Early Debarkation

[matt12]

Does anyone have any experience with doing self debarkation? How much quicker and easier is it, if any?

[robsvacation]

First off this is only available to US Citizens who are under their customs allowance, no one else.

 

It's faster but it can be a bit of a madhouse depending on the number of people talking advantage of it. Elevators can be hard to come by or the door may open into the midst of the line so you can't exit. Because of this make sure you're able to haul your bags by yourself down at least 1 flight of stairs, maybe more. The line is slow as people struggling with their baggage franticly search for their Sail and Sign card (why don't people have this ready to go as they get to the door!) Expect hallways to be blocked off so the short-cut that worked all week long to the pursers desk may no longer be available, you'll need to follow the signs.

 

If you're dashing off to an early flight choose one of the lounges closest to the exit doors to wait (generally the main lounge on most classes of Carnival ships)

 

Since debarkation begins only after immigration clears the ship (and the last of the cash accounts are cleared up) that is the ulimate limiting factor. Overall, I'd say it saves you 45 minutes over the first color group called. If you need to get off in a hurry but don't or can't use the express debarkation, on the day before your return head to the pursers desk and explain your situation, they'll make sure you get tags for the first color group called.

[LWBe]

We did self assist off the Valor last week. If you can carry all your bags down to Deck 3, or are willing to be ready even earlier than the projected self assist debarkation time to ride the forward elevators, then it works well. We got the go ahead for self-debarkation at 8am..walked down 4 flights (Deck 7 to Deck 3) with our 5 rolling duffels and 1 garment bag for 5 people (2 adults, 3 teens) and were off the ship, through customs and on our way to the airport by 8:30am. We were at Miami Int'l, checked in, through security and waiting for our 11:20am flight by 9:30am.. There were a ton of people waiting for the elevators though and I suspect it took much longer if you needed the elevators. Also, they say there's only a 1 hour window for this type of debarkation. Since we were off in the first 15 minutes I don't know how rigorously that's enforced.