After enjoying your final evening, youll need to pack up most of your items, so you can leave your larger luggage pieces in front of your stateroom for pick-up. Best first-time cruises on Royal Caribbean, 25 things you need to know for your first day on a cruise ship, The 20 worst cruise mistakes that will ruin your cruise vacation. But what is that last day like? Note: Times listed are approximate and will vary by sailing and disembarkation location. Cruise lines have individual policies when it comes to tipping, and you should familiarize yourself with .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}those policies before you start your trip. For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. This means anyone that elects to not rely on Royal Caribbean to deliver their luggage to the cruise terminalandis capable of carrying their own luggage may disembark the ship. In a lot of cases, it can begin around 7:00am. However, the final day on most big ships is a madhouse. We are celebrating the new year with a new Royal Caribbean Blog video, previewing what will be new in 2020, You'll find Caribbean cruises available throughout the year, so when is the best time to go on a cruise, One of the best things any American can do when cruising, is to have a passport, but what's the difference between the, Royal Caribbean has returned to sailing, and many Canadians are now planning their winter getaways. Please contact your travel advisor or our Customer Sevice Department for complete details. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. In short, they're like the megaresorts you see in Las Vegas or Orlando. Staff will be on hand to direct you to a bus that is going to your specific airline and terminal or that does a circuit to several terminals at the airport. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Assuming a ship remains punctual, the time at which passengers can disembark depends on how long it takes for local authorities to clear the vessel. Many captains set the ships time to correspond with the port time..but the rule of thumb is..check your watch against any clock onboard the shipmost new ships show the time on the cabin phoneand use that time as the "official" time, as when to be back aboard!! The first line of operations is getting the ship into port the port will send out a pilot (on a boat,) knowledgable about local conditions, . The disembarkation briefing, usually held on your final day at sea by the cruise director in the main theater or other large lounge is a good starting point. The 24 hours before you disembark your cruise -- the point at which you get off the ship -- comes with a flurry of instructions. You are welcome to give additional tips for outstanding service at any time during your cruise. Map Data: Google Private transfers or tour guides can also pick up passengers at the terminal. You cant just leave the ship when you feel like it. 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts and what you can do about them. Of course, this means you have to lug all your belongings out of your room, down the hall, and into an elevator. This is a very popular option, and most guests elect for this option. Do I need to tip crew members before I disembark? On a port-visit day, there's often no set order for disembarking, meaning that it can be a free-for-all. Sometimes this is a mere formality and sometimes the inspection takes a while longer. Passport card vs book: Which should you choose? In a lot of cases, it can begin around 7:00am. It begins when the ship is cleared by local authorities, usually about an hour or so after it docks. All good things must come to an end and that includes your Royal Caribbean adventure. How Long Does it Take to Get Off a Cruise Ship? *Disembark (An exception is if you only have a light carry-on, in which case, go for it.). While shortening your time on a Royal Caribbean cruise may sound unappealing, the truth is that by disembarking just an hour or two earlier than other passengers, you can reap a wide range of benefits. What Not to Do at Cruise Ship Disembarkation, What to Expect on a Cruise: Tipping Crewmembers on a Cruise, What to Expect on a Cruise: Boarding a Cruise Ship. If there's a mistake, you have to get in line at the reception desk to contest the charges. Disembarking all passengers from a cruise ship takes a few hours, depending on the cruise ship's size. In both cases, an officer from the bridge will make an announcement over the ship's public address system to let passengers know when they can begin leaving. When you book your cruise and it says Grand Cayman 7:30am -4pm & Cozumel 10am - 7pm. What to Expect on a Cruise: How to Disembark the Ship The port will also build and operate a new 1800. You will not be able to purchase additional internet access after a certain time on your last evening aboard, but you can usually use pre-purchased minutes until you leave the ship. I don't know if the ship will adjust its clocks while traveling between Florida and St. Thomas. You cannot simply leave your cruise ship at any time on disembarkation day. Unfortunately, it can vary from port to port and ship to ship, but I prefer arriving in the early afternoon, usually around 1 or 2 p.m. . Cruise ships travel the world, with stops in many ports along the way. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Moreover, the inspection by local officials is completely out of Royal Caribbean's hands. Seattle (Washington) cruise port schedule | CruiseMapper Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Similarly, a Royal Genie will provide the same service for their guests, albeit just for Star Class passengers. A rookie mistake is packing too much in the luggage that you leave outside the door, then waking up the next day to realize you forgot to leave out shoes, pants or other necessary items. Set your watches accordingly!! These taxes are often payable in cash only. However, no matter what the ship does, keep your watch set for the ship's time. Luggage at the pier will be sorted by group color and number and there will be thousands of bags waiting. Not sure if there is any rhyme or reason to any it. Ovation Of The Seas Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review | Royal Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Self assist early walk off is the first to leave the ship after clearance from local authorities. Just because the ship returns at this time, does not mean it is ready to let passengers off the ship. Refreshments will be available at the lounges, so this brief waiting period can be a chance to sip coffee, relax and reminisce. If your ship is docked at a pier, expect the disembarkation process to only take a few minutes from when you get down to the gangway area. Make sure you check before leaving the ship!! Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. What is the Difference Between Self-Assist and Regular Departure You may also have to clear customs. Related: How to disembark from your cruise ship before everyone else. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Related: 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts and what you can do about them. The gangway remains open throughout the day; passengers can disembark on a rolling basis, at their leisure. This means that instead of putting your luggage outside your stateroom the night before, youll keep it with youalthough we still advise packing the night before. Dont be the one walking to the pier barefoot or in your PJs. What you need to know about going on a cruise if you're Canadian, Royal Caribbean cruises in September 2022: What to expect. When long lines develop for walking off, the concierge can shave off a lot of time with their ability to cut the line. If not, just leave blank. NCL offers priority disembarkation as part of an add-on bundle that includes priority embarkation and other perks. Early dining is generally 5:30 or 6:00pm depending on the ship and late is usually 8:00. I was able to book my independent tour in Grand Cayman with this knowledge. The larger the ship, the longer it takes. On an Alaska cruisetour, you can add three to six nights onto your vacation to the Last Frontier. Reservations are strongly recommended. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Your time is assigned according to your flight times (which you provide a few days prior to disembarkation day), stateroom category, and even loyalty status. Tender boats have a limited capacity and it takes time to load them up and then subsequently unload them later. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. All rights reserved. What time do I have to depart a Royal Caribbean cruise ship? Given that safes are tucked away in closets, its really easy to forget about the important items your passports, wallets, jewelry that youve set inside. January 7, 2012 in Royal Caribbean International. Breakfast hours on disembarkation day will usually be earlier and shorter. A beginners guide to picking a cruise line, What to wear on a cruise: Cruise attire and cruise line dress codes, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In 2019, the US company Vigor Industrial opened a new drydock facility in Port Seattle, with capacity to handle mega-yachts and mid-sized cruise liners. Prohibited Items. The specific length of disembarkation depends largely on how long the vessel is due to be in port. Once the ship is good to proceed the next question is your ship docking at a pier or shuttling guests off via tenders? The excursions you choose and activities on board the ship may make your decision more complicated. If you leave any items behind, it's difficult to recover them once you're off the ship. If you start with a basic understanding of how disembarkation proceeds on cruise ships, those last-minute instructions will make more sense to your vacation-mode brain. We added an hour, then subtracted an hour etc. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. .css-18jw8gc{-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;-ms-appearance:none;appearance:none;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;-webkit-user-select:none;-moz-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none;position:relative;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:middle;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;line-height:1.2;border-radius:var(--chakra-radii-md);transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-normal);height:auto;min-width:var(--chakra-sizes-10);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);background:none;border:0;color:black;display:inline;margin:0px;padding:0!important;font-family:var(--chakra-fonts-Roboto);font-weight:500;padding-top:0.625rem;padding-bottom:0.625rem;-webkit-padding-start:1rem;padding-inline-start:1rem;-webkit-padding-end:1rem;padding-inline-end:1rem;}.css-18jw8gc:focus-visible,.css-18jw8gc[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-18jw8gc:disabled,.css-18jw8gc[disabled],.css-18jw8gc[aria-disabled=true],.css-18jw8gc[data-disabled]{opacity:0.4;cursor:not-allowed;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}.css-18jw8gc:active,.css-18jw8gc[data-active]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);background:none;}.css-18jw8gc:hover,.css-18jw8gc[data-hover]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);background:none;}.css-18jw8gc:focus,.css-18jw8gc[data-focus]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}Cookie Consent, Hidden in the Fine Print: 16 Things You Need to Know About Your Cruise Contract, Celebrity Cruises' Magic Carpet on Celebrity Edge, How to Navigate the Airport on Cruise Turnaround Day, 10 Things You Should Never Do on a Cruise Line Private Island, What to Expect on a Cruise: Getting Off the Ship (Photo: Cruise Critic). Book a later flight. Not everyone gets off the ship at the same time (or at all), so once the initial rush has passed, it doesn't take long to swipe your cruise card and head ashore. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. That's why you should never book a flight too early on disembarkation day. Miami (Florida) cruise port schedule | CruiseMapper For starters: Do not schedule your flight home right after your estimated cruise disembarkation time. Last year on the Mariner Western route the ship stayed on ship time even though it was up to 2 hours different than local time at one point. The idea is that you put these tags on any luggage you would like the crew to handle (see below). You can explore landscapes and native treasures with the help of local Adventure Specialists. Avoid the crowd by either getting there super early or, better, heading to guest services the last night of your cruise and asking for a printout. In those cases, I tend to wait an hour or so to let things calm down before proceeding to the gangway. You will typically be asked to vacate your cabin by 9 a.m. (or even 8 a.m.) on disembarkation day so that the crew can prepare for the next passengers. While most cruise ports do not have rental car agencies onsite, you can arrange for some rental car agencies to send a van to take you to their office. If your ship is tendering, you're at the mercy of how many tenders are available, distance from shore, and demand from fellow guests. It's better to grab a coffee and wait in a lounge or out by the pool. Ok but what about booking an excursion in advance. If being the first off your ship is important to you, there are several ways to ensure you won't have to wait around for too long. It could be 10-15 minutes or as long as an hour. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. With 26 ships in the fleet sailing to destinations around the world, it can, If you are planning your first cruise, you are in store for a great vacation experience with lots of activities, fun, Planning your first cruise is always exciting, but it can be difficult to know what to expect. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Split between Houston/Schulenburg/La Grange, Texas. Those who might opt for this method are those with easily managed luggage, early flights, no flights, or who simply prefer to keep their luggage on the last night of the cruise. 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