OctoberKat Posted May 9, 2019 #1 Share Posted May 9, 2019 Hello, I would like to fedex a box of books to my Vancouver embarkation for the 18 July cruise to Alaska. The idea being it would be waiting for me in my suite when I board. Has anyone done this or know if it is possible to do do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msears101 Posted May 9, 2019 #2 Share Posted May 9, 2019 I have never done it with a cruise ship, but I have done it with hotels. If you are staying a night in the hotel before hand, you can call the hotel, ask them (they should say yes - I have never had a major hotel say no). Just ship to the name address they request. I do this for work all the time. Note: you may be required to pay customs on the items shipping to another country. I would plan for the shipment to arrive 24 hours before you need it. Communicate the tracking number to the front desk of the hotel once you have it. If you want to try and do it directly to the ship - you would have to contact windstar. You could also try the port. Sorry if this does not help. Is shipping books less expensive than carrying them on or checking an extra bag? Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OctoberKat Posted May 9, 2019 Author #3 Share Posted May 9, 2019 (edited) That's a good idea -- sending the box to the hotel. We are arriving a day ahead of the cruise so that's practical. Thank you. Edited May 9, 2019 by OctoberKat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OctoberKat Posted May 9, 2019 Author #4 Share Posted May 9, 2019 (edited) Um, I am bringing a lot of books, around 25 or so. At our advanced ages (heh), we find it much easier to have others do the toting. We fly from SFO. Easy to get them from hotel to port, however, what with bellfolk and port luggage handlers. Why so many books? I'm bringing some to leave in the ship library, others to hand off to new friends, and some for me. Plus bird and wildlife guides. Edited May 9, 2019 by OctoberKat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msears101 Posted May 9, 2019 #5 Share Posted May 9, 2019 (edited) I usually have the package arrive one day before me. When you call you can make sure it is ok. No need to explain about too many books. I am an avid reader. Edited May 9, 2019 by msears101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OctoberKat Posted May 9, 2019 Author #6 Share Posted May 9, 2019 2 minutes ago, msears101 said: I usually have the package arrive one day before me. When you call you can make sure it is ok. No need to explain about too many books. I am an avid reader. Another good idea. Ah, you understand book mania. Also will have my kindle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milepig Posted May 9, 2019 #7 Share Posted May 9, 2019 WS uses a port agent in each port and they may accept packages so they may be able to WS or your TA will be able to tell you. Two other issues. Assuming your shipping from the US, the unaccompanied box will be subject to clearance through customs and this could be delayed or even stopped until customs are paid. Unlikely but possible. My office clears stuff through customs and it’s a pain involving using a broker. The other thing I don’t understand is the “leave them in the ship’s library.” This isn’t a take one leave one sort of place but an actual collection serviced by a company under contract. The staff may very well remove items that don’t belong there. Just another caution. I don’t think it’s not heavily managed since last time we were on board one of the triplets most of the books were still stamped Seabourn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milepig Posted May 9, 2019 #8 Share Posted May 9, 2019 (edited) After I typed this I realized that FedEx and other major shippers will generally clear their packages through customs, but we do get a shipment pulled aside once in a while So, unlikely to happen but it could. Thinking about this more - you have multiple points to deal with if you take the books as baggage: At the departure airport - many airports have carts outside the dropoff point, but you'd need to load them on. If not, a Sky Cap can help for a tip. You'll need to get them on the scale at baggage check and then you're good to go until arrive. At the arrival airport - there will be carts in the baggage area. Some airlines have staff there and they would likely help get your bags onto a cart, or someone else waiting would likely be kind enough to help. They you need to wheel them through customs and to the curb for your pickup. There the cabbie or whatever you're using will help. At the Hotel the doormen will help get them to your room. To the ship - again, the hotel will help with your departure, but in my experience you could be without help at the port. I've not been through Vancouver, so can't speak as to whether or not they have porters from the curb to the WS checkin desk. Once you drop them there, the next time you'll see them is in your cabin. Edited May 9, 2019 by milepig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OctoberKat Posted May 9, 2019 Author #9 Share Posted May 9, 2019 Not taking the books as baggage. Yes, I know the ship's library is "official" but I've never had anyone complain about the books I leave in the ship library, or in airports or in any other place. My goal is spread the book love. Just a personal quirk that makes me happy. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milepig Posted May 10, 2019 #10 Share Posted May 10, 2019 5 hours ago, OctoberKat said: Not taking the books as baggage. Yes, I know the ship's library is "official" but I've never had anyone complain about the books I leave in the ship library, or in airports or in any other place. My goal is spread the book love. Just a personal quirk that makes me happy. So sorry to have wasted your time spent reading my suggestions that I spent a considerable amount of time on. Only trying to help. Just think of the WS employee who has to toss your worthless books to return the library to the state it is meant to be in. Have a a great trip and, by the way, you’re welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb44 Posted May 10, 2019 #11 Share Posted May 10, 2019 21 hours ago, OctoberKat said: Not taking the books as baggage. Yes, I know the ship's library is "official" but I've never had anyone complain about the books I leave in the ship library, or in airports or in any other place. My goal is spread the book love. Just a personal quirk that makes me happy. We have found that Windstar reception has always encouraged passengers to leave books to add to the library. We've left many over the years novels, travel, etc. and always enjoyed finding newly donated books when we arrive back on our favorite ships. We've also noticed the supply has dwindled since the popularity e readers so thanks for doing this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ridethetide Posted May 10, 2019 #12 Share Posted May 10, 2019 26 minutes ago, sb44 said: We have found that Windstar reception has always encouraged passengers to leave books to add to the library. We've left many over the years novels, travel, etc. and always enjoyed finding newly donated books when we arrive back on our favorite ships. We've also noticed the supply has dwindled since the popularity e readers so thanks for doing this. Likewise, we nearly always leave a book or two in the library. It is a nice gesture to share your books. Thanks for your literary contributions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OctoberKat Posted May 11, 2019 Author #13 Share Posted May 11, 2019 Thanks, sb44 and ridethe tide, for your feedback. Very much looking forward to this voyage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r&rd Posted May 13, 2019 #14 Share Posted May 13, 2019 have you considered the Luggage Forward option? they pick it up from you at home and deliver to your stateroom. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OctoberKat Posted May 13, 2019 Author #15 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Luggage Forward -- Oh, that's excellent, thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OctoberKat Posted May 13, 2019 Author #16 Share Posted May 13, 2019 (edited) Have checked Luggage Forward and it will work well. It's expensive yet worthwhile in saving hassle and manhandling. For $214 I can ship 50 pounds which would include the books plus other weighty items, e.g., my CPAP machine and outerwear for both of us. It gets picked up at my home, then delivered to our Windstar suite. Yay! I realize this would not work for many but I am a believer in substituting money for effort and hassle. May be a good option for others who don't mind the expense or for folk with bulky items, e.g., golfbags and the like. Thanks again to r&rd. I should add, the books I am contributing to the onboard library are specific to Alaska. I am betting they will be well received; fiction and non, travel and verse (Robert Service).Sent from my iPad Edited May 13, 2019 by OctoberKat 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redtravel Posted May 31, 2019 #17 Share Posted May 31, 2019 I would send heavy items. I would not send medical equipment like the crap. I would put crap in a carryon. I wouldn’t want to lose it. Caps are expensive to replace. Medical equipment is not included in airline weight limits. My husband got tired of carrying his Cpap. It is heavy. Got a smaller travel model. It is smaller and much lighter than the regular model. Both are Resmeds. Another plus is that he uses the same mask and it doesn’t need water to use. In some places finding distilled water was almost impossible. If you travel often, it may pay to buy a travel cpap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted May 31, 2019 #18 Share Posted May 31, 2019 When I was on the Surf there were numerous books in the library which had obviously been left by previous guests. There's no way Windstar would have placed Maureen McCormick's (Marcia from the Brady Bunch) autobiography in the library. I admit it, I was intrigued. It turned out to be an easy and mindless read that was no problem to finish a few minutes here and there over two weeks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OctoberKat Posted June 2, 2019 Author #19 Share Posted June 2, 2019 (edited) FYI, I travel often with my CPAP, always in checked baggage. Nary a problem in 12 years. Thus, I've zero qualms in chucking it (well padded) into the bag Luggage Forward will speed to our Star Legend suite in Vancouver. I am a copacetic traveler in the main. Edited June 2, 2019 by OctoberKat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OctoberKat Posted July 5, 2019 Author #20 Share Posted July 5, 2019 Here is an update on the process with Luggage Forward. Early last week they sent me the label packet with instructions (easy to follow). They said my bag would be picked up at my home on February 5th between 1-3pm. At 1:30pm today, Feb. 5th, I received email notification that the bag had been picked up. So, pretty easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OctoberKat Posted July 5, 2019 Author #21 Share Posted July 5, 2019 Yikes, not February 5th. July 5th. I‘ve been off kilter for weeks. Yesterday I thought it was October. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sb44 Posted July 6, 2019 #22 Share Posted July 6, 2019 On 5/9/2019 at 6:30 PM, OctoberKat said: Not taking the books as baggage. Yes, I know the ship's library is "official" but I've never had anyone complain about the books I leave in the ship library, or in airports or in any other place. My goal is spread the book love. Just a personal quirk that makes me happy. We always leave books and have read many good books onboard that were left by other passengers. Reception welcomes the donations as there used to be many more "exchanges" before Kindles. When we first started sailing Windstar the libraries were full. Lately much more sparse so I, for one, appreciate your donation. You should have no problem with your FedEx. I've done this both ways. The hotel is a much better option than the port agent. Only downside is the expense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OctoberKat Posted August 1, 2019 Author #23 Share Posted August 1, 2019 Winding up my experience with using Luggage Forward to ship one piece of luggage to the Star Legend in Vancouver from my home in Palo Alto, CA. In a word — flawless. Easily booked on their website, picked up promptly, delivered to my suite on Star Legend. No issues, smooth. I will use again. As for the “official” library — I became known on board as the book lady for the tomes I left in the library and handed to fellow passengers. The expedition staffers and naturalists were especially appreciative. They asked, and I had to answer, “Yes, I’m a librarian.” 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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