There is a recurring theme on these boards recounting stories of theft from baggage under these circumstances. I hope you have called the police and reported the theft. The TSA cannot be held responsible in these circumstances, which is who the airline employees seem to blame for all luggage thefts these days. In fact, there are only a very limited number of people who could be the thief in these circumstances and I would hope that some kind of record is made. They are unlikely to investigate your individual case to any great extent, but a pattern of thefts might trigger some future investigation.
The second line of defence by the airlines is to state that valuables should not be included in "checked baggage". However, in this case it was not. You were asked to 'gate check' the bags by the airline. The airline cannot then argue that their stock "exemption" from liability for valuables or electrical goods applies... as you had not initially put this into checked baggage and it was only at the airlines request that you did do.
The last line of defence, based on the posts of previous thefts, is a cynicism about whether such valuable things should be carried at all. However, wearing formal clothes, with jewellery is part and parcel of the cruise experience for many people.
It is disheartening to know just how many people are robbed on a daily basis by the thieves who work for airlines and the sense of powerlessness the passenger is left with by the utter lack of accountability of the airlines who are ultimately responsible for this.
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