For Lindsey Hargesheimer, a Denver-based wedding photographer, her much-anticipated European cruise turned into a disaster she’ll never forget. What was supposed to be a relaxing family getaway aboard Celebrity Cruises ended in frustration, tears, and a viral TikTok series about a mishap no traveler ever expects—her luggage was dropped into the ocean.
Hargesheimer shared her story on TikTok on July 6. In the video, she says, “Hi, this is literally so ridiculous that I even need to make this video, but…Celebrity Cruises lost my bag in the ocean and left it there. They still haven’t gotten it back to me.” Her video quickly gained attention, getting over 70,000 views in just one week. Viewers shared sympathy, with one writing, “This is my worst nightmare when traveling,” while many were appalled both by the mistake itself as well as Celebrity Cruise’s silence.
A Dream Vacation Takes a Turn
Lindsey boarded a Celebrity Cruises ship in Amsterdam with her family, excited for a 12-night adventure through Scandinavia. Like most passengers, she handed over her luggage to the port staff, trusting it would arrive safely in her cabin. But as the ship set sail, something felt off—everyone in her group had received their bags, except her.
At first, the cruise line simply labeled her luggage as “missing.” The AirTag she had placed inside wasn’t working, leaving her without any clues about its location. Then, out of nowhere, she received a surprising phone call: someone at the Port of Amsterdam had found her suitcase in a canal.
The suitcase contained everything Lindsey needed for her two-week journey: clothing, toiletries, medications, supplements, camera gear, and even irreplaceable family jewelry. Losing it wasn’t just inconvenient; it was devastating. The caller explained that her personal ID tag was the only clue that linked the bag back to her. Without it, her belongings would have been lost forever.
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Celebrity’s Response—Or Lack Thereof
Lindsey’s frustrations grew as she tried to get help from Celebrity Cruises. She was given basic toiletries, toothpaste, and a T-shirt, but nothing more. No compensation was offered, and updates about her bag were nonexistent. In her video, she tearfully described feeling “ignored and let down.”
Social Media Takes Note
Lindsey’s story struck a chord online, with her TikTok series documenting the ordeal gathering nearly 100,000 views. Many commenters expressed outrage and sympathy. “Celebrity Cruises give this woman some clothes and her BAG!!” one user demanded.
Another wrote, “I’m concerned about how you’re going to get your medications replaced quickly? Even if you get your bag back, they may be ruined.” Others offered advice, like a former cruise staff member who suggested, “Ask to set up a meeting with the HOTEL DIRECTOR. Not the GSM, the HD. Highest of the high onboard to help in this situation!”
Practical tips and emotional support poured in as well. “Big yikes, start sending emails as a paper trail! Camera equipment is insanely expensive. I’m so sorry,” one commenter wrote.
Another shared their frustration: “This is THEIR fault. They need to fix it. That is infuriating.” Some shared their own experiences, with one viewer saying, “Celebrity was the absolute worst to deal with regarding lost luggage. I called them every single day for 30 days before getting my luggage back.”
Compensation and Updates
After speaking up about the situation, Lindsey finally saw some action from Celebrity Cruises. She was initially offered $400 in onboard credit, though she pushed for more and was eventually upgraded to $1,000.
She also received two specialty dining vouchers, complimentary spa services, and a free shore excursion. The cruise line promised to reimburse her for the full value of the damaged items, offered her a new set of luggage, and covered the cost of medications, which were provided by the onboard medical center for free.
Although some progress was made, Lindsey was still unhappy about the outcome. She knew she wouldn’t get her bag back until the end of the cruise. “By the time I get it back, it will have been sitting at the port for over 10 days,” she said. “I’ve accepted that most of the contents are unsalvageable.”
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The Emotional Toll
Beyond the financial loss, Lindsey experienced significant stress and frustration throughout her trip. Instead of enjoying her vacation, she spent the first few days scrambling to replace essential items. “The first 48 hours of the trip… I had to spend $178 at the gift store to get two items of clothing, both of which have their logo on it, and I don’t really wanna be repping their logo right now,” she shared. She also missed out on time ashore, saying, “I wasted an entire day trying to get the basics,” which left her feeling exhausted.
Emotionally, the ordeal took a heavy toll. “This is absolutely unacceptable,” Lindsey said through tears in her TikTok video. “I lost time with my family and missed out on experiences I was looking forward to.” While the cruise line eventually offered compensation, including onboard credit and complimentary services, Lindsey felt the damage had already been done. “I’ve honestly just accepted that everything in my bag is probably ruined,” she said, still upset about the situation.
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Tips to Keep Your Luggage Safe on a Cruise
Lost luggage on cruises, while rare, does happen more often than you might think. Every year, countless travelers report bags going missing due to accidents during boarding or port handling. In most cases, luggage is delayed rather than permanently lost, but Lindsey’s story shows what can happen in more extreme situations. Cruise lines handle thousands of bags during embarkation, and human error or equipment issues often leads to mistakes. However, such occurrences are still the exception rather than the norm.
To minimize the risk of losing valuable items, pack important items like medications, electronics, travel documents, and valuables in a carry-on bag that stays with you at all times. Avoid overpacking checked luggage and ensure your bags have sturdy tags with clear contact information.
Although Lindsey’s Airtags failed in her case, they are still a reliable tool for tracking luggage in most scenarios, so consider packing them as well. And remember, purchasing travel insurance can be a lifesaver, as it often covers the cost of replacing lost items.
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If your luggage does go missing, report it to the cruise line immediately and create a detailed inventory of the bag’s contents. Be persistent in following up and ask to escalate the issue to higher authorities, like the ship’s hotel director, if needed. Keep receipts for any replacement purchases you make, as cruise lines or insurance providers may reimburse you. While no one wants to imagine losing their luggage, being ready for the unexpected can ease some stress.
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