First of all, I agree when go from airplane to cruise, do anything you can to leave at least an extra day between arrival in the port and departure of the ship, and do anything you can to avoid checking luggage. It is something when I take my three kids on a cruise, I spend extra time planning (the packing) so we do carry-on only, including several 10 and 14 day cruises.
That said, in your case I would request the entire amount, and see what happens.
Last year going JFK-BGI I was made to check my tumi roller that I had forever taken on AA as part of their at the time carry-on crack down. I was connecting from BGI via a private plane onto a small island that was also served by AE from SJU, but anyway, I chose to go via BGI. Needless to say when I got to BGI, my checked bag was not there. Now keep in mind that I am hanging out on the tarmac at BGI near the FBO (private jet terminal) a bit concerned since it was up to the staff from the jet company to pull by bag from AA. At any rate, one of the AA people came over to me and confirmed it had not come on the plane, so it must be in NY. We filled out all the paperwork, I got on my charter and headed off with my gf on vacation.
I called as soon as I got to the resort, and AA had not located the bag. Day 2 they had not located the bag either, so it was a bit concerning, and several calls, etc. left the unsettling feeling the bag might be gone forever since it hadn't been located. At that point I had with me a USA Today in which there was an interview with a SVP at AA discussing how they were trying to improve customer service. I had spent at this point probably about $400 - polo shirts and shorts, swim trunks, etc. which at the resort store were expensive, but the only place to buy anything on the island.
I wrote him a very polite email identifying myself as a 5 million mile AA customer, seeking his help in tracking the bag since the only thing AA lost baggage could say if it hadn't been located by Day 5 file a claim.
Within a couple hours I got an email from the SVP and a phone call from the GM or MD of AA at JFK. They were apologetic and said they had made personal searches at JFK, MIA and SJU to no avail, but would do so again at the end of the day and again the next day as sometimes bags just show up.
At any rate, on Day 4 there was a knock on my door a voila, my bag. On Day 5, AA Baggage called me to begin the process of claiming my lost bag. In other words, AA didn't know they returned it to me. I told the person I had received my bag, which really seemed to stun him, because they had no record of ever finding it. I then took the time to re-contact the SVP, tell him what happened and thank him for his attempts to help. He asked if there was any expenses I incurred, and I told him I picked up some clothes, but it was things I would have bought anyway. A couple weeks later I got a transferrable travel voucher of some sort worth $500. The point is there is no reason not to ask, just be reasonable and polite. Also if you are not getting what you believe are adequate responses, escalate your cause to the executive ranks.