Debarkation Day: Common Mistakes Every First-Timer Makes
Honestly, debarkation morning has to be the saddest day of your cruise. Vacation is basically over and it’s back to reality.
And if it’s your first time on a cruise, debarkation day can be a little overwhelming.
In fact, there are some common mistakes and things to know to make the entire process smoother and more seamless.
We go over some of the most important, must-know tips for the cruise disembarkation process to help you avoid any and all of the possible hiccups along the way..
Understanding The Debarkation Day Process
Debarkation day is the day when your cruise adventure comes to an end and you leave the ship to return home or continue on your journey.
Disembarking from a cruise can be quite different from checking out of a hotel.
Be aware that the debarkation process often starts a day or two before the actual day you leave the ship.
This is when you will need to start organizing your belongings and reviewing the debarkation instructions provided by the cruise line.
These instructions may be found within the cruise line app, or an information leaflet will be provided to you in your stateroom.
You will want to check the final bill before debarkation morning, as the line at guest services will be incredibly long on the last day.
On the day of debarkation, you will need to decide whether you want to carry your own luggage off the ship or opt for the cruise line’s luggage handling service.
If you choose to have your luggage handled for you, you will need to follow the cruise line’s guidelines, which typically involve placing your luggage outside your stateroom on the evening before debarkation.
The luggage will then be collected by the crew and offloaded at the port for you to reclaim once you have disembarked.
Another important aspect of debarkation day is adhering to the assigned disembarkation times and locations.
Many cruise lines often have a staggered disembarkation process to avoid congestion and ensure a smooth flow of passengers leaving the ship.
Make sure you know your assigned time and location, which can be found in the debarkation instructions.
Additionally, don’t forget to settle any outstanding bills and ensure you have all your necessary travel documents ready before you leave.
Remember that you might need to vacate your stateroom early on debarkation day as the crew needs to prepare the rooms for the next set of passengers.
However, you can usually still enjoy the ship’s facilities and meals until your assigned disembarkation time.
Be prepared for potential queues and waiting times, as these can sometimes occur due to customs checks or large groups of passengers disembarking at once.
Preparations Before Debarkation Day
Packing Tips
You’ll want to pack everything the night before. Separating your essentials and items you’ll need on the last day, such as medications, travel documents, and a change of clothes. All other items can be packed in your main luggage.
If you’re on a Carnival cruise, remember to remove any luggage tags and replace them with new numbered Zone luggage tags, which are available on the day before debarkation.
Place your luggage outside your cabin the night before, following the ship’s scheduled time, so the crew can collect it for the debarkation process.
If you prefer the Carry Off option, be sure to pack your belongings in a manner that allows you to easily carry your own luggage off the ship.
Travel Documents
Make sure all your travel documents are in order and easily accessible. This includes passports, visas, boarding passes, and any other identification required for your next destination or return journey.
Your ship may provide a debarkation flyer with additional instructions for the process, so review this and keep it handy on the day of debarkation.
It’s also helpful to carry photocopies of your important documents in case of loss or damage, stored separately from the originals.
You can also store digital copies on your phone or in a secure cloud storage for easy access.
On the Eve of Debarkation Day
Check-Out Policies
In general, most cruise lines offer two options for debarkation day. The first option is the Carry Off Option, where you carry your own luggage off the ship.
If you choose this option, there’s no need to put your luggage outside of your cabin the night before the last day of your cruise.
The second option involves putting out your luggage the night before, usually with designated tags provided by the cruise line.
This option allows the crew to collect your luggage and have it ready for you to pick up in a designated area once you disembark.
Meal Suggestions
Most cruise ships offer breakfast on debarkation day, and if you have enough time, it’s a good opportunity to enjoy a leisurely meal before disembarking.
However, most other passengers have a similar idea and it can get packed quickly. If you have an early flight or a tight schedule to follow after the cruise, be mindful of the time and plan accordingly.
It might be helpful to pack some snacks or check out other breakfast options like a quick cafe or room service.
I’m not a very early riser and have made some extreme lines at the buffet on the last day that I now try to avoid like the plague.
The Process of Debarkation Day
Procedure at the Port
Typically, the cruise line will have a structured system for guests to leave the ship.
You may be assigned a specific time or group based on your cabin location or chosen debarkation option. Generally, there are the two options previously mentioned:
- Carry-Off Option: This option allows you to carry your own luggage off the ship. In this case, you don’t need to leave your bags outside your cabin on the last evening.
- Luggage Collection Option: If you prefer to have your luggage collected, you need to place it outside your cabin the night before with appropriate luggage tags attached.
Leave your luggage outside the door if you’re opting for the luggage collection option.
Before leaving the ship, have your travel documents, such as your passport and cruise card, accessible for any necessary checks.
Luggage Collection
If you opt for the luggage collection option, you will need to collect your items at the designated area in the port terminal. Look for signs or staff to guide you to the correct location.
Remember to keep track of your luggage tag number, and color, or take a photo of it to make finding your bags easier.
Additionally, ensuring your bags are uniquely identifiable (like a colorful ribbon or luggage strap) can save you time during the collection process.
Once you’ve collected your luggage, you’ll proceed to customs checks and then exit the port.
Keep in mind that there may be lines.
Post Debarkation Day
Transportation Options
You’ll want to check if your cruise line offers any shuttle services. These shuttles can be a hassle-free way to get to nearby airports, train stations, or hotels.
Another popular transportation choice is using ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft. These apps offer convenience and are usually less expensive than traditional taxis.
If you’ll be at the destination awhile, you may consider renting a car. You can usually find rental car agencies near the cruise port, but make sure to reserve one in advance to secure a vehicle.
Lastly, look into public transportation options like buses and trains. They can be economical and environmentally friendly choices, particularly for short distances. Don’t forget to research schedules and routes beforehand.
Cruise Debarkation Day Tips From A Pro
I’ve been on more cruise ships than I can count and have made my fair share of mistakes, especially during the cruise disembarkation process.
So to save you some hassles and headaches, here are the best cruise disembarkation day tips to avoid all the pitfalls I have encountered…
Tip 1: Booking An Early Flight Home
You do not want to book an early flight home on debarkation day!
This was one of the biggest mistakes I made on my first cruise vacation. I booked a flight for noon, thinking the boat docked at 7am so of course I had plenty of time, right? WRONG.
Between the process of disembarking, going through customs, collecting my luggage, heading to the airport, and TSA (this was before my TSA pre-check days as well!), I missed that flight.
Learn from my (expensive) mistake and get a late flight, perhaps the after noon (at least after 3PM)
An afternoon flight will give you time to disembark, maybe grab lunch, and have plenty of time to head to the airport.
The last thing you want is all that additional stress running through the cruise terminal.
Tip 2: Have An Early Breakfast
The dining room on the last day gets packed! Everyone wants to get breakfast before leaving.
I highly recommend waking up a little earlier and beating the rush if you want a buffet breakfast.
It’s also a good idea to explore other breakfast options if you do sleep in, like a cafe or room service.
Tip 3: Pack The Night Before
I feel like you’re mother saying this, but you’ll absolutely want to pack the night before.
The morning of debarkation can be hectic/ There is a lot going on and the last thing you’ll want to be doing is packing up last minute.
There are also time slots for when different groups are supposed to leave the ship, and you don’t want to be late because you were still packing.
Packing the night before allows you to take your time and ensure you haven’t forgotten anything. This is especially critical for items that are easily overlooked in a rush, like phone chargers, toiletries, or souvenirs.
It’s also a good time to separate items that you’ll need easy access to, like passports, tickets, or medications, and to put them in your day bag.
Packing the night before makes the actual disembarkation process much smoother. I’m very anti-stress so I avoid hectic mornings.
You can get up, get dressed, and join the breakfast queue or your disembarkation group without having to worry about running back to your room for forgotten items or last-minute packing.
Tip 4: Return Towels And Bathrobes
I haven’t personally made this mistake, but based on forums online it’s quite a common one!
Don’t take cruise line bathrobes or pool towels home with you, as these items are inventoried and you could be charged for them.
Some cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, have a check-out system for pool towels.
Make sure to clear your account of any unreturned towels by visiting the towel attendants on the Lido deck before the last day of your cruise to avoid any additional charges.
Some cruise lines have very strict policies for their amenities. They don’t consider these items souvenirs
So although you may be tempted to just take one of those extra soft robes, your credit card is linked to the account and you’ll likely see a fine pop up on there.
If you really like the bathrobes or towels, many cruise lines actually offer the option to purchase these items as souvenirs, often in the gift shop.
This way, you can take home a memento of your trip without any ethical or financial repercussions.
Tip 5: Know Your Group Number or Color Code
You’d be surprised how many people don’t know their group number or debarkation time slot.
You’ll typically know this time slot one to two days before you disembark. It’s important to be aware of these as they make the whole cruise disembarkation process go smoothly and minimize congestion in customs and immigration.
These time slots and groups are very efficient but so many first-time cruisers don’t even realize they exist or just take them as ‘suggestions.’
Make a note of when your designated time is and have a morning plan so you get off the cruise ship as efficiently as possible.
Tip 6: Leave Early If Self-Disembarking
Self-disembarkation allows cruise passengers to exit the ship early and skip terminal luggage pick-up, but it requires carrying your own luggage without crew assistance.
Elevators are often very busy on the last day, so you may need to handle stairs with your luggage. To avoid crowds, it’s advised to leave your stateroom early if you opt for self-disembarkation.
If you are a chronic over-packer (like me) self-disembarkation is not the best idea.
If you think you’ll have a hard time with your luggage, definitely opt out of this option and disembark with the later groups.
Tip 7: Check The Final Bill BEFORE Disembarkation Morning
It may sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people overlook this crucial step.
Your final bill isn’t just a list of expenses; it’s the last opportunity to catch any errors or discrepancies before leaving the ship.
Waiting until disembarkation morning to check your bill can lead to unnecessary stress and delays, as guest services are often swamped with last-minute queries and issues.
The majority of cruise lines require passengers to register a credit card upon check-in for their cruise. All onboard expenses are then charged to this credit card, and the final amount is automatically settled at the end of the cruise.
This includes charges for dining, shopping, excursions, and other additional services that are not included in the initial cruise fare.
This should be done before the morning of disembarkation, as it’s easier to resolve issues while you’re still on the ship.
Tip 8: Prebook Your Transfer
If you are using a shuttle service or transfer to get to the airport, make sure you book this ahead of time.
Or at least, have a game plan of what you’ll do when you get off the ship.
A lot of people assume they’ll just grab an Uber, but depending on your port, the airport or hotel can be so far that a pre-booked shuttle is much more cost-effective.
Not having a transfer or game plan for after the cruise is one of the classic cruise disembarkation mistakes that can cost a pretty penny (or leave you waiting a long time before you get an Uber out of the port.)
