Self Assist
 

I think after witness of my last cruise. The Self Assist luggage program should only be limited to 1-2 bags per person.....I was behind a couple that were carrying 5 bags thinking they can get off ship faster by carrying all their bags..Only to drop them every few feet holding up the entire line...PEOPLE..If you cant carry your bags all at once without dropping them,..Have them checked off ship..Ok thats the only gripe I got..

Hi David,

I've seen that a few times - I wonder why people do it? It looks near impossible!

I agree 100 percent. If you can't do it don't try.

We see that on every cruise. They screw up everybody.

I know this isn't the gripes board and I'm not griping--just making known a few things I've seen, including last week.
Yes, people try ( for reasons known only to them ) to carry everything and anything both on and off the ship. In my opinion the self debarkation should be limited to one piece per person and if someone has more--tough--go back and sit and wait. Worst thing that was ever started on cruises is the fiasco of self debarkation.
Last year at Port Canaveral some guy has a huge suitcase that he tried to carry on--the Carnival people stopped him and told him he would have to check it--he argued with them--somehow--and I don't know how he did it, he ended up in front of us at the security checkpoint and guess what--no matter which way he turned the damn thing, it wouldn't go through the conveyor. He persisted on trying until finally someone had the backbone to turn into a drill Sargent type for a minute and sent him packing with the bag back to check it in.
Last week we were on the Mariner.The first Port, Cabo San Lucas is a tender port. We waited for a while, thinking most of the crowd would be off---wrong-- it was backed up 2-3 decks. Finally when we got to the security checkpoint where you have you seapass card dinged, some guy that was with 5-6 other people discovered he had left his card in his cabin--he had to fight his way back through the crowd--his companions to say the least were p.o'd big time. They went on without him--guess they found him later. Then coming back through the check point to get to the ship someone didn't have a photo I.D.--only a seapass card.
Some of these folks makes you wonder how they actually function in the world, earn a living, etc. But, that's cruising --always something interesting and entertaining to watch !!;-) ;-)

Yea, Im not here to open a can of worms..lol..Just thought id bring it up, thats all. I did see a "suitcase gauge" like at the airport sitting in the check in area where if the bag dosent fit inside, it needs to be checked. When I check in on a cruise, I normally check my bag and just carry on a smaller duffle type bag with all the valubles, etc. I dont like dragging a suitcase around if i dont have to. Getting off ship I do carry everything off. My bag is med sized with wheels and i can also strap my carry on bag to it which give me a free hand and tows easyly behind me. I travel light..I cant belive what people take for a 5 day cruise..

Not that this has anything to do with self assist, but toting luggage in general. I have also seen people who walk on the ship with every bag they have. Are they afraid their bags won't make it onto the ship from the curb? They don't trust the long-shore men? They end up lugging all the bags around until the cabins open up. I say - ditch most of your bags (I carry a small tote with my camera, etc) at the curb and enjoy yourself once you are on the ship - don't worry, your bags WILL make it on.

In my entire cruisng life, I never even thought of doing this, but in Galveston, with a very long ride to the airport, & with the only flight that made any sense...we really needed to do this...We had 2 large bags, and two carryons, which we tried to piggy back to make it easier...

Given the ramps and the length you have to shlep...there is no way anyone but the younger and stronger, with less luggage, should do this....NEVER again, and I mean it!

But my one piece of avice to those who may find themselves behind someone struggling is, to have a bit of patience, and remember, they could be your parents, or grandparents, having a tough go of it..;)

Trip:

If it was my parents I would feel free saying: "Why the hell are you lugging that stuff off?" They would have had a bit more sense than doing something they knew would be too hard for them or would inconvenience others.

Take care,
Mike

I dont even know why I started this topic....The people that NEED to read this arent here to read it anyhow..LOL.

Well, firstly, we did think we could do it till we got to the terminal, and THE Dreaded Ramp! Since we didn't have an option in this scenario, we did what we needed to do, and actually stayed to one side of the ramp, so people like you wouldn't yell...........:rolleyes:

David....Oh well!rofl

It's like "preaching to the choir" isn't it? I see lot's of post's like this. We can only hope that people who don't post, will still read and learn something ;).

It may be true that the folks that need this info. and could use it don't read this board. Probably so but if it gets to just one or two, it's worth it.

Re / seeing people packing everything they own when they go on a cruise, it always pops in my mind that they apparently were never in the Army. I carried enough stuff when I was there to do me forever-- I never carry more than I have to and then try to dump some of that! ;-) ;-)

We have one mid-size suitcase between us as we insist on traveling light. But I will NEVER do self-assist again. We were delayed well over an hour (standing all the while) the other day. We could have been having a leisurely 2nd breakfast in the dining room!

Next cruise, after finishing my eggs benedict, I'll step out on the atrium balcony, peer down, and watch the Ellis Island crowd.

Trip: They have improved the ramps in Galveston, but it's still a nice walk especially in Terminal 2. They have also started TRYING to restrict those with more than one bag in Galveston and that has improved it 100%.

I have always done self in Galveston and rarely have any problems. It was great at first, no one used it, then everyone started and they had to get more restrictive and have two self assist times. At least they are trying!

Im not the one to yell..I just "roll my eyes" and deal with with it..Once I get home..You see my comments here..LOL..Im a very calm person..Except the couple in front of me..NEVER did move to the side or let anybody around them..They couldnt..TO MANY bags. BTW..When leaving the ship..all the ramps went DOWN HILL..which should make it easyer to carry bags. Nobody seems to have a problem getting ON the ship. (up hill).

good advice
 

Juggling 2 kids should be enough- I don't want to juggle luggage too!

David, I really do understand, it is a bit a of crazy when you see people with tons of bags..we saw it in the theater, where we all had to sit and wait..and that's another reason I would never do it again...

We would have been fine, as I said, but for that ramp...manageable luggage and youth, make for a good combination...

Since I have only done it once, and will not again, based on the way it was on my cruise, they really need to figure out a better way to gather the troops, and offload...Ihope thay have...