Disembarking in the Slowwww lane

[txSherry]

We like sleeping in late, and have nowhere to be in any hurry. What I'd like to do on the last day is sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast, maybe do some shipboard shopping if the shops are open, eat lunch too (!) and then finally stroll off the ship at the tail end of everyone so that we're not dealing with long lines.

Is this possible? Any of it! LOL.

Let me know any tips and tricks to having the MOST leisurely, slow, disembarkation possible!

TIA,

Sherry

[Gregswife]

Thanks - what you are describing is truly a dream - unfortuneately, i ton't happen that way. To me, disembarkation is the worst part of the cruise - not just because it is over, but also because you just sit around waiting for your tag color to be called. One of our cruises, there was anywhere between 45-75 minutes between colors called. They also started a little late because there were a few passengers they kept calling to come to immigration and obviously they were not showing up and they called them over and over. The only tip I can give you is to just be patient because there is nothing else you can do. As the Conquest is our next sailing, I do wish it would happen as you detailed!!!!

[txSherry]

Hey! Sadly, most of what you said was greek to me! any tips on making it leisurly? What's a tag color? Are you saying we have to stand in line for a while?

/confused

[Mebert]

txSherry,

Welcome to Cruise Crazies.

Believe it or not, after your first cruise you'll be an expert in the language of cruising.

On Carnival it is sometimes difficult to have a leisurely disembarkation. You can't really sleep late because you have to exit the cabin so the steward can prepare it for the next passengers and the shops are usually closed when in port. Gregswife is right. We predict that you'll be disappointed that the cruise is over.

The tags that Gregswife was referring to are luggage tags that are tied on to the handle of your luggage. The colors usually identify what part of the ship you were on and announcements are made using those colors to tell you when you can disembark.

If you would like to have a leisurely time in the morning, let the crew take your large pieces of luggage off the ship and keep your bare essentials like personal items and medicaitons in a carryon that's easy for you to move around with. You can enjoy a leisurely breakfast and wait for your luggage tag color to be called. You can choose not to go at the time your color is called and disembark with another group, as long as your color was already called.

The Conquest is a very beautiful ship. I'm positive you'll have a great time.

Enjoy your cruise and let us know all about it.

[TheSkipper]

That is indeed a beautiful dream, but as you have already heard "Ain't Gonna Happen." By lunch time the passengers will already be on onboard and they may have a problem of you still being in the cabin.

It is not as bad as it sounds. Go to dining room and have a good breakfast, don't mess with the buffet. Keep cool and you will be off by 10 AM.

[SCIROCCO]

Welcome to the world of your cruise coming to a end thats the worst part of Cruising As Skipper, Cheryl and Mebert have stated they want you off so they can get the cabinr eady for the next herd! Your tags will be delivered to you the day before your getting back to port and they go by cabins and floors, Immigration people first, Disabled next people needing to make their flights so on so on so do as Mebert stated, keep your lighter Carry on Bag only, with all your cameras, Jewelry, Medications, Cell Phone Car Keys if your driving and we always had to be out by 7 AM YUCK! So yes go to the Dining room have your Breakfast and just wait, it really goes fast, Once your tags are called! Just be prepared to have your customs form filled out as well and your Passports handy for Customs! Only one family member has to fill out the form! Also take your Old baggage tags off that you had when you embarked! I take along a pair of Leatherman scissors tool in my checked luggage,never had them confiscated they come in handy for all things Good Luck and before it you will be a pro!

[SCIROCCO]

Sherry and dont forget go around 11 AM to Board that way you will miss the long lines to board, you wont be able to get in your cabin until around 1Pm but you can go to the Buffet to get some lunch!

[txSherry]

Thanks to everyone for edumacating me! :-) Now I know what to expect and I really appreciate it! Knowing that I can go off on any LATER color than mine will be great!

And Robert, as much as I hate lines, I was definately planning on being there early to board! We'll either be driving down the day before (My daughter's never been to Moody Gardens and would love it.) or to save money for the trip :P we'll be leaving about 6:30 which should put us at the parking lot about 10:30 (or earlier if my husband isn't watching my spedometer; which if we leave at 6:30 he'll probably be sleeping. *g*)

Again, thanks EVERYONE!

I'm slowly putting together all the bits of our trip into place.

--Sherry

[Gregswife]

Sherry, here's another tip - upon disembarkation, when we get to the huge room that houses all the luggage waiting to be claimed, we always grab a porter. He will throw all of your bags onto a dolly, and he doesn't have to wait in line to show your customs forms - he just tosses it in a bin and walks right thru, with us behind him. We usually tip him about $10 (I think they say the going rate is about $2 a bag but mine are big and heavy). you will not be standing in a line waiting to disembark - there will be several lounges and sitting areas open and you will wait in one of them, they do not want people wondering in the hallways. You will also have to take the stairs down to the exit level as the elevators will not be in operation. However, you will be in a slow moving line when your tag color is called and you actually do begin the process. Please feel free to ask any questions you can think of - all of us here would be more than happy to help...