colocop004 Posted December 4, 2017 #1 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Yesterday was our last day of a wonderful cruise on FOTS. The topping on the cake for a great cruise was the luggage valet program. It was so easy to use and worked almost flawlessly. We got our boarding passes and luggage tags about 2 pm the night before we disembarked. This allowed for plenty of time to pack and get ready for dinner. We were flying southwest and had early bird check in, so it did not matter what time RCI checked us in. After dinner, we finished up with a couple of items and set our bags out. There were two tags provided to us by RCI. One was the tag for the airline and one that was from RCI with all of our contact info and stating “Luggage Valet” instead of the normal group number etc... The last morning, we slept in and left our room when we wanted (of course it was right at 8 when they requested all rooms be vacated). We did not feel rushed to get out to grab our bags at all. Once we were in customs, we did not have to search through lines and lines of luggage, it was awesome! We went straight to the line to clear customs and were out of the terminal 5 minutes after we got off the ship, no porter to deal with nothing, it was great! We arrived at FLL in great time and we already had our boarding pass, and luggage checked so we went right to security and got right though. The whole process was very easy and absolutely worth the $25 per person charge! One problem we did have was that Southwest lost one of our bags. We had to wait for the baggage folks for about 45 minutes before we were finally able to submit our claim. Southwest delivered the piece of luggage this morning at 9 am. This 45 minute wait to submit a claim for the luggage took longer than it did from the time we walked off the ship until we were at the airport. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted December 4, 2017 #2 Share Posted December 4, 2017 It’s good your bag was found and delivered by SW. Despite a similar experience by a few, there are still more clamor for the service to be expanded to other ports for the convenience it provides. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reallyhooked Posted December 5, 2017 #3 Share Posted December 5, 2017 A good program. We use every chance we get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted December 5, 2017 #4 Share Posted December 5, 2017 We did it for first time last weekend on navigator , great deal, it is also free if you are in a grand suite or above. We bought some booze so had to do one bag the old way, would do it again . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAOk1945 Posted December 5, 2017 #5 Share Posted December 5, 2017 We enjoy this program as well. Happy cruising and Merry Christmas! *❅.•*˚✻.• * ˚⛄.❅.*❅.•*˚✻.• * ˚⛄.❅. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted December 5, 2017 #6 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Glad SW found your bag. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DISFANS3 Posted December 5, 2017 #7 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Good service.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug S Posted December 5, 2017 #8 Share Posted December 5, 2017 My one valet experience on Oasis a few years back was totally positive. Bags arrived on SW in San Antonio just fine. Only been able to use it once since not offered in San Juan, and other cruises we drove to port or were staying there for a few additional vacation days. I'd definitely use it again if it was offered and I was flying straight home. Removed a lot of hassle from the return trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted December 5, 2017 #9 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Glad it all worked out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjh8115 Posted December 5, 2017 #10 Share Posted December 5, 2017 I am hopeful that they add this service to other ports in the near future . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goofyfanatic Posted December 5, 2017 #11 Share Posted December 5, 2017 We decided to do the Valet program last week on Allure. What a great experience. Walk off of the ship, showed our Global Entry and was out of the port in 5 minutes. Love it and will do it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marjenn Posted December 5, 2017 #12 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Very interested in using this service. Are there any restrictions to use the program if your flight is later that day? We fly home around 5:30pm when we get back to Fort Lauderdale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted December 5, 2017 #13 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Very interested in using this service. Are there any restrictions to use the program if your flight is later that day? We fly home around 5:30pm when we get back to Fort Lauderdale. I believe Southwest has a late limit of 6pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalliekae Posted December 5, 2017 #14 Share Posted December 5, 2017 We also used it Sunday when departing the Allure. It works phenomenally well and I highly recommend it. Our flight was at 1:30pm so we were able to leave the ship at 9:30am. Not rushing off the ship was wonderful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trihawks1 Posted December 5, 2017 #15 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Since we have a later flight on SW (4:55) do they still make you wait to check the in no earlier than 4 hours ahead of the flight if you used luggage valet? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted December 5, 2017 #16 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Since we have a later flight on SW (4:55) do they still make you wait to check the in no earlier than 4 hours ahead of the flight if you used luggage valet? Depends on the crowding at the airport. Sometimes they don't allow people to pass through security too early if the gate areas are too crowded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marjenn Posted December 5, 2017 #17 Share Posted December 5, 2017 I believe Southwest has a late limit of 6pm. Thank you for the info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted December 5, 2017 #18 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Thank you for the info! Your welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pony Player Posted December 6, 2017 #19 Share Posted December 6, 2017 We did it for first time last weekend on navigator , great deal, it is also free if you are in a grand suite or above. We bought some booze so had to do one bag the old way, would do it again . Question. The website says that luggage valet is only available at Port Canaveral and port Everglades. Navigator sails of Miami. Have they expanded the service and neglected to update the website? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted December 6, 2017 #20 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Question. The website says that luggage valet is only available at Port Canaveral and port Everglades. Navigator sails of Miami. Have they expanded the service and neglected to update the website? Yes, available in Miami too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colocop004 Posted December 6, 2017 Author #21 Share Posted December 6, 2017 We just packed our booze and checked it all the way to the airport. Claimed it at customs and no problem! Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colocop004 Posted December 6, 2017 Author #22 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Depends on the airline, southwest has a 6pm cut off Sent from my SM-G935V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinfanatic Posted December 6, 2017 #23 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Yesterday was our last day of a wonderful cruise on FOTS. The topping on the cake for a great cruise was the luggage valet program. It was so easy to use and worked almost flawlessly. We got our boarding passes and luggage tags about 2 pm the night before we disembarked. This allowed for plenty of time to pack and get ready for dinner. We were flying southwest and had early bird check in, so it did not matter what time RCI checked us in. After dinner, we finished up with a couple of items and set our bags out. There were two tags provided to us by RCI. One was the tag for the airline and one that was from RCI with all of our contact info and stating “Luggage Valet” instead of the normal group number etc... The last morning, we slept in and left our room when we wanted (of course it was right at 8 when they requested all rooms be vacated). We did not feel rushed to get out to grab our bags at all. Once we were in customs, we did not have to search through lines and lines of luggage, it was awesome! We went straight to the line to clear customs and were out of the terminal 5 minutes after we got off the ship, no porter to deal with nothing, it was great! We arrived at FLL in great time and we already had our boarding pass, and luggage checked so we went right to security and got right though. The whole process was very easy and absolutely worth the $25 per person charge! One problem we did have was that Southwest lost one of our bags. We had to wait for the baggage folks for about 45 minutes before we were finally able to submit our claim. Southwest delivered the piece of luggage this morning at 9 am. This 45 minute wait to submit a claim for the luggage took longer than it did from the time we walked off the ship until we were at the airport. Sent from my iPad using Forums You only needed to pay for 1 of you since you only had 2 bags. You could have printed other boarding pass at airport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinfanatic Posted December 6, 2017 #24 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Since we have a later flight on SW (4:55) do they still make you wait to check the in no earlier than 4 hours ahead of the flight if you used luggage valet? Sent from my iPad using Forums Why would you ck in if you have no luggage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted December 6, 2017 #25 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Why would you ck in if you have no luggage? I took the question to mean the security process, not check-in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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