cthrn27 Posted July 24 #1 Share Posted July 24 Well, we haven't even left yet and I'm worrying about getting to the airport after the cruise. We have cruised many times, but I still have trouble getting debarkation right. Looking for some help, please. IF we do self assist, can we leave our bags in our stateroom while we grab a quick breakfast? I see they want us out by 8:30 ,but it seems to me that previously, I have returned to my stateroom well before 8 and the door is propped open, there are clean towels in the bathroom. I really prefer NOT to drag the luggage up to the lido and then all the way back down again, but I would like to have breakfast before heading to the airport . Suggestions? thank you 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted July 24 #2 Share Posted July 24 1 minute ago, cthrn27 said: Well, we haven't even left yet and I'm worrying about getting to the airport after the cruise. We have cruised many times, but I still have trouble getting debarkation right. Looking for some help, please. IF we do self assist, can we leave our bags in our stateroom while we grab a quick breakfast? I see they want us out by 8:30 ,but it seems to me that previously, I have returned to my stateroom well before 8 and the door is propped open, there are clean towels in the bathroom. I really prefer NOT to drag the luggage up to the lido and then all the way back down again, but I would like to have breakfast before heading to the airport . Suggestions? thank you We always leave our bags in our room and go to breakfast when we do self assist. That said, I would never got within 30 minutes of time they want you out, but within the hour was never a problem. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyGirlJen Posted July 25 #3 Share Posted July 25 They are doing a "digital debarkation" now on Carnival, but not sure if it is fleet wide yet. I was on the Magic in April and we did this for the first time. If its offered you'll see it on the last day in your Carnival Hub App calendar....you can pick your debark time. I knew I wanted off very early, so I picked 7:40-8:00. They started calling us at 7:20. I was off the ship by about 7:45. So, don't take your debark time for face value. That being said, I was in the buffet just after 6am for breakfast that I ate quickly before going back to the room. I would not go too late to breakfast, unless you choose a late debark time. The more people in the hallways, the harder it is to move around with luggage. If they knock on your door and you aren't there to answer, they figure you have left and they go in to turn the room over for the next guests. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted July 25 #4 Share Posted July 25 8 minutes ago, JerseyGirlJen said: They are doing a "digital debarkation" now on Carnival, but not sure if it is fleet wide yet. I was on the Magic in April and we did this for the first time. If its offered you'll see it on the last day in your Carnival Hub App calendar....you can pick your debark time. I knew I wanted off very early, so I picked 7:40-8:00. They started calling us at 7:20. I was off the ship by about 7:45. So, don't take your debark time for face value. That being said, I was in the buffet just after 6am for breakfast that I ate quickly before going back to the room. I would not go too late to breakfast, unless you choose a late debark time. The more people in the hallways, the harder it is to move around with luggage. If they knock on your door and you aren't there to answer, they figure you have left and they go in to turn the room over for the next guests. which is totally fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Honolulu Blue Posted July 25 #5 Share Posted July 25 13 hours ago, cthrn27 said: Well, we haven't even left yet and I'm worrying about getting to the airport after the cruise. We have cruised many times, but I still have trouble getting debarkation right. Looking for some help, please. IF we do self assist, can we leave our bags in our stateroom while we grab a quick breakfast? I see they want us out by 8:30 ,but it seems to me that previously, I have returned to my stateroom well before 8 and the door is propped open, there are clean towels in the bathroom. I really prefer NOT to drag the luggage up to the lido and then all the way back down again, but I would like to have breakfast before heading to the airport . Suggestions? thank you I'm also a self assister and I've never had a problem leaving my bags in the cabin while dining. A couple of times I saw my steward in the hallway and told them what I was up to. I also put out the DO NOT DISTURB sign; I assume that helps. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising_Addict Posted July 25 #6 Share Posted July 25 We just leave the Do Not Disturb sign on the door and have never had an issue. Just be sure to vacate by the time they indicate. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purvis1231 Posted July 25 #7 Share Posted July 25 1 hour ago, Cruising_Addict said: We just leave the Do Not Disturb sign on the door and have never had an issue. Just be sure to vacate by the time they indicate. Right, but also the room steward may be around and if so tell them what time you will be leaving. But we have taken our carry-ons to the MDR or Lido and departed the ship from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Softservekid1 Posted July 25 #8 Share Posted July 25 (edited) If you put your bags outside your room for "them" to get. Are the bags hard to find when you get off the ship? What would you say the delay is. an hour? We are on the Jubilee out of Galveston. Edited July 25 by Softservekid1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike45LC Posted July 25 #9 Share Posted July 25 I have NEVER self-whatever they call it. Why would I wrestle with the bags for no purpose? On the ship, I put my bags out in the corridor the night before, and the bags all magically appear in the departure area the next morning, when they call my debarkation group (by number/color). All of the Purple Group 2 bags (for example) are nicely lined up, and I've never had much trouble finding my own bags. I segregate my bags, and then I grab a porter who puts my stuff on a baggage cart. He then escorts us and our bags through Customs/Immigration to wherever we need to be. As some here would say, easy peasey (?? not my culture!) I think the porter's assistance helps smooth the Customs/Immigration process. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted July 26 #10 Share Posted July 26 14 hours ago, Mike45LC said: I have NEVER self-whatever they call it. Why would I wrestle with the bags for no purpose? On the ship, I put my bags out in the corridor the night before, and the bags all magically appear in the departure area the next morning, when they call my debarkation group (by number/color). All of the Purple Group 2 bags (for example) are nicely lined up, and I've never had much trouble finding my own bags. I segregate my bags, and then I grab a porter who puts my stuff on a baggage cart. He then escorts us and our bags through Customs/Immigration to wherever we need to be. As some here would say, easy peasey (?? not my culture!) I think the porter's assistance helps smooth the Customs/Immigration process. Options are a good thing. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Softservekid1 Posted July 26 #11 Share Posted July 26 Another debarkation question: Tell me about "Customs". What's involved with "clearing" Customs when you're getting off the ship to head home? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted July 26 #12 Share Posted July 26 Just now, Softservekid1 said: Another debarkation question: Tell me about "Customs". What's involved with "clearing" Customs when you're getting off the ship to head home? Once you debark, enter terminal (either with bags or collect them) you go thru customs. Can be extremely quick and a pass thru (getting a “welcome home” comment) or a quick check. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar1068 Posted July 26 #13 Share Posted July 26 7 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said: Once you debark, enter terminal (either with bags or collect them) you go thru customs. Can be extremely quick and a pass thru (getting a “welcome home” comment) or a quick check. Hmmmmm....I just asked my wife about this. Six cruises over the last 9-10 months, out of Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston and Manhattan, and we don't recall stopping at a custom/immigration station, for those or others before, handing over our ID's/passports and the agent moving us along. It's been facial scan and out. Does this vary by port? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Honolulu Blue Posted July 26 #14 Share Posted July 26 13 minutes ago, Softservekid1 said: Another debarkation question: Tell me about "Customs". What's involved with "clearing" Customs when you're getting off the ship to head home? 11 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said: Once you debark, enter terminal (either with bags or collect them) you go thru customs. Can be extremely quick and a pass thru (getting a “welcome home” comment) or a quick check. What @jimbo5544 says is correct, but I want to quickly note the bad old days when things were more involved. All cruisers had to fill out a form where you had to declare the dollar value of everything you acquired while on the cruise. There were some other questions on that form, but never mind. 🤬 This form you had to hand to an agent along with your passport. Sometimes you'd be welcomed back without further comment, sometimes they'd ask a few questions to make sure you filled out the form completely, and sometimes they'd have more involved questions. I like the way things are better than what they were. 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare IntrepidFromDC Posted July 26 #15 Share Posted July 26 Worked great on the chihuahua a few houses down the street. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hapytobehr Posted July 26 #16 Share Posted July 26 1 hour ago, Softservekid1 said: Another debarkation question: Tell me about "Customs". What's involved with "clearing" Customs when you're getting off the ship to head home? Miami has facial recognition so there is no stopping. Declaration forms are given to you along with your debark papers in your cabin. At least thats the way it was on my last few cruises out of Miami. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikayla73 Posted July 26 #17 Share Posted July 26 5 hours ago, Softservekid1 said: Another debarkation question: Tell me about "Customs". What's involved with "clearing" Customs when you're getting off the ship to head home? Since you're cruising out of Galveston, if you buy alcohol there will be an extra stop. You'll have to pay the TX liquor tax on any alcohol you brought back. There's a separate form for that too. I have not actually gone through this process so I have no idea how long it takes, but I have read post from others on here have. I haven't come back from a cruise in the last couple years that hasn't used facial recognition for reentry as long as you cruise with a passport. If for some reason the facial recognition doesn't work for you, you'd have to talk to the agent. If you use a BC/DL, you have to talk to the agent. I don't know if they still expect the customs forms or not, I have not gotten one to fill out in the last several cruises either. Though we don't normally buy anything that is $$ either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Softservekid1 Posted July 26 #18 Share Posted July 26 Thanks for all the great info. I remember the Customs Form on my last cruise. Sounds much easier now. I don't need to bring back anything, unless there is a Rolex for a great price in one of the Ports. I remember in Nassau, there were some deals, Breitling's too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journey11 Posted July 26 #19 Share Posted July 26 Note: It sounds like many people have passports now. But some don’t. On our last cruise out of Galveston we had passports and the passport line was nonexistent. Very quick. But the birth certicate line was so long I was told it was taking up to an hour to get thru. What a difference having a passport makes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare dna1990 Posted July 26 #20 Share Posted July 26 There are Customs (for goods) and Immigration (for people), both under CBP at US ports. And at Galveston, there is also TABC to consider. For Immigration side, if using Passport - Galveston is Facial Rec, takes about 5 seconds. If not, you will show BC/Other docs to an agent, which often has a line, and they may just wave you on, or ask a few verification questions. If travelling with minors - they tend to always ask at least a question or two. For Customs side...if you are not buying any expensive items (jewelry usually) or close to being over $800 per person...and no cigarettes or alcohol...then no form, just a trusted re-entry. In Galveston, all alcohol and cigs have to be declared (separate form from US) and amounts over certain limits will be taxed. Like always, you can choose not to declare, but if found out and searched...any penalties likely far outweigh the time/tax to declare in the first place. How would they know? Especially if buying big ticket items, booze, cigs on board - the cruiseline does report these. And even some port 'stores' have reported ahead. Self-assist is a good approach to help getting the earliest time off the ship. But you also have thought thru the chore of getting around with luggage. I only suggest self-assist to those travelling very light (and no small kids). I don't know the latest at Terminal 2, but Galveston can be picky about luggage on escalator - which can bunch up self-assist people at the elevators. Also keep in mind, the ship may not clear into Galveston exactly as planned. Depending on time of year, fog delays can occur. Less now than in the past, but could be a thing. And Coast Guard, CBP, or any government initials can bring on some inspection or delay into clearing the ship for passenger disembarkation. Rare, but possible. If early off is for airport reasons, consider the cruiseline's airport transfer. Not in Galveston, but we have used these a few times. Those with transfers are usually in Group 2, right behind suites and self-assist. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsglow Posted July 26 #21 Share Posted July 26 We always do self assist and routinely travel with a carry-on plus a backpack each, regardless of the length of the cruise. We rarely take our suitcases to the DR choosing to return to our room to grab them after we eat. Depending on our schedule, we may kill time up on Lido after we've vacated our room. We always try to be out by 8a to give our steward as much time as possible. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted July 27 #22 Share Posted July 27 10 hours ago, Journey11 said: Note: It sounds like many people have passports now. But some don’t. On our last cruise out of Galveston we had passports and the passport line was nonexistent. Very quick. But the birth certicate line was so long I was told it was taking up to an hour to get thru. What a difference having a passport makes. There is a message there 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iria64 Posted July 27 #23 Share Posted July 27 16 hours ago, mikayla73 said: Since you're cruising out of Galveston, if you buy alcohol there will be an extra stop. You'll have to pay the TX liquor tax on any alcohol you brought back. There's a separate form for that too. I have not actually gone through this process so I have no idea how long it takes, but I have read post from others on here have. I haven't come back from a cruise in the last couple years that hasn't used facial recognition for reentry as long as you cruise with a passport. If for some reason the facial recognition doesn't work for you, you'd have to talk to the agent. If you use a BC/DL, you have to talk to the agent. I don't know if they still expect the customs forms or not, I have not gotten one to fill out in the last several cruises either. Though we don't normally buy anything that is $$ either. we did Galveston earlier this year. I don't recall any place where you would even stop to declare any alcohol purchased. You just follow the throngs of people, do a facial scan, and you are out of there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeniseTr Posted August 7 #24 Share Posted August 7 Last cruise in 2020 we didn't do self assist, but didn't worry too much about timeslot. We went to MDR for breakfast, and by the time bkft was done, most slots had been called. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeniseTr Posted August 7 #25 Share Posted August 7 Does Carnival still do Luggage Express? I cant find it on website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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