This last January we sailed out of Tampa Bay on the Miracle. When when arrived at the port to check-in, these guys came out and grabbed our bags out of our cab. I guess my questions are these... Are these guys employed by the cruise line, or by the port itself?
Do you tip them?
and if so, whats the average tip?

They are actually employed by the port authority and I would recommend that you tip them just to make sure that your bags get to your cabin. Actually, the chaos upon arrival is how many bags are lost. Make sure they are tagged with your correct cabin number and that your name tags are still on the bags, as well before they take them.

I always tip about $2 per bag and then watch to make sure that they get inside the terminal before I leave the baggage area. It seems logical that if someone were there to steal bags, it would be an easy thing to do once the owners departed the area if they were still outside.

Tom

Great advice from Tom.

The standard appropriate tip is $1 per bag they carry for you. I tip more also when they carry back to the parking garage after the cruise for me.

These "Guys" are outside contractors, and do not work for Carnival.

They are just aggressive about grabbing your bags because they are trying to make a living from their tips

If one wants to carry their bags just tell them no thank you.

Excellent advice, Tom.

I've seen them make a beeline for the car's trunk as soon as we pull in. It's best for them to get bags quickly so they can move on to the next party. So -- I'm always sure that any carryons containing medication, passports, documents, and other valuables are with me the whole time and not put in the trunk.

We also tip about $2 per bag.

Thanks to all for the info. When they headed for me I was thinking to myself... "Who ARE these guys?"
So, me being cautious and a little frugal... (okay cheap) I decided to take my bags up to the check-in myself.

It varies from port to port on how agressive they are in getting to you, but like has been pointed out, they are "normally" already unloading your bags before you are able to get out of the cab. So, make sure you get any bag you carry on before they load it up. I normally have one or two carry-ons that have my immediate needs (medications, bathroom items, etc) my documents, cameras, bathing suit in case you want to hit the pool and a change of clothes so you can change for dinner if your bags are late in getting to your cabin.

Tom is correct in keeping an eye on them until they at least get into the "pile of bags" going into the terminal. In the chaos, it seems it would be easy for someone to walk off with your bags (or re-tag them.. there's a scary thought)

I thought that this was posted by some pervert. I had to read it to believe it. Tom

quote:

I thought that this was posted by some pervert. I had to read it to believe it. Tom

I was thinking the same thing...why grab a bag when there's so many hot Cutie's onboard you can chat with.

Does anyone know if this can be expected in New York? We don't really want to be accosted.

I have never been to New York. Or drove up to drop my luggage at the port there.

I am really getting a chuckle out of the thought though.

No one will "accost" you. They are just there assumming you want them to carry your luggage. The faster they get it, the faster another car pulls up and they make more money.

I can only say about Port Canaveral and Jacksonville FL. In which they are fast, but are really nice and even help tell you where to park.

Yes, expect this in New York -- but as in most ports, they work quickly but are not aggressive towards pax.

We have sailed out of Tampa several times and thought I was just being paranoid about the porters there. They are about the most aggressive I have ever seen. On our last trip, we drove down (which I much prefer to flying) and we were going to unload the luggage before taking the Surburban to the parking garage. I finally said "please stop...that several bags are carry ones". Then I placed the carry ones with the boys and allowed the rest to be taken by the porters. But they were acting like we were really holding them up...and there was no one else in line (at that time)....geez!!

You have to be firm with these baggage people. They are being purposely aggressive because they are banking that you won't say anything. Then they can guilt you into that tip. One time I actually saw someone tip the baggage person (what looked like plenty), and the baggage guy told him it wasn't enough tip.