disembarktation self assist and regular? can you do both?

[nvrdunn]

On our first cruise in 2002 we did the disembarktation in which we placed all but our small carryon outside our stateroom, walked out through security and then found our luggage in the big room with everyone else's luggage. Then in 2008 we took our luggage off with us. It was definately easy. Now as we are under the 30 day mark from the cruise, the amount of stuff we are bringing on with us is more than what I know we can easily carry on (esp with a 6 year old and 7 month old and stoller/accessories in tow). Can we do both forms? Leave some for carry off and put some stuff outside the room? Thanks.

[buzzcruiser]

On our first cruise in 2002 we did the disembarktation in which we placed all but our small carryon outside our stateroom, walked out through security and then found our luggage in the big room with everyone else's luggage. Then in 2008 we took our luggage off with us. It was definately easy. Now as we are under the 30 day mark from the cruise, the amount of stuff we are bringing on with us is more than what I know we can easily carry on (esp with a 6 year old and 7 month old and stoller/accessories in tow). Can we do both forms? Leave some for carry off and put some stuff outside the room? Thanks.

 

We just finished the Dream to Cozumel and back. We did the self assist. If you leave any bags for the crew to carry down the night before, you will be stuck with the zone tags number they assign you. They will publish the times that these bags will be available for exiting the ship the night before. There was about a 2 hour difference in the time for self assist and our zone number if we chose to go that route. You will get off a little later but I say if you can't carry it all yourself, let them do all the heavy lifting and disembark unencumbered. you won't get off any quicker by carrying some and checking some the night before than if you let them do it all.

[Rosefloater]

When we do zone disembarkation, we leave all of our large pieces of luggage to be picked up. Then in the morning, we just have our carryons (like a backpack or tote) to take off the ship and then go and get our luggage in the correct zone.

 

If you do zone disembarkation, you can leave as much stuff as you want outside your cabin. Just make sure that each piece has a zone tag with your name and cabin info on it. Then take off the rest of your stuff (like your stroller and totes) and then go find your other pieces of luggage in your zone.

[BBigfoot613]

We have done self assist 3 times and on our cruise in 25 days we'll be doing both! The big difference is we'll have our 2 little ones with us instead of at grandma's or only 1 along. We wish we could do self assist and get off fast and have our luggage there but know it's not possible so.... We'll carry some off (small roller and backpack) and let them tote the big case(s) off and retrieve it. We know we'll have to hang out atleast until our zone # is called or we'll be standing there waiting for our luggage to get taken off the ship. It'll be a good time to review our week, how much fun we had, watch dissapointed people exit the ship, and contemplate any needed stops on the way home. I'd gladly do self assist again but with the # of pieces we'll likely take I doubt I'll be able to handle that and herding the kiddos :D:D

[MrPete]

Sure, but you can only leave during regular debark.

[LambKnuckles]

In February, in Galveston, we left our stuff outside the door and had carry offs too! Mom is in a wheelchair and we could ask her to hold or loop things on her handles... BUT they debarked us BEFORE the ZONES were announced -- and there's a good reason for that!!!

The suitcases weren't ready for us yet!!!! We have Zone 5 tags and the suitcases were still being unloaded of carts and placed in the zone areas....

So don't do both... or rather don't leave too early of the ship -- you'll be waiting anyway!!!! Your suitcases may not be ready yet!!!

[DanJ]

There's really no point in doing both. Some people think they can check some stuff and then walk-off with the rest at the early times, and go. But they can't since the luggage isn't off the ship yet, so there isn't any point in carrying off more than you need to. The whole point of carrying off your own stuff is to make use of that dead time after the ship docks until the luggage is unloaded. If they can get 30-40% of the people to carry off their own stuff in that time frame, it just empties the ship out earlier and they don't have to pay as many staff to do this.

 

Simply put, if you can't handle it all, only keep what you need for the last night and the morning, and put the rest out the night before. The ship is crazy enough that morning without trying to drag a bunch of stuff with you, and you'll find the process easier if you just have carryon stuff with you.