Silhouette Feb 9-quick thoughts on Labadee and Luggage Valet

[lovethesun1960]

I'll do a review later (but it seems like one word says it all-wonderful), but I just have a couple of quick thoughts.

Labadee was my last shot at beach and warm water for a long time and I really feel like this needs to be said over and over. Go straight to Columbus cove if you want a beach that you can walk into the water without water shoes and pain from the rocks and reef. There is an express boat as you walk off of the ship, take it. Other people might jump in and give you more info, but that was my experience.

 

We signed up for luggage valet for our cabin and my parents' cabin. They were denied the service and we got it, so I was furiously trying to think why the airline would not issue boarding passes for them when the itineraries were the same. Finally came to me-they were on a senior citizen fare on the return. So if you have a special fare where the passenger has to show id before getting checked in-child's, military, senior citizen and probably international-you won't get luggage valet which is an amazing service. We simply asked for 4 bag tags and tagged my parents' bags with 2 of them and they left them outside their door and they got picked up that night and we only got charged luggage valet for 1 cabin.

[turning46]

Thanks for the tip on Labadee - I had really no idea what to do there, or what to expect. Is there a cost to take the express boat? Will the boat operators make sure you get back to the ship in time? I'm so glad you had a wonderful cruise; we're doing it in April!:)

[Happy2cruise]

We signed up for luggage valet for our cabin and my parents' cabin. They were denied the service and we got it, so I was furiously trying to think why the airline would not issue boarding passes for them when the itineraries were the same. Finally came to me-they were on a senior citizen fare on the return. So if you have a special fare where the passenger has to show id before getting checked in-child's, military, senior citizen and probably international-you won't get luggage valet which is an amazing service.

Agree with you, it's a great service and thanks for the info about denied service. I did not know what the reasons were. Glad you were able to work around it for your parents:D

[poolwife]

What did you do for lunch at Columbus Cove? In the other main areas they have that big bbq lunch which is quite good. Is it the same over there?

 

Also, interested in the charge for the boat shuttle. Thank you.

[judie43]

We used luggage valet and will use it every time it available. I was told as long as they could print our boarding passes we could use the service. We had 4 bags...best 40 ever spent.

[riclop]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Holly2]

Any idea if you could claim your luggage at airport if flight is cancelled? We've used luggage valet before and I never even thought of that scenario but after this winter....

[purrlinda]

No luggage valet on Silly last year... Very excited to hear they have it this year. Now to see if Virgin America is a participating airline...

[purrlinda]

Very vague information. Does anyone know where I can find more details on the luggage valet?

 

Luggage Valet streamlines and simplifies your return home after your cruise is over. Enroll onboard at Guest Relations for a fee of $20 per person (for two pieces of luggage per person). On the final night of your cruise you'll receive an envelope with debarkation instructions, airline boarding passes, luggage tags and baggage claim checks. Simply place your luggage outside your stateroom door and don't think about it again until you pick it up at your final destination airport. Available in select ports and on select airlines.

 

Was digging around and can't find anything.

[lovethesun1960]

Thanks for the tip on Labadee - I had really no idea what to do there, or what to expect. Is there a cost to take the express boat? Will the boat operators make sure you get back to the ship in time? I'm so glad you had a wonderful cruise; we're doing it in April!:)

 

No cost for the boat. It is right there at the gangplank as you get off. You could walk over there, but it was 94 degrees that day (yes, last Thursday it was 94 in Haiti!!) The boat operators are the cruiseline, as is everything but the crafts market, so they or your feet will make sure you get back to the ship.

[lovethesun1960]

What did you do for lunch at Columbus Cove? In the other main areas they have that big bbq lunch which is quite good. Is it the same over there?

 

Also, interested in the charge for the boat shuttle. Thank you.

 

I did not eat lunch on land. I was so upset by the crappy beach that I chose (there should literally be giant signs that say " don't go here if you want to swim or you will be in pain from the rocks") that I left my parents on Adrenaline Beach and went back to the ship and cleaned up. Big baby, yes I know and probably my fault.

My parents ate at town square and it was fine. They are campers though and have lower expectations than their prissy daughter.

 

No charge for boat shuttle. Biggest bargain in the Caribbean.

[lovethesun1960]

No luggage valet on Silly last year... Very excited to hear they have it this year. Now to see if Virgin America is a participating airline...

 

I did not bring back a luggage valet paper, but I do not remember seeing Virgin America on the paper.

[phoenix_dream]

I did not eat lunch on land. I was so upset by the crappy beach that I chose (there should literally be giant signs that say " don't go here if you want to swim or you will be in pain from the rocks") that I left my parents on Adrenaline Beach and went back to the ship and cleaned up. Big baby, yes I know and probably my fault.

My parents ate at town square and it was fine. They are campers though and have lower expectations than their prissy daughter.

 

No charge for boat shuttle. Biggest bargain in the Caribbean.

 

So are you saying that Adrenaline Beach was the one with all the rocks? Also going there in March, traveling with a mobility impaired senior, and trying to figure out the best place to take her so she can enjoy the water but not need to walk far or deal with rocky shores. Any other advice anyone can give in this regard is very much appreciated.

[lovethesun1960]

Very vague information. Does anyone know where I can find more details on the luggage valet?

 

Luggage Valet streamlines and simplifies your return home after your cruise is over. Enroll onboard at Guest Relations for a fee of $20 per person (for two pieces of luggage per person). On the final night of your cruise you'll receive an envelope with debarkation instructions, airline boarding passes, luggage tags and baggage claim checks. Simply place your luggage outside your stateroom door and don't think about it again until you pick it up at your final destination airport. Available in select ports and on select airlines.

 

Was digging around and can't find anything.

 

Not sure what further questions you have other than the Virgin America inclusion. You should start a thread asking "is Virgin American included in Silhouette luggage valet program" and probably someone will answer. I think they probably don't list it online because it is a fluid thing...agreements between the ship and airline come and go.

 

You can also use bags to go (google it). I did not use them, just saw some ads and investigated. They do a reverse luggage valet-give your bags to them at FLL and they go to your ship and also you can drop off your bags with them at the pier on return and they check in your bags for you. More costly, but still some convenience.

[lovethesun1960]

Any idea if you could claim your luggage at airport if flight is cancelled? We've used luggage valet before and I never even thought of that scenario but after this winter....

 

Hmmmm.....Another question to start a new thread for. I never thought of it and it might differ on a case to case basis.

[lovethesun1960]

So are you saying that Adrenaline Beach was the one with all the rocks? Also going there in March, traveling with a mobility impaired senior, and trying to figure out the best place to take her so she can enjoy the water but not need to walk far or deal with rocky shores. Any other advice anyone can give in this regard is very much appreciated.

 

Adrenaline beach is strictly for viewing the zipliners and sunbathing, barely any access to water for able people, let alone impaired people. They do have wheelchairs with big wheels and people to help you push (be prepared to tip them for this hot work), plus trams, so you will be able to go anywhere you want to go to get her into the water. I wish I had paid for a cabana, but by the time I thought of it, it was too late. You might consider that.

[lovethesun1960]

I want to add that my unhappiness at Labadee was mostly my fault. I had told my husband in advance where we would be (he went to run first) and was stuck with my choice. He says I should have abandoned him and gotten on the boat.

[judie43]

I know there is a link stating some rules for luggage valet. I just don't know how to find it. I do remember flight time restrictions....such as from port of Ft Lauderdale to Miami airport,no flights before 1:00. Ft Lauderdale to FLL....no flights before noon It was also stated that if there were not enough people to warrant it,then it would not be available.

I was stressing about that as we had a 5:15 flight with Southwest and the thought of dragging 4 bags around was awful.

As far as a weather delay I figure on the way home I don't care if the luggage is delayed...good excuse not to do laundry right away.

[lovethesun1960]

I know there is a link stating some rules for luggage valet. I just don't know how to find it. I do remember flight time restrictions....such as from port of Ft Lauderdale to Miami airport,no flights before 1:00. Ft Lauderdale to FLL....no flights before noon It was also stated that if there were not enough people to warrant it,then it would not be available.

I was stressing about that as we had a 5:15 flight with Southwest and the thought of dragging 4 bags around was awful.

As far as a weather delay I figure on the way home I don't care if the luggage is delayed...good excuse not to do laundry right away.

 

 

You are correct, no flights before noon out of FLL, but I am not sure about Miami, since I wasn't using it.

Our flight on Sunday was Southwest at 4:25 and it worked beautifully. Don't stress. There will be dozens of people in your exact situation at FLL. I would highly recommend doing a tour and letting them lug your bags around in the bottom of the bus rather than sitting at the boring crowded airport. My husband would not hear of it, he was internally freaking and wishing for a transporter instead of having to do the whole TSA thing. Jeez what a baby.