While some lines let you stay in your cabins until it's time to leave, others request that those with later disembark times vacate staterooms by a specific time (often around 9 a.m.) so the cabin stewards can clean for the next passengers. Do not assume the time listed for your ship to dock at the pier is the time you can actually walk off the ship. Most often, the Express Departure option is preferred by guests who want to depart as early as possible due to travel plans, work requirements, or other needs. From, Ever wonder what lessons someone new to Royal Caribbean might be able to pick up from veteran cruisers? If you have received a customs form, its important to have this filled out (one per family). If you think you'll have questions, send one member of your group to the talk. If your ship is tendering, you're at the mercy of how many tenders are available, distance from shore, and demand from fellow guests. Known as self-debark or "walking off the ship on your own", you are responsible for taking all your belongings off the ship and getting them through the cruise terminal. How long does it take to disembark a ship, and can you just walk straight onto the pier? mistakes when disembarking a cruise ship. Hi Hazmatt, I remember you from the Filthy Infidel thread! In deciding if you can be somewhere for an excursion if you dock at 10am you know you can't be there for 10am but if its really 9am local time you could be there for 10am. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. When the gangway is open early in the morning, there's rarely a backup of guests to get off the ship (unless it's a tender stop). 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. Anything you don't put in the checked bags -- nightclothes, toiletries, and so on -- must fit in your carry-on. Of course, this means you have to lug all your belongings out of your room, down the hall, and into an elevator. However, no matter what the ship does, keep your watch set for the ship's time. When a number is called, it means all the luggage for that number are ready to be picked up in the cruise terminal. These tags are important for both timing and finding your suitcase at the pier. On large ships, your assigned disembarkation time is even color-coded and coordinated with your luggage tags. Local officials must inspect and clear the ship. 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. Be sure to keep your watch on Ship Time so you don't arrive late for the sail away partywould not be fun to watch it from the dock. Prior to disembarkation (usually on the final night of the cruise), a printed tally of your onboard account will be delivered to your cabin. You could walk off the ship before your luggage tag number is called, but you'll simply end up waiting in the cruise terminal for all the luggage to be brought out. For example, my itinerary has us in St. Thomas from 9:00am till 5:30pm. Video: What I wish I'd known before taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! You can book bus transfers via your cruise line, either before your trip or onboard, that will either take you directly to the airport or combine a city tour with an airport transfer. Youve had a great cruise, and you want to end your vacation on a high note. For a cruise on the Royal Caribbean, guests will have to leave the ship on the final day of the cruise around 10-11am local time. Crew members pick up your bags at night and ensure they are waiting for you on land, freeing you and your family up from the stress of keeping track of your luggage. I went to Bermuda on the Grandeur 4 weeks ago and we had to change our watches to Bermuda timeMaureen. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. Since its recommended you book transfers two weeks before sailing, you should discuss this option while making your reservations, if needed. Cruisers who have booked shore excursions through the ship also get priority. A very common misconception among first time cruisers is looking at the scheduled time a ship returns to port and assuming that is the first opportunity to disembark their Royal Caribbean ship. I have have done an eastern itinerary once on Carnival and the ship keep its clocks on Miami time. Just like guests carrying their own luggage off the ship, the exact time luggage pickup begins will vary, but it usuallybegins 30-60 minutes after guests carrying their own luggage are able to start walking off the ship. You can follow her daily exploits, both at sea and on land, on Instagram or Twitter @slyjabroni. Princess MedallionClass FAQ. The next cruise where I stopped in Grand Cayman I did not know what time zone the ship would be on when we arrived. When you get to the cruise terminal area where thousands of bags have been placed, it helps if you know exactly what your suitcases look like. Another hassle our crew can take care of for you is setting up your airport transfer for just a small fee. Pro tip: Don't assume you can fix issues after you get off the ship. ;) You will be told the night before to change your watches to GC timeMaureen. Except they float. If you don't have a watch, but a cheap one at K-Mart, Target, Wal-Mart or somewhere. 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. 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. That time of year St. Thomas is one hour ahead cause of daylight savings. Most lines will automatically add tips to your final shipboard bill; some (like luxury lines, whose gratuities are included in the cruise fare) require no tipping. Contact Us Get support by Phone or Email 866-562-7625 Email Your Questions Locate a Travel Agent I was able to book my independent tour in Grand Cayman with this knowledge. Royal Caribbean also allows self disembarkation, as do Celebrity, Carnival, and Princess. Now that you know what to expect on the last day, get ready for your first day and book your next trip here. 5 Things You Need to Try Aboard Wonder of the Seas, World's Biggest Cruise Ship and Royal Caribbean's Newest Ship in the Caribbean Carnival's 50th Anniversary Cruise 'Sailabration' Voyage: Just . They give you as much info as you need to keep on the correct time. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. When you book your cruise and it says Grand Cayman 7:30am -4pm & Cozumel 10am - 7pm. Buses will be parked just outside the terminal, and port staff can direct you to the correct one. :) ;), This is from the RCCL web-site shopping guide for St. Thomas. Plus, you'll create a crowd and that causes issues for everyone else. 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. I recommend nothing earlier than 11 a.m. for most sailings later if you're flying internationally. I wish we had known about this on our Liberty cruise (Aug 23rd) We were not told the night before we hit GC that the ship stays on ship time and not local time. Thanks! Usually, the deadline is sometime between 10 p.m. and midnight. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Your ship may arrive back in port at 6 a.m., but it then has to be cleared by customs officials, which may take two hours or more. On your Serenade cruise it's easy, you never leave the Atlantic time zone while on your itinerary so ship's time = local time.:D. The best time to board a cruise ship is obviously when there are few lines and short waits. The result is usually a wait onboard the ship for a spot on a tender, followed by a wait for the tender to proceed to shore. Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda Local Time 2023-04-30 08:21 81F 27.3C Fresh breeze 9.4 m/s 86 F / 30 C 77 F / 26 C Port Map Wiki Schedule Hotels News PortMiami cruise port, along with Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), is USA's main turnaround/departure port destination for roundtrip Caribbean cruises. Cruisetours also are available in many European ports like Madrid, Paris and Rome. Royal Caribbean will publish a time your ship is due back into port, but this is only the time the ship docks. Keep all receipts because you could be asked to report the value of all goods purchased abroad; if you go over the limits, you face taxes on some of your items. First, your stateroom attendant will drop off important information in your stateroom. Please contact your travel advisor or our Customer Sevice Department for complete details. How long it takes local authorities to clear a ship depends and can be a few minutes or closer to an hour. I agree with what the others have said, it depends. Do I need to tip crew members before I disembark? Passengers carrying their own luggage ashore are allowed to leave as early as they wish, once the ship is cleared to begin the disembarkation process. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. This includes: Don't worry if your cruise comes back to another terminal, things will likely still move quick enough. If you want crewmembers to shepherd your luggage when you disembark, you will need to have your bags packed, tagged with color-coded tags provided by the ship, and set outside your cabin door at a specified time the night before disembarkation. You will need to scan it any time you exit the ship (and also when you return). is an award-winning cruise journalist whose work regularly appears in Bloomberg, Travel + Leisure, Afar and other travel outlets. Luggage at the pier will be sorted by group color and number and there will be thousands of bags waiting. You cant just leave the ship when you feel like it. As with packing for your first day, make sure you keep a small carry-on of essentials like travel documentsespecially your passport and SeaPass cardhandy so theyre easily accessible when getting off the ship. Many first timer cruisers want to know if you need a passport to take a cruise, and the answer depends on a few factors, Once you start cruising frequently, its easy to forget how it feels to go on a cruise for the very first time. The longest wait for this is from other people wanting to be among the first to walk off the ship, and there can sometimes be a line of guests waiting to walk off the ship in the morning. We suggest checking your account at least once midway through the cruise to keep track of your spending. NCL offers priority disembarkation as part of an add-on bundle that includes priority embarkation and other perks. We may see a third method for all I know. It will then be placed in sections in the terminal, according to tag colors. That's not including the time spent waiting for your transport from the pier to airport. Cruise ships travel the world, with stops in many ports along the way. Also have to consider that since you will probably be on an international flight and check in is 2 . Distance from Houston-Hobby Airport: 45 miles | 50 minutes Number of Terminals: 3 Passengers Carried Each Year: ~1 million Cruise Ship Dockings Each Year: ~300 Port of Galveston Location The island sits about 45 minutes from Houston Hobby airport and about 75 minutes from Bush-Intercontinental. As stated earlier, the exact time of when self-assistbegins will depend on certain factors, but usuallyit will commence around 7:00 or 7:30am. The length of disembarkation varies, based on several factors, but typically the process takes a few hours to get everyone ashore. Related: What to wear on a cruise: Cruise attire and cruise line dress codes. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! By It could be 10-15 minutes or as long as an hour. If you're paying with a credit card, all you have to do is make sure that all the charges on the bill are correct. Private transfers or tour guides can also pick up passengers at the terminal. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Sometimes earlier, sometimes later. For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. Score priority disembarkation. 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. So is this local time or EST?? Dont worryyour last night on board will still have the amenities and experiences youve enjoyed on your cruise, like an array of dining options and free, top-quality entertainment. Because rules change based on the country of the disembarkation port and the nationality of the passengers, it's best to follow all instructions given onboard. But what is that last day like? It is up to the Captain. CruiseHealth FAQ. How long does it take to get off a cruise ship? So how long does the whole process take? That time of year St. Thomas is one hour ahead cause of daylight savings. Kind of a bummer because we want to do 7-mile Beach too, but it might be tough depending on the time. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. If not, just leave blank. If so, we have, Planning your first Royal Caribbean cruise? If you are traveling with kids, also look for small stuffed animals or other toys hidden in any linens crumpled on the bed. Its a busy work day. When the cruise is ending, you disembark. No one likes to think about when your cruise vacation will come to an end, butinevitably planning for that last morning is a necessity to ensure you can get to work, school or flight on time. Or are Captains so powerful they can decide which side of the ship is port? Ahh yes. Would the ship be on St. Thomas time when in port? When you book your cruise and it says Grand Cayman 7:30am -4pm & Cozumel 10am - 7pm. Book a later flight. 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. Think of it like this: When your cruise begins, you are embarking on your journey. Related: 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts and what you can do about them Don't get up at the crack of dawn. 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. My Time Dining is one of the options you'll get to choose from when you book your cruise. Disembarkation is a carefully choreographed procedure. This can save a lot of time, if the check-out line is backed up. What's the earliest time I can get off my cruise ship when it's over? 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. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. "Royal Caribbean will no longer allow cruise passengers to pre-plan early debark or late embarkation for any of our ships. The good news is that by the last day of your cruise, youll be feeling rested and headed home with stories from your adventures abroad (as well as on board). So don't expect things to be the same from one cruise to the next. He came back and posted about how he wanted to strangle a guy on that forum who disagreed with him-what a loser! Let's break down everything you need to know about debarking a cruise ship so you know exactly what to expect. On some ships, you can even do this electronically on your app or smart TV. How do I find out about the disembarkation procedures on my cruise ship? The 2016-built Ovation of the Seas cruise ship is the 3rd Quantum-class Royal Caribbean liner, with sisterships Quantum OTS (2014) and Anthem OTS (2015). If you book an excursion with the ship I would assume the tour would always be on ship time, but that is just a guess. Small and luxury ships may have flexible, even leisurely, disembarkation plans. 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. Disembarkation day is the day on which you disembark the ship. The OceanReady Process. On the last morning of your cruise, most of the ship's public facilities will be closed for cleaning and preparation for the next set of passengers, who will be coming aboard later the same day. However, as they say, time is gold and you only have a limited amount of time to disembark the ship and enjoy what the locals have to offer. What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships? It's worth noting that disembarkation wait times are often longer when tendering is necessary, as tender boats are limited in the number of passengers they can transport from ship to shore at one time. This is a very popular option, and most guests elect for this option. PROTOCOLS UPDATE: VACCINATION & TESTING NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR MOST GUESTS. Ships that terminate in U.S. ports may require passengers to fill out Customs forms and show their passports to border control in the cruise terminal. The day we left Bermuda, there is a big notice at the top of the Compass that says, set clocks back one hour before retiring.Maureen. Keep in mind these times are generalizations and it will vary. Our tour lasts from 10:00 - 1:00 local time and we will just have to figure out if that is the same as ship time or one hour ahead of ship time. So, it would say change your time after departing (insert name of port). How long it will take authorities to clear the ship? There's no way to know in advance what to expect. I've found the longest waits can be for elevators in the morning of the last day of the cruise, rather than a wait to walk off the ship. (The last one is particularly helpful in ports where tendering is required.). As many countries continue to enforce travel restrictions, this. :), Hazmatt, You know, I went back to glocktalk after they pulled the thread and he was still getting reamed by his buddies. Always ship time. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. How do I get my luggage off the cruise ship? 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. The system for removing bags from the ship works this way: On the last night of your cruise, you pack your large bags and leave them in the hall for the crew to remove and transfer to the pier. Like what you see? Sometimes this is a mere formality and sometimes the inspection takes a while longer. Not sure if there is any rhyme or reason to any it. Dont be the one walking to the pier barefoot or in your PJs. Keep in mind that it takes time for Royal Caribbean to deliver all the luggage from the ship to the cruise terminal. The disembarkation process is not like checking out of a hotel. You obviously can't disembark before the ship docks. Also, if you've purchased souvenirs on your cruise, be sure to check your home country's allowances for goods like alcohol, cigarettes and cigars brought back from abroad. The vessel (IMO number 9697753) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000397) and registered in Nassau.History - construction and ownership In general, bags must be out by 11 p.m., but the dedicated team on board your ship will inform you of the exact time. When long lines develop for walking off, the concierge can shave off a lot of time with their ability to cut the line. Can understand problems if ship time does not match local time. The info about time change shows the clock before the time change, say 1:00am and after the time change 2:00am. You may think you are done with your keycard when you vacate your cabin, but you will need to tap it one more time when you get off the ship. However, this is only recommended if you are able-bodied and can haul your bags down flights of stairs on the ship and at the cruise terminal. What are the largest cruise ships in the world? This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Keep in mind any minors need to have an adult present when disembarking the ship, including teenagers. The answer is somewhat tricky, actually, because once you choose a seating, that's the time you eat in the main dining room every evening. 11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts and what you can do about them. Most cruise ships are cleared for passengers to debark between 7 and 9 a.m., depending on their arrival time. If you elect to have Royal Caribbean take your luggage, you need to have your luggage packed and in the hallway outside of your stateroom by a certain time (usually 11:00pm). Unlike traditional dining - where a dining time is assigned to you - guests who opt for My Time Dining can eat in the Main Dining Room whenever they like during dining hours, according to availability. 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. Sometimes you'll meet as a group in a public area on board and disembark together shortly thereafter; other times, you'll be asked to disembark on your own at a given time and meet your group on the pier. On a port-visit day, there's often no set order for disembarking, meaning that it can be a free-for-all. Disembarkation at the conclusion of a sailing is almost always more organized, though it can feel chaotic. Pro tip: Dont assume you can fix issues after you get off the ship. All rights reserved. If there's a mistake, you have to get in line at the reception desk to contest the charges. Crew Appreciation. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Usually a maritime entity will board the ship and do some kind of an inspection to verify the paperwork is accurate and all regulations are being followed. has spent more than 15 years writing about travel, with particular emphasis on cruises. Moreover, the inspection by local officials is completely out of Royal Caribbean's hands. That includes everything from assigning you a time to leave the ship to breakfast options on disembarkation day and luggage rules. Sometimes the ship will adjust their clock so that ship time is the same as the time at the port you are visiting - other times it does not. Crewmembers will pick up your luggage during the night, hold it in storage until the ship is docked, then carry it off the ship in. The compass made it very clear when to change your time. Most other lines allow it if arranged in advance. What time do you disembark a cruise ship? So how do you know in advance so to plan and book excursions accordingly? The gym, pools, spas and bars will be closed, but lounges will be available for people to wait with their bags once they've left their cabins. The timing also depends on whether we're talking about disembarkation in a port of call or disembarkation at the end of a voyage. Is disembarkation like checking out of a hotel? Be aware that these lines can be long. Everyone from the cruise that's ending must be off the ship between 9 and 10 a.m. in most cases. Map Data: Google BE CAREFUL, Do not change your watch, otherwise you will be watching your boat leave from the dock, very scary I am sure. airport transfer, taxi or awaiting family, Which Room on Icon of the Seas Is Right for You, 5 Ways Royal Caribbean Practices Sustainability, The Best Things to Do in Greece and the Greek Isles, 8 Hours in Royal Caribbeans Perfect Day at CocoCay, Icons Captain Henrik Shares The Top Things to Do on The New Ship, Wave Season: The Best Time To Score Deals. Some passengers might be required to meet with immigration officials on board prior to getting off the ship. If you need help, you'll be given a time slot which is usually between 8 am and 11 am. It's always wise to keep valuables and important medications with you. The advantage of picking your luggage up in the terminal building is it makes the disembarkation process simpler. Whether youre headed home or on to the next destination, heres everything you need to know to prepare for getting off the ship. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Her favorite cities include London; Amsterdam; Krakow, Poland; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Dawson City, Yukon; and anywhere known for outstanding pizza and theater. Whether it's the last day of your cruise or just a scheduled visit somewhere, the disembarkation process can be different depending on a few factors. For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. Breakfast hours on disembarkation day will usually be earlier and shorter. You will want to have a carry-on suitcase or tote set aside so you can carry your toothbrush, pajamas and other items off the ship. Like what you see? Editorial disclaimer: 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. Check the safe first thing when you get up on disembarkation day and make sure to reach your hand into every corner to look for forgotten items. On disembarkation day, an announcement will be made once the gangway is opened and cleared by local authorities, and at that time, guests carrying their own luggage may depart the ship. Set your watches accordingly!! . From packing to. Guests can enjoy breakfast on the last morning and wait comfortably in a lounge or restaurant until their luggage tag number is called. I'm not sure how people expect to be told, but as stated the Compass should always identify the time situation. Video: What's coming to Royal Caribbean in 2020. Each ship will provide an as you depart flyer with the exact details for that vessel and port of boarding. Does that mean if we arrive in Grand Cayman at 8am ship time it is actually 7 in GC? Fran lives in Cleveland, Ohio. The procedures for getting off a cruise ship, as well as cruise ship disembarkation times, can be confusing to first-time cruisers. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. xxHadleyxx. Everyone must leave the ship before the . If youd simply like to enjoy a destination for another few days, our special hotel packages make it easy, whether youre in Stockholm or The Bahamas. 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. It begins when the ship is cleared by local authorities, usually about an hour or so after it docks. The entire process will take a few hours to get every single passenger off the ship when the cruise is over. Occasionally, an issue with clearing the ship delays passenger disembarkation and can create lines. I was hoping I might have an extra hour in GC to get to our 9:30 excursion.
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