​Debarkation Day is a Bad Word But a Must

Its 7:00 AM and you start hearing the movement in the hallway, you look out the window and discover, you are back in your port, the cruise is over.As sad as it is, all cruises must come to an end so here are some tips to make debarkation day easier. 

On that last day when you are leaving, a lot is happening. The luggage is being removed, passengers are exiting the ship and the crew is preparing for the next group of passengers boarding that day. A lot of people do not realize the ship will debark passengers in the morning by 9 AM and embark a whole new group of passengers for the remainder of the day and push away by 3 or 4 in the afternoon.
For you as the passenger, there are steps you need to take to make it smooth.

On the morning of your last full day on the ship, you will receive debarkation paperwork including instructions and luggage tags. Also on that last day, they will typically have a debarkation talk, which is recommended for at least one person in your party. Study all the information as ports can be different and cruise lines can vary in their process.

Most cruise lines will have the same options for luggage including self assist or can be called express and the porter can remove the luggage for you.
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Self Assist. With this option, you will carry your luggage off the ship with you as you leave. This allows you to leave the ship really at any time after they have released you and you are typically the first to get off the ship. This can be great if you have a flight to catch or just want to get on the road. But remember, if you choose this option, you will be responsible for getting your luggage all the way to the terminal through immigration with no crew assistance so be aware of your capabilities.

Porter Assist. When you just have too much luggage or not in a hurry to debark the ship, this is a great option. The night before, you will place the number of luggage tags on your luggage and place them outside your stateroom during the advised times, usually before 10 PM. Keep a carry-on with items for the next day including your passport. On the morning of debarkation, they will call numbers associated with the tag numbers and when yours is called, you can head to the gangway and to the terminal. Now, do not try and get off the ship before your number as the luggage with your tag number is not ready to pick up.

When you arrive in the terminal, you will be directed to an area with signs displaying the luggage tag numbers. There you will find your luggage and move on to Customs and Immigration. There should be porters there to help with your luggage so have some cash to tip.
For Miami, Port Canaveral, and Fort Lauderdale, most of the terminals have facial recognition for passport holders. You will have two lines, one for those using a birth certificate and state-issued ID and one for those using a passport. You will notice, the passport line will be much shorter so another reason to get a passport.

Once outside the terminal, signage will direct you to your transportation choice or to the parking garage. I recommend having your transportation arranged ahead of arriving back in port as it will make it less chaotic.

Lastly, start planning your next cruise.

Michael Miller
Freedom to Roam Travel
[email protected]
www.freedomtoroamtravel.com