Worried about these baggage handlers

[UKCruiser_2008]

I do not like the situation: travellers get out of their taxi and are bombarded by desperate baggage handlers trying to make a living out of tips. Apparently they demand a tip and complain if it is not what they were expecting. Then you have to hand over your possessions to this person to look after...

 

I would really prefer to carry my own baggage, hand it over to a Carnival employee myself and save a few dollars. Is it possible to do this?

 

If not, what is the expected tip per suitcase? Will things "go missing" if you do not tip enough?

[mj]

You will have to hand over your luggage to a Porter, who does not work for Carnival. The only luggage you can on has to be equivalent to a carry-on bag for an airplane.

 

I normally tip $2 per bag.

[Ehpride]

There is a limit on the size baggage that you can carry-on. I want to say that it's 11"x17" with unlimited length but I'm not sure. Basically, if it fits through an airport scanner, you should be able to carry it on. However, if you carry it on, you may have to carry it with you until your cabin is ready.

 

As far as the porters, they are really there to help you get on the ship easier. I usually tip a dollar per bag or if we have 3 bags, just give them 5 dollars. It is customary to tip anyone who handles your luggage (taxi drivers, shuttle drivers, etc...). My things have always made it to my cabin intact. You can't just give it to a Carnival employee because that's not how it works. It has to be given to the porters who will transfer the luggage to the ship.

 

Edit to add: I carry on as little as possible to make boarding that much easier. But I do make sure that I have all my valuables with me, as I don't want them out of my sight. That goes for the port and the airport. Also, make sure you lock your baggage or close it with zip ties just in case. At the very least, it will keep your zipper from accidentally opening.

[Cruisin' Ron VA]

I do not like the situation: travellers get out of their taxi and are bombarded by desperate baggage handlers trying to make a living out of tips. Apparently they demand a tip and complain if it is not what they were expecting. Then you have to hand over your possessions to this person to look after...

 

I would really prefer to carry my own baggage, hand it over to a Carnival employee myself and save a few dollars. Is it possible to do this?

 

If not, what is the expected tip per suitcase? Will things "go missing" if you do not tip enough?

 

If you do not hand your luggage to a porter you will have to hand it to a long shore man. In Ft Lauderdale if you hand your luggage to a long shore man he is going to more than likely give you a speech about how he is going to make sure you luggage makes it safely on the ship. (Read between the lines on that one.) So you are pretty much forced to pay his "fee" or end up with wet luggage. YES IT DOES HAPPEN.

 

These people are union and make a decent living. They are using the tourist to subsidize their income and make a pretty penny doing so.

 

Don't bother complaining. It is out of Carnivals hands and the union will laugh at you.

 

Two choices. Carry on the luggage yourself or pay what they demand.

[G'ma]

I do not like the situation: travellers get out of their taxi and are bombarded by desperate baggage handlers trying to make a living out of tips. Apparently they demand a tip and complain if it is not what they were expecting. Then you have to hand over your possessions to this person to look after...

 

I would really prefer to carry my own baggage, hand it over to a Carnival employee myself and save a few dollars. Is it possible to do this?

 

If not, what is the expected tip per suitcase? Will things "go missing" if you do not tip enough?

 

First off, they are not "desparate baggage handlers". They are longshoremen who work for the Port of Miami. Contractually, they are the only ones who can handle any sort of cargo at the port including baggage. Carnival employees cannot lay a hand on any luggage until it has been loaded on the ship - also done by longshoremen. They are highly paid union members.

 

They don't "demand" a tip. Some may suggest it, most don't. Some will complain if they feel "undertipped", most do not. It is, however, CUSTOMARY to tip the person handling your bag...just like you would do at a hotel or airport. Most websites suggest $2.00 per bag unless your bag is very heavy, in which case more might be in order. Tipping is always discretionary..you are not required to tip.

 

That being said, remember, they have complete control of your luggage....and do a very efficient job of handling it. It has always been my theory that it's better to tip him than find my luggage has been dumped in the bay or "forgotten" somewhere or in a dumpster.

 

You can only take carryon-sized luggage into the terminal. Anything larger won't fit through the scanner, which is the same size as those found at the airport. If your bag is too large, you will be invited to take it back outside and have the longshoremen handle it.

 

Keep in mind these people handle thousands and thousands of pieces of luggage a week....and they do it in a most proficient manner. They really don't have time to root around in suitcases to see what they can steal. They do, however, have the ability to overlook a suitcase here and there for someone who decides they want to "save a few dollars" by not tipping.

 

If you are concerned about something coming up missing, I can only say that I have 200+ cruises under my belt; 61 on Carnival. I've never had anything stolen, never had anything damaged, always had everything delivered to my cabin in the same condition I turned it over....always.

[UKCruiser_2008]

I am very happy to pay tips - I like the concept. But not it it's a tip for something I would actually rather do myself, e.g. carry my bag.

 

 

It just seems a strange concept to have everyone's luggage handled by a thir party. I guess it suits Carnival - if anything goes missing they can blame the porters!

[Robert6260]

The baggage handlers are the last people you want to piss off. They could easily drop your luggage into the water. I give them at least $5.00 per bag.

 

In Miami last year I had a porter take my luggage at my car in the parking garage and take it to the ship. When I returned from my cruise a porter took my bags back to my car in the garage. I tipped them well and they were happy and I was happy.

[G'ma]

I am very happy to pay tips - I like the concept. But not it it's a tip for something I would actually rather do myself, e.g. carry my bag.

 

 

It just seems a strange concept to have everyone's luggage handled by a thir party. I guess it suits Carnival - if anything goes missing they can blame the porters!

 

I just noticed you are in the UK. Here in America, ALL of the ports are operated by very strong Unions. It's not a matter of Carnival "letting" someone else do it (or to blame someone else). It is the Unions. No one is permitted to handle cargo at any US port unless they are members of the Longshoremans Union. Period. When cruise companies decide on a port, they are required to acknowledge this and the contract is drawn up stating the rules. They couldn't do anything about it if they wanted to.

[ThePatientOne]

If when you arrive at the pier you were to look around.. The porter will take your bag and place it/them into a cage like thing for the fork lifts to get onto the ship... Carnival suggests a buck a bag.. I usually do a five for our two bags,, Hand it all over with a smile and a thank you.. Your luggage will arrive at your cabin, in one piece and dry... Don't worry about the small stuff, You are going on a cruise. ANY cruise is better than a day at work,....

[nybumpkin]

In seven cruises we've never had a porter outright demand a tip or complain about the amount, and only once did we get the "I'll make sure your bags get on the ship" speech. Heck, I get the "you won't see me when your bags are delivered" speech all the time at the Marriott bell stand in NYC. Most of the porters we've met have been pretty friendly. We generally tip $1-2 per bag.

[KenMo]

G'ma beat me to it....but yes.....it's a union thing.

 

I don't know how the unions work in the UK but in the US, if you are in a union nobody else can do your job.

 

And it's not just at the ports. My DH works for an airline and is a union member along with everyone else who works there except supervisors and up. If the airline assigns a union member to do another union member's job...well....there can be hell to pay.

 

BTW....I've never had a problem getting my luggage intact.

[BeyondKen]

I have sailed out of Port Canaveral and Miami. I have never handed over my bags to a 'baggage handler' nor to a Carnival employee. I simply placed my bags in the baggage area then got onto the ship.

[Kurbanfan]

Once in Miami we actually gave our luggage to security and they loaded right on the ship.......It was the morning when Norweigen Norway had that bad explosion at the port. It was complete madhouse that morning......

No porters to be seen.......

 

OP....one dollar a bag is sufficient......good luck!

[Pegs222]

IMO, which means nothing, getting your baggage lost on an airplane is more likely than getting them lost at port. If it gets to the port it will get to your Stateroom.

 

But please tip them accordingly. I believe it is a $!.00 a bag. How about the British Pound/Euro? Does the same "one" apply to that too?

[jetskier]

The Port of Houston has been the only place where I had a porter refuse a tip.

Port of Mobile....easy going not demanding.

Port of Galveston...a little blatent with the hand out.

Port of New Orleans....demands tip, refuses to take your luggage to your car

Port of Miami...easy going not demanding

Port of New York.....easy going not demanding

 

All are highly paid union workers.

Dave

[Tazerok]

If the ship starts in Rome should we plan to tip in Euros or should I have american dollars to tip with?

[Pegs222]

If the ship starts in Rome should we plan to tip in Euros or should I have american dollars to tip with?

 

Euros, it is the currency of Italy. I do not think they would be very happy with "foreign" money.

[UKCruiser_2008]

Giving tips is not so common in Europe, although the custom does seem to be coming over from the USA. In the UK, we usually only tip in restaurants when the service is good - which it often is NOT, unless it is a US chain restaurant e.g. TGI Fridays.

 

Tipping works well because it is money exchanged directly between the server/porter etc. and the customer, ensuring a higher level of service in each individual case.

 

In Rome, I think a 1 Euro tip per bag would be much appreciated, but they might be a little insulted if they were given $$!

[Tazerok]

Does the same go for tipping the staff on the crew?

[UKCruiser_2008]

I have never been on a European cruise, but don't they use US $$ on Carnival ships?

[jessemon]

I have never been on a European cruise, but don't they use US $$ on Carnival ships?

The only place cash is used is in the casino. The rest of what you do is placed on your sail and sign card which you back with a credit card or pay cash in advance against this card. When the cash runs out you run down and give them more. They also place your automatic daily suggested tip for staff on this card along with the 15% automatic tip added to your drink purchases.......

To your original question. I give them $5.00 for two bags and they are always at my cabin by 3 in the afternoon....;)

[Tazerok]

I believe so that's why I'm wondering. I'd prefer not to bother bringing any US cash but it's not a huge deal.

[jessemon]

I believe so that's why I'm wondering. I'd prefer not to bother bringing any US cash but it's not a huge deal.

If you are planning a Caribbeann cruise I would suggest figuring an onshore budget that you will spend in restaurants or bars on shore and pay that in cash US. All islands and Mexico accept that. I don't know if I'd use a credit card in most of these places. As far as the shops go as long as you deal at well know establishments you don't have to worry......

Just a thought. I (as you might see) have cruised many times and I genenrally use cash on shore......;)

[Davey Interweb]

I've rolled my own luggage onboard every single time. The longshoremen handling baggage duties at any given pier are generally glorified panhandlers.

[jessemon]

I've rolled my own luggage onboard every single time. The longshoremen handling baggage duties at any given pier are generally glorified panhandlers.

Make sure the next time you want to do this they are within the new size restrictions they have for ship carry ons. If they cannot fit through the xray machines you will have to step out of line and go to ......Guess who.......the porters to check them in.......;)