Disembarkation process confusion...

[kmavb]

When its time to disembark...what is the process like??? It's all a little confusing to me when I read about it on other websites.

 

We will be going on an Alaskan cruise on NCL Sun...and will be getting off in Vancouver.

 

We aren't in any rush to get off the ship on our last day. So...can we stay on board as long as possible? When will they want us off the ship? Is there a time line or pressure to get us off the ship.

 

We're hoping to have a nice leisurely breakfast in one of the dining rooms before we leave...or even room service? Do you think this is possible? Or will they try to rush us out inorder to clean the room????:p

[cruizinwithkids]

We aren't in any rush to get off the ship on our last day. So...can we stay on board as long as possible? When will they want us off the ship? Is there a time line or pressure to get us off the ship.

 

We're hoping to have a nice leisurely breakfast in one of the dining rooms before we leave...or even room service? Do you think this is possible? Or will they try to rush us out inorder to clean the room????:p

 

The process is alot nicer if you aren't in a hurry. You can't stay on as long as you might like, but you can certainly have a nice leisurely breakfast in the dining room. The room service menu is limited so if you want a nice breakfast, the dining room is the way to go.

[garycarla]

Trying to explain in advance might sound confusing.

 

But, they will deliver a full explanation to your room two nights before. They will also have a lecture in the theatre which they ask someone from each cabin to attend. We never have. They also run that on the TV, over and over and over again. You just pick one of the options that are outlined. You either leave when your color is called, or self disembark with your own bags at pretty much anytime, once the ship is cleared.

 

You will need to leave by mid to late morning so they can clean the ship for the next group.

[Grandpaul]

For example, on ships we have been on that start to unload around 8 AM we have stayed on until 10:30-11 AM and have a nice breakfast and let the long lines dwindle. I remember one cruise in New York when we wanted to get off early to catch a train. We got to the line for getting a cab and we were 163rd in line. No more early train after that.

[ChBoxers800]

Towards the end of your cruise, you will be given a colored tag to fill out and attach to your luggage. This color is the color that they assigned you based upon your plans to travel home. The ship is then vacated by them calling various colors. Basically, other then some VIP's etc, the earlier your flight home is, the earlier "color" you have been assigned so they can get you off the ship and to the airport on time.

 

The evening before, you will be asked to have your luggage packed, color tagged and sitting out in the hallway. There are a couple other options but I won't go into those now...will stick with the one that the majority of people use. You will have to keep out the clothes you want to wear the next day, personal items, etc and pack everything else. At some time during the evening/night they will come by and collect your luggage.

 

The morning of embarkation you will need to rise rather early (no sleeping in till 11 am) and you can go to have breakfast wherever you want. There is no need to drag your carryon to breakfast with you as NCL is one of the only (if not THE only) cruise lines that allows you to keep/stay in your room until you get off the ship. So have your breakfast, even take a swim if you want and then just wait for your color to be called.

 

Unfortunately, you can't stay on as long as you would like to (like 2 or 3 more weeks :-) because they do need to clear the ship in order to start boarding the next passengers. On our recent cruise, we were one of the last colors called because our flight wasn't until 5 pm. We were called about 10 or 10:30 to disembark.

 

You really don't have to disembark when your color is called if it's one of the early ones. You just need to get off by the time the last colors are called.

 

Hope this helps a little.

[packercruising]

This brings up an interesting senario. If you purposely get earlier tags but disembark later it would be easier to find your bags! :)

[98Charlie]

The ship must be fully cleared of passengers before they can embark the new guests. We usually try to stay over a night before flying back.

 

Since we're in no hurry we normally try to get late tags or just hang out until they call the last batch of colors.

 

NCL's policy is that you can stay in your cabin until your color is called. As a courtesy to our steward and the embarking passengers, we have our room ready to vacate before we go to breakfast, stow our carryon luggage in the closet and let the steward know that he/she can work on the room. We do keep any valuables with us.

 

After breakfast we retrieve our luggage, say so long to the steward, maybe roam the ship for a bit and disembark. Seldom have we been off the ship after 9:30-10:00 even when we are in the last group.

 

Worst disembarkation ever was on NCL Star after a Mexican Riviera last year. We seriously waited in a line for an hour just to get off. :eek:

 

Charlie

[Bigdog49]

OK since you posted you are in a Sun AD on the other threads your options are very different.

 

First no problem having the butler serve a full breakfast the last morning in the penthouse or on the balcony if the weather is good. Onne main dining room will be open early as well.

 

You will be given VIP tags for your bags and they will all be in one area on the pier wghen you exit. The concierge should be there as well. You will have the option of being escorted off the ship with the other VIP passengers early or leave anytime up until the last color is called.

 

As posted the you will have all the details delivered to your cabin. In your case they will come from the concierge. If you have any questions pick up the phone and call him/her. That is what they are there for.

 

Some AD pictures here http://lrichters.smugmug.com/gallery/1251466

[Grandpaul]

This brings up an interesting senario. If you purposely get earlier tags but disembark later it would be easier to find your bags! :)

I have found that to be the case. Less bags and less people looking for them. Plus a lot of people are now doing the carry on even on longer crusies which makes it easier yet.