Looks like you should stay on ship time regardless of what the local time is, St. Thomas is on Atlantic Standard Time. 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. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. On an Alaska cruisetour, you can add three to six nights onto your vacation to the Last Frontier. Cruise ships travel the world, with stops in many ports along the way. Once the ship is good to proceed the next question is your ship docking at a pier or shuttling guests off via tenders? Cruise Disembarkation: A Guide to a Pain-Free Disembarkation Day In preparation for, Have a Royal Caribbean cruise planned for September 2022? Check with the valet company handling your luggage as to specific disembarkation procedures. You aren't allowed to get off earlier than the time designated to you in order to avoid crowding at the gangway (the ramp leading off the ship), which could cause delays for travelers who must disembark early. 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. Have more cruise questions? If all that seems like too much to fit on a cruise vessel, consider this: The biggest Royal Caribbean ships are 18 decks high, nearly 1,200 feet long and capable of carrying nearly 7,000 passengers. Refreshments will be available at the lounges, so this brief waiting period can be a chance to sip coffee, relax and reminisce. The first group who may disembark the ship once the ship is cleared by local officials is guests who carry their own luggage off the ship (sometimes referred to as Express Departure). In most cases, the longest time required is the time needed to walk down the pier once off the ship. As a result I could not take a chance in booking an independent tour, and thus was forced to take a ship sponsored tour, which is what the cruise line was hoping would happen. For cruise-only guests, we offer Royal Connections transfer service. 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. My point is that they will tell you specifically when and how to change your watch, etc. If you don't need any help with your luggage, you can usually disembark the ship between 6.30 am and 8 am. 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. Royal Caribbean offers two departure types: Regular and Self-Assist . Cruisers don't have to be back on the ship until "all aboard," which is usually about 30 minutes prior to the ship's scheduled departure time. 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). Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Cruise 101: Your Guide To Safe, Simple Disembarking 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. These include luggage tags for your bags each tag will have a number that will correspond to your departure time the next day. Do I need to go through Customs and immigration at the cruise port? I sailed with a first-time cruiser to see what she thought about a Royal Caribbean cruise. Once your number is called, then you proceed to the gangway area and scan your SeaPass card as you leave the ship. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Prior to disembarkation (usually on the final night of the cruise), a printed tally of your onboard account will be delivered to your cabin. In most environments, the latest time to leave the vessel will be between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Each ship will provide you with a leaflet as you depart with the exact details for that vessel and port of boarding. The best time to board a cruise ship is obviously when there are few lines and short waits. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. When you book your cruise and it says Grand Cayman 7:30am -4pm & Cozumel 10am - 7pm. Then have to get to the airport, which may involve navigating through heavy traffic, and waiting in security lines along with hundreds of other cruise travelers, fresh off their ships. 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. Getting off a cruise ship is not the same as checking out of a hotel. That's why you should never book a flight too early on disembarkation day. Dont be the one walking to the pier barefoot or in your PJs. In a lot of cases, it can begin around 7:00am. Does Royal Caribbean stay on ship time in ports or local port time ????? What are the largest cruise ships in the world? Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Split between Houston/Schulenburg/La Grange, Texas. The good news is the time to walk off the ship is fairly quick once the line starts moving. If your goal is to be able to get off your cruise ship fastest when it's over, here are some tried-and-true methods that work for a lot of people. The OceanReady Process. Of course, this means you have to lug all your belongings out of your room, down the hall, and into an elevator. 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. You can carry your own bags off the ship at the end of your voyage, work your way up to elite status in your cruise line's loyalty program, pay for an add-on package (such as Carnival's Faster to the Fun, Royal Caribbean's The Key or Norwegian's Priority Access) that gives you the privilege, or pruchase a ship-sponsored shore excursion with an early departure time. The excursions you choose and activities on board the ship may make your decision more complicated. Fran lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Once the ship is tied up and local authorities clear the ship, guests can walk off the ship just as fast as they can pass through security to indicate they've checked out for the day. There are two main groups who can disembark from a cruise once it is over: guests carrying their own luggage and guests picking up their luggage. Royal Caribbean will publish a time your ship is due back into port, but this is only the time the ship docks. Seattle (Washington) cruise port schedule | CruiseMapper Room service may or may not be available on disembarkation day. How to disembark from your cruise ship before everyone else. How Long Does it Take to Get Off a Cruise Ship? *Disembark Hi Hazmatt, I remember you from the Filthy Infidel thread! Be forewarned about one thing in particular Ship time is at the Captain's whim! With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! You may also hear the word debark used. 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. All good things must come to an end and that includes your Royal Caribbean adventure. It would show current time and then show what time to set it to. To make things easier and simpler for guests, Royal Caribbean offers to deliver guest luggage to the terminal for pickup. Once the gangway is open for disembarkation, the real wait is simply how many other people are ahead of you. 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. The process for getting off your cruise ship and going home when the cruise is over has a few more steps you should be aware of. Does Royal Caribbean stay on ship time in ports or local port time ????? Although most people report no problems, there is the opportunity for theft, so you might want to put TSA locks or cable-ties on your bags to secure your belongings. Always ship time. Here are a few key pieces of advice to help you avoid mistakes when disembarking a cruise ship. 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 . 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. A Grand Suite on a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise on Wonder of the Seas departing in June 2024 starts at $7,145 per person, based on double occupancy. Cancellation Policy. The night before disembarkation, a statement of everything you spent on the ship for drinks, specialty restaurants, spa treatments, souvenirs and any other splurges will be placed outside your cabin door. 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. Among the passenger shipping companies leaving from Seattle are CCL-Carnival, Celebrity, HAL-Holland America, NCL-Norwegian, Princess, RCI-Royal Caribbean, Oceania, Lindblad-National Geographic. Moreover, the inspection by local officials is completely out of Royal Caribbean's hands. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises, Q&A with Avoya Travel: Learn How to Turn Your Passion into Success by Becoming an Independent Travel Advisor. All rights reserved. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The gangway remains open throughout the day; passengers can disembark on a rolling basis, at their leisure. Either way, I'm here to walk you through the logistics and tell you all you need to know about cruise ship disembarkation. What's a cruise cabin guarantee and will it save you money? 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. Future Cruise Credits (FCC) Travel Documents. In those cases, I tend to wait an hour or so to let things calm down before proceeding to the gangway. Dont bother getting there early, or youll find yourself milling around, which can be frustrating. The vessel (IMO number 9697753) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000397) and registered in Nassau.History - construction and ownership There's crowds to contend with, along with the logistics of getting passengers and belongings off the ship, local authorities, and more. Find the right card for you. You won't get to cut the line, but you will be assured your luggage is among the first delivered to the cruise terminal. The time needed to walk off the ship is usually pretty steady, especially at Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship terminals. 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. The trick is knowing when that will be. Be aware that these lines can be long. 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. Yes, we have cruised out of San Juan many times. Think of disembarkment syndrome like this: You hear people talking about getting their sea legs during the first days of a cruise. I would guess they'll be an all clear by around 7:00 if not sooner and it is really not far to Sagrada Familia..I would be surprised if you can't get there by 8:30. Tender boats have a limited capacity and it takes time to load them up and then subsequently unload them later. Keep in mind these times are generalizations and it will vary. The day before disembarkation, staff will deliver color- and number-coded luggage tags to your cabin, along with an approximate disembarkation time. Reservations are strongly recommended. 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. No matter which method you have to disembark the ship, you'll need to scan your SeaPass card to show you're off the ship. A couple steps need to be completed first: There is no set time how long each of those steps can take, and that is why answering the question of what time someone can disembark the ship is so difficult. From start to finish, the process usually takes about two to three hours, depending on the size of the ship. These tags are important for both timing and finding your suitcase at the pier. The ship may not always follow local time. The issue here is what time the ship gets cleared, and there's no definitive way to know in advance. You will drive your room stewards crazy if you linger in your cabin beyond the recommended clear-out time. On Explorer last week we changed time 4 times. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Then comes the reality of disembarkation day. Anything from weather to mechanical issues can affect the actual arrival time. Passport card vs book: Which should you choose? This lets you depart the cruise ship when you're ready and save time at the terminal by skipping luggage collection. How long does it take to get off a cruise ship? | Royal Caribbean Blog 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. Video: What's coming to Royal Caribbean in 2020. Royal Caribbean also allows self disembarkation, as do Celebrity, Carnival, and Princess. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. 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. If you chose to have Royal Caribbean take your luggage off the ship for you, then you'll need to wait for your group number to be called. Next, everyone will have an assigned departure lounge and time that corresponds with your tagged luggage, detailed in your As You Depart guide. 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. Note: Times listed are approximate and will vary by sailing and disembarkation location. 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. Luggage Pickup To make things easier and simpler for guests, Royal Caribbean offers to deliver guest luggage to the terminal for pickup. We had booked a private tour and when our tour guide didn't know up 'at the right time' we checked with one of the locals and found out the local time was an hour behind. Just like a port call, your cruise ship will first need to get clearance from local authorities. First, your stateroom attendant will drop off important information in your stateroom. 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. It is not the sadness one feels on the last night of a cruise, as some cruisers joke. Royal Caribbean offers two departure types: Regular and Self-Assist . Do not assume the time listed for your ship to dock at the pier is the time you can actually walk off the ship. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. 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. Anything you don't put in the checked bags -- nightclothes, toiletries, and so on -- must fit in your carry-on. When you book your cruise and it says Grand Cayman 7:30am -4pm & Cozumel 10am - 7pm. This includes: Don't worry if your cruise comes back to another terminal, things will likely still move quick enough. 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. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. You obviously can't disembark before the ship docks. 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. The suite concierge provides so many benefits, and priority disembarkation can be worth its weight in gold if getting off the ship with a minimal wait is important to you. How long does it take to disembark a ship, and can you just walk straight onto the pier? Pro tip: Don't assume you can fix issues after you get off the 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. Occasionally, an issue with clearing the ship delays passenger disembarkation and can create lines. Planning a cruise? 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. What's the earliest time I can get off my cruise ship when it's over? If you are traveling with kids, also look for small stuffed animals or other toys hidden in any linens crumpled on the bed. What time is disembarkation on Royal Caribbean? - Quora 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. When at port ignore the local time as the only time that matters in terms of when the ship sails away is ship time. So, it would say change your time after departing (insert name of port). For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. The entire process will take a few hours to get every single passenger off the ship when the cruise is over. 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. 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. The info about time change shows the clock before the time change, say 1:00am and after the time change 2:00am. If you want to meet your teens later on shore, they will need an adult with them to disembark the ship. For guests who have purchased air, hotel and cruisetour packages through Royal Caribbean, transfers will be provided. Porters will be available to assist during this process. What time do I have to depart a Royal Caribbean cruise ship? Occasionally cruise ports are on public transit lines, but check before you choose this option to make sure you won't be hauling heavy luggage farther than expected. 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. Another option is to extend your trip by a day or more before flying back. I recommend nothing earlier than 11 a.m. for most sailings later if you're flying internationally. That makes following disembarkation instructions even more important. Her favorite cities include London; Amsterdam; Krakow, Poland; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Dawson City, Yukon; and anywhere known for outstanding pizza and theater. There is a reason cruise lines recommend guests not book flights home before noon. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Private transfers or tour guides can also pick up passengers at the terminal. Powered by Invision Community. Buses will be parked just outside the terminal, and port staff can direct you to the correct one. (The last one is particularly helpful in ports where tendering is required.). It is up to the Captain. The compass then explains that the time change is completed after you have departed a specific port. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. If you don't have a watch, but a cheap one at K-Mart, Target, Wal-Mart or somewhere. Most cruise ships are cleared for passengers to debark between 7 and 9 a.m., depending on their arrival time. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, What to Expect on a Cruise: How to Disembark the Ship. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. 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. The disembarkation process is not like checking out of a hotel. What time do you disembark a cruise ship? Check the open hours before you go because breakfast venues will likely be serving meals on a different schedule on the last day of the cruise. ;) You will be told the night before to change your watches to GC timeMaureen. On the final morning of a cruise experience in most countries all guests must leave the ship before the guests joining the next cruise can board. Most other lines allow it if arranged in advance. There will be plenty of taxis available to take you to the airport. On the Explorer to Bermuda this year the ship changed time to match Bermuda. The fastest option is if your ship can dock at a pier. Kind of a bummer because we want to do 7-mile Beach too, but it might be tough depending on the time. Contact Us Get support by Phone or Email 866-562-7625 Email Your Questions Locate a Travel Agent The group numbers correspond to your luggage tag number. Try not to get too sad about the end of your delightful cruise vacation. We managed to do our tour, but had to cut the last stop short in order to make it back to the last tender. It's nearly impossible to get cruise line land staff to fix onboard billing mistakes. Do I need to tip crew members before I disembark? 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. The 24 hours before you disembark your cruise -- the point at which you get off the ship -- comes with a flurry of instructions. On voyage-conclusion days, also called turnaround days, passengers are asked to vacate their cabins between 8 and 8:30 a.m. so stewards can begin cleaning them for the next round of cruisers. You should always budget several hours to both disembark the ship, reach the airport and deal with checking in, checking luggage for your flight, and clearing security. Hi Maureen, yea the filthy infidel thread was good for a few laughs, seems like the funny threads always get pulled. Note that some countries, such as Costa Rica, levy a departure tax on everyone leaving from the airport. When a number is called, it means all the luggage for that number are ready to be picked up in the cruise terminal. PROTOCOLS UPDATE: VACCINATION & TESTING NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR MOST GUESTS. Throw in the change of daylight savings time and who knows as some islands change for this and some don't! Royal Caribbean offers two departure types: Regular and Self-Assist. The last night is typically casual and some cruisers find it easiest to wear the same clothes off the ship the next morning. 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. has spent more than 15 years writing about travel, with particular emphasis on cruises. 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. Enchantment started on EST, then switched to CST after leaving Key West for Cozumel and Belize, then switched back to EST on the last night coming back to Ft. Lauderdale. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. Does that mean if we arrive in Grand Cayman at 8am ship time it is actually 7 in GC? Miami (Florida) cruise port schedule | CruiseMapper See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. You can bring in more, but youll have to pay the taxes.

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