When the sad day comes and it’s time to leave your cruise ship vacation, there are a few things that will be important for you to know. In this post, I will share with you what you need to know about the cruise disembarkation process.
Cruise Disembarkation Process
The cruise disembarkation process is…well…a process. It starts with an informational document delivered to your stateroom up to two days before the end of your cruise and contains an overview of the cruise disembarkation process and what you as a guest need to do in order to be prepared.
Your last evening on board
The last evening of your cruise you will receive additional instructions, a disembarkation group number, and corresponding luggage tags. Your group number will have an estimated time of disembarkation.
Cruise Disembarkation Process – Review Final Bill
You can review your account transactions at any time on the t.v. in your stateroom but you may also request a print out from guest services. I recommend NOT trying to wait until the final night to request a printout or argue any charges. The line at guest services can be quite long.
You can continue to use your sea pass card the morning of departure and all charges will be billed to the credit card you have on file.
Leaving Your Luggage Outside Your Stateroom.
The process of setting your luggage out the night before you leave is unique to cruising. The first time I cruised, over 16 years ago, I thought this was such a bizarre thing to do, but now it’s just part of the adventure.
So, let’s talk about your luggage.
You have a few options:
Express Departure Option
This is the one option that allows you to keep all of your luggage with you. The Self Debarkation option requires that you can manage all of your luggage without assistance. It is a great option for those that travel light and want to be able to get off the ship as soon as the ship clears custom. Meaning, they are the first group allowed to disembark the cruise ship.
It’s important to emphasize that this should only be an option if you can easily manage your bags. Many times, elevators are difficult to come by and you don’t want to be that purpose who THUMP THUMP THUMPS their massive suitcase down several flights of stairs potentially injuring yourself or others.
If I were a carry-on only passenger this would be the best choice! My goal is to try packing carry-on only next time. Do you think I can do it?
If you are interested in more cruise and packing blogs check out my Cruise Page.
Cruise Disembarkation Process – Standard Departure
This is the option that the majority of cruisers use. Luggage needs to be set outside your stateroom NO LATER than 11 p.m. (time may vary by cruise line) the night before your departure. It is kept in a holding area and sent to the customs terminal in numbered groups that match your departure number.
You will need to make sure you keep out all necessary toiletry items, medication and appropriate travel clothing for the next morning. If you’ve lived in a swimsuit the last 7 days…you’ll want to remember “appropriate travel clothing” especially if you are returning to a cold climate.
A family can share a duffel or carry-on size bag and pack up their pajamas and toiletries the next morning.
Do You Want to Purchase Luggage Valet?
A relatively new option is the luggage valet service. This is a paid service that you reserve earlier during your cruise. Information will be provided in one of the daily schedules or you can, of course, ask about it at guest services. There is a deadline for this service so please ask for the information if you are interested in this service by mid-cruise.
On our most recent Royal Caribbean cruise, the fee was $25 per person. It was just the two of us and I wanted to try this option for “research purposes”.
Royal Caribbean will check you into your flight, print out your boarding pass and handle your luggage through to your final destination. It’s great! I’m not sure if I would be willing to pay if we were traveling with our extended family as the fee is per person. But, given the convenience, it was worth the $25 fee.
NOTE: Please keep in mind that luggage (excluding your morning necessities) still needs to be set out the night before departure.
You will NOT see your luggage again until you arrive at your final destination. So, if you are used to being able to shove your liquids in your luggage the next morning – plan accordingly!
Cruise Disembarkation Process – The Departure Lounges
Many people think that once the ship is docked safely in port you can exit immediately but that’s not the case. The ship must receive the all clear from the customs inspector. This is typically an efficient process but there is no guarantee. For this reason, the cruise lines do not recommend that you book an early morning flight. Even if you booked a 9 a.m. flight and need to get to the airport, you will not be allowed off of the ship until the ship has cleared customs.
So…you wait.
Assuming that you didn’t elect express checkout, you will be directed to a waiting area/lounge. Location information will be provided in the departure document. Typically there are a few locations available such as the theatre or large bar/lounge areas. Royal Caribbean has a more family-friendly option available, too!
It may seem a little annoying but just try and relax and soak in your last few moments on the ship…and vacation.
The purpose of having you wait until your group is called is to allow for a smooth process in customs. Luggage is delivered to the customs area in numbered groups that match up with your debarkation group number. The idea is that when your numbered group is called, you know your luggage will be available.
Navigating Your Way Through Customs
There is no way around it, you are probably going to wait in a line. It’s only a big bummer because not only are you waiting in a long line…but your vacation is over. 🙁
When you walk through customs you will need to locate all of your bags. They are in numbered groups so you will know the general area. But, can still be difficult to locate especially if you have one of the one hundred black bags. Here is my tip for helping your bag stand out. Before we set our bags out at night, I remove the cruise tag and replace it with this BRIGHT tag with our name. It makes scanning through the warehouse of bags a lot easier and there is no question that it’s ours.
Once you gather your luggage you can hop in the line for customs.
If you purchased the luggage valet program you can walk directly to a custom line! You will surely be asked a few times if you need help finding your luggage. Head to the airport and away you go. I have to say, waiting at the baggage carousel at home was a little odd. When we saw our bags appear we were super excited, “hey, it worked!”
Mobile Passport
Mobile Passport is relatively new. If it’s available at your terminal information will be provided. If it is, you can download the Mobile Passport app and fill out your customs information on your mobile. Don’t worry about cellular service because you will do this the morning of debarkation so you will already be parked at your home terminal. Make sure you have your passports handy. No more paper customs forms!
Mobile passport is intended to expedite the customs line and is only available at certain cruise terminals (and some airports). So yay!
An easy trip through customs helps ease the post-vacation blues. It’s real. The last night on a cruise, I always tell my husband…”Yep, I could do a back to back cruise”. But, with kids in school and those darn job things…that will have to wait a few years.
There you have it, travelers.
Everything you need to know about the cruise disembarkation process.
Have a question or a suggestion for how you have mastered the cruise disembarkation process? I would love to hear from you.
Oh, and if you missed my Embarkation Day post you can find it here.
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Happy Travels!
Jillian