Tag Archives: #royal Caribbean

No one likes to think about it, but it’s going to happen….you have to leave the ship. Disembarkation (or debark) is something cruisers don’t want to think about. It’s a lot more fun to think about things like planning excursions and booking future cruises and NOT think about getting off the ship. But all good things must come to an end and it’s best to be prepared! What to expect Cruise lines are fairly similar in their disembarkation procedures. The last morning of your cruise, you will have to disembark and leave what has become your very comfortable home away from home and all your new friends, passengers and crew alike. Traditional Disembarkation vs Self-Disembarkation There are two types of disembarkation….regular and self, commonly called self-assist or walk-off. The process is basically the same, with the main difference being that with self-disembarkation, you are responsible for taking your luggage off the ship. You must be able to walk your own bags off the ship and through the terminal. If you choose to walk off your bags, make sure they are easy to maneuver and don’t over pack. It’s best to not have a lot of luggage to carry off. What are the Benefits of Self-Disembarkation You can be in the first group to get off the ship. If you need to leave the cruise port to catch an early flight, or have a long drive ahead, this can be a great option. You do not need to put luggage out on the last night of your cruise. The only wait will be for the ship to be cleared by port authorities. What are the Disadvantages of Self-Disembarkation You will not receive any help with your luggage. You may need to carry it down several flights of stairs as elevators may be full. You need to be up very early. Debark will begin as soon as the ship is cleared. This could be as early as 7am. This is only a good option if everyone is able to handle their own luggage. If you need help or have a lot of luggage, this isn’t the best option. Remember, it’s called self-assist for a reason. We have done both and there is no right or wrong way. The choice is yours and you can decide what works best for you once onboard. When time can you expect to leave the ship? There’s no set time when debark will begin and this will vary by cruise port and by things that are beyond the control of the ship and crew. The scheduled docking time listed on your cruise itinerary will NOT be the time that you can leave the ship. This is the time the ship is expected to arrive in port. The ship will still need to be cleared by customs of the country you have arrived in and given permission for passengers to debark. Usually this is a fairly quick process, but sometimes it can take longer…maybe several hours. As a general rule, most cruise ships will start the disembarkation process around 7:30-8 am. An announcement will be made once the ship is cleared and passengers can disembark. Wait for your luggage tag number to be called though. Otherwise, you will be waiting in the terminal for your luggage to arrive. Avoid booking an early flight home You will need time to leave the ship, get your luggage, clear customs and then time to reach the airport. Some ports, like Fort Lauderdale, as close. …a quick 15 taxi ride. Most are not! There will be taxis waiting outside the terminal but there may be a line for them. Most cruise lines recommend not booking flights before noon. And if you are taking an International flight, you may need more time at the airport. Be sure to factor in wait times at the airport to drop off luggage and clear security. TSA pre-check can be very helpful! Remember, even if you CAN make it, it’s possible for your ship to arrive late in port due to weather or other reasons. I was on a ship that was late into port due to mechanical issues and many people missed their flights. Ships have also been late arriving due to weather, such as storms or fog. Galveston and Tampa are well known for fog problems. If a morning flight is best for you, consider spending the night at a hotel and fly out the following morning. Why add stress to the end of your wonderful vacation? Disembarkation instructions Your cabin steward will leave printed instructions, along with luggage tags. This will include instructions on what to do with your luggage, as well as some basic customs information. Also included will be a timetable for when luggage numbers will be called the following morning. Luggage tags and debarkation times You will receive luggage tags that are numbered according to when you wish to disembark. If this time does not work for you, you can ask your steward for new luggage tags or go to guest relations. They will be happy to change them and is probably faster and easier than asking your cabin steward. Debarking thousands of passengers within a few hours is quite a process. Cruise lines keep things organized by assigning color coded luggage tags which correspond to certain disembarkation times. As noted above, this timetable will be left in your cabin along with your luggage tags. What do I do with my luggage? (Of course, this only applies to regular disembarkation. If you are doing self-assist/walk off, keep you luggage in your cabin.) On the last night of your cruise, place your luggage outside your cabin door. Generally, bags must be outside by 10pm. The actual time for your sailing will be noted on the instructions. The ship’s crew will be working hard that night placing the luggage in a holding area, so that it can be moved off the ship quickly the next morning. DO NOT miss the deadline! RememberContinueContinue reading “Cruise Disembarkation Tips: Smooth Sailings for Your Farewell”