SeaScout Posted March 14, 2018 #1 Share Posted March 14, 2018 We call them "porters" here on the boards. I've always understood that they are actually correctly called "Stevedores". The dictionary terms are a little ambiguous. So, which is correct? por·ter1 ˈpôrdər/ noun 1.a person employed to carry luggage and other loads, especially in a railroad station, airport, or hotel. ste·ve·dore ˈstēvəˌdôr/ noun a person employed, or a contractor engaged, at a dock to load and unload cargo from ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcpagejr Posted March 14, 2018 #2 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Does it really make a difference?? I identify them as " luggage guys" LOL But to answer you question....Stevedore's, because they are contracted not employess of the Cruiselines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaScout Posted March 14, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Does it really make a difference?? I identify them as " luggage guys" LOL But to answer you question....Stevedore's, because they are contracted not employess of the Cruiselines So I was correct then. I know it doesn't really make a difference. (unless you are a porter or stevedore). I was just curious. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty dingo Posted March 14, 2018 #4 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Unless you think of your luggage as cargo, they are Porters. On a cruise ship, the cargo is the stuff you eat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiseaholichal Posted March 14, 2018 #5 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Does it really make a difference?? I identify them as " luggage guys" LOL But to answer you question....Stevedore's, because they are contracted not employess of the Cruiselines YOU employ them, not the cruiseline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanmarcosman Posted March 15, 2018 #6 Share Posted March 15, 2018 YOU employ them, not the cruiseline. The Port Authority employs them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParrotRob Posted March 15, 2018 #7 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Stevedores are the same thing as longshoremen. They load and unload CARGO from ships. You will never deal face-to-face with a stevedore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYcruzzer Posted March 15, 2018 #8 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Any of the cruise/travels shows I've seen on Travel Channel, Smithsonian, etc they always referred to the baggage handlers as stevedores.. I also prefer to refer to them as THE LUGGAGE GUY/GIRL... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BlerkOne Posted March 15, 2018 #9 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Porter. or if you insist, Seacap. For extra credit, compare and contrast with Skycap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizardhowson Posted March 15, 2018 #10 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Move on folks, nothing to see here :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LD Silver Posted March 15, 2018 #11 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Watch Season 2 of the "The Wire" on HBO. Those guys are stevedores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted March 15, 2018 #12 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Interesting. I'm too old to learn another name. LOL. I'll just go with porter. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celle Posted March 15, 2018 #13 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Doesn't it depend where you live? Maybe the term "stevedore" is used a lot in the USA. Where I live, it is only used for people loading and unloading cargo from cargo ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted March 15, 2018 #14 Share Posted March 15, 2018 In most common maritime usage, "stevedore" refers to the company that provides the cargo/baggage handling services at a port. "Longshoreman" refers to the employees of the "stevedore" company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jocap Posted March 15, 2018 #15 Share Posted March 15, 2018 We walked our luggage from our hotel in Southampton to the next door dock, City Terminal, as soon as the gates were opened, and saw the mini bus parked at the drop-off point... It was marked "Stevadores". I think they were having their break, because the men pointed to the luggage drop and shouted that it'll be fine there. So I've always called them stevadores after that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted March 15, 2018 #16 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Who cares what they're called? Really.....whoever takes your bags, tip them $1-2 per bag. That's the customary thing to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jocap Posted March 16, 2018 #17 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Who cares what they're called? Really.....whoever takes your bags, tip them $1-2 per bag. That's the customary thing to do. The stevedores in Southampton didn't stir for a tip, and we wouldn't have thought of giving one... it's not usual in Europe, although I've not seen anyone refuse to take one. I would only think about it if they were carrying things a fair distance, or emptying a car for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted March 16, 2018 #18 Share Posted March 16, 2018 The stevedores in Southampton didn't stir for a tip, and we wouldn't have thought of giving one... it's not usual in Europe, although I've not seen anyone refuse to take one. I would only think about it if they were carrying things a fair distance, or emptying a car for you. As someone once said, we are two nations separated by a common language. I believe that stevedore is the correct term in the UK. And the tips given to the longshoremen at the cruise terminals is simply extortion. Most of these guys are making more than the cruise passengers, in some cities they are well into 6 figure incomes. They ask for it because tipping is customary in the US, and most folks think these guys are underpaid blue collar workers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rala Posted March 19, 2018 #19 Share Posted March 19, 2018 Who cares what they're called? Really.....whoever takes your bags, tip them $1-2 per bag. That's the customary thing to do. Lots of folks care...especially those who like to learn new info/terminology etc. and those who have more on their minds than their hat! :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now