Complaint Review: Royal Caribbean International - Miami Florida

Forward lost (now recovered) suitcase complaint to Port Everglades longshoreman? Why? I do not know the name of the port handler who loaded our bags. Wouldn't Royal Caribbean better represent both my and their mutual interests by reporting this (and similar) baggage mishandling to the attention of the longshoremen's union? - Doesn't RCI have a lost suitcase liability to protect? If I contacted the longshoremen's union - if they replied - many can predict this formula response: "appreciate bringing incident to our attention - take pride in our performance - continue to improve - successfully transfer million bags annually - rare mistakes happen - regret your inconvenience". Been there - done that - the suitcase has been found and returned - bottom line: not worth the hassle.

Besides, Royal Caribbean is not "off the hook" - true, port handlers loaded suitcase on wrong ship but Royal Caribbean failed to catch the mistake - let's face it, my oversized 5-digit Allure stateroom number tag should have "stood out like a sore thumb" coming aboard Jewel - had RCI promptly caught the mistake, the suitcase might have gotten onto our ship before it left port.

Sometime later during Jewel's cruise an RCI crewmember had to discover the misloaded suitcase - someone aboard Jewel should have taken responsibility to make (and ensure) a report of the discovery of the suitcase reached us aboard Allure - that would have saved a lot of emotional distress - Royal Caribbean, not longshoremen, "dropped the ball" here - we received the report RCI found the suitcase after Jewel returned to Port Everglades - we would not be surprised to learn Royal Caribbean actually first took action to return the missing suitcase to us when it was left stranded in Jewel's baggage claims.

When I submitted my Rip-Off Report I felt caught in the middle of a blame game between Royal Caribbean and port handlers - excuses to avoid paying $300 lost luggage liability - my report had been posted when Royal Caribbean found and shipped the suitcase to our doorstep - I updated my report - I hope my experiences might be beneficial to someone else.

I take this opportunity to add one more tip: Buy Traveler's Insurance.

I am happy to see you got your bag back.  My only question is, how in the heck does a lone suitcase take a journey all the way across the port to another cruise ship?  It's not like the Port of Miami where the ships are in a straight line.  Port Everglades is a huge port and the Jewel and the Allure are not exactly next to each other.  Somehow, that bag had to leave the entire terminal building and make it's way to the Jewel's pier, which is down the road, around the corner, and three terminals away.  I just cannot see how that would be an accident.  

My advice is to file a complaint with Port Everglades.  Perhaps, in asking for that receipt, the porter decided he wanted to mess with you.  I really can't think of any other explanation.  

It's too bad the Jewel crew didn't notice the mistake prior to the ships leaving.   

UPDATE: missing luggage mystery solved - wife's suitcase not, repeat NOT ripped-off!

Good news - Royal Caribbean ground shipped wife's suitcase home - ID tag, RCI luggage tag (Allure Deck 12), even MIA baggage claim tag still attached -  everything inside as she packed it - thank you RCI - will eat words because no chick in Miami to wear wife's formal - wife will wear formal to Valentine dinner/dance (did I know about this?)

RCI called wife four days ago with news they had her suitcase - mistakenly loaded onto Jewel - (bag enjoyed a longer cruise) - our trust in RCI has been restored - and RCI probably did not cause this.

Our two suitcases stacked right next to each other in baggage cart - got separated - how could this happen? - unlikely if luggage loaded straight from cart to ship - easier to explain if port handlers rushed suitcases through scanning building before loading onto ships - so a lesson - this infrequent mix-up by port handlers, not RCI, possible.

Skepticism? Assumed salty cruisers knew - don't ask: demand receipt, otherwise no tip - if port handler balks, walk on - another handler usually steps up or tote bags into terminal - works 66% time - last receipt written on notepad w/RCI logo and incomprehensible scribble - still think tangible proof better than none at all - but like I wrote, it proved worthless in finding missing suitcase. This salty cruiser was wrong to think port handlers RCI employees - learned port handlers are longshoremen under contract with most port authorities in US - union won't allow RCI employees to load from dock to ship. Sidebar: No, RCI has no way to track bags - concluded at the time Guest Service claim of "no record" of suitcase on Allure meant they weren't looking for it anymore - receipt for just my bag a smokescreen - Guest Services not arbitrator between guest and company, they represent RCI. Back to tracking: RCI could print and send booking number bar code to stick onto luggage tag at no great expense - or RCI could design bar code into luggage tag internet user prints.  

"Flaming"? Questions: Flew Knoxville RT TYS to MIA because RT TYS to FLL at least $220 more - Take note: Airport & City Transfer Taxi - per vehicle, not per person - MIA to Port Everglades plus tip - $94 - after cruise took shuttle to MIA - still came out ahead - a few years ago taxi MIA to Port Miami a flat $24 per person.  

These are some better advice and "next time" tips we've heard lately and pass along:

#7. Tape/paint unique marks on your suitcase (will also speed finding luggage in baggage claims) and have photo of you beside it to help searchers.

#6. (From policeman) Mark luggage & items with UV invisible ink permanent markers.

#5. Ask cruise line to broadcast lost suitcase (and, if available, photo of you next to unique bag) and request donations of clothes needs/sizes on ship TV.

#4. Inquire if cruise line has emergency supply of clothes to borrow.

#3. Write personal ID information on large card and put on top of clothes inside suitcase to be seen immediately when opened and in case luggage tags get torn off.

#2. Cross pack - split yours and partner's clothes between two suitcases - one lost bag means half, not all clothes missing.

#1. Limit bags to carry-ons. Airline checked bag fees and this luggage mystery experience motivation to pack light - too many guests aboard Allure to notice wife wearing rainbow tie-dyed "formal" dress again - from now on I will just be packing carry-ons - seems best for both airlines and cruise ships.

$94 cab fare!?  Port Everglades is right next to the FLL airport.  Did you fly in to Miami or something? 

I'm curious about the receipt you were given.  I've cruised on both the Oasis and Allure out of that terminal and I've never been given a receipt from the baggage handlers.  Are they using some sort of automated system now that scans and tracks bags?  The cruise industry is long overdue for something like that, even though the bags are only going from the curb to the ship. 

Sorry to hear about your wife's bag.  My wife would be livid if something like that happened and $300 would not cover hers either.  That really sucks.

Just so you know, after your bags are loaded on to that cart, they go in to the warehouse where they are individually put through a scanner, then reloaded on another cart to go to the ship.   The men doing that job are union porters who don't always have the cleanest background.  I'm not accusing them - I'm just saying. 

I have just a couple questions and comments, as I am an experienced cruiser and have been on Allure.

First, receipt?  Tell me about this.  In all my years cruising, I have never been given a baggage receipt from the porters.   I know for a fact they don't just hand you one.  How did you get this?  Did you have to ask for a receipt?  I'm also wondering how they would have "record" of the bags entering the ship.  They do not affix bar code stickers like airports do.  I'm not flaming.  I'm really curious about this process and if it is something new.

One thing I know from experience is sometimes luggage tags get ripped off by careless handling of the porters.  I'm wondering if this is what happened to your bag.  With out the tags, they wouldn't know who is the owner or what room it is supposed to go to.

Reservations.  I cannot stress enough the importance of making all your show reservations prior to a cruise on Oasis/Allure.  Travel agents need to stress that point.  On your on-line check-in with RCI, they advertise the reservations, but they do not express exactly how important they are.  They really should do that.