Do You Lock Your Luggage

[nlktx49]

We always use zip ties on our luggage, as one other poster said, not so much as locks but to keep the zippers from coming open. Had a new suitcase with a TSA lock on it, and it got cut off at the airport! This was shortly after these locks had come out, so don't know if they didn't know how to operate them, or didn't have a key, but it made me mad! They left a letter inside the bag saying it had been searched.

[Kangapong]

We always lock our luggage using TSA approved locks.

[BEACHPAD04]

I always lock my luggage, only went into by Carnival 1 time in 12 cruises.:)

[<3 2 Cruise]

I don't lock mine. I would rather them be able to look in if they have the desire. Our last cruise, we had a note inside that our bag had been inspected, but I had some bottle of water in it. Guess that made them look. To me, that was easier than being called to the naughty room for a few bottles of water.

[pinkdiamonddolly]

I always lock my luggage when traveling, but after reading a few threads about people who smuggle liquor, I would assume they break your locks if they need to check inside. Also, how safe are things inside your luggage if it is not locked? Has anyone had anything stolen out of their luggage? Seems that a locked luggage would be a sign that you are smuggling and they will check those bags. Correct me if I am wrong. Thanks. :confused:

 

 

No, because locks only keep honest people out, people who are thieves will break a $6.99 lock in a heartbeat. I have never had a problem with this on any cruise. Unfortunately it is flag and they will call you down and search your luggage and frankly I don't want to spend what little vaca time I have in a room with CPB. The TSA locks can't be opened by CBP, they do not have master keys if they did they would open your luggage instead of calling you in. Sadly there are dishonest people everywhere, but I have seen far less of this on a cruise than any other place I have been. I hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise.:)

[<3 2 Cruise]

We have had things stolen from the luggage that we set out in the hall the night before debark.

Only happened once, but since then we use zip ties before setting it out at night.

2 yrs ago on the Miracle, we planned on going to the show and the casino and figured we wouldn't get back to the room in time to set them out by the deadline, so we put them out around 8:30 and went about our business.

When we came back the hall was cleared of all bags.

When we got home and unpacked, most of the souvenirs we bought in the islands were missing. Nothing terribly expensive, mostly infant t-shirts, hats, del sol shirts and nail polish, 4 margaritaville glasses etc.

 

Yes i know, about a dozen people will jump on this and say it was my fault for putting that stuff in checked luggage, or for putting it out so early, or whatever.

Fact is....it just didn't occur to me before that day that people on a cruise ship would steal our stuff. There's a sense of brotherhood i guess you would call it, on a cruise ship. We all have the same purpose, to have a nice well earned vacation. And i never thought about people going through our luggage.

We don't know if it was another passenger, or a crew member.

So now they get closed with colored zip ties before going in the hall.

And my husband went through the hall putting zip ties on all of our groups bags last week too! lol

 

PLEASE if you put your stuff in the hall........lock it!

Same thing here. My daughter had watches stolen from her bag when they were put out the last night. That was the last time we ever put our bags out. We self debark now and keep our bags with us.

[Room Service!]

We always lock them. We know if the thieves really want in, they will get in.

Someone else stated that it'll slow 'em down and I agree. Why make it easy?

[cruisinwithmaandpa]

forgive my stupidity but what is a TSA lock? Where would i buy some?

 

Transporation Security Administration (TSA) these are the same ones that are recommended when flying, they will have either one of these logos on them. And yes, they can open them, they did mine.

 

[Quilting_Cruiser]

I don't lock ours but I do zip tie them. In one of the outside pockets, I keep extra zip ties and nail clippers to remove the zip ties. Nothing's ever been stolen (well, 20 years ago some stuff was stolen when I was in transit to Uganda and my luggage was lost for three weeks, but never on a cruise).

[Mad Capn Bob]

Been on a grand total of two glorious cruises...and I've never locked me luggage. If anyone wants to finger thru me undies, they may do so. All they will find are the purple lace teddies, me red satin corsets, me hosiery with the enticing back seam...:eek:

[FiremanDan]

I used to put zip ties on just so I would know if the luggage had been opened.

 

The last 5 or 6 cruises I got lazy and just left it unlocked

 

 

I use zip ties too. I just like to know if the bags been opened.

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

Been cruising since 1992 never locked a single suit case and never had a problem. Then again, I don't put anything of value in the suitcase. Don't lock them when we fly either. The most expensive thing in our luggage is my hair dryer! No matter what you do, if someone wants to get in they will!

[PrettyHazardous]

I have never locked my bags. I have had them searched once and my RR confiscated but they just left me a note on neon orange paper saying they searched my bag and that was it:eek:. We usually do self debark so no probs leaving bags out at night but we have left them out before with no issues.

[bplazo]

No, never lock my luggage.

[larkz]

Absolutely.

 

Of course, anyone knows it's easy to break into locked luggage -- most is made of fabric so all it would require is a sharp tool or blade -- but the majority of crimes are accidents of opportunity. A door or window left unlatched, something of value left lying around, keys left in a car, all these things might capture the attention of a thief who isn't even "on duty" or a some bored kid who thinks it's funny to throw your socks and underwear down the hall.

[Terre]

Absolutely...I lock them with cable ties. You don't want to take the risk of someone putting something unwanted in your bags when they're out of your sight or taking anything out.

[MyDogRudy]

Never. My valuables are with me in my carry on. Doubt anyone wants to steal my clothes and shoes...I don't have anything all that fancy or expensive.

 

I used to lock checked bags so they did not open in transit but since 9/11 and the special locks needed I haven't bothered. Zippers stay closed better these days anyway.

 

Sent from my Motorola Electrify using Tapatalk 2

[katiel53]

We don't fly to the port but our luggage is locked with TSA locks. For those of you who indicated the Carnival can open the TSA locks, I wonder how in that the keys are only supposed to be with TSA personnel and that does not include the port workers.

 

If I were driving to the port and they opened my locks, I would be visiting customer service to find out why/how they got access to those keys. By the way, I don't have anything in my suitcase that I shouldn't, but even if they thought I had, I'd be more than upset.

[halos]

No, never have and never have had a problem.

[LSEA]

It takes just seconds for a skilled thief to open up locked luggage. I do however still lock mine, to keep it from opening accidentally when being handled or on a luggage carousel.

[ObstructedView2]

I always lock my luggage when traveling, but after reading a few threads about people who smuggle liquor, I would assume they break your locks if they need to check inside. Also, how safe are things inside your luggage if it is not locked? Has anyone had anything stolen out of their luggage? Seems that a locked luggage would be a sign that you are smuggling and they will check those bags. Correct me if I am wrong. Thanks. :confused:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1606970

 

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=918651

 

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1621372

[ooulio]

I always lock my luggage now. Not the cruise we took this Feb but last years cruise, someone tried to break into my suitcase. We had it locked when we left it at the ship. We had just come out of the hotel. No one bothered it. We left it with the porter. One of our bags never arrived to us. They did the announcement that if you dont have your luggage, to go to the desk. We walked around the other side of ship. Someone left it on the other side not even close to my number . Tried to open it. Had to call the pursers desk. Finally went downstairs and reported it. Had to have one of the guys in the jumpsuits come up. He said someone jammed something in the special locks. That will teach me for buying a expensive Tommy Hillfiger. They ruined it. He had to cut my locks and the special ones on the suitcase. Something was still jammed in there. I think when they made the announcement, they got nervous and dropped it. It pissed me off. Nothing for compensation. I also use cable locks now too. Sorry clothes are too expensive and evening wear is not cheap. I love to dress up a few times.

[Sundiego]

I use a cheap twist tie (yes, like the kind you get on a loaf of bread). Locks basically keep honest people honest. I think a twist tie would encourage a "quickie thief" to go to the next bag that has nothing... no lock, no cable tie, no nothing.

 

Having said that, we did get busted on our last Carnival cruise. One suitcase had a box-o-wine that got detected. They confiscated it and left a nice note in our suitcase. Daughter's suitcase had similar "contraband" and it made it through untouched. Luck of the draw.

 

And all our "valuables" stay with us at all times in carry ons.

[TeamZambo]

Not to hijack but what if you have nice expensive luggage will it get man handled and damaged?

 

And yes I always lock with TSA locks.

[tandemcruzr]

Yes, we use TSA locks and no, we don't smuggle anymore - we use BV now. So much easier. :D