embarking/disembarking question

[Diggerof4]

When it is indicated that the boat will be at the port at 7:00 AM. Can we get off the ship then, or do we have to wait d/t clearance, etc. Are we able to go on and off the ship as much as we like?

My thinking is, if we shop before our excursions we can go back to the ship to drop off our purchases.

 

Thank you all in advance :)

Molly

[MedicKen]

No matter where the SHIP docks it must be cleared by the local authorities. SO, if you are scheduled to dock at 7 don't plan on being allowed off until 7:30, at the earliest.

[CapeCodCruiser]

Even 7:30 is pretty unrealistic as there is a definite protocol for debarking at any port. During the day at port you may go on & off the ship as many times as you like. This process is a little more time consuming if you are at a tender port as you must wait for the tenders.

[anandaindonesia]

Hello Molly,

 

1. After the ship arrived, there will be some time needed for clearance etc. Then the captain will announce when passengers can start going to the shore.

 

2. If the ship is docked, going out / coming back to the ship is easy as you can just walking through the gangway. However, in case the port is not deep enough for the ship to 'park at the pier, passengers will have to go ashore and back by using the small boat (tender) provided. For some passenger this may caused some mobility issue. Also as the tender capacity is limited, passengers will have to wait until the next tender is available.

 

3. Yes, you can go out and come back as often as necessary. Many passengers come back to ship for lunch, and then go out again. ;-) the food tastes better, and paid for!

 

4. As with arrival, departure time is NOT necessarily the time for passengers to come back to the ship. Always check what time is the last tender to the ship, or what time all passengers should be back on board. Usually one hour before the departure. The ship will leave any passenger who fail to return by that time.

 

5. Please also remember that all timing are estimate, subject to sea condition and other things. Sometimes the ship arrives earlier, sometimes later than its scheduled arrival.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Michael

[SadieN]

Hello Molly,

 

4. ........................ Always check what time is the last tender to the ship, or what time all passengers should be back on board. Usually one hour before the departure. The ship will leave any passenger who fail to return by that time.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Michael

 

Also make sure which time you are following- ship's time or port time. If in doubt ask! Be careful using a phone as your time source, they have been known to change times.:eek:

[Diggerof4]

I thought I had read everything, there is some really great advice.

When to get off and on to the time change. I am so glad you brought that up. We were going to use the phone for our clock. Better stick with a watch.

 

Thank you again!

Molly

[sparky-elpaso]

Also, sometimes passengers on early morning ship's excursions are scheduled to get off first so you may have to wait a bit for them. Definitely get a watch. Any time changes are usually noted in the schedule that you get the night before.

[lady_cruiser]

Hello Molly,

 

1. After the ship arrived, there will be some time needed for clearance etc. Then the captain will announce when passengers can start going to the shore.

 

2. If the ship is docked, going out / coming back to the ship is easy as you can just walking through the gangway. However, in case the port is not deep enough for the ship to 'park at the pier, passengers will have to go ashore and back by using the small boat (tender) provided. For some passenger this may caused some mobility issue. Also as the tender capacity is limited, passengers will have to wait until the next tender is available.

 

3. Yes, you can go out and come back as often as necessary. Many passengers come back to ship for lunch, and then go out again. ;-) the food tastes better, and paid for!

 

4. As with arrival, departure time is NOT necessarily the time for passengers to come back to the ship. Always check what time is the last tender to the ship, or what time all passengers should be back on board. Usually one hour before the departure. The ship will leave any passenger who fail to return by that time.

 

5. Please also remember that all timing are estimate, subject to sea condition and other things. Sometimes the ship arrives earlier, sometimes later than its scheduled arrival.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Michael

 

Very nicely written. If I was a teacher you would have received an A+ and a smiley sticker. Oh what the heck - here is your smiley sticker :)

[anandaindonesia]

Very nicely written. If I was a teacher you would have received an A+ and a smiley sticker. Oh what the heck - here is your smiley sticker :)

 

Thank you very much, my Lady Teacher, er, Cruiser! :);):)

Michael

[marshhawk]

As others have said, your ship may say docked at 7, but you wont be able to get off at 7. Speaking from experience with Carniv al, those who have a ship sponsored excursion get off first, then everyone else. When it comes to tender ports Carnival will issue passes for those who have booked independently, and they will fill the tender boats with those people on a first come first serve basis.

When you are physically docked at a port, booked for a shore excursion that departs immediately you are let off with Carnival sponsored first, and then others. You can imagine 2K plus people all trying to leave at once.:eek:You aren't cruising Carnival, but I imagine it is the same type of experience. When we cruise to the Bahamas, we sit ack relax, have a nice breakfast and let everyone off, and then we simply walk off.

If your ship is set to depart a port at 5, you will be asked to be back on board proably no later than 4. Imagine again 2K people all standing in line at 4:45 to get back on board. The only time that we really stood in line was an hour and a half before we HAD to be back on board in Key West. The line was still on the dock at the time we were supposed to leave.:o Cruise Happy!