Is dismbarcation still a mess? any experiences in Galveston?

[happy cruzer]

We have not cruised in awhile but the last times on Carnival the disembarcation was a mess. Lots of people blocking all the passageways and stairways with lots of big pieces of luggage. Seems like they stopped breakfast service early and wanted you out of cabin so people just sat anywhere.

 

How do they organize it now? Thanks.

[BoDidly]

Far worse than it use to be . Unless you are a Diamond ,Platinum ,FTTF victim. And the elevators are still crammed full of the, I am first syndrome people.

[springs741]

It is a mess because your fellow cruisers make it so. When you have Diamond and Plat passengers go to guest services and ask for 8 or 10 addition zone 1 tags to give out to their extended family. Or you have people that post, "just get off when you want no one looks at your zone tag." The debarkation area become overwhelmed with passengers. And Carnival can only announce so many time please do not come to deck three until your zone is called. It does become a mess and it is not just Galveston. We have learned to go to breakfast early, return to our stateroom until 8:30 or 9:00 depending on the ship, Then find a comfortable area and relax. When we hear the last zone being call we make out way off the ship. Our luggage is super easy to find and most of the long lines are gone. It is a nice calm debark for us.

[rufflesmom]

Yes they do want you out of the cabins. They ALL need to be cleaned for the people coming onboard for the next week. And they need to get breakfast cleaned up so they can start preparing for lunch. I have left out of Galveston many timesAnd it isn't Carnival's fault people don't listen to the announcements. The fault lies with the cruisers, all thinking they have to get off first. I actually think they have made improvements in Galveston. Last year when we got off the Breeze they have some of the elevators blocked off and some hallways. It seemed really organized as well. And just an FYI, traveling with a passport reduces the amount of time it takes to get thru customs once you are in the terminal.

[ldalvarado]

We disembarked in Galveston this past Thursday. We were FTTF and did self-assist so it was less of a mess, but they still had the priority folks crammed in the dining room awkwardly, and then announced Platinum and Diamond could leave. Of course, they were all trapped in the back and had to maneuver around everyone else crowding the door. The staff was making a half-hearted attempt at keeping the walkway areas of deck 3 clear, but it looked like the messy disembarkation would proceed as usual per my last 2 Carnival cruises. If we hadn't had to get my DH to work, we would have done as @springs741 did and hung on until the last minute (even slept in some!)

[happy cruzer]

Thanks for the information. Sounds like there is no "update", same process that ends up in a mess. We usually do the self disembarcation with very little luggage but we never can move through the passageways and stairs because of the crowds sitting with their luggage.

 

Other lines do organize it a bit better. The systems all get gamed but Carnival's seems the messiest. Princess (If I remember right) does a no announcements disembarcation. You are assigned an area to go to like one of the lounges. The you stay there until an employee says that your area has been called. It may not be faster but at least the passageways stay unblocked.

 

Thanks everyone, we will know what to expect and stay calm, everyone always gets off somehow :).

[BoDidly]

Thanks for the information. Sounds like there is no "update", same process that ends up in a mess. We usually do the self disembarcation with very little luggage but we never can move through the passageways and stairs because of the crowds sitting with their luggage.

 

Other lines do organize it a bit better. The systems all get gamed but Carnival's seems the messiest. Princess (If I remember right) does a no announcements disembarcation. You are assigned an area to go to like one of the lounges. The you stay there until an employee says that your area has been called. It may not be faster but at least the passageways stay unblocked.

Thanks everyone, we will know what to expect and stay calm, everyone always gets off somehow :).

Do enjoy that cruise . :D Wait until the call last call and walk off the ship .

[love the holliday]

We have been out of Texas 3 times in the last 5 years and it was always easy as can be. ??