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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Lines » Question: Why would the crew

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Topic: Question: Why would the crew

curious cruisor
Just Boarded
Member # 7078

posted 08-10-2006 12:12 AM

not help us take our baggage off? We were on the Infinity/Celebrity last week when they encountered mechanical problems resulting in a 2 or so hour delay arrival at Vancouver. For those trying to make plane connections some of us had to take our own baggage off. We had four bags with wheels and three did not have wheels. Difficult for two women to do alone. The crew flatly refused to help even though the rush was due to a problem with the ship not anything to do with us. I felt they could have walked with us as far as customs, where the longshore men reached us after that point. I am sure there is some union point involved however surely something could have been done to help us as it was I repeat a problem with the ship that caused the delay. Other passengers did help so we managed.
The Infinity is a wonderful ship and this was our only problem.

Posts: 9 | From: Ontario Canada | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 08-10-2006 12:14 AM

Could be that there were not enough crew to assist. It sounds like they had their hands full doing other duties.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

aureol
First Class Passenger
Member # 6952

posted 08-10-2006 12:38 AM

Most probably it was due to the longshoremen's Union regulations. They get in quite a snit (and very nasty) if they see ship crews doing jobs that they think they should be doing.

Posts: 11 | From: Asia | Registered: Jul 2006 | IP: Logged

Linerrich
First Class Passenger
Member # 4864

posted 08-10-2006 07:24 AM

The crew is cleared later and separately from the passengers in order to be allowed ashore. You may have felt that they should take your luggage ashore, but they probably could not, due to customs and immigrations regulations.

Even one individual crossing an arbitrary line could result in fines, further delays and searches. Local authorities everywhere are quite strict when it comes to clearing ships and allowing people ashore.

Rich

Posts: 4210 | From: Miami, FL | Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

curious cruisor
Just Boarded
Member # 7078

posted 08-10-2006 10:48 AM

No we did not expect them to take the baggage ashore....just to and not through customs...then the longshoremen take/took it from there. They would not have crossed any "lines". Sorry if I did not explain that better.

Posts: 9 | From: Ontario Canada | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged

Jekyll
First Class Passenger
Member # 1878

posted 08-10-2006 11:04 AM

quote:
Originally posted by curious cruisor:
No we did not expect them to take the baggage ashore....just to and not through customs...

I am confused - because the Customs Desks are ASHORE...it sounds like the most the crew COULD have done would be to take your luggage to the gangway - then you'd be on your own anyway...so I am failing to see the beneift of your expectation.

I am wondering if there could also be liability issues - perhaps certain staff are not insured if they perform duties ((such as slugging luggage) and get injured as a result) that is not part of their job description. AND YES - some of us are VERY heavy packers

Posts: 1524 | From: Nowhere | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 08-10-2006 11:16 AM

Any movement of baggage from ship to shore is the longshoremen's job of which they are *very* protective [especially so in Vancouver I am led to believe?]... woe betide any crew member assisting with baggage off the ship, the longshoremen would walk out or 'go slow'. They do not even like one taking one's own bags, they lose their tips. Taking your bags as far as customs is considered taking them ashore; there really is nothing Celebrity could have done to assist you.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Globaliser
First Class Passenger
Member # 4153

posted 08-10-2006 01:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by curious cruisor:
We had four bags with wheels and three did not have wheels. Difficult for two women to do alone.

If two people had, between them, four bags with wheels and three bags without wheels - you had too much baggage.

Posts: 1869 | From: UK | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

curious cruisor
Just Boarded
Member # 7078

posted 08-10-2006 03:47 PM

Thanks PamM your explanation clears it up for us. Thanks to others who tried.
To the comment from another person...you had too much luggage..one woman had six bags of her own.
Have learned about formal nights and really it does not require the clothes we thought. Will be so glad to cut down on that in the future. Also the winter boots can be eliminated and the winter coats, as we will not be going to Alaska again. I am sure other destinations require far fewer clothes. That trip requires clothes for all four seasons.

Posts: 9 | From: Ontario Canada | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged

Gerry
First Class Passenger
Member # 168

posted 08-10-2006 03:48 PM

What was the original problem?

Why werent the bags put outside the cabins the night before?

Posts: 315 | From: Miami, Florida, (originally from UK) | Registered: Jun 99 | IP: Logged

Jekyll
First Class Passenger
Member # 1878

posted 08-10-2006 03:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by curious cruisor:
Also the winter boots can be eliminated and the winter coats, as we will not be going to Alaska again. I am sure other destinations require far fewer clothes. That trip requires clothes for all four seasons.

I had to chuckle at this - especially since you're Canadian - why would you think you would have to take winter clothes with you to Alaska in late July/ early August?

For those that have NOT been to Alaska think of it as a trip to Seattle/ Vancouver...check out the local teamps at www.theweathernetwork.com and you'll be fine for your trip.

With that said - I should also say - that I agree with you as when we did our Seabourn cruise to Alaska we had 6 suitcases bweteen us (we were Cruise Only so no flights involved). But honestly, for those of you that are from other parts of the world - Alaska is NOT that much cooler in the summer. NO boots, parkas, mucklucks or mittens and gloves are required. That's what you need for a Christmas Market Cruise in Europe :-)

Posts: 1524 | From: Nowhere | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

usha
First Class Passenger
Member # 818

posted 08-10-2006 04:00 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Globaliser:
If two people had, between them, four bags with wheels and three bags without wheels - you had too much baggage.

Yikes! That's exactly what I was thinking!

Posts: 94 | From: Hobart, IN USA | Registered: Jan 99 | IP: Logged

curious cruisor
Just Boarded
Member # 7078

posted 08-10-2006 04:12 PM

Jekyle (SP) that is funny.....did you hear about helicopters, dog sleds, walking on glaciers. I did not say parkas etc. lets not go errrr overboard. Yes it does so take a fair variety of clothing to get through the trip even for a Canadian. Giggles.

Posts: 9 | From: Ontario Canada | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 08-10-2006 04:54 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Jekyll:
That's what you need for a Christmas Market Cruise in Europe :-)

Oh indeed... so you don't get the Glühwein, munch gingerbread and huddle round the glowing embers amongst the Christmas Lights in Alaska in the summer? My thoughts are dashed

I will get to Alaska.. one day to experience the delights.. just too many other places and ships to sail first.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

RCI 20
First Class Passenger
Member # 5609

posted 08-20-2006 05:34 AM

quote:
Originally posted by PamM:
Any movement of baggage from ship to shore is the longshoremen's job of which they are *very* protective [especially so in Vancouver I am led to believe?]... woe betide any crew member assisting with baggage off the ship, the longshoremen would walk out or 'go slow'. They do not even like one taking one's own bags, they lose their tips. Taking your bags as far as customs is considered taking them ashore; there really is nothing Celebrity could have done to assist you.
Pam

@PamM
You are 100% right..
RCI20

Posts: 37 | From: Miami/Oslo | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

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