Now that your cruise is over, you may think that your vacation adventure is also over. Getting off the boat, however, is another adventure all on its own! Sure, it may be a long and tiring process if you sit with your luggage, or wait in the long line for a couple of hours. But it doesn't at all have to be!
Most likely, it will take a while for the cruise ship to get security clearance, and you may have to go through immigration. But, while you're waiting to get off the boat, don't stand in the lines until later on (if you don't have a plane to catch immediately, of course). Use the last couple of hours to have that last stroll around the ship. Meet up again with your onboard friends. You really can't rush anything at this point, anyways, so why bother?
The day before you leave, or the morning of, the cruise director will give you lots of announcements probably in the main theatre. He'll explain the proper procedures to follow. At least one person from each family onboard should attend this meeting. It won't last long. But it will give you lots of information, and a chance to ask questions.
There will probably be 2 or 3 hours of waiting before you can get off the ship, so if you decide not to wander around, bring a crossword or book to keep you otherwise occupied.
Guests with disabilities, or need extra help getting off the ship, are given first opportunity to do so.
Also, if you have an air/sea package with the cruise line, meaning you booked your flight through the cruise line, and you have an early flight, you will be able to get off early as well. The cruise line also provides a transfer to the airport for you. This applies only when you have booked an air/sea package.
There will probably be breakfast that last morning, too. Make sure to grab something to eat before you get off the ship. It will probably be quite a while before you get much opportunity to eat later. There is no more room service or bar service that last morning, so if you want anything, you will have to go to the breakfast buffet.
Oh, and the luggage gets taken off the ship before passengers are allowed to disembark. They will be taken to a large holding area where you will have the adventure of finding your luggage. It's most likely according to a number or colour you put on your luggage the final night. Kids would enjoy finding the luggage by helping you find the right place! And, when you do find your luggage, there will be porters waiting around to help you transfer them to the bus or cab, or whatever form of transportation you take from the terminal.
There will surely be a crowd around the disembarkation place, most likely the first floor of the ship. Don't hang around them and chat with the crew at that time. It will slow them down, and the process is already slow enough!
One of my favourite parts of a cruise or a restaurant is the comment cards. I take them very seriously, and I know that all cruise lines, and most restaurants, also take them very seriously. The cruise lines really do want to know what was right and wrong on the cruise, and who to praise and promote, and who to discipline (if need be). Be honest on the comment cards. Oh, and if you can think of a solution to a problem you bring up, please include that as well. Also, most cruise lines give very big discounts or prizes to people who fill out the comment card and leave it in the appropriate place by the end of the cruise. So, you can do a lot more good for both you and the cruise line by filling out one!
Although this is a blog about getting off the boat, you really need to plan ahead before you get on the boat. And that starts by booking your cruise at www.kingarthur.myttn.com today!
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