securing luggage ?

A quick question from a cruise newbie:

I understand the rules for securing checked luggage when I fly (I'm a
frequent flyer). But, what are the rules for securing bags for a
cruise? May I lock the my bag at the dock before handing it off, or do
I have to leave it unlocked until it goes through scanning (if it goes
through scanning). And, I've heard that I must leave my bag outside my
cabin on the last night. May I secure the bag for that?

I have all the usual devices for securing my bag - TSA lock, non-TSA
lock, zip ties, split rings. Depending on the circumstances, I use
these solo or in combination. With a bag sitting outside my cabin, I
may opt for one of my combinations. I know it doesn't stop the
determined thief, but it does make the casual thief think twice - they
would rather wait for that unlocked bag rather than spend the time
undoing secured bags. I don't have anything "valuable" in the bag -
jewelry, camera, laptop, etc., are always carried with me. But, I still
don't want someone to rummage through my bag AND I would be ****ed even
if some clothes were taken.

On a short note - thanks for all who write on this newsgroup. I've
lurked for a long time. I finally decided to try a cruise, and with the
help of some folks from this newsgroup, I'm all set to sail. It's just
the short repo cruise of the Island Princess, but it's a good way to get
my feet wet with cruising. There probably will be more cruises to come!

No problem locking your luggage going to or leaving the cruise ship.

sue

scabbardgirl wrote:
A quick question from a cruise newbie:

I understand the rules for securing checked luggage when I fly (I'm a
frequent flyer). But, what are the rules for securing bags for a
cruise? May I lock the my bag at the dock before handing it off, or do
I have to leave it unlocked until it goes through scanning (if it goes
through scanning). And, I've heard that I must leave my bag outside my
cabin on the last night. May I secure the bag for that?

I have all the usual devices for securing my bag - TSA lock, non-TSA
lock, zip ties, split rings. Depending on the circumstances, I use
these solo or in combination. With a bag sitting outside my cabin, I
may opt for one of my combinations. I know it doesn't stop the
determined thief, but it does make the casual thief think twice - they
would rather wait for that unlocked bag rather than spend the time
undoing secured bags. I don't have anything "valuable" in the bag -
jewelry, camera, laptop, etc., are always carried with me. But, I still
don't want someone to rummage through my bag AND I would be ****ed even
if some clothes were taken.

On a short note - thanks for all who write on this newsgroup. I've
lurked for a long time. I finally decided to try a cruise, and with the
help of some folks from this newsgroup, I'm all set to sail. It's just
the short repo cruise of the Island Princess, but it's a good way to get
my feet wet with cruising. There probably will be more cruises to come!

In article ,
"Harry Cooper" wrote:


to whether getting on or off. Customarily, baggage is left in the hallway
the last night of the cruise. My dad used to say that a lock is an honest
man's conscience. I think you have the same idea.

I figured that if I have to work to get things, so should the
thief. The only reason to lock it is to eliminate the spur of the moment
theft.

"scabbardgirl" wrote in message
...
A quick question from a cruise newbie:

I understand the rules for securing checked luggage when I fly (I'm a
frequent flyer). But, what are the rules for securing bags for a cruise?
May I lock the my bag at the dock before handing it off, or do I have to
leave it unlocked until it goes through scanning (if it goes through
scanning). And, I've heard that I must leave my bag outside my cabin on
the last night. May I secure the bag for that?

I have all the usual devices for securing my bag - TSA lock, non-TSA lock,
zip ties, split rings. Depending on the circumstances, I use these solo
or in combination. With a bag sitting outside my cabin, I may opt for one
of my combinations. I know it doesn't stop the determined thief, but it
does make the casual thief think twice - they would rather wait for that
unlocked bag rather than spend the time undoing secured bags. I don't
have anything "valuable" in the bag - jewelry, camera, laptop, etc., are
always carried with me. But, I still don't want someone to rummage
through my bag AND I would be ****ed even if some clothes were taken.

On a short note - thanks for all who write on this newsgroup. I've lurked
for a long time. I finally decided to try a cruise, and with the help of
some folks from this newsgroup, I'm all set to sail. It's just the short
repo cruise of the Island Princess, but it's a good way to get my feet wet
with cruising. There probably will be more cruises to come!


Like you, I keep my valuables and scripts with me. Otherwise, I never
bother to lock my bags; it's just too easy to steal the whole thing, slit it
open or get in it as the thief chooses. Go ahead and lock yours if you want
to whether getting on or off. Customarily, baggage is left in the hallway
the last night of the cruise. My dad used to say that a lock is an honest
man's conscience. I think you have the same idea.

Enjoy your cruise, there is no better way to spend a vacation. Write us a
review when you get back home. Take notes.

Harry Cooper



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Kurt Ullman wrote:
I figured that if I have to work to get things, so should the
thief. The only reason to lock it is to eliminate the spur of the moment
theft.

I secure our checked luggage with zip ties. The thought is that it
prevents a casual unzipping, hand slipped inside looking for anything
marketable, then reclosing. It sure as heck wouldn't stop a determined
thief, but reduces the chance your bag will be singled out by the casual
thief. Like other, we travel with prescription medications, major
electronics and valuables in carry on luggage.

--
Nonny

Nonnymus
Never believe a person who is
Drunk, Horny or Running for Office.

Nonnymus wrote:
Kurt Ullman wrote:
I figured that if I have to work to get things, so should the

thief. The only reason to lock it is to eliminate the spur of the
moment theft.


I secure our checked luggage with zip ties. The thought is that it
prevents a casual unzipping, hand slipped inside looking for anything
marketable, then reclosing. It sure as heck wouldn't stop a determined
thief, but reduces the chance your bag will be singled out by the casual
thief. Like other, we travel with prescription medications, major
electronics and valuables in carry on luggage.

I agree with Nonny. The zip ties prevent the
opportunistic thief. Having watched the baggage
handling at the ports and on the ships, there is
very little chance that anything would be taken
from the baggage while it is in "transit," and
while waiting outside of your cabin the zip ties
prevent any easy access. The airlines are a
completely different story, however.
Be sure to keep your money, good jewelry, good
cameras and electronics with you at all times.
Also, don't forget to leave your departure clothes
safely out of your luggage. Wearing the robes off
the ship can be embarrassing and expensive.
Cheers,
John in LALALand (On the Left Coast)

"Nonnymus" wrote in message
...
I secure our checked luggage with zip ties. The thought is that it
prevents a casual unzipping, hand slipped inside looking for anything
marketable, then reclosing. It sure as heck wouldn't stop a determined
thief, but reduces the chance your bag will be singled out by the casual
thief. Like other, we travel with prescription medications, major
electronics and valuables in carry on luggage.

--
Nonny

Nonnymus
Never believe a person who is
Drunk, Horny or Running for Office.

I'm not trying to be funny but since you carry all you valuables in you
carry on luggage, what items are you protecting with the zip ties? We carry
everything of value at all times & anything that's in our bags that we check
with the airline are items like socks, underwear, suit, shirts, shorts,
bathing suit, etc. and I know for sure no one wants my stuff. I can't think
of a single item that anyone would steal our of my bags.

"Boomer" nospam.aol.com wrote:

"Nonnymus" wrote in message
...
I secure our checked luggage with zip ties. The thought is that it
prevents a casual unzipping, hand slipped inside looking for anything
marketable, then reclosing. It sure as heck wouldn't stop a determined
thief, but reduces the chance your bag will be singled out by the casual
thief. Like other, we travel with prescription medications, major
electronics and valuables in carry on luggage.

--
Nonny

Nonnymus
Never believe a person who is
Drunk, Horny or Running for Office.

I'm not trying to be funny but since you carry all you valuables in you
carry on luggage, what items are you protecting with the zip ties? We carry
everything of value at all times & anything that's in our bags that we check
with the airline are items like socks, underwear, suit, shirts, shorts,
bathing suit, etc. and I know for sure no one wants my stuff. I can't think
of a single item that anyone would steal our of my bags.

Ditto. I carry on my camera(s), my computer, my medications, my
passport, my wallet and my tickets and embarkation information. I
don't have any valuables that anyone would want to steal. The stuff
in the outside pockets of my suitcase is stuff like toothbrush,
deodorant, maps for places we are going etc. Inside the suitcase are
clothes, and stuff like a power strip.

Thanks all.
To those who wonder "why lock if you're carrying all your valuables,
meds, etc.": I do care if some of my clothes, shoes, etc, are stolen.
It's the principle of the thing - the feeling of being violated. I had
an incident years ago when I had my home broken into and some things
stolen. Sure, they can be replaced, but it's not the same. Plus, not
all clothes and shoes are available exactly all the time. Guys may not
relate, but I'm sure the women in the group can :-)

I will take notes and write a review when I get back.

Boomer wrote:


I'm not trying to be funny but since you carry all you valuables in you
carry on luggage, what items are you protecting with the zip ties? We carry
everything of value at all times & anything that's in our bags that we check
with the airline are items like socks, underwear, suit, shirts, shorts,
bathing suit, etc. and I know for sure no one wants my stuff. I can't think
of a single item that anyone would steal our of my bags.

On this trip, Boomer, we put the brick chargers and wall warts in my
carry on, along with things like the little laptop and DVD player.
Things like binoculars still go into the suitcase. The reason for the
brick charger is that Mrs. Nonny's scooter requires one with a
proprietary plug and feedback circuitry. If it went missing, replacing
it on a cruise would be an impossible task, and without it, Mrs. Nonny
would have real problems.

FWIW, we purchased a good binocular before an Alaskan cruise aboard the
Regent Sea in the 90's. When we packed to come home, the binocular went
into the suitcase, cushioned in the clothes. I never locked suitcases
back then, and the suitcase was placed in the hallway. When we got
home, nothing was apparently disturbed except that the binocular was
missing. I always suspected that it was a crewman who'd seen me using
them in the Lido deck, who did an open-and-grab on the suitcase. I
cannot say whether the zip ties would have prevented it, but they might
have.

--
Nonny

Nonnymus
Never believe a person who is
Drunk, Horny or Running for Office.