Question about luggage tag colors and leaving the ship

[lovethesun58]

Just wondering....we've always left the ship when our color was called only to end up sitting in the airport for 3-4 1/2 hours. We use the ship to airport transfer on the bus so we figured we had to leave the ship when our color was called. Is it possible to be among the last passengers leaving the ship and still have a bus there that will take you to the airport? Or should we forget about the transfer and just take a taxi?

Cherie

[SailingDoug]

Have you thought of a post cruise tour? We did this in Miami, we took a wonderful south beach tour and they took us to the Airport.

[TrentS]

Yes, if you have a late flight and want to be the last group off you can go to the Purser's office and request the last color... As far as the cruise line transfer goes, do yourself a favor and forget those things even exist! ALWAYS grab a cab, it's just so much easier than being crammed into a bus, spending so much time waiting for others, etc.

[lovethesun58]

SailingDoug and TrentS,

Thanks so much for the suggestions and advice. My husband is usually ready to go home after the cruise and hasn't been willing to do a post cruise tour. ( I'd rather vacation as long as possible) I will definately ask the purser for the last color. Thanks--didn't know that was an option.

Cherie

[KamloopsCruisers]

Even if your color is not for the last group you do not have to leave immediately when they call your color. When they call your color, this is the earliest time that you can depart the ship. You're welcome to find a nice quiet place to hang out and then leave when with the last passengers. This makes finding your luggage especially easy too. :D Always lots of cabs in the pier area, so not to worry about hitching a ride to the airport.

 

That said, even if you leave with the last group, you will probably be off by ship by 11:00 a.m. or so.

[MAGNUM PI]

Always take a cab/forget a transfer. When we disembarked last week at San Juan, we merely took a taxi to the airport. The taxi "dispatcher" hails the proper size taxi vehicle, for your group, and provides you with a written cost slip. As we drove away, I counted dozens of taxis-in line-just waiting for passengers. For the 6 of us, and 8 large suitcases, the cost was $25.

 

When we arrived at the San Juan airport, we saw a large group of people, waiting for their luggage to be unloaded, from one of the transfer groups.

 

We merely walked into the airport-with luggage in hand. No long delays.

 

As far as your "color group", it didn't seem to make any difference, on last week's Serenade cruise. A TV video presentation, advised not to disembark-until your color was called-"because your luggage will not be there". That simply is not true, IMO. There was absolutely no monitoring as to what color group-a person had-when disembarking. All of the luggage was in the terminal. So, I feel that it is strictly on the honor system, to try and create a smooth disembarkation.

 

If you want to stay longer on your ship, no one will care, or even notice, IMO.

[springtxbill]

Sleep late until the last minute you have to be out of your room, go get a leisurely breakfast and then find that quite spot until they kick you off and then get a cab. :)

[pltag]

A TV video presentation, advised not to disembark-until your color was called-"because your luggage will not be there". That simply is not true, IMO.

Whether this is true or not depends on your pier. In San Juan (Pan American Pier) they still use the "old" method with all the bags lined up in one giant room. So, you can find your bags no matter when you get off. However the pier in Miami now uses a conveyer system similar to baggage claim at an airport and the bags ARE placed on the belts as the colors are called.

 

Just tell the pursors desk when you want to get off. They will give you the appropriate color tag. :)

[pltag]

A TV video presentation, advised not to disembark-until your color was called-"because your luggage will not be there". That simply is not true, IMO.

Whether this is true or not depends on your pier. In San Juan (Pan American Pier) they still use the "old" method with all the bags lined up in one giant room. So, you can find your bags no matter when you get off. However the pier in Miami now uses a conveyer system similar to baggage claim at an airport and the bags ARE placed on the belts as the colors are called.

 

Just tell the pursors desk when you want to get off. They will give you the appropriate color tag. :)