Disembarkation - How Not to Get off a Cruise Ship
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2024
- Disembarkation. There is a right way and a wrong way to get off a cruise ship. In today's video I share a story of a passenger at Galveston cruise terminal doing it the wrong way and some tips for how to make the disembarkation process easier at both the cruise terminal and at port stops.
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I appreciate your concern for others to make things flow smoothly. Too many times some people think they are the only ones in the line.
The porter always gets us through customs much quicker. It's worth the cost of a good tip.
How do you get a porter to come when you are leaving the ship. Never done it before.
Kali's Mom, they are right there where you pick up your luggage.
This is a HaRD one, but I know everyone can do it. Ready, all we have to do is listen to the instructions that they repeat over and over. If that’s too hard for you they also put it in writing in your cabin, oh and let’s not forget that they have a channel on the tv in your cabin that you can watch over and over. 🤠
So glad I watched this, thank you for posting! My first cruise is next week, November 14. I knew I needed the documents to embark that first day, but I had no idea I'd need them again coming back home. Makes sense though. Now I know to keep them handy at disembarkation too. 😀
Carnival puts the numbered luggage tags on Lido shortly before the cruise ends. You need to go get them and attach them to your luggage if you leave them out the night before disembarkation. They used to leave them in your room but they do not do that any longer. You need to look for them often and as soon as you hear they are available if you want a lower number. The lower the number the quicker you get to disembark. They will call the numbers out over the speakers and ask you to disembark in that order. I think it will be even more important once we return to cruising because it will help with crowd control and everyone being congested on Deck 3 as we disembark.
When we get off the ship in a port we use waterproof pouches that we wear around our neck. Has worked great so far.
We were pleasantly surprised a couple of weeks ago when we disembarked at Port Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, NJ. They have facial scanners to be able to get back through customs. It was easy off and very easy on at this port. So much better than Manhattan Cruise terminal.
We LOVE the porters!! SO worth it!! Definitely have to be conscious of where those precious passports are!! Thanks Tony! ❤️
Tony, you are so right. Have your passport or other id ready when getting off the ship. It will be smooth sailing all the way through.
We are for sure getting passports for next cruise. I never want to keep up with BC and license again. I had to keep up with all our stuff and I’m not gona lie I was pretty panicky everytime we had to have them out and ready. Passports would be a lot easier and I won’t have to have panick attacks over them LOL We debarked easy off vista. I lost my ID for a little bit but found it the night before debarkation. Thank God.
Gee, how times have changed. In 1984 I flew back from Panama. Only used my driver's license to re-enter the US. My passport was in the mail the next day.
Good info for newbies!
I think the bigger mistake was the lady not removing herself from the queue (line) altogether. Unless you are in an emergency situation, there is no excuse to impede the flow of others.
I've traveled around the world for decades on both ships and airplanes. Thank goodness I never had that problem where I didn't have my necessary documents. What a catastrophe...
If you have a step counter that has the chest band on it remember to take that off that’s a little tip that I learned the hard way on my last cruise.
Excellent tips especially for newbies because it's all NEW.
To protect my documents near water...I bring a zip lock bag which I've blown a little air in so it can float; and protect from any sand that I may get in my bag or on my hands at the beach. Just in case there are no lockers around, that is...like on a swim with dolphins or helmet diving, and your bag is left on the motorboat.
We used a porter in Seattle a couple of years ago after a California Coastal Cruise on Royal Caribbean. He got us through Customs and out to curbside in a flash! I concur with your tip. Good, informative video.
I have bought a sealable seethrough bag that I can put around my neck, that will hold my documents, glasses, and money, so that I can keep it with me when I am in the water.
100% perfect. Where can I get one of those?
@@TVHouseHistorian Internet, put in waterproof valubles bag. Mine is from Sea to Summit
Could you possibly do a talk on elevator rules. I was recently in a cruise and as soon as an elevator door opened people rushed in without letting the passengers off first. It only makes sense to me to let people off first to make room for the ones getting on. Thanks. I know you reach a lot of people 😊
I'm one of those people who will unleash their inner Karen in that situation and very loudly say something like, "Don't mind us, we enjoy taking the scenic ride up and down in an elevator just so we can accommodate your desperate need to get to wherever you are going. I mean, you are obviously so much more important than anywone else. We couldn't possibly expect you to wait 3 seconds while people get off the elevator before you get on."
Documentation? You mean to tell me I can’t walk up to the customs official and say; “Don’t you know who I am?”
😄😅😂🤣
hahaha!
reese witherspoon lolol
These are good tips. We like to wait as long as we can to get off the ship, that way the line isn't too congested. We also carry our own luggage off.
Good point about always having your documents at the ready. I'd be sobbing if I had to look though all my luggage for my passport in front of everyone!
Yes, you would. That happened to us once, and I just lost it. It turned out OK in the end. Lesson learned, though.
Hi Tony, welcome back!!! I used a porter for the first time this past April. It was amazingly smooth and we got through the customs line quickly.
I bought a small watertight pouch that can be worn around the waist or shoulder that I wear whenever I go into the water. Inside I keep our ship cards , IDs and cash. That way we’re never separated from our important documentation. I ordered mine online for a very nominal fee. It works great.
Very interesting. Thanks for posting this.
Once when we were getting ON the cruise ship, I couldn't locate my Sign and Sail card. I knew I put it in my front jeans pocket after receiving it in the terminal. I finally found it had slipped into the little rectangular pocket area going towards the zipper of my jeans! and so couldn't feel it in the regular part if the pocket.
Hey Tony, love your shirt with your lobsters.
I have, so far (knock on wood), never had an issue. We just got done on Allure of the seas, it took me about 6 minutes from the uber to the gangway. Getting off was about double but still super fast. I was pleasantly surprised. As for the excursions, it was fairly simple as well. I had my sea pass, drivers license and a laminated photo copy of my information pages of passport.
Always place something on your suitcase to make it unique if you allow the ship to take your luggage on the last night
We used a porter when I was in my wheelchair in Florida. It was worth it, getting to the special line in my chair and my family who was trying to help me. I recommend it especially if you require extra assistance.
how do you get a porter? Do you go to the customer desk on board the cruise?
What great and excellent advice for identification!!
Always take a government-issued photo I.D. with you into port. Whether the cruise line says you need it or not. You never know when technology is going to fail. Some cruise lines don't give cruise cards anymore. And if they do, the government in a foreign country may not accept that card as proof of identity. It doesn't prove citizenship either. I got a passport card with my book to take into port with me. It proves my identity, American citizenship and my book stays in the safe on the ship unless I actually need it.
I love your informatiin
Best tip I can give is just be patient folks.
We always have our stuff in hand when getting off the ship but when we got off the Valor last month they hardly checked anything. All they did was ask my wife what state she was born in. Needless to say, we flew off that thing!!
Yes the valor was not a difficult ship.
My passport stays in one of two places when traveling. The room safe, when I am staying somewhere or a shoulder bag, when I am moving locations.
Can i just say the first Cruise my husband and I went on, we were shocked at the line trying to get off the ship. It was backed up all the way to the elevators! I'm disabled, thank goodness they allowed us to go thru first. I bet we saved at least a couple of hours of standing in line. At least I was prepared enough to know to have all our documentation ready to go. How could you not know that?
Hi my friend just love your channel showing love
Hey greetings from Argentina. Ive been in a lot of cruises and I can tell you that Costa Cruises has the best nightlife, it would be amazing if you go on a costa sailing from south america. Its a completely different experience!
Sounds like a fun cruise!
I have cruised a lot also...including Disney Cruises...which are in a class of their own....
But the most fun I've ever had was on a Costa Cruise in the Mediterranean.
It was in the Costa Favolosa in 2013.
Dangic23 Exactly! They may not be the fanciest cruises out there but damn the night life 😻
@@caramuto3703
Even my 3 kids had a blast and they were 4, 8, and 8 years old.
The staff would let my twin girls play the machines in the Casino....lol....it was hilarious.
And my little one became a mini celebrity because she was dancing Flamenco during a Flamenco show....and people were recording her instead of watching the actual show...lol.
We were stopped several times after that during the week by people who wanted to take a picture with her....hahaha
Great information. When I go on shore I leave my passport in the safe and take my passport card with me. I know that the card is more limited, but I figure it’s better than nothing while my passport book is safe in the safe.
Surely the cruise lines would have a procedure for passengers who lost their card and/or other ID during a port call. With 3,000+ passengers getting off at each port you know it happens a lot. Especially with the risk of pick-pockets and water activities. Myself and a few friends have lost our cards over the years while onboard, and it's a simple matter to go Guest Services, tell them your name, and they look you up and visually ID you based on your picture on file.
The best thing to do is to prepare the night before (bummer!), get up early the next morning so that you don't have to rush and just have patience because huffing and puffing and rolling your eyes and being rude to everyone won't help you disembark any sooner.
If you want to spend the extra money carnival has faster to the fun it makes getting on and off the ship a lot faster
Yes we use it often. It was sold out on this one. - Tony
Hi Mr and Mrs Tony, how was that cave tubing in Belize? I am so jealous by the way!!!!!!
They now have waterproof fannypacks. They are great to put things like your passport money etc in to keep dry.
Amazon is a great place to get these
There is a way to secure your identification when you go on a cave tubing shore excursion and that is called a joto waterproof pouch that goes around your waist that can be purchased on Amazon. I use those pouches whenever I go on a water slide on any cruise ship to keep my sail and sign card with me at all times. I don't recommended to use those pouches to go underwater with you.
More proof that some passengers ignore the instructions left in the cabins the night before regarding what you need to have ready for disembarkation.
Older video, but since being posted DOJ and Supreme Court have since ruled you can* film customs interactions. The "no cameras" signs in airports for example around customs have since been removed.
We wait until the crew throws us off.
Yes!!!!!
In Galveston, the security and workers get very sore if you don't have documents in hand and are ready. I've actually seen them yell at people over it. It can be a very stressful day for everyone if things don't go smoothly.
I wonder if Galveston Port has improved.
I cruised out of there once when I lived in San Antonio....and it was the most depressing departure port I have ever seen in my life.
Instead of being happy for cruising...I was shocked by the post-apocalyptic look of the port.
Say it ain't so! Going out of Galveston in December....
@@cynthiastrom4298
This was back in 2005.
That's why I'm asking.
The port was full of abandoned oil platforms, old ships, and millions of seagulls.
It was depressing.....which is why I never cruised out of there again while I lived in TX.
I flew out to Cape Canaveral. Miami and San Juan for cruising before I moved out of TX in 2010.
@@cynthiastrom4298 it's a short snippet of the cruise. If you plan to have a great time, you'll enjoy yourself. I've cruised from Galveston and agree it's not photogenic at the port, but the rest of the cruise was still great.
Just cruised out of Galveston in August. Definitely has an "industrial" vibe. However, we moved through faster than I have at any other cruise terminal but not sure if that was due great crowd management or our suite 🤷♀️
Thanks fellow cruisers for the update on Galveston .
Agree...once you leave port it's all normal.
It was just shocking for me since I had cruised from several FL or San Juan ports before that 2005 Galveston trip.
Lol....not photogenic is the right description.
Were you in Cozumel on Halloween? My wife and I were on the Fantasy that day, I think the Horizon and Vista were parked next to us. I got really nervous because all I took with me was my S&S card. When I got to the checkpoint to re-enter the port there was a sign that said to have your card and photo ID ready. The guard let me through with my S&S card only and that was a huge relief since we had about 45 minutes before the "back onboard" time at that point.
We were there on Halloween!
People just don't pay attention. Good tips.
The most important thing when travelling is to have your passport or ID in your hand or against your body - never in a purse or bag. I use a travel wallet to carry my passport.
When we were on Celebrity, they made an announcement, left a message on the phone and left a note in the cabin about having proper documentation.
The port of Galveston is the ninth circle of hell. Seriously I think the goal is to confuse people. We've always had problems there. The last time I was there, we disembarked and they told us to get in the passport line. We were walking in the passport line and the guy who worked there asked do we have a birth certificate. I said yes, and he said we needed to be in the birth certificate line. I explained we had both birth certificates AND passport and I had to explain it to him 3 times. It was like he couldn't understand we had a passport and wanted us to use our birth certificates and stand in the longer line.
I finally just stopped and pulled out our passports to show him and he then told us we were fine to go through the passport line we were already in.
Once we got to the customs area, they just scanned us and we left.
Also a few years back criminals were posing as valet who worked for carnival and took people's keys and in turn their cars. The last day of the cruise at the customer service desk, a guy was asking for his keys back because the valet told him to do so seven days before.
There is no valet at the port of galveston.
I am pausing at 1:42, those "porters" are not porters, they are longshoreman, and are HIGHLY paid, from $33.00/hr to $66.00/hr, so remember this if you want to tip them. (they arn't bagboys or waitresses) now, back to the video.
Hey, love your shirt...you look delicious! Good information as usual.
Have your passport handy when you need it
I spent the last two days of my 7 day cruise aboard the Freedom sick with a fever so high I was hallucinating. I knew I had to get off the ship during a "break in the action". I approached a crew member, explained the situation, and they told me to leave. "Get off the ship NOW". This was during the first wave of disembarkers, we were not going to be called on for quite some time, and I could not wait for hours in a crowded public area for obvious reasons. The whole way down, sick and trying to hold it together, we were pelted with rude comments. It was obvious we were leaving way early and quite a few passengers were loud, rude, and noticeably getting our way. Sometimes people are leaving early for a very good reason. I often wonder how they would have felt if the "action" returned during their efforts to thwart my escape................
Some ports only want Cruise ship card and some want both.
Unless it is specifically required by the visited country, never take your passport with you into port. Some ports require the presentation of a passport to leave the cruise ship (St. Petersburg, Russia as an example,) but most other ports are not as strict.
Usually, a regular government issued identification (driver license, state issued ID card) will suffice, especially if all you're doing is taking an excursion or just walking around the immediate port area. Passports are relatively bulky, thus harder to secure, and can be easily lost, damaged, or stolen. Passports are too valuable to risk unnecessarily. Bad enough if you lose your regular ID on shore; you'll be in for a big hassle. But having your passport in the cabin safe onboard ship means you can at least overcome those hurdles. Lose your passport, however, and you are royally screwed.
I strongly recommend prior to a cruise going to an office supply store and getting a badge holder with a lanyard in which to carry your regular ID into port. They are also handy onboard ship for your ship card. The cruise ship may sell their own card holders, but you'll pay an exorbitant price for them.
Get a floating cell phone pouch to put your cruise key, cash, and copies of your passport in and wear it under your shirt while on excursions.
I would have felt so incredibly foolish. Honestly, my biggest fear is not being able to find my passport when I need it. Wherever I am on the ship (unless it's the pool or hot tub, and even then, I lock it away in my cabin safe) my passport stays with me, and I know exactly where it is at all times. I love Janice Dean's idea below. Everyone should invest in something like that. You don't mess around with Customs.
I would only carry my passport if I’m getting off the ship and keep my ship card at all times
I NEVER leave my wallet in my cabin when I leave the ship 😉
Wohhoooo 2nd time commenting first. love your videos.
another good tip, and pet peeve, well annoying is do not walk up with your passport in your mouth, yes people do this. Its a great way to annoy the officer and potentially get him or her sick.
Sounds like the person in line at a supermarket who looks dumbfounded when they are asked to pay then they have to search their whole body and bag(s) for money or other form of payment.
I feel bad for that woman because I bet she was freaked. I laugh when I’m scared or freaked and the more overwhelmed I get the worse. However I also wonder why you wouldn’t keep your passport in a small bag or in a pocket or around your neck. Never pack documents. Ever.
I would also recommend that people get and bring a passport ID card along with your passport.
We ONLY take our drive ID & cruise card for disembark & embark in islands
Wow! What if you become a pier runner, ie. miss the boat. Need that passport to leave the island’s country to get home.
@@sueburns9591 They empty the contents of your safe and leave it at the pier for you
Um don't pack your passport because luggage now in terminal hold up the whole show 🤔
That is the one negative I experienced when disembarking the Vista the day you and Jenny were getting on. The computers were down, couldn't use the exits on deck 3 had to go to deck 0. The kept telling everyone they would call the decks by number, after quite some time I went out to the elevator to see what was happening and people were streaming down the stairs in droves as if they said abandon ship. When I asked a person what deck they were from they said 9 and people were going and not waiting. So I returned to my deck 1 room, still not having been called and went to the stairs myself and joined the crowd. Very frustrating; would it have worked if people had followed directions? I have no clue, but the stewards were wanting to get into the rooms so they could clean and get ready for the next quests. And yes, a guy in line in front of me had put his documentation into his suitcase and was on the ground going through them otherwise he would have had to go to the end of the line. His companion just rolled his eyes and told him he had reminded him to no avail. So it does happen that people do forget keep their documents out.
Your videos are great! I'm wondering if you, or anyone else could let me know about how long the line ups for getting on and off the ship usually are. My husband and I are considering going on a cruise, but I have some chronic health issues that make standing for any length of time quite difficult. I'd be fine if I could bring a little portable chair/stool to sit on, but I'm guessing that would look quite odd and may not be allowed. I keep hearing about the lineups and it's the one thing that makes us hesitate to book.
CanadianInNZ many people rent mobility scooters the key is to get a cabin the scooter can fit in without taking up all your room. Such as a handicap accessible cabin made for mobility devices. Also when embarking and disembarking you will have a separate line for handicap that will allow you to bypass a lot of waiting!
@@erickirchberg1201 Thank you! Very helpful to know this.
CanadianInNZ Most cruise lines have a department that can answer special needs questions. For example, Carnival’s Guest Access Team can provide general information about accessibility. This cruise line has accessible routes marked throughout their ships, accessible seating at dining venues, accessible staterooms and accessible public restrooms. Typically, once a cruise is booked, guests with disabilities fill out a special needs form which asks about the equipment they are using and assistance which may be required.
The cruise line will supply you with a wheelchair to get on the ship and someone to push the wheelchair at no cost. If you keep the wheelchair there should be a charge.
Call your cruise line or ask the person setting up your cruise about the charges for a wheelchair
How was the cave tubing in Belize? I wanted to do that on our last cruise, but my husband wasnt too keen on a long bus ride to get to the location (has a bad back and the bumpy bus rides in these caribbean locales have beat him up a time or two). We did end up doing the Belizean Foodie Tour which I really enjoyed and would recommend.
Always take my passport with me as I do not have a driver’s license, my state I.D is not always accepted as ID.
Wheres Porters@ When You Need Them😡# Not On The Return😈
Always use a porter. Worth every penny then some
I will pay out for a porter Everytime when disembarking it was a breeze to get out of the terminal. I was already tired had two heavy bags that I was carrying the porter came up asked if we needed help he grabbed all our things went to the custom guard who looked at our passports asked if we had anything to declare told them no where we were told have a great day. Tipped the porter ten bucks and we were on our way home
Smart & Easy, I always do it that way as well
Take a photo of your passport on to your photo and a photocopy to keep separate
I been going carnival freedom nov 17
When in port, is a photocopy of the passport ok for local authorities? The original being lost or stolen would be a huge hassle.
I've seen people using the porters, but not where to find one. How did you arrange the porter?
There was a line called luggage assistance right when you get into the terminal. - Tony
What's the latest you can get off a cruise ship
What about taxes. How did the process for paying any tobacco tax or alcohol tax work? Did you have to go through a specific line and is it well marked? I want to bring home some rum from Grand Cayman and I just don't want to miss it and get in trouble for not declaring my bottle. I've never left the country before. :-)
I have only been on one cruise where we put our stuff outside of the room to be picked up the night before
I always have my passport in my hand when getting off the ship back in the states, or if it is a long line in my purse
Make a photo copy of id photo of passport and have it in a waterproof pouch - too simple.
I agree, I rather have copies get wet or fall apart rather than passport get lost and get stranded and have to make a trip to a major city and let’s hope is not a weekend for us to get a new passport. No way. Always use carry a copy😊
And for heavens sakes when returning to the ship take off your hat and sunglasses. We ave been on cruises where passengers think they have their ship pass and that should be enough, that’s so annoying.
Passports...ugh. I lost 70 pounds and the digital passport machines no longer recognise my face. I always have to go to the passport control official and get stared at for 5 minutes while they judge if the passport is mine. It's horrible. And I have another 40 pounds to lose....
Also a Photo copy of your passport works too. So you don’t need to have the physical one on you well exploring the ports (this does not apply to embarking and disembarking the cruise ship). That’s what I have experienced with the three cruises 🚢 I’ve been on so far
Mr. Barnette I remember a Mex cruise when we were getting back on our ship and a couple in front of me had a dilemma. The husband turned to his wife and said "let me have my backpack so I can grab my ID " then the wife turned back to him and said " I don't have your backpack !! why would I have your backpack ?? " Somewhere in ensenada they had put his backpack down and they never picked it back up. I have no idea what ever happened to that couple
Oh that's scary!
Wouldn't it be better to bring a copy of your passport for excursions and leave original in the safe?
It’s a personal preference. The US government says to carry originals but a common practice in cruising is to take a copy and leave the original in your safe. If you get left behind the cruise line will bring the contents of your safe to the pier. I like to have the originals just in case. - Tony
I never take my original passport and ID in port I have copies and never had a problem. I will cruising in three months so should I take my originals docs with me ?
Copies are ok until you have to fly home or something extreme like that. I know the cruise line will bring the contents of your safe to the pier if they have to leave without you. I always take my originals just in case. - Tony
Why shouldn’t you film the security people?
Can you take a copy of your passport on excursions instead of the real thing?
Can u use a copy of your passport to get off at the ports
It's nice now that most terminals have facial ID.
ARGH!!! LOVE NOT DISEMBARKATION!!!
I was wondering something. I noticed you said you went cave tubbing. Im sorry but I can't help but notice how heavy you and your wife are. I have a relative that is in the same size rage as you and your wife. What is the weight capacity of those tubes? Just asking for a family member. Thanks!
300 is probably the max. Someone gave me the ticket so I went prepared to be turned away. They let me go. - Tony