Leaving on Carnival cruise this upcoming Saturday - self-debark or not?

Question

I have read horror stories both ways on cruise websites. I would like to get the opinions of my fellow Y!Aers. Do you suggest self-debarking after a cruise or doing the assisted debarking? Thanks!

Answer 1

Disembarking is not that bad. Its a lot easier than embarking. It make take a while, but its well worth it.

Depending on the time of your flight you can leave the ship earlier and beat the crowd. Its a great thing.

Carnival cruise is every nice, you'll really enjoy yourself.

Answer 2

I just went on my first carnival cruise in Feb of this year. Had a great time! My husband and I disembarked by ourselves and had no problem at all. Much better than waiting for your colored ticket to be called! We also had a hotel taxi that we had to catch at a certain time and did not want to miss it so we didn't want to sit around and wait. Have fun!

Answer 3

It's extremely easy. You are assigned a group and wait until that number is called, have your Sail & Sign card along with your passport and Customs declaration (filled out). They look at your passport, scan your Sail & Sign, and once you're off the boat a Customs agent takes your form and you are free to claim your luggage (placed in the area with your corresponding group number) and head out.

Oh, if you're in San Diego, there's a really good cafe right across the street from the port (it's sort of tucked away in front of a big Holiday Inn).

Answer 4

Disembarkation is a part of each cruise.  And like aircraft travel, it's somewhat a personal choice.  My own philosophy is that you get the same seat on an aircraft if you are first or last to board (unless you fly Southwest).  What is the rush?

I've been on 9 cruises, and never had the self-debark option, but I did have one cruise where I totally overslept on the last night, missed breakfast, and when I was dressed and out my group had gone!  My luggage was very easy to find, and I grabbed it, sailed through customs, and took the next bus to the airport.

Now, for your options... well, what exactly is your hurry to get off the ship?  I'd prefer late disembarkation.  Get up, have a nice full breakfast, have a book or MP3 player or personal DVD (or the wife/husband and kids and some playing cards or something) and relax.  If you need to catch an aircraft, your only reason to get off early is to make a flight.  In most cases, you are better off booking a later flight, getting off leisurely, finding a local place to have a nice lunch, then going to the airport.  Once you get to the airport, you'll just repeat the time spent on the cruise ship, except they probably have fewer and less comfortable seats.  Cruise ships  will play a movie or news for you while you wait.  Airports usually have airport CNN as the only option.

If you drive to the seaport, getting off earlier makes more sense - you can go home.  But there is a big gotcha - you are the last to depart the ship.  In this case, self-debark makes more sense; the earlier you can get out, the faster you can drive home.  Customs will take longer, but you are free faster as well.

If you have any physical aliments (cane, walker, wheelchair, etc.) do assisted.  Otherwise I really think you should enjoy your last moments on the ship and go for the more relaxed exit.

Answer 5

it depends on ur flight etc..if u have an evening flight enjoy the free breakfast till ur name is called. you can not leave until customs clear it anyways and it is the other passangers not the cruise lines that make it worst

Answer 6

If you are handicapped and use a wheelchair, use the assisted "debarking".  If you are able to walk, you do not need assistance.

Disembarking (not debarking) is not a rough procedure.  It may take a little while but you will have had a wonderful cruise, so just relax.

Answer 7

I gotta tell ya, I am NEVER in a big hurry to get off the ship.  I hear the call for the "self-debarkers" at 7:00AM and I cringe.

I always book my homebound flights for after noon, so there is no hurry.  I love to get up, shower, have a last wonderful breakfast then find a comfortable chair to people watch or read or just walk around the public areas of the ship.  I always debark reluctantly.

Some folks fall right back into the daily grind as soon as the ship is tied to the dock...they are in a hurry to get back into it....those are usually the self-debarkers.  Not me.  I don't wanna go back.....  Besides, I HATE juggling luggage...I certainly don't want to schlepp it all around the ship just to get off an hour or so early.