Very early disembarkation question

[Gary908]

We are looking at a cruise that ends with an overnight in Lisbon. In looking at the airline schedules, we've discovered that the return flights all leave at either 5:00am or 5:45am in order to make a connection at another European airport. This means we would need to disembark during the night. Is this possible even if we manage our own bags? Has anyone else run into this situation?

[richwmn]

We are looking at a cruise that ends with an overnight in Lisbon. In looking at the airline schedules, we've discovered that the return flights all leave at either 5:00am or 5:45am in order to make a connection at another European airport. This means we would need to disembark during the night. Is this possible even if we manage our own bags? Has anyone else run into this situation?

I do not have personal experience with this, however it has been reported here that if your cruise overnights at the desembark port you can leave any time after the ship docks. So the answer is most likely yes.

[navybankerteacher]

A five AM flight within Europe means getting to the airport between 3:00 and 4:00 AM - so wouldn't you prefer debarking the evening before and spending the night at an airport hotel to finding transport at 1:00-2:00 AM?

[RuthC]

With flights starting that early in the morning, HAL may very well be starting disembarkation early so people can get to the airport on time to make those flights. You would do well to inquire in advance.

On a cruise where we overnighted in Singapore, and flights back to the US started at 6:00 AM, HAL had that covered. Even breakfast was served extra early, and ship transfers were available.

[CruiserBruce]

A five AM flight within Europe means getting to the airport between 3:00 and 4:00 AM - so wouldn't you prefer debarking the evening before and spending the night at an airport hotel to finding transport at 1:00-2:00 AM?

 

I like this idea...

[3rdGenCunarder]

A five AM flight within Europe means getting to the airport between 3:00 and 4:00 AM - so wouldn't you prefer debarking the evening before and spending the night at an airport hotel to finding transport at 1:00-2:00 AM?

 

That's what I would do. I don't function well at extremely early hours, so the simpler the move the better.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I would not risk whether HAL has port officials to allow passengers off the ship that early in the morning.

Get off the ship when the ship docks in Lisbon and stay in a hotel overnight.

[RuthC]

If you do decide you want to leave the ship the day/night before, make arrangements with HAL in advance. You have to be sure all the Customs/Immigration requirements are fulfilled, and there may need to be some authority at the ship to complete this.

[blizzardboy]

The other obvious solution is to relax in Lisbon for the day, get a room and some sleep, then head to the airport whenever appropriate.

[WeRockChalkKU]

We have the same situation in Copenhagen - we have an overnight in port and then we are flying to Switzerland with an 8am flight. We called HAL before we booked the flight and they said it wasn't a problem. We just need to notify reception/front desk after we embark. It's apparently a fairly common request.

Yes, we get a little less sleep on board but think it will be a much less hectic way to disembark versus having to disembark with "the masses".