How long does it take to disembark in a port of call

We taking a Caribbean cruise on Jewel of the Seas in December and want to book an independent excursion in one of the ports. We are scheduled to dock at 8:00 AM. The excursions says it will pick up at the cruise dock in the arrival lobby at 8:30 and they will only wait until 8:45. Is this enough time to disembark?

Fair question as we assume you are new at the cruise game :). Since you did not tell us which port (and it does matter) we will speak in generalities. You need to know whether your ship is docking or tendering (most ports are docking). If you are docking, and you dock on time, they will start allowing passengers to leave the ship approximately 20 (plus or minus) after docking. The private excursion companies and guides know this better then you (they meet ships every day) so not to worry. 8:45 should be fine as long as you get yourself moving early...and are not among the last to leave the ship. The rules change (in a big way) for tender ports.

We would add that we used to love RCI and the Jewel was one of our favorite ships (took here across the Atlantic one year). And I believe their southern Caribbean itineraries have no tender ports...so not to worry.

Hank

As long as it's not a tender port, you should have to problem. :)

Thanks for the reply. This is at the St. Lucia port. Do you know if that is a tender port?

You'll be docking in St. Lucia! :)

You should be ok. Just be in line and ready to depart the ship when they start.

It's just like walking out of a hotel! Leave when you're ready!

Never had to use my room key at security to exit a hotel. Typically neither the ship's procedure nor the host country's customs and immigration are quick and easy once they permit getting off the ship.

Never had to use my room key at security to exit a hotel. Typically neither the ship's procedure nor the host country's customs and immigration are quick and easy once they permit getting off the ship.

Trying to understand your post. We've been to over 100 countries (probably more then 50 on cruises) and with the exception of Russia and Tunesia,,,,we cannot recall local immigration/customs even bothering passengers debarking a cruise ship. And in the Caribbean (where the OP is going) the only ports where there might even be a hint of interference by officials are the US ports of St Thomas and San Juan...and even that is unusual. The norm is that you simply have your cruise card swiped as you leave the ship (this allows the ship to keep track of who is on and off their vessel) and then you are free to go as you please.

If you are trying to draw a comparison to hotels, you might consider that a hotel does not have an interest in knowing who is in the hotel and who is not. A cruise ship, on the other hand, needs this info so they know the total number of souls aboard (this is a safety issue and impacts the minimum crew complement required to be aboard when in ports) and also needs to be aware if anyone is missing....before they leave the port. Hotels could care less about these issues.

Hank

You dock at St. Lucia. 45 minutes should be plenty of time.

Thanks all!! Sounds like we are good to go.

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From your other post, all of the ports of call you will be calling on are docking ports of call. No tender ports. You will be off and on the ship very quickly.