disembarking a cruise ship early

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Can I Get Off a Cruise Early in Another Port? (Partial Cruises)

Note: The following article is intended for U.S. citizens sailing round trip itineraries from U.S. ports. The rules discussed may not apply for other countries. You also shouldn’t take this as legal advice. Contact your cruise line for their guidance if you would like to do a partial cruise.

For most people, taking a cruise is simple. You hop on from a cruise port in the U.S., sail on the trip, and then return to the cruise port where you embarked.

It’s easy and convenient. These cruises that begin and end in the same port are called “closed-looped” cruises. They are the standard in cruising for Americans and make the process of immigration and customs simple. In fact, you don’t even need a passport to sail (though it is highly suggested).

But there are times where you might not want to — or simply can’t — sail a closed-loop cruise. Some examples include:

• You get sick or injured on your cruise and can’t continue on your journey
• You miss the ship and the cruise departs without you
• You simply want to spend more time in a port city (such as taking a cruise to Cozumel and then staying there for a week)
• It’s cheaper to take a cruise to a port city than it is to fly, so you want to sail there instead
• You have to get back home due to a family emergency
• Your experience on the cruise ship is so bad that you refuse to get back on board

No matter the reason you want to get off the ship early, it’s definitely a common question — but a rare occurrence. The vast majority of passengers simply sail their normal cruise itinerary.

But can you just get off the ship and return home on your own terms?

The answer is yes, but there are some major complications (and laws) that should be considered.

An Old Law Causes Confusion for Disembarkation

You’d be forgiven if you have never heard of the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 (also known as the PVSA). The law was enacted in the 19th century to protect U.S. maritime interests. It is still on the books today , and it essentially says that foreign ships can’t transport passengers between U.S. ports, or they will face a fine.

Today, nearly every cruise ship operates under a foreign flag. That means they can’t pick you up in say, New York, sail to Miami, and let you leave the ship permanently.

The spirit of the law was to keep foreign ships from picking up passengers in one U.S. port and transporting them to another U.S. port, thereby competing with American vessels. Instead, only U.S.-flagged ships can make these trips.

Now, there are certain caveats and exceptions. But the major points are relatively clear regarding disembarking passengers in the United States sailing on a foreign vessel:

• A passenger can’t sail from one U.S. port and get off at another U.S. port (even for the day) without the trip including a foreign port of call in the itinerary.
• If a ship sails a journey to a “nearby” foreign port, a passenger still can’t leave the ship permanently at a different U.S. port than the embarkation point (nearby foreign ports are those in North America like in the Bahamas or Mexico).
• If the ship sails a journey to a “distant” foreign port, the passenger can leave the ship permanently in another U.S. port (distant foreign ports are those outside North America).

In most cases, if you sail from a U.S. port and want to get off at another U.S. port on the same trip, it’s going to cost the cruise line a PVSA fine, which is likely to be passed on to you. ( The fine is currently almost $800 per passenger .)

That’s what happened recently on a cruise from New York:

Where there is some question is if the law applies to passengers who depart a U.S. port, but disembark permanently at a foreign port.

In that case, the rules appear to say that it is fine to do so. According to the Code of Federal Regulations :

“Any vessel of the United States, whether or not entitled under paragraph (a) of this section to engage in the coastwise trade, and any foreign vessel may proceed between points in the United States embraced within the coastwise laws to discharge cargo or passengers laden at a foreign port, to lade cargo or passengers for a foreign port , in ballast, or to transport certain articles in accordance with § 4.93.”

In this case, leaving the ship appears to be fine according to the U.S. law. And in fact, there are many cruises that start from the U.S. and then let passengers off in a foreign country, such as Transatlantic trips from the United States to Europe.

Here’s what Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently said on their website (note that we found this specific passage several years ago, but have been unable to relocate the original source) :

“Does U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) fine cruise ships that allow passengers to disembark before the end of the cruise’s itinerary?

“The Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA), 46 U.S.C. 55103 (19 CFR 4.80a), is one of the several coastwise laws enforced by CBP which prohibits the transportation of passengers between points in the U.S. in any vessel other than a vessel that has a coastwise endorsement, i.e a vessel that is built in and owned by persons who are citizens of the United States.

“The penalty for violating the PVSA is $300 per passenger carried and is assessed against the carrier/cruise line. For example, an Argentinean-flagged cruise ship picks up passengers in Miami then sails to various ports of call, including Bermuda, Charleston, South Carolina, and Annapolis, Maryland before returning to Miami. While passengers may leave the vessel to see the U.S. ports, they must return to the vessel before the cruise itinerary ends, i.e. before the vessel returns to Miami, in order for the carrier to avoid a PVSA violation. If passengers were to disembark, i.e. finally and permanently leave the vessel in Bermuda, the vessel would not incur a PVSA penalty because Bermuda is not a U.S. point.”

In other words, if you sail on a cruise and leave the ship permanently in a foreign port, then it should be allowed according the U.S. law.

One thing to note: Just because U.S. law does not have a problem with passengers leaving the ship in a foreign country, it is possible that the foreign country could have laws against cruise passengers staying. You’ll want to check with your cruise line for details.

Leaving the Ship Early in a Foreign Port Usually Not Allowed by Cruise Lines

In practice, except in some circumstances (such as a medical emergency) allowing passengers to freely leave the ship permanently in a foreign port appears rare.

For example,  Royal Caribbean’s website used to confirm that getting off the ship permanently in a foreign port instead of returning home was ok, as long as you went through the proper channels. In fact, it explained the entire process. Now, it simply says that:

“Royal Caribbean no longer allows cruise passengers to pre-plan early debark or late embarkation for any of our ships.”

Other cruise lines say even less. In fact, searching the website of all the major lines, Royal Caribbean was the only one we found that mentioned anything about debarking early at another port — even if it was to say it’s not allowed.

Want to Leave Early? Always Talk to the Cruise Line First

While others cruise lines made no mention we found of leaving the ship early, it’s worth giving the cruise line a call if you want to leave early and see exactly what their policy is regarding the situation. 

If they say that it is not allowed due to the PVSA, you might have to talk to a supervisor (the law does get confusing) as that law only applies to leaving the ship in a U.S. port.

You might also have to fill out some paperwork before disembarking. Keep in mind as well that legal or not, the cruise line may have a policy of not letting passengers debark early.

No matter, if you plan to leave early anyway, be sure the cruise line knows your plans.  Otherwise, they may believe they have a missing passenger.

You will also need to inquire about immigration status in the foreign port. After all, while there should be a record of your travel to the foreign country, you won’t have a passport stamp to prove your entry. This could make for a tougher time when exiting the country.

Keep in mind that you will also have to incur the full cost of traveling back home, however you decide to do so. For most people, this means having to buy a plane ticket back home after their stay. It goes without saying that you can’t just hop on the next ship that comes to port to cruise back. Cruises just don’t work that way.

Finally, you won’t get any sort of refund from the cruise line for the days you don’t sail. You’ll have to eat the cost of the entire cruise, even though you aren’t aboard the ship for some of the journey.

The Bottom Line on Taking a Partial Cruise

You should keep in mind that we aren’t lawyers, nor experts in maritime law. Our understanding, however, is that Americans sailing from the United States to foreign ports can end their cruise early (a so-called partial cruise) in another country without any sort of legal penalty.

However, cruise lines themselves may not allow their passengers to debark the ship in a foreign port early . Keep in mind there are also finer points of the law that might apply to your specific situation.

Frankly, we are of the opinion that if you know for certain you want to disembark in a port and not finish your cruise, it’s much easier just to use an alternate way to get there. This way you don’t have to worry about any legal issues, potential fines, or the cruise line’s policies.

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Weather caused flight cancellations and I was out on possible space stand by for 4 more flights and did not get there. We missed New York embarkation but thought I would just board the ship, the next stop Cape Canaveral. They charged me $947 per person to do this. US immigration. But if I flew to Cozumel, days later I could get on the missed ship for $50. I agree these old laws need to be changed for cruise ships, because it is becoming common occurrence for airline malfunction and for medical reasons!

What if it’s a 1 way cruise to Vancouver. The itenerary says we arrive thursday in vancover but the disembarkation is friday morning? Once we leave the ship thursday can we just not come back since that is our final port? Thank you.

I have a booking for a 30 days Carnival cruise in September, from Seattle to Brisbane, Australia. I would love to debark in Indonesia before arriving to Australia. I spent a month in Australia, five months ago and would like to stay in Indonesia longer. Any advice on what should I do to make it happen? Thank you!

The best thing is to call the cruise line. Given that the cruise isn’t a closed-loop journey, you might be able to get off the ship in Indonesia. My understanding is that it doesn’t violate the law, but it can be complex.

On a round-trip cruise to Hawaii from San Diego, I became seriously ill in Hawaii and flew back to Oregon from Hilo. Per the antiquated maritime law, I was fined $941, which is the set fine, not $800. I wish you had included information about whom I might contact to discuss submitting medical documentation to try to get my money back. The cruise line ioffers no help in this.

One suggestion might be calling your representative’s office. They have constituent services that can help with this sort of thing.

Can a cruise line ban you, or put you on a ban list for all cruise lines, if you leave in a foreign country (say for a month), then try to catch a cruise back to the U.S.?

Not sure how you would catch a cruise back to the U.S. from a foreign country. Cruises are sold from the departure port. So if I sail from Miami to Cozumel and back, I can’t buy a ticket from Cozumel to Miami only.

We wanted to leave a cruise early because my husband could not maneuver the long distances Around the ships long hallways We were told we could not get off unless medical excuse. So we went to the medical center. $10,000 later he was transported to a hell hole hospital and held against his will for six days. Princess cruise line and their insurance did nothing to help us! Beware

Pre-Covid, I was able to end my cruise early in Nassau, before it’s scheduled end the following day in Miami. This was on a Carnival ship, and it required pre-approval of the cruise line and the United States CBP. They arranged my meeting with Immigration in Nassau, to receive a stamp in my passport so I could show legal entry when I departed the Bahamas the following week.

Thanks for sharing!

FYI: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/different-departure-port-city

Q Can I join a Royal Caribbean cruise after it starts or leave before it ends? A Royal Caribbean no longer allows cruise passengers to pre-plan early debark or late embarkation for any of our ships.

This surprising. I thought that if you missed the embarkation (especially through no fault of your own) you could embark at any of the next ports of call. I know The Jones Act can make it tricky to leave cruise in mid itinerary.

We recently missed our flight out of Tampa due to our plane having mechanical issues and we thought we could board the ship at our first stop in Key West but were told it would cost us $750 each to do this. Obviously, we missed the cruise. They need to change this law!

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Disembarkation: Everything You Need to Know

By Sue Bryant

Last updated: April 27th, 2024

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Make the most of the day in your disembarkation port, which will run all the more smoothly with a little preparation and planning.

Disembarking a cruise ship is not the same as checking out of a hotel on your last day. Disembarkation day is a carefully choreographed event. It has to be, with sometimes 2,000 guests or more and their luggage to move from the ship to the cruise terminal and beyond in a short time.

Your Celebrity Cruises crew are highly experienced in this logistical exercise, though, and will do all they can to make that bittersweet goodbye as easy as possible.

What is a disembarkation port?

A disembarkation port is a port where a cruise ends. Most passengers will leave the ship here, apart from those who have booked back-to-back cruises.

The ship will then be “turned around”—cleaned top to bottom, refueled, and re-provisioned with everything that’s needed for the next voyage.

Once all the disembarking guests have left, after a brief lull, new arrivals will begin to check in, ready for the next cruise.

Typical disembarkation ports tend to be gateway cities with good air and road access, like Miami, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale in Florida; Cape Liberty, New Jersey; and San Juan, Puerto Rico in the Caribbean.

In Europe , disembarkation ports include Barcelona, Rome, Athens, and Southampton, England. Sydney, Australia and Singapore are two of Celebrity’s disembarkation ports in the Asia-Pacific region.

What happens on disembarkation day?

Disembarkation day is a busy day on a cruise ship. You’ll be invited to put your luggage outside your stateroom the night before. It will be collected by the crew overnight and will be waiting for you in the terminal when you leave the ship.

You’ll make sure your final bill is settled the day before, pack your carry-on luggage, and have breakfast. When your pre-allocated disembarkation time comes, make your way to the gangway.

You will then identify and claim your luggage in the terminal, clear customs, and take whatever onward transportation you’ve arranged.

Read: Everything You Need to Know About Embarkation Day

How will I know on board what to expect on disembarkation day?

Towards the end of your cruise, there will be a talk on disembarkation procedures. This will be shown on your stateroom TV, too, in case you miss it. You’ll also find details in the daily program.

You will already have been asked about your arrangements on disembarkation day. These might include a transfer to the airport arranged by Celebrity Cruises, or a shore excursion that ends at the airport.

You may have made independent plans, in which case you will need to add your flight details to the form you’ll be given, or the time your private pickup is booked.

A day or so before the voyage ends, your stateroom attendant will deliver a disembarkation letter and a set of colored luggage tags. The letter will tell you what time you are due to disembark. On the day, you will be called by group number or color code. You should stick to these staggered times to avoid congestion at the gangway.

If you’re not happy with the time you have been allocated, take it up with Guest Services as soon as possible rather than waiting until disembarkation day.

Do I have to put my luggage out for collection the night before disembarkation?

The vast majority of cruisers put their luggage outside their stateroom door, color-tagged and locked, the night before disembarkation. It’s more convenient and practical, as dragging heavy bags into crowded elevators and down a sometimes steep gangway is no fun for anybody.

But if you feel strongly about hanging onto your bag, or are perhaps traveling light with only a small wheelie on a short cruise, you can opt for “self disembarkation”. This usually means you can leave the ship as soon as disembarkation has begun.

How long can you stay on the ship on disembarkation day?

Disembarkation day isn’t a time to linger on board as the crew has to work hard to prepare the ship for the next voyage. Normally, there’s a window between around 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. for disembarkation. If your flight isn’t until much later, you will be given a later slot in this window, but this isn’t a day to expect to sleep in.

If you’ve booked a back-to-back cruise, you can relax on board during disembarkation day, or join a shore excursion while the new guests are checking in.

You will normally be asked to vacate your stateroom by 8 a.m. so the stateroom attendant can prepare it for the next guest. If your allocated disembarkation time is later than this, there will be public areas on the ship where you can relax with your carry-on before you leave.

Read: The Only Cruise Packing List You’ll Ever Need

How early can you get off?

A ship will usually only have a short distance to travel from its penultimate port to the disembarkation port to account for any delays or weather issues; no cruise line wants to arrive late on turnaround day. So you may find you’re docked alongside very early in the morning.

But the ship has to be cleared by the local authorities before anybody can leave. Luggage has to be offloaded, too.

When you book your cruise, you will be told about the earliest reasonable flight departure time to choose. A very early morning flight, for example, is usually impractical. If you do have a relatively early flight, this will be factored in when disembarkation groups are allocated.

Disembarkation times vary from port to port, but it is unusual for the process to begin any earlier than 7 a.m.

Is there time for breakfast?

Of course! You are still on vacation and will never be sent away hungry. Most of the usual breakfast venues will be open, including Café al Bacio for coffee to go.

Restaurants may be busier than usual as everybody is preparing to leave within the same short timespan, and some people may have already left their staterooms and will be carrying their hand baggage with them.

Read: What Is Food on a Cruise Really Like?

What documents do I need for disembarkation and customs?

You will need your passport and receipts for any duty-free goods you have bought, in case you get stopped at customs. Normally, the ship will have been cleared by the local immigration authorities, but you may still be required to show a passport to officials when you disembark.

If you have already checked in for your flight and feel happier with a paper boarding pass, you can print this out in the ship’s internet center. If you’ve parked your car at the port, make sure you have the receipt and know where it is.

You will also need your SeaPass key card to leave the ship for one last time.

How long does it take to get off a cruise ship?

If everybody follows the instructions they have been given and shows up at the gangway when invited, getting off a ship is quick and easy. You should be able to disembark in 15 to 30 minutes, including collecting your baggage in the terminal.

There can be delays, though, and the ship is at the whim of the local immigration authorities. This is another compelling reason for leaving plenty of time between your scheduled disembarkation time and your flight home.

If you have booked an airport transfer or a disembarkation day tour with Celebrity, your transportation will wait until everybody is present.

How do I choose the right disembarkation port for my cruise?

First, to be clear, you can’t choose where to disembark your cruise. Unless there is some kind of personal emergency or you have booked two back-to-back cruises, everybody disembarks on the same day in the same port.

It’s worth thinking about where your cruise ends, though, and what you might want to do to extend your vacation. If, for example, you’ve always wanted to see Athens and you’ve booked a cruise that ends in the Greek capital, you’re not going to actually see Athens unless you extend your stay there. The transfer from the port to the airport will not take you through the city center.

The same applies to Rome and Barcelona . So by all means pick a disembarkation port that you want to see, but bear in mind that unless the ship arrives there the day before the end of the cruise, you will need to add on a night somewhere, or book an evening flight and plan your day carefully.

Can I arrange transportation from the disembarkation port to the airport or other destinations?

Yes, of course. Celebrity Cruises offers airport transfers, which can be pre-booked, either as a group transfer by coach or a private car or van. If you haven’t pre-booked and decide that you would like an airport transfer, this can be done on board through your Guest Account or the Celebrity Cruises app up to five days before the end of the cruise.

In the vast majority of disembarkation ports, taxis will wait to pick up independent travelers. But do your research first; in some instances, the airport is a long way from the seaport. If you disembark in Southampton, England , for example, the drive to London Heathrow Airport is at least one hour and a taxi will be expensive.

What happens if my flight is in the evening?

An evening flight means you have the whole day to enjoy your disembarkation port. But this needs to be planned, as you will most likely have luggage. There’s no fun in going straight to the airport and sitting there for eight hours or so—and your flight check-in will not be open, in any case.

There are various ways to make the most of your time in your disembarkation port. You could go to the airport and deposit your bags in a left luggage locker and then take off for a day in town. This is only practical if the airport is not too far from where you want to go, though.

Booking a day room in a hotel is an option and also means you can freshen up before your evening flight. Be sure to book somewhere that will allow early check-in.

Celebrity Cruises offers tours with airport and sometimes rail station and downtown hotel drop-offs in most ports. In Sydney , for example, you could join a city tour taking in the Opera House and Bondi Beach before being dropped off at the airport.

From Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, Italy , there’s the option of joining a wine-tasting tour in the Italian countryside before heading to the airport.

If your Alaska cruise ends in Vancouver , you could take a trip to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, deep in the forest, that ends with an airport drop-off.

Best of all, you could extend your stay. Celebrity Cruises offers a comprehensive City Stays program , which means everything will be organized for you.

In Alaska , you could pre-book a Cruisetour to extend your vacation, heading off to the wilds of Denali National Park to see a different face of the 49th state.

What are some things not to do on disembarkation day?

• Don’t pack all your clothes in your suitcase and leave it for collection the night before. Nobody wants to be disembarking in their PJs.
• Similarly, don’t pack your travel documents in your checked luggage. Keep them with you as you may need to show your passport in the customs hall.
• Don’t party too hard on your last night; while it’s tempting, disembarkation day is busy and comes with an early start, so a clear head helps.
• Don’t forget the valuables that you put in the safe on the first day.
• Don’t wait until disembarkation morning to check your final bill. If you need to ask questions about your account, this will delay your disembarkation. You can view your statement on your stateroom TV.
• Do not expect to use the ship’s facilities on disembarkation day; this is not the time for a last swim or a workout, and the onboard shops will be closed when the ship is in port.
• Don’t leave your key card in your stateroom. You will need it to leave the ship for the last time.
• Leave the bathrobe. The slippers are yours to take, but if you walk off with a bathrobe, the cost will be added to your account, even after you have left the ship.

Read: Things Not to Do on a Cruise

Ready to plan your next cruise vacation? Browse our itineraries and plan your dream escape.

Sue has been writing about cruising for 20 years and is lucky enough to have sailed all seven continents. She lives in London, where she is cruise editor of The Times and The Sunday Times newspapers, as well as a freelance contributor to magazines and websites worldwide.

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21 Cruise Disembarkation Tips You Need to Know

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What cruise passengers need to know about cruise disembarkation, also known as debarkation day

The process of “checking out” of your cruise ship is very different from checking out of a hotel. If you’re a new cruiser, or even if it’s been a few years since you’ve cruised, it’s good to be aware of the debarkation procedures and what to expect.

In this post, I’ll go through some common questions and things you need to know about cruise disembarkation.

Disembarkation Day: The saddest day of the cruise

Cruise disembarkation (or debarkation) is something we cruisers don’t really want to think about. If you’re anything like me, you’d rather get to the fun stuff like planning excursions and making cruise packing lists , and NOT think about getting off the ship!

What to expect from the cruise disembarkation process

Cruise lines have small differences in their disembarkation procedures, but overall they’re pretty similar. The last morning of your cruise, you’ll have to disembark and leave what had become your very comfortable home away from home.

In this post, I’ll go through all the basics, so that you can know what to expect and plan for on the last day of your cruise.

Regular Disembarkation vs Self-Disembarkation

There are two types of disembarkation, regular disembarkation  and self-disembarkation (unfortunately both require you leaving the ship).

The disembarkation process is almost the same, with the main difference being that with self-disembarkation, you are responsible for taking your own luggage off the ship. I’ll go over the pros and cons of both at the end of this post.

21 things to know when disembarking from your cruise ship

1. what time will you be able to debark the cruise ship at the end of the cruise.

There’s no set time when cruisers can disembark and this will vary by cruise ship itinerary, cruise port and things that are actually beyond anyone’s control the last morning of the cruise.

However, something important to know, is that the scheduled docking time listed on your cruise itinerary will not be the time that you get off the cruise ship. This is because the ship needs to be cleared by customs , and given permission for passengers to debark.

For instance, if your cruise itinerary states that your ship will be back at port at 6:00 am the last morning of your cruise, you won’t be able to disembark until an announcement is made that the ship has been cleared.

This process can be an hour or two, and sometimes longer. The reality is that it’s not something the cruise line can control.

As a general rule most cruise ships will start the disembarkation process around 7:30-8 am, however your cruise line can give you more specific information.

2. Avoid booking an early flight home

Since it’s difficult to predict the exact time you can get off your ship, don’t book an early flight home.

You have to account for time to disembark from your ship, getting your luggage, going through customs and then travel time to the airport.

My best tip is to simply call the cruise line before you book your flight , or ask your travel agent to do so. Cruise lines have recommended flight times for each cruise port. Keep in mind if you’re an International traveler, you may need more time at the airport.

Another reason not to book a very early flight, is that even if you CAN make it, it’s possible for your ship to arrive late in port due to weather or other reasons. For instance, cruise ships in Galveston have been known to be late due to fog.

3. Cruise ship debarkation instructions

While on your cruise, your cabin attendant will give you some printed disembarkation instructions which will include what to do with your luggage as well as some basic custom information.

On the second to last day of your cruise, you’ll also notice that you can find the disembarkation information on one of the TV channels in your cabin. For new cruisers, your ship may offer an assembly to go over information, so you can check for that.

I’ll tell you what usually happens to me. I see this around day 5 on a 7 day cruise, and I don’t like it. The fact is that I don’t want anyone reminding me that this cruise will end, while I’m fully immersed in enjoying my cruise vacation. But, do take a look as there’s information to know. Then, as quickly as possible, get back to enjoying your day!

4. Luggage tags and debarkation times

Along with the printed disembarkation information,  you’ll also receive special luggage tags.

As you can imagine, debarking thousands of passengers almost all at the same time is quite a process. So, cruise lines keep things organized and moving along by assigning color coded luggage tags which correspond to certain disembarkation times.

Red 5 = 8:20 am

Purple 3 = 9:10 am…. and so on.

These assigned times, are really approximate and what the cruise line is hoping for, if all goes as planned.

5. Can I change my luggage tags if I don’t like the assigned time?

You may be wondering, “what can I do if I don’t really want the time the cruise line gave me?” .

Maybe you’re staying an extra day or two in port and you’d rather take things a bit slower in the morning, so you prefer a later time.

Maybe you’re driving straight home from the port and you’ve got 10 hours of road ahead of you, and an earlier time would be better.

For whatever your reason, if you’re given a time doesn’t work well for you, simply bring your luggage tags to guest services and ask if you can get an alternative time. Most of the time they can accommodate you.

If you need extra luggage tags, they can help with that too.

6. What do I do with my luggage*?

*This only applies to those doing regular disembarkation.

On the last night of your cruise, you’ll be asked to place your luggage outside your cabin door by a certain time in the evening (you’ll see the time on the instructions). The ship’s crew will be working hard that night taking the luggage to a holding area, so that it can be move off the ship quickly the next morning.

Just like when you got on the ship on embarkation day , remember it’s better not to pack valuables in your suitcase, but rather to leave them in your cruise carry on bag.

Put your cruise assigned luggage tags on all your suitcases before you put them in the hallway.

Tip: Either keep a luggage tag, or a tab, or even take a photo to remember your color and number.

7. Remember to keep out clothes and toiletries for disembarkation day

I’m sure there are a few people who forget this on every cruise! You don’t want to disembark in a cocktail dress, right?

Remember to keep a carry on bag for the last night and morning of your cruise. Things to think about include night clothes, morning clothes, toiletries, valuables, tech stuff like laptops and phone chargers and personal ID and documentation.

8. Verify your cruise account BEFORE you leave the ship

My husband and I like to keep an eye on our cruise account throughout the cruise, looking at it once every couple of days, just to make sure all is as it should be. It also keeps us a bit more cautious with our spending than we might be otherwise.

You can usually check this on your cruise app (for cruise lines that have one) or you can get a printed copy from a machine or at guest services. We always print one up the last full day of our cruise (not disembarkation morning), and go through it line by line, just to make sure.

Many people have their account linked to their credit card, so no need to settle your account. If you do want to pay off your account in cash, try and do this early in the day as the lines get long as the evening wears on.

If you notice a discrepancy, bring it to the attention of guest services as soon as possible. The fact is that once you leave the cruise ship, you are accepting the statement and it’s extremely difficult to go back and dispute any charges.

9. Fill out cruise staff appreciation cards

As a cruise passenger, simply filling out a comment card highlighting the good work of some favorite crew members, is one of the easiest things you can do. However, it makes a huge difference to those who work so hard so that we all have these incredible cruise vacation experiences.

I’ve been told that these comment cards help to earn crew members privileges and possibly even promotions. I also know the ship’s staff really treasure these positive comment cards, and it truly impacts them.

10. Purchase your favorite cruise photos

The photo studio is like a zoo on the last evening of the cruise, with people deciding now to buy their cruise photos and packages. It really gets hectic, so if you can go earlier in the day, or even earlier during the cruise, it will be better for you.

Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake I read about the other day in a cruise Facebook group. A woman was very upset as she found the packages on the cruise ship to be too expensive. She explained that she thought she would get home and contact the cruise line to complain about this and purchase them at that point.

Of course, she found out that this was not possible, and was very disappointed. Her photos were gone.

You can only purchase your cruise photos on your cruise. To my knowledge, they are not stored.

So, if you want them and they are a great memory – buy the photos. You won’t regret it!

11. Book a future cruise on-board

One way to help with future cruise blues , is to have an upcoming cruise to look forward to. Cruise lines offer several advantages to planning a future cruise onboard. In some cases, you can even buy a Future Cruise Deposit on an open booking, and choose your cruise once you get home.

Tip: Do this as early as possible in your cruise an don’t wait until the last night, as it will be very busy.

12. Disembarkation morning reality

On the morning of the last day of your cruise, you’ll notice that everyone (crew and passengers alike), are a wee bit stressed and that happy go lucky atmosphere you had, is starting to wane. The reality is, that the crew needs to clean and turn over that ship in a few short hours, so that new passengers can board. .

Hopefully, you’ve had a wonderful cruise and will be back to do it all again in the near future!

Recommended Post:  How To Know if You Have Post-Cruise Depression

13. Breakfast on the last day of the cruise

There will be a few options open for breakfast including the buffet, the cafe and in some cases the main dining room. Room service may or may not be available. Once you’re on your cruise ship, you’ll be informed of the options.

Since you’ll be leaving your cabin, this may mean bringing your carry on or other items with you to the buffet. Keep in mind it will likely be quite crowded.

We are often pretty tired the last morning, so the last few cruises we’ve just gone down to the cafe and picked up a coffee and muffin or one last delicious pastry to go. We bring it back to out cabin while we do some final things before we leave the cruise ship.

14. Check your cabin for any “forgotten” items

We actually do 2 checks, just to make sure.

After we pack up, on the last night of our cruise, we gather things together, and this includes all items that were in our cabin safe. I put chargers together and do a quick pack of our toiletry bag. We open all our drawers and check the shelves.

In the morning, do one last check. Make sure you’ve got your sunglasses, reading glasses (this happened to my friend), umbrellas etc. Parents, if you have children, go through their drawers and under their beds to make sure you’re all packed up and nothing is forgotten.

*Keep your cruise card on you – you will need it.

Tip: If you get home and realize that you did forget something, cruise lines have a toll free number that you can call to report lost items. There’s a chance that you may find it, however I haven’t heard of many success stories.

15. Getting off your cruise ship

Once you’re all packed up and ready to go, you’ll be asked to wait in designated public areas until your luggage tag number is called. Keep your cruise card in hand, as you’ll be scanned as you leave the ship.

A couple of the ship’s activities staff or officers may be near the exits to say goodbye and wish you a safe trip home. On a couple of occasions the Captain and/or Cruise Director have been there and it’s been a nice final opportunity for us to say a big thanks!

16. Getting your luggage

Once you get off the gangway, you’ll head into the cruise port and in a great big room (sort of like a hangar), you’ll find rows of luggage, grouped according to color and number.

This procedure is so much better than when we first cruised years ago. It used to be really hectic, but the last few cruises it’s been a fairly easy process.

There will be porters that can help you with your bags, if needed.

Tip: Keep a few small bills handy to tip the porters.

17. Going through customs after your cruise

Whether you’re American, Canadian or from any other country, you’ll be going through customs as a final step of your cruise disembarkation. It’s usually not too long a process – we’ve gone through this in 10-15 minutes.

During your cruise, keep track of your purchases including alcohol, cigarettes, and any large purchases. Be aware of the allowances for each in your home country. We keep our bills together during our trip to make it easier.

Tip: Keep your receipts together during your cruise by placing them in an envelope as you go. Small magnetic clips can also help to keep all your cabin items organized.

18. Heading home after your cruise

You’re all done! Hopefully it’s been a great cruise vacation and you’ve got dreams of future cruises in your head.

Getting to the airport

Most people get to the airport by taking a cab or by purchasing transfers with the cruise line. You can do this before your cruise with the cruise line or with help from your travel agent. You can often also add these on during your cruise at the guest services desk, but do verify.

Getting your car from cruise parking

Usually you’re ship will return to the same pier as when you departed on your cruise, and you’ll be able to get your car, load it up with your luggage and pay as your leave the cruise port.

In the rare case that your ship comes back to a different pier, if it’s not close walking distance, you’ll have a shuttle to bring you over to the original parking lot. This happened to us once a few years ago.

19. What to do if you have a late flight

If you have a late flight, you’ve got options. Consider booking a cruise excursion tour on the last day of your cruise.

You can store your bags in the luggage compartment of the coach bus, and you won’t have to sit around in the airport. Since the excursion included transportation to the airport, this can also be a good value.

The Pros and Cons of Self-Disembarkation

Here’s a quick explanation of the advantages and disadvantages self-embarkation, so you can know if this is the right thing for you and your party, at the end of your cruise.

20. Benefits if Self-Disembarkation

*Earliest to get off the ship

*No need to put luggage out on the last night of your cruise

*Leaving the cruise port as early as possible

21. Disadvantages of Self-Disembarkation

*You will not receive any help with your luggage

*You may need to carry it down several flights of stairs as elevators may be full

*You need to be up very early to vacate your cabin and get off the ship

This is only a good option for your party, if everyone is able bodied and can handle the luggage. If you need assistance, or happen to have a lot of luggage, this isn’t for you.

We’ve done both and there isn’t a right or wrong way to disembark. The choice will be yours, and you can decide what works best once on the cruise ship.

Recap: 21 cruise disembarkation tips you need to know

Cruising is so much fun, that it’s hard to think about the last day of your cruise and debarking from your cruise! I hope these tips have been helpful and in giving you the information you need for when you are getting off of your cruise ship for the last time.

If you’ve cruised before, do you prefer regular or self-disembarkation? What advice do you have for future cruisers? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

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Recommended posts:

15 Cruise Embarkation Day Tips (for a great start of your cruise)

21 Essential Things to Pack in Your Cruise Carry-On

30 Cruise Cabin Hacks (to keep your cabin organized)

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12 Comments

I liken the idea of being able to get some help with disembarking the ship. I feel like having someone to help you get through customs, as well as make sure that you get all your luggage there safely would be nice. I’ll have to consider getting someone to help me do that sort of thing if I decide to go on a cruise.

Once on the ship, you can definitely ask someone at guest services to help guide you through this. If you choose standard debarkation, the luggage will be taken off the ship for you, so not to worry.

We were also confused about custom documents on our first cruise, and were assisted with he expectations.

IF YOU ARE HEALTHY AND MOBILE, SELF DISEMBARKATION IS THE BEST WAY. NO ONE IS GONNA HELP YOU SO BE PREPARED TO WAG YOUR OWN BAGS. YOU WILL BE IN THE PARKING LOT, AT YOUR CAR IN NO TIME.WE SKIP B’FAST ON THE SHIP AND GRAB SOMETHING AT MICKEY D”s AS WE LEAVE THE PORT AREA. WORKS GREAT FOR US.

Sounds like our disembarkation mornings too Bob. Thanks for the great tips!

My wife And I started to back to back cruises. Last time we went to guest services. They gave us a new card for the coming week. Had us go to the wine bar. NCL asked us what we wanted to eat and drink. Ordered 6 wings and a Port wine. Few hours later the dozen of us were back in our old new clean rooms. Though you are only delaying getting off. Always been jealous of those who live on cruise ship. Meet a couple from England they were on 136 cruise. Were going to a hotel for three days. Followed by another 10 day cruise. I wish I could do that. Thanks for what you do!!! You are awesome!!!

That sounds amazing! We did one B2B and we definitely enjoyed the feeling of not having to disembark and pack up! I agree, life on a cruise ship almost full time sounds pretty good!

Thanks for taking the time to comment Russell! I hope you can get back on a cruise soon.

Let’s be a little more clear on regular disembarkation:

– You must put your suitcase outside your cabin door the night before by 11:00 or midnight. Your cabin steward will take it away. – You’ll be assigned a time to leave the ship. Let’s pretend you get 10:00 – 10:30 am. – When you leave the ship the next day — you and all the other 10:00 – 10:30 people — you will be ushered into a big room where all your suitcases are lined up — remember that about 95% of suitcases are plain black, so you should tie a bandana or something to yours. – Once you have found your suitcase, you’ll be able to join the line for customs. You will need to be able to haul your suitcase through customs by yourself. – Once you are through customs, if you need help getting your luggage to your car, porters are available. (Have tip money ready.)

In contrast, if you do self-disembarkation: – You do not put your suitcase out the night before. – You leave whenever you want, but you must carry your own suitcases. You might have to carry them up/down stairs, as the elevators will be slam-packed full. – You will bypass the big room full of suitcases and go straight to customs.

Thanks for sharing

My concern: how safe is it to put your luggage outside of your room the night before? Anyone walking by could get into your suitcase? Granted I would not leave valuables in there, but my clothes….🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️⚓️⚓️ Thank you! I will be a First timer in November on WOTS! I have been reading all of your articles and have signed up fo our emails! They are very helpful!

I have never heard of an issue and the luggage is removed by the crew on a fairly regular basis. Truthfully, people are so busy getting their own packing together and it has always seemed safe for me. I would not put your valuables and if this includes your clothing, it’s something for you to decide.

Have a great cruise,

If you self disembark, do you have to leave at a certain time still? Loved your post!

Great quesion. Yes, you usually disembark first before the others with luggage tags are called

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Cruise 101: Your Guide To Safe, Simple Disembarking

Whether it’s express departure or complimentary porter service, here’s how to make disembarking simpler..

BREAKFAST Balcony, European Caucasian Couple, Staterooms and suites, Food and Beverage, fleetwide,

All good things must come to an end and that includes your Royal Caribbean adventure. The good news is that by the last day of your cruise, you’ll be feeling rested and headed home with stories from your adventures abroad ( as well as on board ). But what is that last day like?

Whether you’re headed home or on to the next destination, here’s everything you need to know to prepare for getting off the ship.

The Night Before

There are a few important steps you need to take care of on the last day of your cruise to ensure you have a successful departure. Don’t worry—your last night on board will still have the amenities and experiences you’ve enjoyed on your cruise, like an array of dining options and free, top-quality entertainment .

First, your stateroom attendant will drop off important information in your stateroom. These include luggage tags for your bags – each tag will have a number that will correspond to your departure time the next day. Also, you will receive an “As You Depart” guide that will provide detailed information on timing, where to grab breakfast and other important instructions.

After enjoying your final evening, you’ll need to pack up most of your items, so you can leave your larger luggage pieces in front of your stateroom for pick-up. In general, bags must be out by 11 p.m., but the dedicated team on board your ship will inform you of the exact time. Crew members pick up your bags at night and ensure they are waiting for you on land, freeing you and your family up from the stress of keeping track of your luggage. Another hassle our crew can take care of for you is setting up your airport transfer for just a small fee. Since it’s recommended you book transfers two weeks before sailing, you should discuss this option while making your reservations, if needed.

As with packing for your first day , make sure you keep a small carry-on of essentials like travel documents—especially your passport and SeaPass card—handy so they’re easily accessible when getting off the ship.

Before you hit the hay, make sure you check your onboard account one last time (which will be possible throughout your trip). If you see something that doesn’t look right, visit the Guest Services Desk to resolve it.

Day Of Departure

First things first: breakfast will be available on the ship, so you can fuel up. Next, everyone will have an assigned departure lounge and time that corresponds with your tagged luggage, detailed in your “As You Depart” guide.

Refreshments will be available at the lounges, so this brief waiting period can be a chance to sip coffee, relax and reminisce. There also will be a family zone, so younger guests can enjoy toys and games while waiting.

Once your group is called, our crew will be on hand to show you the way, and will direct you to your luggage, your Royal Caribbean airport transfer, taxi or awaiting family .

Express Departure

Guests looking for the fastest way off the ship should consider Express Departure. If you’re willing to carry your luggage, this option will save you time, since you will be among the first off and on your way. This means that instead of putting your luggage outside your stateroom the night before, you’ll keep it with you—although we still advise packing the night before.

Extending Your Adventure

If you decide to extend your vacation, our cruisetours are an excellent way to further explore your destinations, since they add guided land excursions to the beginning or end of your cruise. You can explore landscapes and native treasures with the help of local Adventure Specialists.

On an Alaska cruisetour, you can add three to six nights onto your vacation to the Last Frontier. All experiences include at least one night in the must-see Denali National Park, where you can glimpse grizzly bears and caribou in low-elevation forests, which give way to alpine tundra and eventually North America’s tallest peak, the 20,310-foot Denali.

Canadian cruisetours can be added to Alaska cruises too, with six-night stays in Alberta and British Columbia, where you can relax in natural hot springs and ride through the Rockies in a vintage railcar. Feeling ambitious? Combine both for an epic 18-night vacation through two countries and several northern mountains.

Cruisetours also are available in many European ports like Madrid, Paris and Rome. If you’d simply like to enjoy a destination for another few days, our special hotel packages make it easy, whether you’re in Stockholm or The Bahamas.

Now that you know what to expect on the last day, get ready for your first day and book your next trip here .

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Post-Cruise FAQ: Disembarkation

An overview of some important information to help make your disembarkation as easy as possible., more frequently asked questions, pre-cruise faq.

• Prepare for Your Cruise
• Before You Leave for Your Cruise
• What To Pack for a Cruise
• Travel & Transportation
• Shore Excursions

Onboard FAQ

• Onboard Experience
• Cruising with Family & Kids
• Dining & Nightlife
• Keeping in Touch

Post-Cruise FAQ

• Disembarkation
• Report a Lost Item or Luggage

Cruisetours FAQ

• Alaska Cruisetours
• Asia Cruisetours
• Australia Cruisetours
• Canada & New England Cruisetours
• Europe Cruisetours
• South America Cruisetours

Common Questions and Topics

• The OceanReady® Process
• Princess MedallionClass® FAQ
• Crew Appreciation
• Dress Code and What to Pack for a Cruise
• Cancellation Policy
• Future Cruise Credits (FCC)
• Travel Documents
• Prohibited Items

Can You Leave A Cruise Ship Early?

By: Author David Chapman

Posted on Last updated: October 17, 2023

Categories LEARN , PREPARE

You most likely have invested quite a bit of time and money in your cruise planning and in selecting the perfect itinerary for your family. But sometimes plans change or need to be tweaked. If so, can you leave a cruise ship early? Keep reading to learn what you need to know if you find yourself in that situation.

So, Can You Leave A Cruise Ship Early?

The short answer is (probably) yes. But, depending on your circumstances, you will likely have to pay a fee or penalty.

Prior to the Covid-19 situation, you could make plans in advance to disembark early. However, some of those policies changed. For instance, Royal Caribbean barred that practice completely. It remains to be seen whether the policy will be modified now that various pandemic-related restrictions are being lifted.

Sometimes people don’t realize that they need to leave a cruise ship early until after the cruise has started. So what then? You can leave a cruise ship early, but depending on where you are traveling, it may result in you having to refund the penalties that the cruise line company is charged. If you leave due to an emergency, you may have to look to your travel insurance for compensation.

Leaving a ship before the cruise’s end causes the cruise crew a logistical nightmare. It may be that you missed the cruise ship after going ashore to see the local sights, had an unpleasant experience that ruined your vacation, or an emergency dictated your need to get home; whatever the circumstance, it is a sad end to a beautiful holiday.

Why Do Some Passengers Leave A Cruise Ship Early?

Many situations may arise where you want or need to leave a cruise ship early. These may include:

• You suffer an injury on the ship, or you get very sick.
• There is a family emergency back at home.
• The service, cabin accommodation, or food is so bad that you have to get off the ship as soon as possible.
• You, or a member of your travel party, is instructed to leave because of some infraction.
• The ship stops at a port and leaves without you.

Can You Leave A Cruise Ship Registered Outside America?

The Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 disallows any foreign registered vessels transporting passengers between two different ports in America unless the ship has traveled to another county first.

This Act mainly affects foreign cruise ships operating around North America. These ships make regular stops at many places, and no passenger can leave the vessel permanently except when it returns to the original point of departure.

The effect of this law is that cruise lines that operate foreign-flagged vessels are fined $798 for each passenger who boards its vessel in one U.S. port and leaves it at another port. The cruise lines typically pass this cost to the passengers who “jump the ship.”

This act still requires the total fine to be paid if the passenger leaves the ship for any emergency.

This penalty even applies if the ship has to dock in a different port due to an emergency or bad weather conditions.

If you board a ship in America and leave that ship in another American port before the ship has traveled to a second country, the vessel will be fined, and they will pass the fine onto you.

If You Are Travelling On A Cruise Overseas

If you board a cruise ship in another country and travel back to America, this law does not apply. 

You must keep in mind the different legislation that applies to the various countries you travel through.

For example, if you boarded a cruise ship in Greece, which had an itinerary that included traveling to Italy and then back to Greece, if you chose to leave the ship in Italy, you will have to make sure that you comply with Italian immigration laws.

If you are a national of a country that requires visas and any other permits to enter Italy, it will be very inconvenient. It could ultimately (in very extreme cases) end up with your deportation.

The tips below will help you navigate a situation like this.

When You Are Onshore, Carry Your Key Documents

Whether you are going ashore to look around a new town or city and return to the ship, or if you intend to “jump ship,” always carry the following:

• Your current passport , and if you have a visa, make sure it is also displayed
• Your travel insurance details
• Your Credit cards
• The phone number of the ship & port agent details (found in the ship newsletter)
• The emergency contact details of the ship

It would also be extremely helpful if you had the following information available. This is information you can store on your phone before you leave home:

• The emergency contact details of your country’s embassy in that port
• Contact details of your travel agent
• Emergency Contact details of a family member

If you return late to the ship and it has left, this information will be essential to help you try to catch the cruise ship at the next port of call or to assist you in getting home.

What To Do If You Accidentally Leave A Cruise Ship Early

If you unintentionally end up off the ship after it has sailed, take the following steps:

1. Find The Cruise Ship’s Agent

This is the most critical step. The agent will be able to get hold of the ship and give the crew permission to enter your quarters to remove any belongings left there.

The cruise agent will also be able to assist you, either with travel arrangements to get you home or to help you get to the next port to catch the ship. (Note that “helping you” does not mean they will pay for it.)

If you can’t find the cruise agent, try to contact the cruise ship directly using the emergency numbers you were provided when you boarded.

2. Organize Your Documents

If you did not intend to leave the ship, but are now left stranded with no documents, get to your home country’s embassy as soon as possible.

They will be able to assist you by providing emergency travel documents and help you figure out the following steps on how you get home or back to the ship.

3. Try To Get Back On The Cruise Ship

If the situation happened in America, because of the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 , you would not be able to race ahead and board the ship at the next stop.

In all probability, if this happens, the cruise is over, whether you intended for it to be or not.

Do You Get A Refund If You Leave A Cruise Early?

There are two circumstances where you may need to leave the cruise early.

There Is A Problem Which Ruins Your Holiday

Cruise lines generally are very clear about what they are and are not liable for. Most cruise liner contracts state very clearly the resolution process for disputes. If, for example, you find that there is a problem in your cabin – maybe the toilet or an air conditioner doesn’t work – most ships will try very hard to resolve the issue, rather than issue a refund.

Before they even consider a refund:

• A crew member, or the captain, will need to be notified
• They will request that they be allowed to fix the problem first
• If the problem is not fixed to your satisfaction, they will ask that you persist with them
• If the problem is severe and can’t be fixed by the crew, you must submit a formal complaint
• Most cruise line companies are very responsive to these issues. If you show that you followed the formal dispute resolution process, they will probably try to work something out. (Check out these tips from the Elliot Report on getting your complaints resolved.)

There Is An Emergency

If there is an emergency, whether you are forced to leave the ship because of an accident, someone has fallen ill, or a circumstance requires you to return home immediately, any refund amount will generally be toward your account.

Refund policies vary by cruise line, and as always we suggest familiarizing yourself with the policies of the line you are sailing with.

If you paid for the trip with your credit card, there might be compensation available through your card’s purchase protection plan, and If you purchased travel insurance , there might also be coverage available depending on your policy.

Yes, you can leave a cruise ship early; however, depending on which country you are traveling to, and the circumstances surrounding your early departure, there may be penalties imposed on you.

Before signing up for a cruise, check the conditions of each cruise company, and find the company whose terms are most acceptable to you. Leaving a ship before the end of the cruise will generally cause a lot of inconvenience and damage to your wallet.

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Related articles.

27 cruise ship embarkation day do’s and don’ts

You've planned your cruise, and now it's embarkation day. You can't wait to get on board your ship and relax, sip a tropical drink and stare out to sea. You're on vacation – woohoo!

Not so fast. You might be ready to cruise, but the ship's crew still is getting the ship ready, having just disembarked last week's passengers.

You must go through the ship's pier-side check-in process, which can take time. Remember, you are one of thousands of people entering a floating city at basically the same time. As with any other secured structure, you can't walk right onto a ship.

The best way to start your cruise is to arrive at the pier expecting some lines and minor hassles — and perhaps a bit of chaos — and then be thrilled if you don't encounter any of them. Keep a level head and look forward to good times once your sailing gets underway.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Here are some dos and don'ts to help make embarkation day as hassle-free as possible.

DO check that you have the necessary paperwork and documentation

The cruise line will send pre-cruise reminders explaining what to expect at check-in, including health and safety procedures. It will outline which documents, IDs, QR codes or other electronic receipts you must have ready.

However, it's your responsibility to arrive at the pier with the proper documentation. I like to print out and bring paper copies of documents as a backup to electronic documents.

Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

DON'T arrive at the pier early

Many cruise lines assign passengers a staggered time to arrive at the pier. Arrive early, and you'll just have to wait — often, outside in the hot sun, without access to water, restrooms or other necessities. Arrive at the pier as close as you can to your scheduled time, but don't freak out if you are a few minutes late. You won't be turned away.

DO hand over your big suitcases

As soon as you arrive at the pier, porters will be available to take your large suitcases, which will be delivered later to your cabin. (Dock workers expect a small tip for the service.) Without your luggage, you'll have your hands free for the rest of the embarkation process. Make sure your suitcase is tagged with your name and cabin number, ship name and sail date.

DON'T relinquish your carry-on bag

In your cruise carry-on , pack your medications, valuables, documents and anything else you will need until your luggage arrives in your cabin. Since you're likely leaving from a sunny destination, you also might want to have a sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. If you've come from a cold-weather place, pack shorts, flip-flops and your bathing suit so you don't have to wait for your suitcases to arrive before you hit the pool.

DO be prepared to go through security

Once you prove (through your paperwork or electronically) that you belong on the ship, you will go through security. The setup is similar to an airport. You put your belongings on a screening belt and walk through a metal detector. You won't have to take off your shoes but will have to remove belts and bulky jewelry and clear your pockets.

DON'T try to sneak any banned items onto the ship

Your carry-on items will be inspected via an X-ray machine at the security checkpoint, and your checked bags might be searched before they're delivered to you. While most cruise lines allow passengers to bring a small amount of alcohol, soda and bottled water for consumption in their cabin, make sure you have not gone over the cruise line's allowance for bringing your own beverages on board .

Cruise lines have specific rules for other banned items, which you can find on your line's website. These items will include weapons, fireworks, flammable liquids, candles, clothing irons, incense and anything else that produces a flame. Royal Caribbean also bans martial arts gear, baby monitors and extension cords, among other items. Carnival bans handcuffs.

DO freshen up

After your flight or drive to the port, you will want to freshen up because the fun begins at the embarkation pier. You'll find both official and unofficial photo spots at the terminal. Smile for the shipboard photographers, who will have a backdrop with the ship's name or picture set up, or take your own photos.

DO pause and look up as you enter the ship's atrium

Some ship atriums are impressively high or have cool artwork or chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. You've arrived at your floating home for the week. It's OK to stand in awe.

DON'T expect to be able to go right to your cabin

Depending on when you arrive, cabins might not be ready, as the crew needs to clean and straighten them after the previous guests have left. It's best to stay out of the way of the cabin stewards and instead find a place for you (and your carry-on luggage) to hang out until the ship announces all cabins are ready.

DON'T follow the crowds to the buffet

As the boarding process begins around noon and continues well into the afternoon, many people arrive hungry. Crew members often direct passengers to the buffet — but experienced cruisers know there are other, often less crowded, options.

On Carnival Cruise Line ships, go directly to celebrity chef Guy Fieri's poolside Guy's Burger Joint and indulge in a decadent burger or fries. If you're on one of the newer or recently updated Carnival ships, there's also the embarkation day treat of Fieri's pork butt, chicken and Mac Daddy Mac n Cheese served on the promenade (or Deck 10 on Carnival Sunrise).

Royal Caribbean fans in the know make a beeline to the Park Café for Royal Kümmelweck roast beef sandwiches, an embarkation day rite of passage. A main dining room with waiter service and specialty for-a-fee restaurants also might be alternatives for an embarkation day lunch.

DO head to your cabin when it's ready

Your big bags might not have arrived at this point, but you can drop your carry-ons and take a look to see that everything is to your satisfaction. Your cabin steward likely will stop by to say hello. This is a good time to ask how the air-conditioning, TV and safe work and to ask for any extras you might need, such as more towels, pillows and hangers, or to have the bed split from a queen into two twins. The steward will also let you know how to keep in touch if you need anything extra throughout your cruise.

DO read the safety instructions and check life jackets

Safety instructions will be posted on the back of your cabin door. Look there for the number of your assigned muster station in the event of a shipboard emergency. You'll find life jackets in your closet or elsewhere in the cabin. If you are traveling with kids, now is the time to make sure there is an appropriate infant or child life jacket in addition to a life jacket for each adult. If there isn't, alert your cabin steward.

DO watch the safety video

It used to be that everyone on a cruise ship was required to gather on embarkation day at their assigned muster station, listen to a safety briefing and be checked off a list as having been briefed. As a result of COVID-19, and a desire to keep crowds at a minimum, many cruise lines have moved to e-muster drills.

You are required to watch a video on your cabin TV or cruise line app that tells you what to do in the event of a fire or other shipboard emergency. Your smart TV or app will record that you have watched the video. You may also be required to check in with a crew member at your assigned muster. Those who skip this step will hear their cabin numbers called out over the PA system, which can be embarrassing.

DO make sure the kids understand the safety procedures

Eyes might roll, but now is the time to talk to the kids about the danger of climbing on any railings or standing on balcony furniture. Remind them that other people on the ship are strangers and that they should use the same caution they would at home. Establish rules for how much freedom children are allowed to have on board, where to leave messages for each other and how to reconnect if you get split up on the ship.

DO go out to explore the ship

You'll have time to see a lot during your cruise, but at this point I like to get the lay of the land. You might find a ship deck plan (map) in your cabin, or one might be available at the purser's desk or in the cruise line's app. It's fun to find not only the main spaces but also the hidden pools, hot tubs and other treasures you'll want to return to throughout your sailing. It's fun to do the exploring as a family.

DO sign the kids up for cruise ship camp

While you're exploring, stop by the kids' centers and sign the kids up for the onboard kids program. Staff will be on hand to welcome your progeny and show them around the play spaces and hangouts available just for them. Your kids might need to get bracelets marked with their muster station in case of emergency.

Related: Best cruise ships for kids

DO stop by the spa and fitness center

If you plan to do spa treatments or have hair and other beauty appointments during your cruise, now is the time to book them (if you haven't booked them in advance). Take the spa tour and sign up for the raffle — you could win a free treatment.

If you like what you see in the soothing thermal suite — which typically has hot and cold treatments — sign up now as spaces often sell out. Put your name on signup sheets for fitness classes, as these also fill up quickly.

DO take time to veg out

You don't need to do everything your first day, so if you spot a perfect spot in the sun or shade, rest your weary bones. Fun times are ahead; a little cat nap might be in order.

DON'T assume drinks are free

As you wander, especially out on deck, smiling crew members will be carrying trays of tempting and colorful icy drinks, maybe even decorated with sweet little umbrellas. Go ahead and grab one if you want — just understand you will be charged for the welcome drink.

DO watch your alcohol consumption

We get it, you bought a drinks package (in which case the above drink is included), and you want to make the most of it. But do you really want your first day on board to result in an unpleasant morning after? Better to pace yourself and drink lots of water between adult beverages.

DO take time to unpack

Once you've got the lay of the land, you probably want to unpack and get ready for your first evening on board. Don't put your luggage directly on your bed's duvet; use the luggage mat provided. Find a spot for everything because cruise cabins can quickly become cluttered. When you're finished, stow your suitcases under your bed.

DO call if your luggage hasn't arrived

It takes time to deliver thousands of suitcases to thousands of cabins. But if it's getting close to the time your ship is set to leave the pier and your suitcases have not arrived, alert your cabin steward. (If you've had a last-minute cabin change, look for your luggage by your original room.)

DO take your seasickness tablets

If you are prone to seasickness , plan to take your first pills a couple of hours before the ship is scheduled to leave the pier. They need time to kick in.

DO turn off your cellphone

To avoid costly roaming charges, you will want to keep your cellphone on airplane mode. To keep in touch with those at home and brag about your trip on social media, consider buying a shipboard Wi-Fi package . Crew members will be on hand on the first day to help you log in and connect.

DON'T forget to figure out dinner

Perhaps you plan to head to the main dining room the first evening or want to go casual at the buffet. Consider the option of specialty dining . These intimate, for-a-fee restaurants can be hard to get into (reservations are required) but are usually not as crowded on the first night of the sailing. Plus, some lines will thank you with a complimentary or discounted bottle of wine.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

DO check out the daily program

You'll find a list of all the daily activities printed out in your cabin, on your cabin TV or on the shipboard app. Take a look and see what's in store for your first evening aboard.

DON'T miss the sailaway party

This is the first big activity of your cruise and not to be missed. These parties are about music, laughter and the opportunity to check out the crowd you'll be with for the week. Plus, watching the land disappear as your ship heads to sea is a dreamy experience. You're off to new horizons. Grab a drink and toast the official start of your cruise vacation.

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• Cruise Advice

Cruise Ship 101: Your Guide To Disembarkation

Doug Parker

• February 15, 2018
• 1.3K shares

Disembarkation morning is by far the worst day of the cruise. It’s when the cruise line kicks you off the ship so they can clean your stateroom and get it ready for the next batch of guests. How soon or early you want to get off the ship is up to you, however, there are some things you need to know to make the transition from ship to pier easier.

We talk a lot about how no two ships are alike, but when it comes to disembarkation from the major cruise lines, things are pretty similar. And while nobody wants to think about the end of their vacation before it even begins, here are a few things to keep in the back of your mind so that when the time comes, you’ll make the process as quick and painless as possible.

What are my disembarkation options? 

You’ll have two options when it comes to time to get off the ship: express debarkation or checked-luggage debarkation. Which one you choose depends on how quickly you want to leave the ship.

Express Debarkation is specifically for those who are able to carry off their own luggage without any assistance from the staff and who do NOT have baggage they will have to pick up after they’ve disembarked. If you booked an early flight, this will be your best option for quickly getting off the ship. This is also perfect for people who don’t feel like lingering over one final breakfast and instead want (or maybe need) to get back to life on shore ASAP.

Checked-Luggage Debarkation is more relaxed and involves passengers getting off the ship when their numbered/colored zone is called. On the last night of the cruise, you put your luggage (with the corresponding tags) outside your stateroom. The staff then collects the baggage so that it can be offloaded in the morning. Once you’ve gotten off the ship, you’ll claim your baggage much like one would at the airport. Remember, if you go with this option, you will NOT see your luggage again until you’re off the ship. That means it’s crucial that you have anything you’ll need in the morning — especially medications — with you in a small carry-on bag.

How do I prepare for leaving the cruise ship? 

A day or two before you get to your ship’s final port, you will find a letter in your room explaining the two disembarkation methods. (Of course, having read this article, you’ll already be ahead of the game!) Depending on the cruise line, they will then either leave colored/numbered disembarkation tags in your stateroom or announce where you can go (usually the Guest Services desk) to pick them up. Guests who have achieved a higher status with the line’s loyalty program will have priority disembarkation (not to mention likely be old pros at this process). As soon as the ship is cleared by authorities, those guests will be the first off. Then, announcements will be made when each zone is ready to disembark.

Read More: 5 Cruise Disembarkation Tips

Want to avoid turning the disembarkation process into a nightmare for everyone? Don’t try to get in line before your appointed time. Also, don’t clog the hallways around the disembarkation area, and be sure to listen to any announcements made, whether over the loudspeaker system or by staffers. If you have any questions, ask someone. And if you really want to be prepared, plan to attend the disembarkation talk most ships have in one of the public spaces (usually the theater) the day before everyone will be getting off.

Remember: Even if you’ve cruised 100 times but are sailing on a new ship, the system could be different. Don’t assume you know what you’re doing. Taking a few minutes to find out exactly how the system works on the ship you’re currently on will make life easier for you and everyone else.

Settling Your Onboard Account

One thing you’ll definitely want to do is settle your onboard spending account in advance. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your account over the course of the week and deal with any issues which might arise in advance. Why? Because on the morning of disembarkation, there’s going to be a very long line at the Guest Services desk as your fellow passengers attempt to resolve their issues. If you set up a cash account upon boarding, now’s your time to settle up and get any money you might be owed back. (Don’t worry… if you don’t collect the unspent money, the cruise line will send it to you in the form of a check.) Thinking of skipping out on the bill you ran up? Not gonna happen: You won’t be cleared to actually get off the ship until any account issues are resolved.

Will I need to fill out immigration forms?

This depends on how much you bought during your vacation. A good rule of thumb is that generally speaking, anything over $800 has to be declared, as do purchases or alcohol and cigarettes over a certain amount. Some cruise piers have done away with the blue U.S. Customs form when getting off the ship, while others — such as Port Everglades in Florida — have begun using the Passport smartphone application. Others only require the form to be filled out if you are declaring over a certain number of items. Don’t let all these variations worry you: There will be paperwork in your stateroom which will explain all of this. The cruise line (and the customs officials) want the process to be as streamlined as possible. And as always, if you have any questions you can visit guest relations or call them from your stateroom.

Check Duty-Free Allowances here .

Can I grab one last meal?

You bet you can! We have friends who wouldn’t dream of stepping foot off a cruise ship without getting one more “free” breakfast! The question is where and when you can do so. The best thing to do is check your daily newsletter, which will have information on all things disembarkation related, including which restaurants are open. Usually, the buffet will be open (and packed), as will at least one dining room if you have the time to enjoy a sit-down meal. Some lines do have room service available on disembarkation morning, although Carnival Cruise Line recently did away with that option.

Where can I wait?

Each cruise ship will give you a list of public spaces in which you can wait for your number/color to be called on debarkation morning. These areas usually include a variety of lounges, dining areas, the promenade and outside on the open decks. Again, and we can’t stress this enough, you should not gather anywhere near the disembarkation area, as it will slow things down for every9one.

If you’re lucky enough to be sailing a back to back cruise, the cruise line will issue you an in-transit card. You will have to walk off the cruise ship, but will usually be allowed to walk back on once the passenger count is reset to zero.

Disembarkation Tricks and Tips

• If you have an early flight, it’s wise to opt for express disembarkation in order to avoid any delays. Better still, try and avoid cutting it even close to close. You’d be amazed how easy it is for something to go wrong and lead to missed flights!
• If you choose checked luggage disembarkation, you can have a porter bring your luggage to the curb or to your car. The baggage porters typically have a dedicated customs line that will get you out the door quicker. It is customary to extend a gratuity of a dollar or two per bag when using this service.
• Keep your paperwork in your hand the whole time. You will be asked for it several times between the ship and the customs area.

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Debarkation - After Your Cruise

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Preparing for Debarkation Day

DAY PRIOR TO DEBARKATION 

• Sail & Sign Accounts
• Customs Declarations
• An overview of the two debarkation options: Carry Off Luggage (Self-Assist) and Checked Luggage (Zone Numbers) 
• Special groups (Faster to the Fun guests, Platinum and Diamond guests, Suite guests)
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• Special Assistance
• Back-to-Back guests
• Liquor collection
• Gangway location and flow
• Guest Satisfaction Survey
• Detailed review of debarkation flyer that highlights key logistical information
• A fun Farewell Parade consisting of crew, staff and officers

• Casino: Cash out any casino chips or slips as the Casino Cashier Desk is closed on debarkation morning. 
• If you registered your Sail & Sign account with a credit/debit card, your account will still be active on the morning of debarkation. For credit card accounts, billing is submitted to the your credit card company. Your bank places a hold on all onboard purchases. Even though your account will be settled with us, it is up to your bank to release any holds and it may take 3-5 days or more.
• For cash accounts, if you have exceeded the amount of your cash deposit, you must pay the outstanding balance at Guest Services by the last evening of the cruise so you can disembark the ship without any delay. Any refundable overages greater than $10 USD will be refunded via check mailed within 7 days after the cruise to your home address on file. Overages less than $10 USD will be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (excluding Australia ships). If you wish to have the full overage in cash, you may retrieve it from one of the Sail & Sign Kiosks or Guest Services. 
• Liquor Purchases: For cruise durations 6 days and more, liquor purchased from the gift shop or from ashore that was held for safekeeping will be delivered to your stateroom after 7:00pm, the evening prior to debarkation (some exceptions may apply). For cruise durations 5 days and less, liquor will be available for collection in a designated lounge on the morning of debarkation. Guests cruising back-to-back will collect all items at the end of the 2nd cruise.

Digital Debark - Debarkation Options Digital Debark is our debarkation procedure using the Carnival Hub app, in order to help streamline the process and minimize crowds while still giving guests plenty of options for how they choose to leave the ship at the end of their cruise vacation.  

• Before 1:00pm on the last day of the cruise, log into the HUB app and navigate to the last day of 'My Planner', accessible via the main menu, and select 'Schedule Debarkation'. 
• You will be guided to select your preferred debarkation option: 'Express Debarkation' or 'Checked Luggage'. Then select all members of your party and select a suitable time for you and your party to debark the ship. 
• If you choose 'Checked Luggage', select the number of tags you require (one tag per bag). Luggage tags will be delivered to your stateroom the last day of the cruise.
• Once you have completed 'Schedule Debarkation', the confirmation will remain available in your planner. Upon arrival to the home port, listen to the Cruise Director's announcements and follow the debarkation notifications coming through on your HUB app.

Option 1: Express Debarkation - Carry Off Your Luggage (Self-Assist) If you would like to disembark early and are able to carry your own luggage off the ship, this option is for you. This option is a great for anyone with an early flight back home. 

You do not need to put your luggage outside of your cabin the last evening of your cruise. Keep all your belongings with you and on the last morning of the cruise, you will be among the first to debark the ship, as soon as the vessel has cleared immigration and debarkation can begin. Please know that in addition to carrying off your own bags, there may be escalators, stairs, and lines to contend with.

Option 2: Checked Luggage

• All original Carnival luggage tags need to be removed.
• Each tag needs to be filled out and attached to every piece of luggage.
• The tear-off section needs to be kept as reference.
• Do not pack medicine or other important documents in your luggage. Ensure you keep out your Sail & Sign Card, proof of citizenship and photo ID.
• Make sure you leave out an outfit for the last day. In the morning.
• Your luggage will be collected by our staff and placed into a secure area on board for offloading upon arrival in the morning. 
• You will be called to the gangway by the scheduled time you selected.
• Your luggage will be waiting for you in the baggage claim area of the terminal building, separated by zone number.
• You must personally locate your luggage and either carry it out or seek the assistance of a porter. The customary tip is $1 USD per bag.

Taking Care of Business

• Sail & Sign Cash Account: If not done so alreadly, please settle any outstanding account balances with Guest Services before 8:00am so you can disembark without delay. 
• Debarkation Morning Purchases: You may use your Sail & Sign card or personal credit card for purchases. 
• Liquor Purchases: For cruise durations 5 days and less, liquor will be available for collection in a designated lounge on the morning of debarkation. Guests cruising back-to-back will collect all items at the end of the 2nd cruise.
• The Photo Gallery is open for last minute purchases until 8:30am. 
• Carnival airport transportation tickets are available for purchase on the Carnival HUB App or at the Carnival Adventures or Guest Services desks until arrival.

Waiting for Departure

• We kindly ask that you vacate your stateroom before 8:30am. Please double check and make sure you have removed all valuables from your stateroom safe as well as personal items from closets and drawers.
• The main dining room serves breakfast 6:30am-8:00am (open seating)
• The lido restaurant serves breakfast 6:00am-9:00am
• Promenade Cafe (JavaBlue) is open 6:00am-9:00am
• You will need to select a location on the ship while waiting to be called for departure. Each ship will provide a list of designated areas (lounges and outdoor space) for guests to wait; in the interest of safety, guests should not wait in the stairwells or lobby area.
• Once the ship has cleared Immigrations and debarkation starts, Carry off guests will be among the first to to be alerted via notification through the app that they can leave the ship. Guests will proceed to the gangway with their luggage. 
• Guests who require special assistance will disembark with their luggage when their group is called through the HUB app notifications and will be escorted off the ship into the baggage claim area. Unfortunately, due to port regulation, wheelchair escorts are not allowed to assist with the handling or collection of luggage at the terminal building.
• Guests who have pre-purchased a shore excursion that includes return transfers to the airport will meet in a designated area and guided to the gangway as a group.
• We generally clear the ship of all guests approximately three hours after the published arrival time in the home port.

Debarking the Ship

• Sail & Sign card
• U.S Citizens will need Travel Documentation (passport, birth certificate and photo I.D, etc)
• Non-U.S Citizens will need Travel Documentation (passport) and required forms and documentation required by U.S Immigrations.
• In order to 'check out' of the ship's security system, each guest will need to present their Sail & Sign card as they leave the ship.
• In nine U.S homeports, guests debarking the ship at the end of a closed loop cruise will pause at a kiosk with a camera and take a photo. Within seconds, the image is biometrically compared to their passport or visa photo to verify the guest’s identity. U.S travelers and select foreign nationals who prefer to opt out of the facial biometric process can simply request a manual document check from a CBP Officer. 
• The U.S homeports using this secure, streamlined technology, include Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville, New York, Baltimore, Mobile, Galveston and Long Beach. 
• Baggage Claim: Guests will proceed to the baggage claim area of the cruise terminal. Please wait for your zone number to be called otherwise you luggage will not be available in the terminal. Luggage will be grouped by zone number for easy location. Guests should double check to ensure they have claimed their own luggage as well as all of their bags.
• All confiscated items will be returned to guests in the terminal by the shoreside security upon debarking the vessel.
• U.S Customs Border and Protection (CPB) Luggage Inspection: Prior to exiting the cruise terminal, guests will proceed to the CBP area - this is a formal but brief check of luggage and an oral declaration of merchandise purchased.
• Guests who have purchased our optional transfers must proceed to the buses outside the cruise terminal with their luggage for transportation to the airport.
• Taxis and other alternative transportation services will be located outside the cruise terminal.
• Guests who purchased shore excursions must ensure their luggage is on the same bus on which they are traveling.

Damaged, Lost Luggage, or Luggage Left on the Ship or Cruise Terminal -  check here

Lost & Found (Missing Items) - check here

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How to disembark your cruise ship before everyone else

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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Bigger ships mean more cabins, and more cabins mean more people trying to disembark at the same time. Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas , currently the largest ship in the world, can carry 6,988 passengers when completely full. Just imagine the crowds as everyone tries to leave the ship on the final morning of your cruise.

Want a more peaceful debarkation? Here, TPG shares its favorite secret for disembarking your cruise ship ahead of almost everyone else on the last day of your voyage. This tip is especially helpful for newbie cruisers who might not know this option exists.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

How cruise ship disembarkation works

Before we share our secret, you should have a basic understanding of how cruise ship disembarkation works.

As you approach the end of your cruise, your cabin attendant will leave a newsletter in your room with information about the disembarkation process. It should answer most of the questions you have about how to spend your last morning on board.

You’ll be told to leave your packed luggage outside your cabin door by midnight on the evening before disembarkation. (Just remember to leave out shoes and clothes to wear the next day — yes, people have forgotten to do this — and any medications and paperwork you’ll need in your carry-on until you are reunited with your luggage.)

Related: 16 mistakes cruise ship passengers make on disembarkation day

You’ll also receive color-coded luggage tags indicating if you’re taking cruise line-arranged transportation to the airport or a hotel or if you’ve made independent plans. Affix those tags to your bags before leaving them for crew pickup — that’s the only way the crew will know where to direct your luggage.

In the middle of the night, crew members pick up the bags in the ship’s hallways; in the morning, they move them out onto the pier’s holding area. This is where you’ll claim your things before exiting the cruise terminal and boarding transportation to the airport or your next destination.

Before you can exit the ship, you must wait for your group (remember those color-coded tags we mentioned) to be called. Depending on where your group falls in the debarkation process, you could be waiting a long time.

Once your group is called, it can feel like a stampede as everyone races to the gangway at the same time. The stairwells and elevators will be crammed with people, and the line to swipe your keycard one final time can snake throughout the atrium and the surrounding public areas. People are often grumpy and can be pushy as they try to get off the ship as quickly as possible.

How to avoid the crowds

Cruise lines do give you a second option for debarkation, and we suggest you choose this option to avoid the queues and crowds. It’s called self-disembarkation (sometimes self-assist or express departure, depending on your cruise line).

The main difference is that you don’t leave your luggage outside your cabin door and instead commit to carrying it yourself. In most cases, independent travelers using the self-disembarkation option may leave the ship before anyone else. You can exit the terminal before the customs line is packed or before the taxi queue gets out of control.

Related: How long does it take to disembark a cruise ship?

This independent option isn’t always obvious, especially to new cruisers who don’t know to look for it. It’s easy to go into auto-pilot and leave your bags outside your door along with everyone else. But if you want to disembark your ship before the other cruisers, self-assist is the way to go.

Who should and shouldn’t try this disembarkation hack

This method is especially useful for travelers who didn’t buy the cruise line’s transfer back to the airport or local hotel and those who have an early flight. Just listen for the onboard announcement saying self-disembarkation travelers may go ashore (which happens as soon as customs officers clear the ship), grab your things from your cabin and proceed to the exit gangway.

You will need to carry all your bags yourself, with no help from the crew, and cruise ships don’t offer luggage carts like hotels do. We don’t recommend this option for passengers traveling with lots of unwieldy luggage. It’s a much easier option for people who travel light.

Related: How to cruise with just a carry-on

Also, some elevators might shut down on disembarkation day to allow the crew to use them exclusively to move luggage from the ship to the dock. Even when all the elevators are operational, they can get crowded with everyone simultaneously going to and from breakfast and heading with their bags down to the lower-level public areas. You might need to carry your luggage down a flight or more of stairs, so we don’t recommend this option if you cannot manage your bags on your own.

Finally, you must be prepared to be up and out of your cabin early because the self-disembarkation group is the first one called. You might be asked to leave the ship as early as 7 a.m. You will avoid the crowds, but you also won’t get one last leisurely morning of vacation.

Bottom line

For independent and fit travelers who don’t have a ton of luggage, self-disembarkation can get you off the ship and on your way to your next destination in a matter of minutes. It’s worth missing some extra sleep to have an easy, rather than exasperating, last morning on board.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
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• MSC Cruises

How to curtail the cruise and disembark early?

By keeven2 , March 8, 2022 in MSC Cruises

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I booked a MSC cruise at end of a school holiday, now it looks like we need to disembark one day earlier and go home due to other arrangement. So is it ok that when we are onboard we inform the ship reception to clear the bills and walk off one day earlier? 

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Depends on where your cruise is.  f it is round trip from US, probably not allowed.  In Europe?  Maybe.  EM

It is in Europe, Mediterranean. Not a round trip though, the start and finish ports are different. I wonder if the reception will refuse to produce the bill one day earlier

deniseatnycs

1 hour ago, keeven2 said: It is in Europe, Mediterranean. Not a round trip though, the start and finish ports are different. I wonder if the reception will refuse to produce the bill one day earlier

we have done this twice without any issues.   disembarked Barcelona as its nearer to where we live,  we just let  reception know the day before

mscdivina2016

3 hours ago, keeven2 said: I booked a MSC cruise at end of a school holiday, now it looks like we need to disembark one day earlier and go home due to other arrangement. So is it ok that when we are onboard we inform the ship reception to clear the bills and walk off one day earlier?  TIA.

Right now during covid, I have received a no from MSC in UAE, would rather get off in Doha to catch Qatar back to USA.

NCL, no to getting off in Vietnam for an Asia cruise

Princess, no getting off in Bermuda for a TA

If you live in that country it may be a different story

7 hours ago, keeven2 said: I booked a MSC cruise at end of a school holiday, now it looks like we need to disembark one day earlier and go home due to other arrangement. So is it ok that when we are onboard we inform the ship reception to clear the bills and walk off one day earlier?  TIA.

Not without prior arrangement, which may or not be granted!  😉

perakcruiser

11 hours ago, keeven2 said: I booked a MSC cruise at end of a school holiday, now it looks like we need to disembark one day earlier and go home due to other arrangement. So is it ok that when we are onboard we inform the ship reception to clear the bills and walk off one day earlier?  TIA.

Not a problem in the Western Med with two Schengen ports, just need to do exactly what you write. You can ignore all the info about cases outside Schengen where early disembarkation was not granted, not relevant for you. 

KINGBOBOFTHENORTH

Last August my wife and I disembarked off MSC Seaview in Tallinn, Estonia. After that port the ship was headed for a day at sea, a port in Germany and then back to the embarkation port, Kiel, Germany. Basically, we sailed for 4 out of the 7 nights. We informed Reception the night prior to getting off the ship and there were no issues.  We did have to sign a document that we were voluntarily ending the cruise early and that we expected no compensation. I think that since both Germany and Estonia are in the EU, there were no issues since there are no internal borders. So I think the answer for you depends on where you embarked and where you intend to disembark early.

56 minutes ago, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said: I think that since both Germany and Estonia are in the EU, there were no issues since there are no internal borders.

It is not about the EU, it is about Schengen. 

Thank you all for the reply. Since the cruise is in west Med, I hope it will be fine. Thanks.

• 1 year later...

On 3/8/2022 at 11:32 PM, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said: Last August my wife and I disembarked off MSC Seaview in Tallinn, Estonia. After that port the ship was headed for a day at sea, a port in Germany and then back to the embarkation port, Kiel, Germany. Basically, we sailed for 4 out of the 7 nights. We informed Reception the night prior to getting off the ship and there were no issues.  We did have to sign a document that we were voluntarily ending the cruise early and that we expected no compensation. I think that since both Germany and Estonia are in the EU, there were no issues since there are no internal borders. So I think the answer for you depends on where you embarked and where you intend to disembark early.

Thank you for this.  Although you expected nor received compensation, were you still obliged to pay the Hotel charge/service fees/gratuities for the days that you were not there?  Thank you

23 minutes ago, sg1812 said: Thank you for this.  Although you expected nor received compensation, were you still obliged to pay the Hotel charge/service fees/gratuities for the days that you were not there?  Thank you

No, the shipboard account gets closed on the day one disembarks the ship. There are no further service charges/gratuities added.

2 hours ago, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said: No, the shipboard account gets closed on the day one disembarks the ship. There are no further service charges/gratuities added.

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Royal Caribbean Embarkation Tips for Your First Day

Posted on Published: 05/10/2024

Excited about your Royal Caribbean cruise? Usually, my cruise excitement is tempered a bit as I prepare for embarkation day – which can often be long and stressful.

However, there are some things to do to prepare for the day. Here are our Royal Caribbean embarkation tips for your first day.

We have been on complimentary media sailings on Royal Caribbean but have also paid our own way. This post contains affiliate links and a purchase/click through one of those links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

Before leaving for your cruise vacation, be prepared that it’s probably going to take a little time before you really feel like you are on vacation. Once you get these things out of the way, you are ready to have a great relaxing time on your cruise.

Check-In On the Royal Caribbean App

Most of the Royal Caribbean ships utilize the app, which is the best way for you to stay connected to all of the cruise happenings (in addition to the Cruise Compass). Well before your cruise, I recommend that you download the app and connect your reservations.

When it’s time to do online check-in on the app, you’ll be guided through the process. There are various things that you’ll need to input, including a front-facing photo of yourself, your passport information, and credit card information. Each of your family members will need to check in with their information.

Once you do all of this, you’ll be able to choose your port arrival time. The boarding time does need to be followed, so make sure you choose the best time that will work for your travel plans.

I prefer to arrive early so that I can get the boring things out of the way and start my vacation. But if you can’t make an earlier time, it’s best to choose the most accurate time.

You generally will have a 30-minute window to arrive. Keep in mind that you will need to fully pay for your sailing and complete your online check-in before you are able to choose a port arrival time.

The day before you sail, the app will alert you when it’s time to complete your health questionnaire. Check the Royal Caribbean website for exact details on this since they are always changing and updating.

Read the best gifts for cruisers here .

Organize All of Your Paperwork

Checking in at the port can be chaotic. You are usually wrangling multiple bags, kids, paperwork, etc. Because you’ll need to show them a variety of things, I recommend getting organized in advance.

I use a travel document organizer (here’s a reasonably priced option on Amazon.com ) to keep all my cruise documents in one place. You’ll want to add medical documentation, passports, and other necessities so that you can access everything as you need it. Make sure that it’s in your carry-on bag and is easy to grab.

Once you are in your stateroom, you can store this in the cruise ship safe. You may need some of the documentation on port days depending on the port, but it’s a good idea to keep these documents securely stored.

Pack a Day Bag for Your Cruise

Once you give the cruise porters your luggage outside the cruise terminal , you won’t see it again until later. Bags are usually delivered in the late afternoon, but they can sometimes arrive after dinner if you have an early reservation time in the main dining room.

Packing your cruise day bag is important so that you have everything you need for your first day. You’ll want to include all of your valuables, medications, and documentation. If you plan on visiting the pool deck, you’ll want a bathing suit, sunscreen, and other pool essentials. You may also want to pack a dinner outfit, especially if you are going to dine in a specialty restaurant and arrive at the terminal in very casual clothes.

Remember that you will have to carry this bag with you until your stateroom is ready, which is often 1-2 pm. So, if you have an early port arrival time, you’ll want to make sure the bag isn’t too heavy to lug along as you will need to bring it along everywhere you go.

Prepare Your Luggage

Your luggage will contain everything else you need for your cruise. Porters are available curbside at the cruise terminal, and you can hand off your largest items to them. These porters don’t work for the cruise line, so you’ll want to tip them separately.

Remember to add an ID tag to your luggage and the Royal Caribbean luggage tags. I like to use plastic covers to protect the printed bag tags (you can find them on Amazon here ). You’ll need to print these tags at home before you leave.

As you pack, you’ll want to review Royal Caribbean’s list of prohibited items while on board. If you pack any of these items, they will be held for you at the cruise port to pick up after your cruise is complete.

If you arrive the night before your cruise, you may want to separate your pajamas and the clothes you are going to wear on embarkation day. That way, you won’t have to dig through your packed luggage to get to the things you need.

Arrive the Night Before Your Royal Caribbean Cruise

Speaking of which, I highly recommend that you arrive the night before your cruise if you are going to fly. Flight delays and cancellations are always a risk, and staying overnight can help you avoid those risks.

We also had lost luggage when flying in for a cruise, and it took us until later the next day to retrieve it. Flying early can help if you have these issues.

When we traveled on the Odyssey of the Seas , we enjoyed our stay at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina Hotel . It’s close to the port and was very comfortable.

Checking In to Your Royal Caribbean Cruise

After handing off your luggage, you’ll enter the port. There are several different checkpoints you’ll pass, depending on the specific port. You’ll have to go through security, show all of your documentation, and provide any additional information that is necessary. Then, you may need to wait before boarding the ship or will be guided on.

You will have to show your SetSail pass (which serves as your boarding pass) on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line app, so make sure your cell phone is fully charged and accessible. Once you reach your stateroom, your key cards will be on the door.

Do Your Muster Drill Early

Veteran cruisers know that the cruise ship’s security briefing can often be the most frustrating part of the sailing. However, one of the recent changes makes the muster drill easier to do. On Royal Caribbean, you’ll need to watch a security video on the app, listen to the sound of the emergency horn, and then visit your assembly station to check in.

Unlike in past years, there isn’t a dedicated time to check in for the muster drill. However, it will need to be done before the ship departs. We recommend that you go to your muster station as soon as possible after boarding so that you can check it off your list and have time to enjoy exploring the ship.

Unpack For Your Royal Caribbean Cruise

Once your statement attendant brings your bags, you’ll want to unpack. There’s usually plenty of room for everything to be put away, and you’ll want your clothes to be as unwrinkled as possible. After unpacking, you can usually store your bags under the bed.

Book Things Onboard

While you can pre-book and pre-purchase things like drink packages, soft drink packages, specialty dining reservations, an internet package, spa appointments, and shore excursions, these can also be purchased once you arrive.

Typically crew members will be walking around and stationed in common areas so that you can make your purchase. You may also be able to book certain activities as well as entertainment once you are on the ship’s WiFi.

Keep in mind, however, that the most popular activities and restaurants do book up in advance. So if possible, reserve these in the Cruise Planner before the first day of your cruise. You can also often get better pricing by booking before your cruise.

If this is your first cruise on a Royal Caribbean ship, you’ll want to do some research on the specialty restaurants available on your ship. These are not typically included in your cruise fare and have a separate cover charge.

They are a great experience though, and if it’s in your budget, I’d recommend you go to at least one. A dining package is available if you plan to mostly dine at specialty restaurants.

Explore the Ship On Embarkation Day

Royal Caribbean ships (especially the Oasis-class ships, like the Wonder of the Seas ) are packed with activities, restaurants, and more. So you’ll want to spend some time exploring the different things you can experience while onboard.

Once you’ve done these things, sit back and enjoy your cruise!

Considering a family cruise? Check out our  guide to family cruising , with posts about popular cruise terminals, cruise ships, and cruise lines, as well as tips for cruising.

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