Luggage in the drink!!

[SoCal Cruiser78]

I've had my suitcase left out in the rain at airports so I usually pack my clothes in a large trash bag before putting in the luggage. But I recently found Ziploc Big Bags and they work better because the seal. They come in 3, 20 and 20 gallon sizes.

 

They do seal much better than regular trash bags. I had a hard time finding them at first, but then found a good supply at one of the larger Target stores in my area.

[crochetcruise]

I've had my suitcase left out in the rain at airports so I usually pack my clothes in a large trash bag before putting in the luggage. But I recently found Ziploc Big Bags and they work better because the seal. They come in 3, 20 and 20 gallon sizes.

 

I'm in Australia, but I shall be looking for LARGE Ziploc bags when I next go to the supermarket, and making notes on the sizes and prices for future reference. I already knew to take electronics, a change of clothes, toiletries and underwear in the carry on case, been caught be travelsickness with cancer treatment! Luckily, I packed a small case, my carer could just grab that from the car and bring it in to me. I did tell the Specialist, but also developed bronchitis, he reckoned the two were related so I got travelsick! I also carry garbage bags with me, but the Ziploc retain their shape when packed better, although I've only used the small sizes so limited experience.

 

Thanks for sharing your experiences, I'm learning lots of useful ideas I wouldn't have thought of myself which are really just plain common sense!

 

Crochetcruise :cool:

[bcnvcanada]

I haven't had your problem you had with your case, but did have a lost case.

This was 18 months ago, could be out of date. We went to the PSD on the ship, they gave us a small kit with personal supplies, then were told

to go to shops, and purchase what we needed, yes the do have underwear, for men and women, (large size) but with pins it worked out.

The Princess ( Platium) asked us for information about the claim cost of

goods date lost, carrier,any reciepts, We also had to submit what the

airline gave us. It was subtracted from the amount we claimed and check

came within a month. WE ALSO HAD EXPRESS LAUNDRY, we gave it to our room attendent and it was back that night. You need to check with the room attendent to make sure it is promtly returned, also left the Pass

Service Desk know about laundry problems.

[JF - retired RRT]

I haven't had your problem you had with your case, but did have a lost case.

This was 18 months ago, could be out of date. We went to the PSD on the ship, they gave us a small kit with personal supplies, then were told

to go to shops, and purchase what we needed, yes the do have underwear, for men and women, (large size) but with pins it worked out.

The Princess ( Platium) asked us for information about the claim cost of

goods date lost, carrier,any reciepts, We also had to submit what the

airline gave us. It was subtracted from the amount we claimed and check

came within a month. WE ALSO HAD EXPRESS LAUNDRY, we gave it to our room attendent and it was back that night. You need to check with the room attendent to make sure it is promtly returned, also left the Pass

Service Desk know about laundry problems.

 

Maybe I am too nice...we weren't offered anything at PAX services and didn't think to complain that our "express" laundry was arriving by stagecoach. We just suffered and put up with the hassle. We were at the PAX services desk 3 or 4 times adding to our claim as we found more issues and they didn't offer any helpful suggestions.

[BJS]

Maybe I am too nice...we weren't offered anything at PAX services and didn't think to complain that our "express" laundry was arriving by stagecoach. We just suffered and put up with the hassle. We were at the PAX services desk 3 or 4 times adding to our claim as we found more issues and they didn't offer any helpful suggestions.

 

Unfortunately when dealing the the PAX desk you have to be very persistent. Most of the crew there do not go out of their way to offer any suggestions. Also we have found getting the response "we will call you when this is accomplished" doesn't work....only multiple trips back to the desk to get answers works. We have also learned questions to them some times need to be asked several different ways to get the answer we are looking for. I don't know if that is because of language issues or that they are frequently so busy they just give a quick and sometimes incorrect answer so they can wait on the next person in line. If we find they do not know the answer we request they contact the person who will have the answer while we stand and wait.

 

As you are finding out from these responses your Express laundry should have been returned that night - was the ticket marked express? If it was marked express and didn't return before your room steward was off for the evening a trip to the PAX desk might have resulted in a return that night or the next morning. Frequently on embarkation day things are not returned that night but it sounds like your 3 day wait could have been a result of either the laundry ticket not being marked express or the person in the laundry not reading express.

 

Sorry for your loss but very glad you posted your experience so that others can benefit from it.

[JF - retired RRT]

As you are finding out from these responses your Express laundry should have been returned that night - was the ticket marked express? If it was marked express and didn't return before your room steward was off for the evening a trip to the PAX desk might have resulted in a return that night or the next morning. Frequently on embarkation day things are not returned that night but it sounds like your 3 day wait could have been a result of either the laundry ticket not being marked express or the person in the laundry not reading express.

 

Sorry for your loss but very glad you posted your experience so that others can benefit from it.

 

Yes, it was marked "express".

Thanks for the " be persistent" recommendation. If we ever have problems in the future, I will be more assertive.

[silkismom]

I always pack in zip bags, don't want TSA guys messing with my undies!!

[Cruisin' Chick]

Hefty brand also makes the large bags.

[jrzebird]

Yes...:D

I thought "express" meant FAST...silly me :p

 

As I said, hindsight is 20/20.

 

On my recent Royal Princess cruise it took up to 5, and in one case 6, days to get back laundry, and these were elite passengers. All of the complaining didn't help. And it came back in dribs and drabs. I had one friend onboard who complained about it so much, I was ready to strangle him with his dirty socks! I generally get back laundry the day I send it out, but not this time.

 

You did get some great advice.

 

Maureen

[OzKiwiJJ]

I'm in Australia, but I shall be looking for LARGE Ziploc bags when I next go to the supermarket, and making notes on the sizes and prices for future reference.

Crochetcruise :cool:

 

The biggest size I've found in the supermarkets is the Large size of GladBags.

 

Howards Storage World have the Space Bags. The roll-up Travel Bag set, one medium and one large, is $16.95. They are good but don't hold that much.

[CCFC]

We were on the same cruise and some friends of ours saw the bags go in the water, about half sank to the bottom and the rest floated for the time they could see them. The crew did the usual move along nothing to see here.

 

Apparently we were late sailing from San Pedro as the divers were getting the bags off the bottom.

[jak378]

We had a lost suitcase several years and notified the cruise line at the dock. We received instructions on how to file a claim, filed it and within a week received a check for 1000 dollars, which was the maximum liability at the time, along with instructions to file with homeowner's insurance. I notified State Farm and they sent a claim form. Before I could get it submitted the bag showed up at our house, with airline tags on it. I notified the cruise line and tried to return the check. I was told by C/S to keep it to compensate for the inconvenience. I thought that was pretty classy. The line was Costa Cruises.

 

Incidentally when starting to fill out the State Farm claim with values, it quickly exceeded 2500 dollars.

[greenie082756]

Wow, that's a terrible thing to happen! I kind of remember Pam saying something about lining her suitcases with plastic (or something like that)for just this situation.

When I was packing last time that was in the back of my mind. Then I thought how many times does this happen? Hmmm.. maybe now I'll think about it a bit more seriously. :eek:

[clmom]

Note to self to put clean laundry in zip-loc bags when packing for a cruise. I usually only place dirty laundry in them to take home to wash. I always carry-on toiletries, so no worries there.

Yep, that's how I pack. You can buy Jumbo size zip lock bags at the grocery store and there are even bigger zip lock bags available at stores like Target, Wal-Mart. I pack a garbage bag to hold dirty clothes for the trip home. Because I only put clean clothes in the zip locks, I can re-use them trip after trip. I just keep them stored in my empty luggage.

[compozer]

When we were on the Royal for our Christmas cruise last year, the laundry was the slowest every. My son had asked where several things were during the week and I didn't think much about it. I was packing the last evening and wanted it finished before we went to dinner but couldn't figure out why the suitcases were so empty. There was a knock at the door and our steward was at the door with an armload of laundry. Never paid much attention but this was all the laundry we sent out all week. Never have had everything come back the last night. Not sure if it was our stewards fault - did he not see it hanging on the rack or what? We have had missing items and also been delivered the wrong items so getting it all delivered the last night may mean NOT getting something back at all.

[compozer]

Wow, that's a terrible thing to happen! I kind of remember Pam saying something about lining her suitcases with plastic (or something like that)for just this situation.

:eek:

 

That may help if the luggage is left out in the rain but if it goes in the drink and goes down, just lining the suitcase is not going to help. I have been using the large zip lock bags for many years. A large garbage bag will allow water in also. You need the bag to seal.

 

I have been seeing more clear suitcase covers on bags at the airports lately. I guess others have had problems with bags left out in the rain. Again - won't help if they go in the ocean.

One of these days, I wouldn't be surprised to see a bag or two completely wrapped in duct tape.

[beg3yrs]

Just for grins, how about fitting your suitcases with those space age flotation systems NASA uses to keep the capsules from sinking ... :D

[JF - retired RRT]

Wow, that's a terrible thing to happen! I kind of remember Pam saying something about lining her suitcases with plastic (or something like that)for just this situation.

When I was packing last time that was in the back of my mind. Then I thought how many times does this happen? Hmmm.. maybe now I'll think about it a bit more seriously. :eek:

 

I saw that post and lined my bags with trash bags when we sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale. I was worried about RAIN. It wasn't raining in California...who knew??

[piper28]

Not sure from the original post whether this is being handled by princess insurance or straight from princess? (I'm kinda guessing that since it was dunked in the loading process, it would be straight from princess and shouldn't be an insurance issue). FWIW, from my experience dealing with claims straight from princess after the crown tilt cruise was that they were pretty easy to deal with. Basically we just documented everything damaged (and in that case, flights taken to get back) and about six weeks later they had sent us a check with no quibbling over things. We had no problems getting replacement value on the electronics we had that got damaged.

 

With the luggage, if you feel that it can't be cleaned and there's a smell remaining, I'd definitely say claim it.

[AZbeachboy]

After reading this thread, my wife and I have decided to vaccum seal the stuff inside the luggage. Then we can take more stuff and fewer pieces of luggage.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

After reading this thread, my wife and I have decided to vaccum seal the stuff inside the luggage. Then we can take more stuff and fewer pieces of luggage.

 

But will you have access to the proper type of vacuum onboard when you pack to go home? Or do you have the type of bags you can squeeze the air out of that don't require a vacuum cleaner to work? I should look into this--I seem to recall seeing both types on TV infomercials.

Edited December 9, 2014 by Ryndam2002

[SadieN]

But will you have access to the proper type of vacuum onboard when you pack to go home? Or do you have the type of bags you can squeeze the air out of that don't require a vacuum cleaner to work? I should look into this--I seem to recall seeing both types on TV infomercials.

 

 

With a bit of practice you can use the vacuum ones without a vacuum.

[pablo222]

Wow, that's a terrible thing to happen! I kind of remember Pam saying something about lining her suitcases with plastic (or something like that)for just this situation.

 

I think if your suitcase falls into real water, and especially if it sinks,

all lining it with plastic is going to do is help the water stay in the

bag once it is recovered.

[JF - retired RRT]

Not sure from the original post whether this is being handled by princess insurance or straight from princess? (I'm kinda guessing that since it was dunked in the loading process, it would be straight from princess and shouldn't be an insurance issue). FWIW, from my experience dealing with claims straight from princess after the crown tilt cruise was that they were pretty easy to deal with. Basically we just documented everything damaged (and in that case, flights taken to get back) and about six weeks later they had sent us a check with no quibbling over things. We had no problems getting replacement value on the electronics we had that got damaged.

 

With the luggage, if you feel that it can't be cleaned and there's a smell remaining, I'd definitely say claim it.

 

I am confused about that myself. The form Princess gave us says to send our claim to Princess at Property Claims, Customer Relations with an "itemized list". But it also says to contact Princess Travel Care at Berkely.

The Travel care people are sending their claim form. When I get the form, if the address is different, I will send a claim to both (I guess).

[JF - retired RRT]

After reading this thread, my wife and I have decided to vacuum seal the stuff inside the luggage. Then we can take more stuff and fewer pieces of luggage.

 

Yes, I have already checked Amazon. Looks like something I will be doing.

Edited December 9, 2014 by JF - retired RRT