What Not to Pack in Your Cruise Check-In or Check-Out Bags

What Not to Pack in Your Cruise Check-In or Check-Out Bags

We all know it is best, and honestly easier to let the porters take your bags onto the ship and directly to your cabin. If you take a suitcase, carryon, and a personal bag and walk it onto the ship you must keep it with you until your cabin is ready. That could be as late as 2pm. Why not just check EVERYTHING?? You might wonder why you should not put some items in your check-in bag. Let me tell you a story or two to help explain.

When I was leaving the hotel to board the ship for our cruise I saw a family walking into the hotel. They were very distraught. Their special needs son’s suitcase, with his comfort plush, blanket, tablet and favorite clothes had fallen into the water as the dock workers carried the bags from the ship.

The ship should have left port by 5 pm that evening but during dinner that night the captain announced that there was an issue, and divers were “in the water” looking for some things. I thought it was the items that the family told us about back at the hotel. It was not! Another family of 4 had all their checked bags accidentally go off the dock into the ocean as they were being brought onboard! It took several days for the family to get the suitcases that were retrieved back. Bags going overboard not once but twice in the same day!

A  family watched their bags go onto the ship after turning them in. They literally saw their bags go up the gangplank and onto the ship. But two bags never made it to the cabin. The two missing bags had vital medical equipment. One bag ended up outside the medical bay. Their cabin was Deck 7–Aft and the Medical Bay is Deck 1-Forward! The other bag was found back on the port in the terminal. Thankfully both bags were found before the ship left port. If they had not the family would have had to get off and not go on the cruise. They could not travel without that required medical equipment.

Another time we were delayed disembarking. The goal is to clear the ship by 9:30-10am so they can have a couple hours to clean and ready the ship for the next sailing. Debarkation did not start after 11:30am! The reason? Police Activity in the port terminal. Someone had taken their children on the cruise, but they were not the custodial parent. They had kidnapped their kids. They knew there was an arrest warrant out for them. Officials were waiting for them at the port. The person jumped off their veranda and landed on a stack of luggage!! What if that was your bag?

Here is the real deal. The port workers take your bag and toss it onto carts with lots of other bags. They get tossed, stacked, crushed, bumped and then are tossed around again. Fragile items can get broken, suitcases get broken, accidents happen, and suitcases get lost. Most people are honest and good. There is always a small percentage that are not good. Your suitcases could be broken into or stolen. Why take the chance with valuables?

Let’s talk about things you are not allowed to check and must carry on. There are also things that are important to keep with you.

Important to keep with you:

• Identification – Proof of Citizenship
• Medication
• Swimsuits if you wish to swim before your luggage comes
• I suggest at least one change of clothing and PJs just in case your luggage arrives after dinner or even the next day

Must Carry On:

• Alcohol (DCL policy is 2 bottles of Wine or 6 bottles of Beer per adult.)
• Bottled Water  and Soda(DCL allows you to bring water/soda)

 

Now for the things you cannot or should not put in your checked bags.

Can’t go in Checked Bags by Policy and Must Be Carried On:

• Alcohol
• Bottled Water/Soda
• Food – Factory sealed no open or homemade

Should Not go in Checked Bags:

• Valuables
• Jewelry
• Money
• Credit Cards
• Gift Cards
• Electronics
• Phones
• Tablets
• Laptop
• Camera
• Children’s Comfort Items
• Anything Fragile
• Anything you can’t live without if lost/Items of emotional or intrinsic value