porters

[rjkave]

Hello all!

I'm cruising on the Navigator in two days, and while I've been reading reviews all over the web, I have found only just now discovered this message board.

At any rate, one thing that concerns me is the porter situation in the Port of Miami. I have read in several reviews that they can be downright rude in their insistence upon gratuity, and not all that helpful to boot. As a part-time server in a restaurant, I'm all about tipping for good service, but I'm opposed to being forced to do it, and to being treated rudely.

I was wondering if anyone has tips on dealing with this situation. Is this a required service? Are all porters rude, or have I read of only isolated incidents? Is it easier just to hand over the cash and shut up?

Any help would be appreciated . . .

[TheWog]

I would imagine it is expected to tip if they help you with the bags. If they are good tip them well. $1-$2 per bag, if they are rude give em a couple bucks and a smile. If you don't want to deal with them, take the bags yourself. We have only had good porters at our one cruise so far (Disney - Port Canaveral) and any airport we have ever gone too.

Disney Magic 01/10/04
Enchantment of the Seas 01/22/05

[sbgrace]

We've only sailed from Miami one time, but the porters we dealt with were not rude at all. They were very helpful and if not overly friendly, certainly civil. Never were hounded for a tip either. Have a great cruise!
Chris

Adventure of the Seas
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[springtxbill]

When we sailed in December on the Voyager, our group got the bags out of the van while I was paying the driver, I noticed the porter just standing there with the bags on his dolly. He wasn't saying anything, but I walked over to him and gave him a a few bills folded up, he thanked me without even looking how much it was, and he was off with the bags.

Bill D

RCCL Song of Norway 7/79?
CCL ? 12/84
RCCL Viking Serenade 7/01
RCCL Rhapsody of the Seas 12/01
RCCL Sovereign of the Seas 5/02
RCCL Monarch of the Seas 7/02
RCCL Rhapsody of the Seas 12/02
Princess Grand Princess 6/03
RCCL Voyager of the Seas 12/03
RCCL Vision of the Seas 3/04


[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;5;30;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]  Rhapsody of the Seas 5/30/2004

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;12;20;20;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]  Empress of the Seas 12/20/2004

[PhoenixCruiser]

The reviews I have read stated that the porter didn't agree with the $1-2 per bag. Anyone else read/see/hear this?

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Navigator of the Seas 6/26/04


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[parr0thead]

The problem I've had with the porters in Miami is that they only want the bigger groups that have a lot of luggage, hence a bigger tip. When my parents went alone (in their 70's) and really needed a porter they kept being ignored. They didn't have enough bags but the ones they had were very heavy for them to manage by themselves. They only got help when the crowd thinned out and the bigger groups were gone.

Kathy M

22 RCI Cruises and counting
2 Carnival Cruises

Mariner of the Seas 2004
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[aqusis]

The only post I remember was a group that had about 30 bags and the porter wasn't happy with a 50$ tip. I have to agree with springtxbill, the porters do pause (letting you know they expect a tip)but I don't think I've ever had one count out or pay much attention to what I hand him, just stuffs in pocket and off he goes.

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Mariner of the Seas

[kbt2]

I am a big believer in tipping for a service, so yes atleast tip. We always tip very generously, because we do know how hard some of these folks work. But, as long as you tip some, that's better then not at all.
We have never had any be rude. they really try and help more then anything, atleast in our experience. We had 2 couples and was total of 10 bags, not an easy haul from the luggage pick up area all the way to the parking garage...so we tipped 60.00.

Kim
Dawn Princess
Regal Princess
Grand Princess
Mercury - Celebrity
Windward - NCL
Monarch of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas

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[aqusis]

$60 for 10 bags....I'll fetch your luggage myself for that kind of tip!

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Mariner of the Seas

[springtxbill]

I'll help!

Bill D

RCCL Song of Norway 7/79?
CCL ? 12/84
RCCL Viking Serenade 7/01
RCCL Rhapsody of the Seas 12/01
RCCL Sovereign of the Seas 5/02
RCCL Monarch of the Seas 7/02
RCCL Rhapsody of the Seas 12/02
Princess Grand Princess 6/03
RCCL Voyager of the Seas 12/03
RCCL Vision of the Seas 3/04


[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;5;30;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]  Rhapsody of the Seas 5/30/2004

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;12;20;20;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]  Empress of the Seas 12/20/2004

[addicted2traveling]

The first time we ever cruised our TA told us to take very good care of the porters if we wanted to see our luggage on the ship! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] But $60 for 10 bags? I am in the wrong business! kbt2, I too will help you with your bags!

[woodz]

When we sailed on the NOS last July we had a party of 8 and we wheeled most of our bags on ourself. (Only had him take 3 bags) The porter was very nice and directed us to the right terminal. It is crazy with both the NOS and the EOS both in port.

Vision '00
Rhapsody '01
Radiance '01
NCL Star '02
Princess Star '02
Grandeur '02
Radiance '02
Statendam '03
Navigator 7/03
Radiance 5/04

[rjkave]

Hey, thanks for all the feedback! I guess I was reading about some isolated incidents in a couple reviews. I will be more than happy to tip generously for good and friendly service.

I was just worried that my very first experience at the port, getting out of the car and unloading baggage, would be a negative one. Sounds like I have nothing to worry about! :-)

[addicted2traveling]

rjkave-I can only speak of my few experiences but everytime we have arrived at the port via shuttle or taxi, no one helps you with your stuff. The porters stand at the back and then you struggle over to them where they then take your $ then load your bags on a cart to be taken away. No one has really assisted us, the porters have always just stood there and waited for us to come to them. As my TA explained, regardless of whether the porters really help you or not, pay them so you will see your bags again!

[frank926]

I know a couple porters in NY, and if you do not tip there is a good chance if you are on a carnival ship your bags might be on Celebrity.

The world is like a book if you do not travel you only read one page.
St Augustine

[tmessenger]

We have had mixed experiences with the porters in Miami. On our first cruise, the Sovereign, the porters were helpful and at least somewhat friendly. On our trip on the Vision, the porters met us at the bus and one (I assume the head porter for that group) just stood by the cart while the other guys loaded the luggage and told everyone as they passed that if they wanted their luggage to make it on the ship, it would be $1.00 per bag.