We self assist and our friends do not

[Sherun]

We are considering cruising with another couple and would be driving to port. We like to self assist when departing and the couple we would be traveling with most likely physically cannot. If we are the ones driving, would they be able to be to get off early with us and still be able to get their luggage down in the terminal? 

[Shaded Lady]

I believe the answer is no... the reason they let you off early is because you have your luggage, and the extra time doing that gives them the time to unload the luggage and have it prepared for the first debarkation zone to collect.

 

Having said that, you can always ask at Guest Services and see what they say, just don't be disappointed if they say no.

 

Another alternative could be for you to debark, go get the car and meet them at the port when they have their luggage...

[ZoeyVictoria]

You could self-assist, head to the car, and be ready to pick them up once they get off at their scheduled time and have a porter assist with their luggage.  I did this once with my SO and it worked out well.  I called him as soon as the porter escorted me to the pick up area, and my SO was there in just a minute or two to pick me up.

[keywest1]

Another alternative would be for all to have breakfast in the MDR and find a nice spot to chill until the masses are off the ship.  Unless you have priority self-assist (P/D or FTTF), we have found it to be a free for all.  If they aren't physically able to carry their own luggage, would they have difficulty with the long waits for elevators and lines to go through Customs?   

Getting off the ship later would cost you some drive time, but it might make for a more pleasant end to your cruise.

[groundloop]

2 hours ago, keywest1 said:

Another alternative would be for all to have breakfast in the MDR and find a nice spot to chill until the masses are off the ship.  .......

 

^^^THIS^^^^^  

 

On a previous cruise we had something scheduled for the afternoon on the day we got back, so had a bunch of time to kill.  We had a leisurely breakfast then found a table near the pool and played cards until they kicked us off the ship.  There were no lines getting off the ship, no lines getting our bags, no lines going through customs, and no lines getting out of the parking deck. 

[canes20]

short answer is No

[Lottacruises]

No. If they are allowed to why wouldn't everyone be allowed?

I guess there are always some that feel the rrules don't apply to them because___________ FILL in the blanka_______

[GradUT]

6 hours ago, keywest1 said:

Another alternative would be for all to have breakfast in the MDR and find a nice spot to chill until the masses are off the ship.  Unless you have priority self-assist (P/D or FTTF), we have found it to be a free for all.  If they aren't physically able to carry their own luggage, would they have difficulty with the long waits for elevators and lines to go through Customs?   

Getting off the ship later would cost you some drive time, but it might make for a more pleasant end to your cruise.

Yes, yes, yes.

 

Although we are able to do self-assist debarkation, we stopped doing it several cruises ago.   The leisurely breakfast and shorter lines for debarkation/Customs makes for an infinitely more pleasant morning. 

[Nic6318]

Hi

 

You haven't completely explained your requirements/reason for wanting to do the self assist.

 

If it is just that you wish to maintain possession of your bags when debarking the ship, then I would like to remind you that you can do self assist debarkation any time. Just wait till your friends number is called and get off with them.

[cb at sea]

Have your friends tell the ship that they have an EARLY flight....they will be put in one of the 1st groups off.  You and them can depart about the same time.  You can go and fetch the car while they pick up their luggage and go thru customs.  

[jb8162]

Not knowing which port you will be at, I can only answer how it is in Long Beach.

Starting with Zone one for luggage availability starts around 8:30. So it all depends what zone they are. They can get off the ship just about any time however they will stand and wait until their luggage is off the ship and staged based on their zone number. If you are able to help them with their luggage, then they can get off with you.

You have to ask at guest services for a low Zone number if you are going to have the ship take your luggage off.

[quickrate]

the problem is, when self assist starts, the luggage hasn't even been put in the terminal yet, even for lower zone #s. 

Pat

[jimbo5544]

Short answer, long answer, all the same, if you want them to exit with you the option is self assist.  

[Elaine5715]

32 minutes ago, jb8162 said:

Not knowing which port you will be at, I can only answer how it is in Long Beach.

Starting with Zone one for luggage availability starts around 8:30. So it all depends what zone they are. They can get off the ship just about any time however they will stand and wait until their luggage is off the ship and staged based on their zone number. If you are able to help them with their luggage, then they can get off with you.

You have to ask at guest services for a low Zone number if you are going to have the ship take your luggage off.

Customs isn't crazy about people waiting and waiting in the luggage area.  

[jb8162]

You are correct about Customs

[o-state girl]

If you are Platinum, you might be able to give them your zoned bag tags.  They would able to get off the ship a little earlier in the non self-debark process.  

[2wheelin]

3 hours ago, Lottacruises said:

No. If they are allowed to why wouldn't everyone be allowed?

I guess there are always some that feel the rrules don't apply to them because___________ FILL in the blanka_______

OP asked a simple question because they didn’t know the answer. No need to attack. Yet several responders gave tips for how to skirt the rules to make it happen. Lie about an early flight, take someone else’s platinum tags, etc, etc.

[FTLCruiseGal]

With the new debarking procedures, everyone goes to guest services to get their zone tags as they are no longer delivered to your stateroom.  Most of the low zone numbers are gone fairly quickly.  
 

You do have all of the options mentioned above, as well as getting FTTF, which allows you off the ship after diamond and platinum.

 

You did not say why they cannot do self-debark.  Keep in mind that when the early self-debark is packed and has long lines and can be quite disorganized.  If they have mobility issues and cannot stand for long periods of time, breakfast and late debark might be best for you.  Also keep in mind that the elevators will be packed as everyone is trying to get off the ship.

 

Not sure if I will self-debark my next cruise, but I know I will wait to get off the ship.

[Essiesmom]

1 hour ago, FTLCruiseGal said:

With the new debarking procedures, everyone goes to guest services to get their zone tags as they are no longer delivered to your stateroom.  Most of the low zone numbers are gone fairly quickly.  
 

You do have all of the options mentioned above, as well as getting FTTF, which allows you off the ship after diamond and platinum.

 

You did not say why they cannot do self-debark.  Keep in mind that when the early self-debark is packed and has long lines and can be quite disorganized.  If they have mobility issues and cannot stand for long periods of time, breakfast and late debark might be best for you.  Also keep in mind that the elevators will be packed as everyone is trying to get off the ship.

 

Not sure if I will self-debark my next cruise, but I know I will wait to get off the ship.

The OP said she did not believe they could physically do self debark.  EM

[MCC retired]

14 hours ago, quickrate said:

the problem is, when self assist starts, the luggage hasn't even been put in the terminal yet, even for lower zone #s. 

Pat

We always do Self Assist and this has been the case every time.

[GB Chicago]

We made the mistake of getting off in Manhattan with the self assist and we were literally put in a penalty box behind a "fence" for an hour.  Won't do that again!

[Lottacruises]

13 hours ago, 2wheelin said:

OP asked a simple question because they didn’t know the answer. No need to attack. Yet several responders gave tips for how to skirt the rules to make it happen. Lie about an early flight, take someone else’s platinum tags, etc, etc.

 

It's their cruise, do what they want right? Like I said, some will follow rules others won't. 

[JaxsMama]

1 hour ago, Lottacruises said:

 

It's their cruise, do what they want right? Like I said, some will follow rules others won't. 

 

[Bob NC]

They are your friends and you are going on the cruise with them.

 

Why not just stick with them and disembark together?

[TNcruising02]

15 minutes ago, Bob NC said:

They are your friends and you are going on the cruise with them.

 

Why not just stick with them and disembark together?

This.

 

If everyone wants to get off of the ship as early as possible, but your friends need to check their luggage, then I recommend finding out the exact time that the luggage tags are available and having them be one of the first in line.  We have done that and gotten the earliest possible luggage zone for our checked luggage (after priority).  

In my experience, they will put something in the cabin that will let people know when and where the luggage tags are available.  It should also be possible to get the information from guest services.  This way you can carry off your own luggage, your friends can check theirs, and all of you can exit the ship at the same time and get off to an early start for your drive home.