I attempted a little-known hack on my cruise ship’s disembarkation day, and it made the final day of my journey so a lot better.
Like most passengers, I don’t love the ultimate morning of the cruise. Not solely is my trip coming to an finish, however I must make my method from the cruise terminal to the airport with my baggage.
With 1000’s of different (grumpy) passengers doing the identical factor, too, disembarkation day is something however satisfying.
So, on my current Alaska cruise, I attempted Royal Caribbean’s Baggage Valet service—often known as Port Valet—and it vastly improved my expertise touring house.
It’s one thing I’ll use many times once I cruise. Better of all, the service was fully free.
Royal Caribbean’s Baggage Valet service brings your suitcase to the airport for you
Royal Caribbean provides a service referred to as Baggage Valet, which places the straightforward button on disembarkation day.
Passengers who join this service place their baggage outdoors their cabin door the night earlier than disembarkation. The following morning, their baggage is transferred immediately from the cruise terminal to the airport and onto their flight.
Because of this as soon as passengers place their suitcase within the hallway, they gained’t see it once more till they arrive at their house airport.
At present, this system is obtainable at three airports: Seattle (SEA), Miami (MIA), and Fort Lauderdale (FLL).
Associated: Royal Caribbean is bringing again a baggage perk its prospects liked
In Seattle, this system is named Port Valet, and it’s a partnership with Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport. The service in Seattle is obtainable freed from cost except for any relevant baggage charges from the airline.
In Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Baggage Valet prices $29 per individual along with airline baggage charges.
I signed up for Seattle’s Port Valet program throughout my cruise
On the second day of my cruise, I obtained a sign-up type for Port Valet in my cabin.
The shape had basic details about baggage charges and logistics about which flights are eligible for this system. Not all flight departure occasions qualify, and whereas most US airways take part, worldwide airways should not included on the listing.
You possibly can register for Port Valet forward of time on the Port of Seattle’s web site right here, nevertheless it was simply as straightforward to register onboard my ship.
Associated: Information to Seattle cruise port for Alaska cruises
My Alaska Airways flight departed from Seattle at 9:30PM on disembarkation day. I crammed out the shape with my flight data and introduced it to Visitor Providers to be registered.
As a result of I used to be flying First Class, my checked bag charge was waived by Alaska Airways. If I had been in economic system, I’d have paid $35 for the bag, however the Port Valet service itself stays free no matter your flight class.
Registering took only a few minutes, and I used to be hopeful that Port Valet would take the stress out of touring to the airport with my massive suitcase.
I obtained my baggage tags and boarding move on the final night of my cruise
After I completed dinner on the final night of my cruise, I headed again to my stateroom to pack my belongings.
On my mattress had been my Port Valet baggage tags, which I positioned on the deal with of my suitcase. As well as, my boarding move for my flight was additionally delivered at the moment.
I used to be already checked in for my flight and I hadn’t even left the ship but!
I positioned my suitcase outdoors my cabin door — I wouldn’t see it till I landed in my house airport
Passengers collaborating in Port Valet should place their suitcase outdoors their cabin door by 10PM on the night earlier than disembarkation.
On most cruises, I do self-disembarkation, which is while you deliver your personal suitcase off the ship with you on disembarkation day. Subsequently, it was a little bit of an adjustment to pack every little thing the evening earlier than.
I had to ensure I had sufficient toiletries for the morning, and, in fact, a change of garments so I didn’t stroll across the subsequent day in my pajamas.
Associated: How disembarkation day works on a Royal Caribbean cruise
Nevertheless, I additionally had to make sure I packed my carry-on backpack appropriately, too. As a result of I wouldn’t see my suitcase till I obtained house the next evening, I wanted to ensure I had every little thing essential for my day in Seattle and journey to the airport.
If I forgot something vital, my suitcase wouldn’t be accessible on disembarkation day.
After fastidiously packing my carry-on and checked bag, I positioned the checked bag outdoors my cabin door with the suitable baggage tags.
I waved goodbye to my suitcase hoping that every little thing would go to plan. In that case, I’d see my trusty purple suitcase once I landed at house.
On disembarkation day, it felt unusual to go away the cruise terminal with out my suitcase
As your trip involves an finish, disembarkation day is something however enjoyable. Nonetheless, getting off the ship and thru the cruise terminal was a breeze with out carrying my heavy baggage.
After I walked out of the cruise terminal, I felt like I used to be lacking one thing. All I had was a small backpack, and my suitcase was headed off to the airport in Seattle.
With twelve hours till my flight departed, I felt free to discover the town with out worrying about the place to retailer my baggage. I walked round downtown, grabbed espresso at a quaint cafe, and loved lunch at a scrumptious dim sum restaurant within the metropolis.
When it was time to move to the airport, I hopped on the sunshine rail, which conveniently travels from downtown to the terminal in just below 40 minutes. For under $3 per individual, it was cheaper than ordering an Uber or Lyft to the airport.
With baggage, I’d have opted for the personal trip, however having only a small backpack made it straightforward to take the cheaper public transportation choice.
As soon as on the airport, I breezed previous the bags kiosks
Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport is among the busiest airports within the US, with over 52 million passengers transiting via the airport every year.
Crowds might be anticipated nearly anyplace, however particularly at check-in desks and safety traces.
Fortunately, as a result of I already despatched my baggage off with Port Valet, I might go straight to safety as soon as I entered the airport.
I seen lengthy traces and crowds close to the terminal’s baggage drop off desks and kiosks, and I used to be so grateful I didn’t want to fret about dropping off my bag.
After a comparatively fast safety line, I headed to the lounge to loosen up earlier than my flight. It felt odd to haven’t seen my baggage for almost a complete day, however I trusted that it might be positioned safely onto my flight house.
I picked up my suitcase from the baggage carousel at my house airport
My 90-minute flight house was brief and easy. As soon as I landed, I walked to the baggage carousel hoping that my bag had made all of it the best way from outdoors my cabin door to my house airport.
Like clockwork, my bag was one of many first on the carousel. I used to be happy every little thing went as deliberate, and I promptly grabbed my bag and ordered an Uber house.
I couldn’t consider how handy my disembarkation day was as a result of I used Port Valet. I additionally couldn’t consider the service, except for any airline baggage charges, was complimentary.
It appeared loopy that such a helpful journey hack was supplied freed from cost by Seattle’s airport, however I’ll take any alternative I get to make my journey days much less annoying.
As a result of the service is complimentary, I actually can’t see a motive to not use Port Valet for an Alaska cruise. If you happen to’re paying the charge to examine a bag anyway, why cope with the effort of bringing your luggage to the airport your self?
As an alternative, you possibly can merely place your baggage outdoors your cabin door and decide it up as soon as you come house.
The comfort is solely unmatched, and it’s a hack I’ll use on each Alaska cruise I take.
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