12 Tips for a Smooth Cruise Disembarkation Day

Cruise disembarkation day marks the end of our time on the cruise ship. Sadly, we do have to get off the ship at some point. There are some tips and options you should know to make the disembarkation day process smoother.

Sigh, disembarkation day.

Cruise disembarkation day is basically a travel day. You’re either going to travel home, travel to another destination, or perhaps extend your cruise by a few days in the home port or nearby destination.

This day is usually an afterthought because we refuse to start thinking about the end of our cruise vacation during our cruise planning days. Unlike embarkation day which is full of excitement, disembarkation day is not our favorite day.

Not only do we have to leave behind the luxuries of the cruise ship, but you have to figure out the logistics of disembarking, going through immigration, and then transportation to the airport.

If there is one thing about disembarkation day we can all agree on, it is that we want to disembark the cruise ship as quickly and efficiently as possible and without any problems.

There are a few things you can do to make disembarkation day smoother and less stressful. In this article, we will discuss tips and options for cruise disembarkation day!

Cruise Disembarkation Day

What is the disembarkation process?

The cruise disembarkation process is when all the passengers have to leave the cruise ship and go through customs. Usually, the disembarkation happens in groups.

1. Depending on the cruise line and their disembarkation process, a disembarkation time is assigned to you or you choose your own time. Color-coded luggage tags matching that group time will be provided or you will need to pick them up near guest services (NCL has them by the guest services desk). You can also choose to do self-disembarkation.
2. If you choose not to do self-disembarkation day, pack your luggage the night before and leave it outside your cabin door before midnight.
3. On disembarkation day, the disembarkation process usually starts at around 8 am. Usually, passengers with priority disembarkation and airport transfers sponsored by the cruise will be called first, followed by self-disembarkation and then color-coded groups.
4. Once your group is called, you will disembark the ship.
5. You will go through security and then immigration. After that, you can retrieve your luggage from the baggage claim area.

Tips for Disembarkation Day

Tip # 1: Book Your Return Flights No Earlier Than Noon

Part of your planning your cruise is booking your flights to and from the cruise port city. We recommend booking your return flights for noon or later on disembarkation day.

You MAY be able to book a flight that leaves as early as 11 am, but that really will depend on how far the airport is from the cruise port.

Cruise ships are almost always on time at port and they start disembarking between 7 am and 8 am, depending on what is on your itinerary. However, sometimes there can be delays.

It’s better to be safe than sorry and book a later flight so you’re not rushing to disembark the cruise ship, go through customs, and get to the airport on time.

Tip # 2: Choose to Do Self-Disembarkation

What is self-disembarkation? It’s when you disembark the cruise ship on your own without the help of the cruise staff.

To do this, do not place your luggage outside of your cabin the night before and keep it with you. You’ll be able to disembark early as self-disembarkation is one of the first groups called.

You don’t have to run to get off when called either, but you’ll be able to disembark at your leisure and not have to wait or look for your luggage at baggage claim. You can go straight through immigration and exit the terminal.

This is usually our preference. But keep in mind how much luggage you can manage on your own.

Tip # 3: Check Your Bill Throughout the Cruise

Be sure to check your bill every day or so during the cruise. This way if there are any discrepancies, you can have them fixed before disembarkation day. It’s much harder to fix things on disembarkation day with everything that’s going on.

You’ll want to avoid the long lines you’ll find at guest services the night before disembarkation day. The morning of disembarkation day is even worse.

Tip # 4: Don’t Wait Till Disembarkation Day to Pack

If you’re taking your own luggage off the ship, start packing your luggage the night before disembarkation day. This way you’re not rushed in the morning and you can take your time to double-check that you have everything.

Tip # 5: Don’t Forget to Take All of Your Belongings

This seems like an obvious tip, but it’s one that people often forget. Be sure to double-check your room for anything you may have left behind. It’s easy to forget things when you’re packing up and getting ready to leave.

Check under the bed, in the closets, and in the drawers.

Tip # 6: Have Breakfast

Before disembarking the cruise ship, try to have some breakfast. Even though you’re about to get off the cruise ship, this last breakfast is still included and part of your cruise vacation.

• This is a good opportunity to have one last meal in the main dining room if it’s open.
• Visit the buffet.
• You can order room service if it’s available on the last day. At least have them deliver coffee and pastries, bright and early. Use it as a wake-up call to start getting ready.

Cruise Tip: The last cruise daily for disembarkation day will be delivered to your room the night before. Give the daily a quick look and see what’s open for breakfast disembarkation day morning. Depending on the ship, they may have other things open besides the standard buffet and then plan accordingly.

Tip # 7: Have Your Cruise Card Available

Your cruise isn’t over until you have signed out with your cruise card. As you disembark, be sure to have your cruise card with you and available so they can scan it.

You can keep the cruise card as a memento.

Tip # 8: Be Prepared for Customs

Be prepared for customs by having your passport or other government identification ready for a customs patrol agent to check on your way.

In some cases, the night before you may also be asked to fill out a disembarkation form that will ask for your name, address, and other basic information. You would hand that over to the customs patrol, as well.

Tip # 9: Book an Airport Transfer with the Cruise Line

When you book your flights, book an airport transfer with the cruise line.

The benefit of booking an airport transfer with the cruise line is that it’s organized by the cruise line and they work with the disembarkation process.

You will be given a time and place to meet on the ship with other cruises that purchased the transfer. Then be one of the first groups escorted off the ship. The airport transfer will be there and ready to pick you up and take you to the airport.

If you book a private airport transfer or take a taxi, they may not be as familiar with the disembarkation process and they may not show up on time or show up too early.

For example, if your disembarkation time gets delayed, they will know and adjust their timing. With a taxi or private transfer, you may have to call them and tell them the new disembarkation time, which can be a hassle.

Tip # 10: Consider a City Tour for Late Flights

Sometimes we can’t avoid booking a late flight out of the disembarkation port city. Nobody wants to sit around the airport for hours at a time waiting for a flight.

If your flight is in the afternoon or evening, consider booking a half-day city tour with the cruise line. This way you can disembark the cruise ship, go on a tour of the city, and then be dropped off at the airport in time for your flight.

Your luggage comes with you on the tour and is safely put away until you are dropped off at the airport.

If you have no choice but to wait at the airport for more than 4 hours, consider purchasing a lounge pass for the day. Lounges are a more comfortable way to spend days passing time in the airport. There is comfortable seating, work stations, food, and drinks included which are just a few of the lounge amenities. If you have a credit card that offers you lounge access, take advantage.

Tip #11: Late Departure Flight? Rent a Car for Half a Day

Another option if your flight is in the afternoon or evening is to disembark the cruise ship, rent a car for half a day, and explore on your own. We’ve done this multiple times.

We look for the closest car rental agencies near the cruise port and book a rental car for the day. We’ll disembark the cruise, and grab a quick uber or taxi to the car rental agency. Sometimes we can even walk there.

This sometimes turns out to be way cheaper than a tour offered by the cruise line. Especially if it’s more than two people in your group. We get to spend our morning and afternoon as we wish with our luggage stored away safely in the trunk of the car. Then drive to the airport to drop off the car and then take our flight.

Tip # 12: Consider Using Luggage Valet Service

If your cruise line offers luggage valet service, consider booking this in advance for disembarkation day. With this service, everything from the flight check-in process and your luggage are taken care of for you.

You will receive a boarding pass and luggage tags from the airline, ready to go. You just have to put your luggage outside the night before disembarkation day and they will take care of the rest.

You won’t have to worry about dragging your luggage around with you as you disembark the cruise ship and go through customs. You won’t see your luggage again until you land back at your home airport.

Cruise Tip: Don’t forget to leave out clothes and anything you’ll need to get ready on the morning of disembarkation day. You don’t want to wake up realizing that you packed it all away in your luggage and end up having to wear pajamas to get off the ship. Keep a small carry-on bag with you with necessities.

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