Top 10 Tips For Cruise Disembarkation

10 Disembarkation Tips You Need To Know Before Your Cruise

We know all too well that sad feeling when disembarkation day arrives after a fantastic cruise holiday, and you may try to avoid thinking about having to leave your ship altogether. However, there are several things we recommend doing to make sure your disembarkation runs as smoothly as possible, ending your holiday on a high. 

Remember, the crew on your ship will be busy helping thousands of guests to disembark, get correctly re-acquainted with their luggage and proceed through customs seamlessly, so following specific cruise line procedures and having patience will make the latter part of your cruise a little easier.

To make disembarkation day as quick and simple as possible, read on to discover our top 10 tips for disembarking your ship at the end of your cruise holiday.

1. Allow Enough Time To Catch Flights

Disembarkation can take longer than you might imagine, sometimes with a few hours between arrival at port and leaving the ship. Make sure you take this time into consideration when booking your flights home, allowing enough time to disembark and get to the airport.

If you're unsure, speak to your cruise line or cruise agent, who will be able to advise you on the best flight options.

2. Have Important Documents To Hand

Once you have disembarked your ship, you'll be guided to the cruise terminal to collect your luggage. Afterwards, you'll need to pass through customs, so have your passport and any other important documents ready for inspection.

This will make the process much quicker for you- and everyone else!

3. Be Aware Of Disembarkation Timelines

Although your ship may arrive in port early in the morning, this doesn’t mean you’ll be able to disembark straight away. Protocols at customs may mean you could remain onboard for several more hours, so there’s no need to rush around first thing. 

Your approximate disembarkation time will be provided towards the end of your cruise. Stick to this time, as getting there early won't make the process any faster, and you'll most likely end up waiting around.

4. Hold On To Your Key Card

Don’t discard your key card or cruise ID on the day of disembarkation. You'll need this for one final swipe as you leave the ship, checking you out for one last time.

Once you have disembarked, the card or cruise ID will be deactivated and you're free to abandon it if you wish- although it does make for a nice souvenir of your trip!

5. Check Your Cabin Carefully

When packing to return home, make sure you haven’t left anything in forgettable places in your cabin such as drawers, wardrobes and the balcony. Most importantly, don’t forget to check the safe, where your passport and any valuables may have been stored!

With the ship's crew cleaning the cabin once you have left, it can be very tricky to find anything you've accidentally left behind.

6. Consider Self-assisted Disembarkation

If you're travelling light, it may be worth opting for self-assisted disembarkation. This means that you'll keep your luggage in your cabin with you until the morning and carry it off the ship yourself.

The advantage of self-assisted disembarkation is that you're usually given the all-clear to leave the ship first – handy if you want to catch an early flight. However, do remember there will be stairs and gangways for you to negotiate while carrying your luggage.

7. Remember Your Luggage Tags

Your cruise line will provide you with colour-coded luggage tags if they are handling your baggage for disembarkation. These tags are usually delivered to your cabin towards the end of your cruise holiday.

Don’t forget your colour code, as this usually indicates the area where you'll pick up your luggage from in the terminal.

8. Pack Any Alcohol Carefully In Your Hold Luggage

If you have bought bottles of wine or spirits from the onboard shops or in port, they are usually delivered back to you on your last day of the cruise. 

Pack these securely in your hold luggage so they can be safely brought onto your onward flight, or whatever mode of transport you are taking next.

9. Get Packed & Prepared The Night Before

Cruise lines often ask guests to vacate their cabins first thing in the morning on the final day, allowing them to prepare the rooms for their next guests. You're also normally asked to pack your bags and leave your luggage outside your cabin the night before- if you aren't opting to handle this yourself in the morning.

Decide what you’ll need on disembarkation day and set it aside before packing your luggage. Remember to keep out things you’ll need to get ready in the morning, such as your toothbrush, toiletries, spare clothes, and underwear. Remember, it may be several hours or more before you see your luggage again at the terminal, so keep aside things such as books or children’s toys to keep you and your family entertained.

At the terminal, you can put items that cannot remain in your hand luggage when flying, such as liquids, back into your suitcase.

10. Check Your Cruise Bill Sooner Rather Than Later

At the end of your cruise, you’ll receive a statement detailing everything you’ve spent that has been charged to your onboard account. This amount will automatically be taken from your credit card or debit account on the day of disembarkation. 

It’s worth checking this statement as early as possible. Disembarkation day is very busy, and you could face long queues at guest services if you leave any queries until the last minute. Some cruise lines now provide access to this information via their cruise app. Alternatively, you can ask for a printout in advance.

Hopefully, these top tips for cruise disembarkation have put your mind at ease. Remember that cruise line staff are there to help, so if you ever feel unsure or have any questions about the disembarkation process for your cruise, be sure to ask a friendly face for some clarity.

If you have any further queries about disembarkation, along with any other part of the cruise holiday process, please get in touch with our cruise specialists, who will be happy to help.