While you’ve been able to spend several days with no responsibilities
there’s nothing like directions on how to disembark the ship to bring you back
to reality. A day or so before the end of the cruise you will receive
information about the disembarkation process.
It encompasses a multitude of end-of-cruise details:
Settling of Accounts
All accounts must be settled before leaving the ship. If a credit card has
been left on file there is no need to check out as you would in a hotel. Cash
or check accounts may require a visit to the passenger services desk the
evening before departure to settle up. In some cases any beverage purchases on
that last morning will have to be paid in cash because the account has already
been closed out. On other ships cruise cards may be used for purchases up until
the moment you are scanned off the ship.
Times for Vacating Cabin and Departing Ship
The same day you are getting off the ship the next set of passengers will
be getting on. Before anyone can leave, the ship has to wait for clearance from
local authorities and customs officials. Sometimes customs are ahead of
schedule and sometimes they are behind. Be ready to be flexible. Because
getting everyone off the ship at the same time is as impossible as boarding
everyone at the same time, passengers are assigned disembarkation times. The
assigned time is dependent on flights, post-cruise tours, and whether the
cruise line will be delivering your luggage to the cruise terminal or if you
are carrying off your own bags.
The cabin stewards start prepping cabins for the new passengers right away.
Most likely you will be required to leave the cabin earlier than the time you
are scheduled to leave the ship. For example, you may be asked to be out of the
cabin by 8:00 a.m. yet not scheduled to leave the ship until 9:45 a.m.
Meeting Location
You may be assigned a meeting place to wait at until your disembarkation
time. We prefer to wait in a quiet spot, usually by the pool, and then go to
the assigned lounge a few minutes before our scheduled time. Why rush, having
your mind already racing back home when you can sit in the warm sunshine on a
lounge chair, squeezing in another hour of vacation time?
Breakfast Hours
Usually room service isn’t available the last morning and the buffet can be
super-busy with everyone eating at about the same time. There have been
occasions when we ordered cereal and fruit from room service the day before and
saved the food to eat on that last morning. Beats the craziness found in the
breakfast locations on disembarkation day.
Luggage tags
The procedure for getting your luggage off the ship is different than any
you may have experienced before. You are assigned color-coded luggage tags that
control the flow of passengers off the ship and assist you in finding your
luggage within the cruise terminal. Attach the provided luggage tags to your
bags and place the bags outside the cabin door on the last evening of the cruise. Crew collect luggage from
hallways all throughout the night and organize it based on the tag's color. You
will not see your bags again until the next morning in the terminal. Keep your
carry-on with you. Be sure to have the obvious items like medications and
passports in the carry-on, but don't forget the clothes you'll be wearing the
next day. Don’t be caught in pjs because you forgot to pack clothes to wear off
the ship! Take everything out of the safe and leave it open. Hold onto your
cruise card because you will need it for one last scanning off the ship.
When you collect your luggage in the terminal it usually will not be on a carousel
like at the airport but placed side by side grouped by the luggage tag color.
There may be several hundred bags in your luggage tag group so double check the
bag carefully before leaving with it. There are porters available in the area
for passengers needing luggage assistance.
If you can manage all your luggage on your own you may have the option to
take it off the ship yourself. For those driving home from the port or with an
early morning flight this walk-off disembarkation can usually get you on your
way earlier. But if you plan on carrying all your luggage off the ship, think
very carefully about the logistics of it. Multiple large suitcases and
carry-ons being dragged down a carpeted hall. Fitting into super-busy
elevators. Finding a place to keep suitcases during breakfast. Rolling those
suitcases up or down the gangway. Down another even busier and slower elevator
in the terminal. Are you nimble and fit and patient enough? Are your travel
companions?
Customs and Border Protection
When returning to the United States passengers report to Customs and Border
Protection in the cruise terminal where passports are presented to officials.
As border security regulations fluctuate other screenings may be instituted. If
disembarking in another country additional requirements may exist.
Comment Card/Survey Information
Comment cards and online surveys are frequently used by cruise lines to
assess the service received. Positive comments are a way for personnel to
receive raises and promotions. If someone went out of their way for you, use
the comment card to let the cruise line know. Comment cards can be filled out
at any time during the cruise with online surveys typically happening
post-cruise.
Arrangements for Passengers with Disabilities
Passengers needing wheelchair assistance may be asked to be at the meeting
location a few minutes before the assigned departure time. If you think you
need this service, use it. Staff will wheel you off the ship, through customs,
and to your transportation. My husband frequently uses this service and has
been pleased with the attentiveness of staff and speed of the process.
Disembarkation Tips
The morning you leave the ship can be hectic. Remember to:
·Pack your patience along with
your carry-on.
·Keep medications and
documentation with you.
·Remove items from the safe.
·Be out of the cabin when
requested.
·Enjoy the last of the cruise ship
meals.
·Wait in a nice location before
going to the assigned lounge.
·Have your cruise card ready for
scanning.
·Collect your luggage in the
terminal.
·Have passports ready for customs.
·Be on time for arranged
transportation and allow plenty of time to get to the airport.
Take one last look at the ship.
Think about the trip.
Are you in for another one? If so, maybe I’ll see you there.
Excerpt from CRUISING WITH CONFIDENCE: HOW TO BE A FIRST-TIME CRUISER WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE ONE
Excerpt from CRUISING WITH CONFIDENCE: HOW TO BE A FIRST-TIME CRUISER WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE ONE