Jump to content

For those who have boarded ship in Old San Juan...


curiousx
 Share

Recommended Posts

This is our first Windstar Cruise, although we have sailed the ship (Pride) before when it was with Seabourn.  Unlike Seabourn, Windstar has not provided luggage tags showing our name and the cabin number.  My understanding (perhaps incorrect) is that porters at the OSJ cruise terminal take the luggage at the time one arrives at the terminal.  Without tags showing the cabin number, how does the luggage get to one’s cabin?  Or should we just make our own?  We leave soon, so help is appreciated.  Many thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is simply a cost-saving measure. I haven't boarded in San Juan, but have found welcome tables with people handing out paper Windstar luggage tags for me to fill out at various cruise terminals. They are sometimes outside the doors, where we got off the public bus. It's not a problem.

 

When we met a Windstar transfer from the "Windstar" hotel (only booked the transfer from Windstar, not the hotel) there were Windstar reps at a temporary table in the lobby. In this case, check whether you have to ask for a specific departure time, say among 5 busses.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would tip a porter who came out to my taxi or bus and took my bags out of the vehicle for me. I would not tip a porter who was hired by Windstar to deliver bags from a long line of them at the curb (or, worse, a stack of bags inside the cruise terminal.) And I'm a big tipper. This isn't "right".

 

A related story: At the Bristol Panama hotel, we carried our bags out to the porte-cochere, where a Windstar employee lifted them up into a 16' box truck. I mean that his work was restricted to a single vertical motion. I don't think I tipped him.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When we arrived at the dock for our December Pride cruise we walked our luggage on board ourselves. It wasn't far to go and I didn't want to wait for it to be delivered to the stateroom. it was not a problem as the bags are all on wheels.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

21 hours ago, susiesan said:

When we arrived at the dock for our December Pride cruise we walked our luggage on board ourselves. It wasn't far to go and I didn't want to wait for it to be delivered to the stateroom. it was not a problem as the bags are all on wheels.

What if the stateroom is not ready?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, susiesan said:

Since we boarded at 5:00pm the stateroom was ready. We registered in the lounge and went right to our cabin. The dockside check in was already closed.

That makes sense but I usually board much earlier and cabins are often not ready yet,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

susiesan, I don't like to wait either. But one of the reasons a cruise line checks in the bags before you board is to reduce congestion and collisions in the passageways of the ship. When there are bags staged in certain areas, your having your bags with you means that other passengers (with Rollators or not .... ) have to back up (or wait for the elevator to be empty) for your progress. So it is "not a problem" for you, but it may be for others.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
On 2/18/2019 at 3:13 PM, susiesan said:

When we arrived at the dock for our December Pride cruise we walked our luggage on board ourselves. It wasn't far to go and I didn't want to wait for it to be delivered to the stateroom. it was not a problem as the bags are all on wheels.

Wow, that is an accomplishment. Very skinny and steep boarding ladderway. We're too old to be lugging 50 pounds of luggage up that awkward entry.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 2/15/2019 at 12:33 PM, 6rugrats said:

It was just a warning, as I was actually asked for a tip and the guy's hand was out.  I just gave him $1 per bag (2 bags). 

 

I'd have reported him to Windstar immediately upon boarding - this shouldn't be happening.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Embarcation day with windstar is a lot less stressful than boarding the megaship in Fort-Lauderdale. FLL porters have their hand out all the time and if you look undecided they make sure you understand that your luggage "might" get lost or that luggage tags can be caught in machinery, etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When we sailed Pride out of San Juan last year, we arrived very early in the day directly from the airport.  Porters happily took all our luggage at curbside as we filled out and attached luggage tags.  We handed them an appropriate tip and walked off to enjoy one of our favorite cities for the day.  The only stress was me remembering to get our passports out of our carry-on for check-in later in the afternoon.  Easy as pie.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/27/2019 at 4:58 PM, milepig said:

 

I'd have reported him to Windstar immediately upon boarding - this shouldn't be happening.

 

 

I’m guessing that this was one of the porters hired locally to deal with luggage, as onboard crew would never ask for a tip.  There is a lot of poverty in the Caribbean and we always tip locals - so  it would not have been a problem for us. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...