like that of employers. The employers do things to keep unions out. No one today gets a Union unless they deserve it- is the expression that Unions use. Health insurance time off etc were first done at Union shops or to keep unions out. You retired at what age from you job? Like Lawyers everyone hates Unions until they need one.

 

I actually find most lawyers interesting to talk to. There is something about their thinking pattern that I find very interesting.

[Ladder55]

Debbie, We stayed the previous night in Miami Beach so we could arrive at the Port by 10:45 a.m. We had completed our check in by 11:15 a.m. My intent in relaying the issues was not to begin a discussion about Union/Non-Union (I am from a union family), nor to point out "who/what" is at fault, but to save someone else from repeating the experience. We did "cross-pack" in case one piece of luggage was delayed, but never expected both to be left on the dock. In speaking with the Lattitudes rep as well as the front office manager and Hotel Director, I know they did what they could. It felt as though their hands were tied, I could sence their frustration. As of the 30 people I know of, most of whom we met in the gift shop, I believe I saw a post from one other person about this particular Sailing. From the conversations I had with some of the crew on the Jewel, This was not an isolated case but more common than I could believe. If only 2 out of 30-35 passengers made mention of it, how many other sailings have gone by where it was not listed on Cruise Critic. I was urged to contact the NCL Corporate offices in Miami, and given a name to relay the experience. So, again, I am led to believe this has something to do with "corporate", and the staff on the ship are limited in what they can do.

 

I have picked up incredibly valuable info: from CC, and thought it appropriate to pass on my personal experience. We are Platinum with NCL, and stayed in a Courtyard Villa, so this was by no means our first cruise. We just never expected it to happen to us and in turn hope our experience may promote a better experience for someone else.

 

Brian

p.s. about the "thong thing", I didn't know what else to call them, I never bought underwear in a plastic tube that was smaller then a package dress sox.

 

 

thanks for sharing this with us, this has taught me to rethink luggage in general and get bigger carry ons and use those now,

most airlines are charging too much for luggage, carry ons will alleviate alot of problems,

I hope you were able to have had some good times on your cruise despite this issue.i hope since this as a clear issue with a whole tram of luggage being left behind that ncl will help you out with some type of reward for a future cruise, i agree it wasnt ncl's fault, but it wasnt your fault either, and this made your cruise lousy,

im interested to who exactly is responsible for this , is it ncl? is the longshoreman? if ncl wants to give a rebate for a future cruise, can they then get reimbursed ?

i agree with another poster, use a scanning device for luggage, stick a barcode on it.

[SirDomino]

Wow, this thread just spooked me. It did remind me to get Premium Baggage Protection through American Express to cover us during our trip.

[newmexicoNita]

Not so...I sat on negotiating committees. I heard how labor leaders would talk behind closed doors. They only looked out for the union man's interest when it served their own.

 

Like I said, many years ago it was much different. I don't know when things changed, but it was before I joined the work force. I would not have retired until much later had I remained unionized. My brother stayed in the union and he was able to retire at 65. He was one of the lucky ones. I have nothing against union workers, only my union experience. Each person must decide what's best for them.

 

DT

 

I happen to agree with you, but think we are a bit off the subject.

 

Nita

[dtracker]

I happen to agree with you, but think we are a bit off the subject.

 

Nita

 

Sorry about that Nita. I did get a bit out of bounds, didn't I? Lost or late luggage is one of my greatest fears, as well. It can really spoil one's vacation...that's why we always cross-pack and get travel insurance, as well.

 

DT

[sunshine nana]

We took only carryons on our last Med cruise (7days).We used the washers and dryers and had no problem. The biggest item we cut out was shoes. I took a pair of dressy black sandles for evening, comfortable sandles for the day and I wore sneakers on the plane and for some escurions. Every day there was an xray picture on the tv and paper copies delivered of a large suitcase with 6 pairs of some poor woman's shoes which was never delivered to her cabin. I hope they found it when everyone left the ship. I would hate to lose my six nicest pairs of shoes!