If I have the tag color, that disembarks first; How long does it take disembarkation?

Question

If I have the tag color, that disembarks first; How long does it take disembarkation?

Answer 1

About half way through your cruise your cabin attendant will leave you a "Disembarkation Questionnaire". This form asks you to indicate what your plans are after leaving the ship. For example, did you purchase airfare and transfers from the cruise line, did you buy your own airfare - what time is your flight, is someone picking you up, is your car parked at the pier . . . and on and on...

Depending upon your response, you will be given colored tags to place on your luggage when you put it out in the hall the night before your cruise ends.

On the day of departure you will be called off the ship by the color of your luggage tag, as the cruise line has timed and staggerard your departure based on the "urgency" of your plans (flight times, tours...).

Once off the ship you first go through immigration then you will find your luggage lined-up under the color of the tag. You will then proceed through customs.

The longest part of the entire process is waiting for the ship to call your color. After that the it takes about 20 minutes.

Many cruise lines have instituted a wonderful new program that allows you to carry your own luggage off the ship (if you can!) and depart anytime you're ready. That's one of the options you can check-off on the questionnaire - we did it in October because we had an early flight - it worked like a charm.

I hope this information is helpful. Bon Voyage.

Answer 2

If you are in the first group to disembark, you will be allowed to depart the ship once it has been cleared by customs and immigration authorities.  This however is clearance for the ship to begin disembarking passengers - not your personal clearance from customs and immigration.  Most times, the ship receives this clearance fairly quickly, however every so often something causes this clearance to be delayed...

Your actual disembarkation from the ship at this point can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the speed and thoroughness of the customs and immigration folks screening passengers.  This is where I've always encountered my biggest delays.  Typically you'll clear immigration prior to retrieving your bags (unless you're doing a self help disembarkation and carrying your bags with you).  After retrieving your bags you'll head to customs.  Immigration can take a while, but customs is usually quick - that is unless you're selected for a random spot check.

Answer 3

You can opt out of having them come get your luggage completely.  If you don't want the hassle of going and searching for your luggage, you can carry your own luggage off the ship.  That is the best way to disembark cause you can disembark when you want instead of waiting for your color tag to be called and you can just go get into the taxi or whatever and be on your way, instead of being hung up at the luggage building waiting and searching for your luggage.  I've done it both ways and it's much better to carry your own off the ship.

Answer 4

it will depend on your cruise line or some cruise lines have disembark  by yourself