Disembarkation What Am I Doing Wrong?

[biomedbob]

There is no way to predict.

 

We are new to cruising......We've seen people in crutches trying to take 4 bags and a grand piano off the ship on self assist.

 

The elevator to the disembark deck is always crowded, go a deck down and come up the stairs.

 

Recently, Nov. 2014, Dawn in Tampa, someone pissed off customs..it was 5 hours to get off the ship.

 

Good luck when dealing with the government! :)

Edited September 22, 2015 by biomedbob

[BonTexasNY]

I've heard several people say that Galveston is a nightmare. Why?? I know my cousin had a problem in July. Stood in line for 1 1/2 hours to get off and it was extremely hot. Is there no air conditioning in the terminal? We were considering a cruise out of Galveston, but decided on FL instead.

 

We were told on two separate occasions in Galveston that passengers go thru a more rigorous passport inspection with the Roatan/Belize itinerary. It might also depend on how many passport agents there are at any one given time.

 

The only 2 times we had to wait approx. 2 hours in Galveston was in Jan., so don't know about air conditioning. Both had the R/B itinerary. Three others didn't, and we were out of the terminal those times within 20 minutes.

 

I wouldn't NOT cruise out of Galveston since I live in driving distance BUT you have to be forewarned and just go with the flow. Others have said they breeze thru customs in minutes. I guess it's hit or miss. If you come a day or two earlier there's lots to do so give it a chance!

 

[KroozFoolz]

I am getting off Breeze in FLL and need to get to an early flight in Miami. This will be a Sunday. I plan on self walk off. If Im one of the first grouping to get off, would you advise using a porter?

 

Thanks so much to you and all!

 

I think Carnival Breeze sails from Miami, not Fort Lauderdale.

[Jenjer]

Porters are for anybody who wants them. They are not just for passengers who are physically disabled. Porters do not come onto the ship and can not escort someone off the ship. They help in the luggage area and thru customs.

 

We usually self disembark but if we can't we get the first porter we can and they really do help. They seem to know what line to get in to get thru fast. Remember they are not making money while you are waiting in customs. They want to help you out of the customs area and go back for another guest. The more people they help the more tips they make.

[JBoshears]

So now there should be limitations on who can get a porter?

 

 

I don't know about that, but on our last debark from Allure, my husband was using a cane because he got hurt in Cozumel. They pulled us out of the regular line, and sent us down an elevator. When it opened, there were several porters standing there. One helped us find our luggage and got us through customs quick. We didn't even know porters were available, and they were truly a Godsend for us that day. I'm happy they were available to assist us.