Simple question from a first timer

[annabanana86]

my itinerary lists the arrival and deparure times for each city (usually 7 am and 7 pm, respectively), but underneath the list it says

 

"Disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking.

 

Due to security reasons, all guests must be on board 2 hours before sailing."

 

Does that apply every day, or just the first and last days of the cruise? It would really stink to cut 4 hours out of the time spent in each port of call...

 

Thank you

[Bibi]

my itinerary lists the arrival and deparure times for each city (usually 7 am and 7 pm, respectively), but underneath the list it says

 

"Disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking.

 

Due to security reasons, all guests must be on board 2 hours before sailing."

 

Does that apply every day, or just the first and last days of the cruise? It would really stink to cut 4 hours out of the time spent in each port of call...

 

Thank you

 

Only applies to first and last days. Usually, when in port, all aboard is 30 minutes before the ship leaves the port. Happy cruising!:)

[annabanana86]

Great. Thank you!

[G'ma]

my itinerary lists the arrival and deparure times for each city (usually 7 am and 7 pm, respectively), but underneath the list it says

 

"Disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking.

 

Due to security reasons, all guests must be on board 2 hours before sailing."

 

Does that apply every day, or just the first and last days of the cruise? It would really stink to cut 4 hours out of the time spent in each port of call...

 

Thank you

 

Generallly, it applies to every port. The times may vary a little here and there.....but, make sure you comply with whatever instructions you receive...especially, don't be late returning or you will be waving "bye-bye" from the pier...,the ship won't wait for you.

 

When the ship docks, it takes time to make it fast to the pier and for local customs and immigration to come onboard to "clear" the ship. That means they check the passenger/crew manifests and, in some ports, check the cargo holds for contraband...sometimes with dogs. All local immigration and customs people who work on land at the piers must also all be in place and ready to clear you when you leave the ship.

 

Upon returning to the ship, everyone must clear local customs again where bags and personal property are checked - again, for contraband. Then, arriving on the ship, each must present their onboard account card and clear shipboard security scanning and, when necessary, searching.

 

This is a time-consuming process when thinking in terms of a coupla thousand passengers.....

[BananaAnna]

Hi annabanana86 - love your screen name!

(I don't know where some of the info on these forums comes from....)

The 2 hours on, 2 hours off does NOT apply at every port. It is only during embarkation and disembarkation at your initial port - the first and last days of the cruise.

[morecruise4me]

I would call the cruise line and ask. I was thinking it was only for day of departure and day of return. However, at each port it is recommended that you return to the ship no later than 60 minutes before sail away. People have missed the ship. We have gotten off the ship right at the time it says it is docking because we've had excursions booked at certain ports. You should not have to go through customs at each port, but like I said, check with your cruise line to be safe.

[FlyerTalker]

Generallly' date=' it applies to every port. (much other nothing snipped)[/quote']

Wrong.

 

The 2 hours prior and 2 hours after are in reference to the start and end of the ENTIRE voyage.

 

Each port has specified "back aboard" times - they are well publicized in the ship's paper, as well as being posted at the gangway.

 

Yes, there are clearance procedures before passengers may leave the ship, and departure procedures as well. But they are not as intrusive as G'ma makes them sound, nor do they have the "4 hour effect" you are thinking of.

[Shorex]

After 40+ cruises on several different lines I can assure you that the terms "embarkation" and "disembarkation" refer only to the first and last days.

 

Often a ship will dock at a port before the scheduled time to facilitate guests getting off the ship at or near the time posted in the itinerary. Sometimes clearance is delayed for local reasons, that's just part of traveling. The expectation is that guests will be able to walk off the ship very close to the published time.

 

The "all-aboard" time is typically 30 minutes before the posted "sail" time. Note that ships will use the term "sail" time or "all aboard" time (not "embarkation" time) for port stops. Perhaps there are different policies on different lines, but every ship will make it abundantly clear when you must be back on board. (I don't sail the mega ships with 2000+ passengers.)

[nparmelee]

Embarkation and disembarkation pretty much always refer to the first and last days, at least in our experience, customs clearance can take much longer for those ends. In ports, we've been able to get off of ships as soon as they had the gangplank situation all arranged and sometimes we've had to wait. It really depends on where you are and where you've been. For getting back to the ship, always check the daily newsletter. Typically the docked ports say to be back on board more then 30-60 minutes before sailaway and tender ports say 60 minutes before sailaway, but that doesn't mean that's what it will be all the time, never make the assumption. And make sure your watch matches the ship time before leaving the ship.

 

There are always exceptions, a large group of pax arriving to the ship for embarkation and the ship waiting for them and then leaving moments after they are all on board, etc.

 

A cruel game, but somewhat entertaining especially at some ports, is listening to the names of those who have not boarded yet when sailaway time is drawing near. We usually cheer those we see running and barely making it, but do make it back.

[Arwenmark]

It is for embarcation and debarcation only not for the ports you are visiting. but you DO need to be back on board 45 min before sail out. Don't cut that one close.

[Fredr]

To Anna, (who obviously likes lots of bananas),

 

On each day you are in port and go to exit the ship, take a long look at the old fashioned black board that tells all what time to be back on board. Sometimes there are two times, one for passengers and another for the crew. And really pay attention to this time.

 

The cruise line may have added the two hour language so that everyone knows that delays can occur, and especially first time cruise passengers. This should not bother you at all.

 

Fred

[uppitycats]

Another voice in the chorus of -- the 2 hours refers generally to the FIRST time you board the ship. And even that is changing slightly -- we learned that we could have been as late as one hour before sailing, but hey -- you board early, you start your vacation early!

 

But do pay attention to the notices that will be pretty visible as you get off in each port, or ask any of the staff there, to be extra sure, as to what time you need to be back, and make sure that your watch, the ship's "watch" and local time match. Then make sure you are back AT LEAST by the time stated. It's easy to get caught up in ports with shopping, partying, doing whatever -- and oh-my-gosh-the-ship-will-leave-in-an-hour-and-we're-2-hours-away!!!! Not good. :o