Does DCL require that you check your luggage? If not we are considering not checking our bags and taking them with us to the lunch then our cabin. Any thoughts?
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Checking bags
- Thread starter Edisto Pluto
- Start date
ChuckElias
Well-Known Member
According to the DCL FAQ, you're allowed to bring carry-on luggage onto the ship; it can be "a day bag and/or carry-on bag, the dimensions of which cannot exceed 22" wide, 14" high and 9" deep." So I guess if your suitcase is that size, you would not have to check it.
But honestly, you really don't want to be dragging your luggage all around the ship until your room becomes available at 1:30 or 2:00. Is there some reason you don't want to check it?
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
According to the DCL FAQ, you're allowed to bring carry-on luggage onto the ship; it can be "a day bag and/or carry-on bag, the dimensions of which cannot exceed 22" wide, 14" high and 9" deep." So I guess if your suitcase is that size, you would not have to check it.
But honestly, you really don't want to be dragging your luggage all around the ship until your room becomes available at 1:30 or 2:00. Is there some reason you don't want to check it?
I dunno. I've seen pictures and read some pretty horrible stuff about the treatment the checked luggage receives. We're planning to utilize duffles rather than suitcases. I don't want to waste anymore vacation $$ buying new luggage just so I can check a couple bags that are likely to be broken or messed up with just the one use. I've been thinking of every creative idea I can conjur to avoid checking anything. I'd like to receive my bags in the same condition they left me in, including the contents. We aren't flying so I don't have to worry about airline baggage handling. I don't want to be concerned with DCL's either. If we have to "park" with our bags somewhere to wait for our stateroom to be ready I'm fine with that. Small sacrifice to make. Beats having to replace make-up, toiletries, shoes, clothes, etc. etc. Plus, my car trunk only has so much space. Utilizing duffle bags cuts the bulk biiiiig time. When we've packed duffles for road trips I've been able to fit nearly twice as much stuff in there.
Disneyfalcon
Well-Known Member
I've seen some horror stories too, but we have never had a bag even the tiniest bit damaged. It really will be a pain to lug your luggage around with you. I always give them everything, even carry ons. Spare one tiny bag with swimsuits and camera.
Thanks for the replies. We had one bag lost on our last cruise (not DCL) to be found the following day. As well on the same cruise the baggage carrier stop working for an hour leaving the ship.
ChuckElias
Well-Known Member
You know what? That's actually fair. I've had minor damage to one of mine. But I've had the exact same damage done by airline baggage handlers. That's a risk I take with "soft" luggage.
If you report the damage before leaving the terminal, I think they'll give you a form and when you have the damage repaired, they'll reimburse you for the cost (up to a certain amount, maybe?).
I've cruised 10 or 11 times, our family has checked multiple bags every time, and I've had 1 issue in that time. I've never had anything in my bags get broken.
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
Hubby & I spent more time discussing the luggage situation again last night. We really don't want to take our Tahoe or our son's Yukon on the road trip. We have 2 sets of hard side luggage. We're thinking maybe if we carry just 1 of the large cases or the 2 smaller ones we could still fit 2 duffles with room to spare. It'll help that we don't have to take our dog & all her gear. If we bring some hard side bag(s) to check it'll cut the carry-on bulk considerably. Just hate hate hate being subjected to the dice-rolling of having bags handled. Ugh!
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
In my experience, the ship is a lot better than the airport. I have had bags beat up by airlines, but never on a cruise. Granted I fly more than I cruise, but on a cruise I think they handle the bags a bit better.
Really though, you dont want to be dragging a lot of luggage around when you board, unless you board very late - and that just wastes the first day.
-dave
Agreed, we are going to check them and hope for the best. We've really never had a problem until our last cruise but that was afte the fact.