Tipping porters at YC entrance

I was wondering if tipping is customary when you drop off your luggage at the YC entrance. Who actually takes possession of your luggage? I know that for other cruises, the porters at the dock expect tips when you drop off your bags, and some people feel that it is sort of bribery to ensure your luggage is handled properly.. Any thoughts?

I hate tipping porters --- why?? --- they move your bags from the curb to the trolley...

In Miami it's the same union porters for YC that handle your larger bags at the white tent who also take care of the rest of the passengers bags. They make it clear that they are "taking care" of your bag and expect a gratuity for slapping it onto that larger cart and pushing it into the building to be scanned and then loaded onto the ship.

I was wondering if tipping is customary when you drop off your luggage at the YC entrance. Who actually takes possession of your luggage? I know that for other cruises, the porters at the dock expect tips when you drop off your bags, and some people feel that it is sort of bribery to ensure your luggage is handled properly.. Any thoughts?

A couple of $ will do.

I was wondering if tipping is customary when you drop off your luggage at the YC entrance. Who actually takes possession of your luggage? I know that for other cruises, the porters at the dock expect tips when you drop off your bags, and some people feel that it is sort of bribery to ensure your luggage is handled properly.. Any thoughts?

Tip the porters ?

Are you having a laugh ?

Sent from my iPad using Forums

In Miami it's the same union porters for YC that handle your larger bags at the white tent who also take care of the rest of the passengers bags. They make it clear that they are "taking care" of your bag and expect a gratuity for slapping it onto that larger cart and pushing it into the building to be scanned and then loaded onto the ship.

Yep. They are very clear on that! Extortion but not worth risk.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

We embarked in Genoa, Italy, and were greeted by MSC port personell when entering the main building. She helped with our luggage and escorted us to the YC tent where another MSC crew member in blue suit took our suitcases. We never saw a “non-MSC” porter.

We tipped the just a few dollars to the initial porters at the YC tent, then a few more to the butler who took care of us during our wait and up to the ship. When we were handed off to the onship butlers, we did not tip - as we knew they were getting a part of our prepaid gratuities and we would tip extra to a few at the end of the cruise.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I hate tipping porters --- why?? --- they move your bags from the curb to the trolley...

And they make 6 figure incomes in the US. Before tips.

And they make 6 figure incomes in the US. Before tips.

So do a lot of lazy people. These guys work their butts off dealing with many folks.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Every port in the US is covered by the Longshoremans Union. Your luggage must go through them to get on the ship. A lot of them are semi retired and work sporadically. Most of them are pretty nice and are happy with a few dollars. It’s a game that’s been played for the past hundred plus years. A five dollar bill will take care of a lot of luggage.

A five dollar bill will take care of a lot of luggage.

Thanks for that, CGT. We'll be embarking in US ports for 2 of our 2019 cruises; it's good to know the 'acceptable' "rate". (Don't fancy trying to fish my luggage from the sea for causing insult with a lousy tip ;p)

I’m sorry, but this is straight up extortion!

You shouldn’t have to fear for the safety of your luggage by being held to ransom for a small tip.

I’m sorry, but this is straight up extortion!

 

You shouldn’t have to fear for the safety of your luggage by being held to ransom for a small tip.

It's the American way :rolleyes: When in Rome, etc, etc, etc (as Yul Brynner would say :D)

I’m sorry, but this is straight up extortion!

 

You shouldn’t have to fear for the safety of your luggage by being held to ransom for a small tip.

We embarked from Boston several years ago and I personally witnessed a fork lift pushing an entire rack of luggage off the pier and into the water.

We had friends onboard who were greatly affected. All their clothing had to be cleaned and a camera was ruined. It does happen!

We embarked in the US last year and didn't tip the porter, our luggage didn't end up in the sea. We arrived at the YC tent, checked in, our cases were labelled and off they went.

I was under the impression that YC in Miami did not have to drop-off luggage at the kerb like all passengers, but rather keep hold of it until you got to the YC check-in area (the white tent)?

I was under the impression that YC in Miami did not have to drop-off luggage at the kerb like all passengers, but rather keep hold of it until you got to the YC check-in area (the white tent)?

That's what's been posted on here many times, JP. We'll be embarking Armonia next January in Miami (so no YC tent :loudcry:).

So do a lot of lazy people. These guys work their butts off dealing with many folks.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

It's a job, they are supposed to work and that's why they get paid...

I was under the impression that YC in Miami did not have to drop-off luggage at the kerb like all passengers, but rather keep hold of it until you got to the YC check-in area (the white tent)?

The YC tent is kerb side, we got out of the taxi at the tent, a preliminary check in and were then escorted into the terminal building. Our cases had the YC labels added at the tent and we left them there.

That's what's been posted on here many times, JP. We'll be embarking Armonia next January in Miami (so no YC tent :loudcry:).

Oh the horror! ;)

Oh the horror! ;)

Well ... thanks for that sympathetic reaction! :D :D

In Miami for YC, you get out of car/van/whatever and go to white tent to small counter with a butler(s). They ask your info, a porter comes up, takes bags, lumps on cart. Tip or not as you see fit but yes, IMO, these guys are in a class(less) by themselves.

My first cruise ever was from Tampa; I thought the porter, who assisted us from the carpark to the terminal, was wonderful and wouldn't have even considered not tipping him. However, I can't see how 'helpful' they are when they only have to move your cases from the KERB to the loading bay, something that we always do ourselves in European ports.

OK, well thanks for all the answers about the luggage drop-off at the YC tent. And also for answering the age-old question of curb vs. kerb. (BTW, my spellcheck has rejected "kerb")