It could be getting a little bit easier getting your luggage off a cruise ship and onto your flight home.
Guests on an upcoming cruise received a letter informing them that the luggage assistance program that's been missing for over five years is on its way back.
Royal Caribbean calls it Luggage Valet, and it's an easier way to get bags from ship to airport on the final morning of the cruise.
The service was offered for years, but was cut a while back for sailings from Florida. It's now being offered again on 7 night sailings or longer sailing from select ports.
"Royal Caribbean is proud to offer airline check-in at sea. Luggage Valet provides the unique opportunity to check in for your flight at sea and allow your bags to be collected, cleared, and sent on to your final destination, while you enjoy the comfort and ease of hands-free travel."
This means you can enjoy your last morning on board without worrying about your bags—just disembark and head to the airport.
How the service works
On all cruises, you can leave your luggage outside your stateroom on the last morning of the cruise to be collected by crew members and subsequently brought to the cruise terminal for pickup.
Luggage Valet offers an easier option for those flying home on select airlines.
You have to enroll in the optional program by filling out a form and returning it to the Guest Services Desk no later than day 3 of the cruise. If you are a Suite, Pinnacle, Diamond Plus, or Diamond guest with access to the Concierge service, you can return the form to the Concierge at either the Crown Lounge on Deck 4 or the Suite Lounge on Deck 17 by day 3 of the cruise.
This service can only be purchased onboard the ship, and cannot be pre-booked before the cruise begins.
In your stateroom you'll get your luggage tags delivered to your cabin to affix to your luggage.
Bags are collected the night before the cruise ends, but passengers don't pick up the bags in the terminal. Rather, the bags are brought to the airport and checked onto your flight.
With this service, you wouldn't see your bags until you land at your home airport and collect your bags from baggage claim.
It's available only at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) or Miami International Airport (MIA).
Guests departing from FLL must have flights that depart between 11:30 AM and 11:59 PM on the day of disembarkation.
Guests departing from MIA must have flights that depart between 2:00 PM and 11:59 PM on the day of disembarkation.
How much it costs
Luggage valet costs $29 per guest plus applicable airline baggage fees.
The cost is charged to your Royal Caribbean onboard account.
Here is a list of which airlines participate in Luggage Valet:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) – Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
Miami International Airport (MIA) – Delta Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airlines, Southwest Airlines.
Still offered for Alaska cruises too
While the letter distributed to guests this week doesn't include Alaska, it appears it's still offered in Seattle too.
The Port of Seattle website lists Royal Caribbean as a participating partner in its Port Valet program, which is quite similar to Luggage Valet.
This service is offered by the Port of Seattle, and you can sign up online before the cruise begins, or once onboard. The best part? It's complimentary (excluding any airline baggage fees).
Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean passengers can take advantage of it.
You can use Port Valet if you are flying with these participating airlines: Alaska, American, Delta, Horizon, JetBlue, Southwest, or United.
Why you should use Luggage Valet
The appeal of Luggage Valet is to offer an even easier way to get off your ship and on your way home.
If you've ever dealt with disembarking your ship on the final morning with luggage in hand, it can be a bit of a hassle. This is especially true with young children and trying to juggle them and your bags.
With Luggage Valet, you don't have any big bags to contend with, and Royal Caribbean thinks that offers less hassle and a more enjoyable experience overall.
Plus, you can totally skip the typically long lines to check luggage at the airport.
Of course there is an extra cost, so it adds to the overall vacation budget. But the convenience of having your bags taken off the ship and to your flight is lovely option.
