Hello Everyone...this may be a silly question but we prefer to put one of those cheap little luggage locks on each of our suitcases. Since they insist on delivering your luggage to your stateroom for you so that it can go through their screening process, I wonder, what if they think that something inside needs to be checked, would the lock cause a problem? Would they notify you? Don't get me wrong, I am not planning on bringing anything at all that should raise suspicion but I had my bags checked at the airport one time because a hard cover book that was in my suitcase showed up "funny" on the screening machine!! I would just hate for them to rip the lock off and then us not having something to secure the luggage on the way home. Again, I know, probably a silly question but I just thought I would throw it out there!
If there is a reason to look inside they will have you report to a luggage holding area to open the item in the presence of security.
It isn't that they "insist" on delivering luggage. Beyond the security screening can you imagine the mess/safety issues if passengers were allowed to carry everything aboard with them?
Well, you could always remove the lock before handing the baggage to the porter at the terminal. As long as the lock is a homeland security approved lock, the airline should have a key to open it if they need to check.
Just a thought...
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I definitely agree, Dave, it would be an absolute mess with everyone carrying on their stuff and I do honestly appreciate the convenience of delivery to the room.
This will be my fourth cruise and I have never had a problem yet. It was just a random thing I thought of and since I am new to the cruise chat, I figured I'd throw it out there in case anyone else had some experience with a luggage problem/need for examination. I just wondered what happened behind the scenes of running your luggage through the screening in preparation for a cruise especially since it is just my luck that something like that would happen to me!
Self debarkation is a riot to watch in itself... I can't imagine the complete chaos of everyone trying to bring their three suitcases and an endless array of carryons on board. What a disaster that would be!!
Every time I have cruised, I have taken off my own luggage and do fine but I agree it is a riot to watch some people...never take more than you can handle carrying yourself! Even with the convenience of the cruiseline carrying items on and off, you still have to be able to manage your luggage carrying elsewhere.
Another option is to put a disposable plastic cable tie on each bag. They are much cheaper than the TSA approved locks (about 100 of them for 5 bucks at home depot)and if they have to inspect your luggage, they need only snip it.
Just make sure that you're prepared to snip it also, as they are very rugged.
A decent pair of nail clippers in your carry-on will do the trick.
We've bought the TSA locks since we've had our luggage opened every time we've flown in the past few years . . . does anyone know if the cruise lines use the TSA master keys?
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