A ridiculous, annoying problem

Suzila · July 23, 2007

We are leaving in 19 days on NCL Pride of America. Everything is done online now...I printed out our documents, we're set to go.

Part of the documents is the luggage tag. Print out as many as you need. Great. I did that.

Luggage tags freak me out. The reason is, when we went on our Panama Canal cruise, we took American Airlines to get to Miami. At the check-in counter the woman was adamant that we COULD NOT have our Princess cruise luggage tag on our suitcase. We could only have one tag, and that was our name, address, etc.

It was just a stressful way to start a vacation, right? Okay, we get to Miami Airport, and one of the bags was lost. It didn't catch up to us until two days later, we were already on the cruise, had to borrow a tux for hubby, and shoes, etc for me for formal night. Finally, the bag catches up to us, but the cruise people complained it was harder to find BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE CRUISE TAG ON IT!

Okay, all that is in the past.

Now, we have luggage tags to print out for NCL. It says, fill it out, fold it here, and staple it. Yes, i can do that. We are flying to hawaii on ATA Airlines this time.

Should I put the tags on the suitcases BEFORE we fly, or wait until we get to the airport in hawaii, and attach them then? If I wait...I have to bring a stapler with me?

I know this is ridiculous, but I really want to know what you all do.

BTW, when we flew to Seattle last August, we had the cruise tags on the suitcases while on the flight, but our friends, who went on the same flight with us but to a different check-in counter at the airport, had their tags taken off until they arrived in Seattle.

What's the correct way to do this, or is it just up to the check-in people at each airport?

CanadianCruiser · July 23, 2007

Sue

my opinion is, I wouldn't attach them until you reached your detination. I wouldn't bring a stapler but maybe some packing tape ? To secure the paper tags easier.

jacketwatch · July 23, 2007

I've never had any issue about attaching the cruise tags B4 we go. I would think the airlines literally sees tons of these and I've heard of a problem so how about calling the airlines first and check with them. Then get the name of the person who, hopefully tells you it is OK to do so. If you still have a problem at the airport ask for a supervisor. I sort of think the first instance was spurrious. Good luck. Larry

jacketwatch · July 23, 2007

OOPS! it should read "never" heard of a problem.

wildewoman · July 23, 2007

I read some place that you can buy the same type of paper (sticky on the back) at Office Depot - or some type of office supply store. And that the paper will fit in your home printer - then you print the luggage tag - peel off the back & run it through your luggage handle - Just like at the air port!!

I would think a paper tag might come off in all the handling - especially at the air port. Recently I lost a brightly colored plastic luggage tag - it tore in the carrousel at the destination. :sad2:

Good Luck!!

Linda

JohnG · July 23, 2007

I don't recommend attaching the cruiseline tags until picking up your baggage at the airport before going to the ship. The tags can easily come off in handling by the airlines. We attach the tags when we pick them up...taping them as suggested if they are not the sticky-backed kind. But even if the tags come off in transit, the porters have tags at the pier which you can use to replace them if necessary.

Gregswife · July 23, 2007

Sue, I too, would not attach them until you arrived in Hawaii. We have never had electonic docs before but will this upcoming cruise. What I plan to do is print the tags on cardstock, then cover them with clear contact paper and punch a hole in them. Then I will run thin elastic, just like the cruise line uses, thru the hole and tie it. Mine should be more durable than the one's the cruise line sends.

Brady121291 · July 24, 2007

bad luck IMO i LOVE them its really the first step lol

Suzila · July 27, 2007

Thanks, Cheryl. I took your advice and printed them out, covered them with the contact paper and punched a hole in them, with a tie.

They're good to go. And, thanks everyone else...I'll wait and attach them when we get to Honolulu.

traveler1 · September 24, 2007

I wait until arrival at the airport near the port. Have had too many experiences where those flimsy baggage tags get torn off or destroyed during the baggage handling process. Plus, with all of the "lost baggage" problems with many carriers today, I want to make their job as simple as possible by not giving them another thing to look at before they send if off to the wrong place. HA!