Why people love "express or private lounge departure"?

[mcatmcat]

Hi

Unless you work, need to go to the airport or under an emergency I don't understand why people love to do the express departure. It's chaotic and everyone is either confused or mad. On the other hand others love to use their private lounge for departure but the lounge sometimes is at full capacity with confused and mad passages since it's the last day of the cruise

 

Unless I'm missing something, there is nothing for me like going to the pool deck seat in a comfortable long chair and wait for the last announcement for the remaining passages onboard. Everyone is different but I try to avoid the madness of the last day

[papaflamingo]

To each, his own as they say.

When we cruise out of Florida we face a 10 hour drive. So we get off as soon as possible. We do not use express departure, but one of the perks of D+ is the ability to be escorted off at the first call for those who sent luggage. So we miss the mass chaos of self debarkation, and are usually out and on the freeway in 45 minutes.

We just got off Rhapsody in Rome and had an early flight. We met the Concierge at 6:45 and were in the van to the airport by 7:00. Made our flight with no problem and did not carry off our luggage.

So, as I said, each has his or her own priority. The one cruise we had a late flight, we got up and had a nice breakfast, and vacated our cabin at 8:00 and headed off the ship. Rather just get going.

[caseymorgan]

I also don't understand the Allure (get it? ;)) of the VIP arrival area. We arrive at the port between 11 and 11:30 are are always on board by Noon.

[masim17]

Our last few cruises have been out of Bayonne which is basically local for us. We always take our own luggage and try to walk off as early as possible. Once we were approaching customs and we had to wait for them to lift the gate! We were off the ship and on the NJ turnpike by 8 am. When we fly we like to get off ASAP and get to the airport for the trip home, which we never look forward to. We feel our vacation is over and all we want is to get home, and for me start the laundry! Vacation is over, no sense in putting off the inevitable! Each looks at it differently.

[xxHadleyxx]

I just assume everyone has different needs. We are like you though, OP, we sleep as late, and stay in the cabin as late, as is reasonable for the steward. Then we have a decent breakfast and head out to sit and relax on the pool deck or in some other quiet lounge, leaving when the line has dwindled and it is near last call.

By then it is easy to walk off and grab our luggage with no stress.

 

Even when we have a 13-14 hour drive ahead of us we dins tarting off with less stress is worth the delayed start for us.

[wolfcathorse]

sometimes they don't make an announcement over the general PA on which number is being called. So if you're by the pool, you won't know your number has been called. With that said, on MJ last month, they did make general announcements over the PA. The shorter cruises seem to have everyone doing self-assist departure. So all I heard was the last call for self-assist before they started calling numbers. The crew member in each waiting area has a walkie-talkie and he/she will call out what numbers are being called.

[bay guy]

One reason we like to get off the ship early is to be sure our luggage is safe and secure with us. A few years ago, we waited to get off and when I went to the luggage area, our large suitcase was not there.

Luckily, I mark our bags with red tape and happened to look up and see this other couple with our bag on the other side of Customs. I was able to get the security guard to let me retrieve my bag just before the couple boarded a bus.

When I stopped them and told them they had my bag and I wanted it back, they gave it back without saying a word. That told me they were stealing the suitcase and knew that raising a fuss with me would have been stupid on their part.

[Rewind]

I've been of the "get off as late as you can" group, but the last cruise was... interesting. They were calling numbers as normal 1-4, 5-8, etc up until about 16 or 20 when they released all remaining numbers which was around 40 or so. One giant mass exodus at once made the luggage and customs area super crowded and took a long time to get through.

 

I realize the ship wants the old cruisers off so they can clean but trying to dump everyone at once just made the problem worse.

[CruisinMark]

I plan on using express departure on my upcoming cruise because we have to be on the road as early as possible.

 

Is this something I arrange on the ship or beforehand?

[Clarea]

I plan on using express departure on my upcoming cruise because we have to be on the road as early as possible.

 

Is this something I arrange on the ship or beforehand?

Not usually. You will receive a letter called "As You Depart" the day before the end of the cruise and it will have details about the disembarkation process.

[Starry Eyes]

I understand your point of view, and it is a nice approach. Still, you must realize that need to work or need to get to airport includes lots and lots of people. Emergencies add a few more to self disembarkation crowd. Need to attend to some personal business adds more. Need to catch bus or train or waiting friend with car explains others. Want to hit the road quickly adds even more. Dislike leaving luggage out adds still more. Some more are concerned lines will get longer as disembarkation progresses or that the risk luggage might disappear goes up. Some people are natural early birds and always seem to be in an early line. No doubt there are other reasons, too. Add up all these reasons and self disembarkation is popular. Which is great for you. If everybody tried to hand around the pool deck, it would be crowded and tense there, too.

[MisterMom]

I just assume everyone has different needs. We are like you though, OP, we sleep as late, and stay in the cabin as late, as is reasonable for the steward. Then we have a decent breakfast and head out to sit and relax on the pool deck or in some other quiet lounge, leaving when the line has dwindled and it is near last call.

By then it is easy to walk off and grab our luggage with no stress.

 

Even when we have a 13-14 hour drive ahead of us we dins tarting off with less stress is worth the delayed start for us.

 

LOVE your comment about being sensitive to your steward in needing to flip the room. Very thoughtful. I hope others are as considerate as well. :D

[perditax]

Unless you work, need to go to the airport or under an emergency I don't understand why people love to do the express departure

 

I think you just described a fair chunk of cruisers.

 

When the cruise is over, I want to get off the ship, get out of their way and get home and see my cats, not hang around trying to get my last penny's worth.

 

Weird thing to start a thread over.

Edited September 29, 2015 by perditax

[TheGinBoy]

We're the exact opposite, my boyfriend and I always take advantage of the "late departure" tickets and hand around in the solarium until we're kicked off at 2pm!

 

You'd have to tear me off the ship kicking and screaming, I wouldn't never voluntarily leave early!

[alfaeric]

To each, his own as they say.

When we cruise out of Florida we face a 10 hour drive. So we get off as soon as possible. We do not use express departure, but one of the perks of D+ is the ability to be escorted off at the first call for those who sent luggage. So we miss the mass chaos of self debarkation, and are usually out and on the freeway in 45 minutes.

We just got off Rhapsody in Rome and had an early flight. We met the Concierge at 6:45 and were in the van to the airport by 7:00. Made our flight with no problem and did not carry off our luggage.

So, as I said, each has his or her own priority. The one cruise we had a late flight, we got up and had a nice breakfast, and vacated our cabin at 8:00 and headed off the ship. Rather just get going.

 

On the same cruise, my wife and I had to be called in our cabin to leave. For the first time, we were the last ones off the ship. Which I didn't expect at 9am.

 

At that time, there was nobody anywhere. We were the only passengers in the transit buses.

 

But we had nowhere to be at- just to catch a train back to Rome- so it really depends on the situation. Which is your point.

[Paul65]

Hi

Unless you work, need to go to the airport or under an emergency I don't understand why people love to do the express departure. It's chaotic and everyone is either confused or mad. On the other hand others love to use their private lounge for departure but the lounge sometimes is at full capacity with confused and mad passages since it's the last day of the cruise

[ATTACH]363901[/ATTACH]

 

So, are you promoting that idea, so that more people will do as you do, making the pool area chaotic and full of confused and mad people? :D

 

Seriously, though, I've done various methods of debarkation, including express departure, waiting in a special lounge, or just hanging out in my favorite area of the ship. It's never seemed all that chaotic.

[John&LaLa]

We're the exact opposite, my boyfriend and I always take advantage of the "late departure" tickets and hand around in the solarium until we're kicked off at 2pm!

 

You'd have to tear me off the ship kicking and screaming, I wouldn't never voluntarily leave early!

 

Never heard of late departure. Is that a Europe thing or another line per chance? We get off early on the weekend cruise so we don't need to take vacation days for Monday

[gammite]

One reason we like to get off the ship early is to be sure our luggage is safe and secure with us. A few years ago, we waited to get off and when I went to the luggage area, our large suitcase was not there.

Luckily, I mark our bags with red tape and happened to look up and see this other couple with our bag on the other side of Customs. I was able to get the security guard to let me retrieve my bag just before the couple boarded a bus.

When I stopped them and told them they had my bag and I wanted it back, they gave it back without saying a word. That told me they were stealing the suitcase and knew that raising a fuss with me would have been stupid on their part.

 

i wonder if stolen luggage is a normal occurrence when leaving the ship. that is scary as hell.

Edited September 29, 2015 by gammite

[rockdoctor]

I've been of the "get off as late as you can" group, but the last cruise was... interesting. They were calling numbers as normal 1-4, 5-8, etc up until about 16 or 20 when they released all remaining numbers which was around 40 or so. One giant mass exodus at once made the luggage and customs area super crowded and took a long time to get through.

 

I realize the ship wants the old cruisers off so they can clean but trying to dump everyone at once just made the problem worse.

 

In my experience, if the start of debarkation is delayed, this happens more often than not.

[travelplus]

Hi

Unless you work, need to go to the airport or under an emergency I don't understand why people love to do the express departure. It's chaotic and everyone is either confused or mad. On the other hand others love to use their private lounge for departure but the lounge sometimes is at full capacity with confused and mad passages since it's the last day of the cruise

 

Unless I'm missing something, there is nothing for me like going to the pool deck seat in a comfortable long chair and wait for the last announcement for the remaining passages onboard. Everyone is different but I try to avoid the madness of the last day

[ATTACH]363901[/ATTACH]

 

I love the Departure Lounge. On Princess before we left to LAX as I booked the transfer with Princess and there was a delay we waited in a quiet locaiton with coffee and some breakfast items. It was nice to sit down and wait when there was a delay with Customs. The agent called us when our group was ready.

 

For our Dubai cruise we are on Deck 2 so I think for us it would be nice to wait in a lounge as we have no flight and let them take our suitcases to the pier for us. The only time I did the Express Walk off was in Barcelona when I had a flight to catch the same day. Other than that when there is time I wold rather have the Cruiseline take care of my checked bag as its part of the service that we pay for. Its so organized that we just walk over to the color coded area and our suitcases are there.

[TheGinBoy]

Never heard of late departure. Is that a Europe thing or another line per chance? We get off early on the weekend cruise so we don't need to take vacation days for Monday

 

It might be European only, I've only cruised in Europe and only ever with Royal Caribbean.

 

Sometimes they announce it, sometimes we've asked at Guest Relations - but always got it.

[grand isle joe]

....probably the same reason why when you are on a group bus trip vacation some in the group sprint towards the bus an hour before departure and bang on the door to get a seat.....they live by the mantra "It's all about ME all the time"......

[Starry Eyes]

i wonder if stolen luggage is a normal circumstance when leaving the ship. that is scary as hell.

 

I think mistaken identity (that is somebody grabs the wrong big black bag...confident it is theirs they don't read the name on the tag or not other identifying markings) is more common than outright theft. But certainly somebody could intentionally steal a bag, so do not put valuables in checked bags. If somebody steals mine, they will mostly get dirty clothes that probably won't fit them.

[lah66]

We are in both camps..depending if we have a 12 hour drive home or if we are flying out early or late.

 

My question is, if we have a late flight, just how long can you stay in your room? I guess we are always out by 8 am and thought that was the rule. Is there a "rule"? Or what is considered the "polite" time to be out?

 

Thank you

Lauri

[gammite]

I think mistaken identity (that is somebody grabs the wrong big black bag...confident it is theirs they don't read the name on the tag or not other identifying markings) is more common than outright theft. But certainly somebody could intentionally steal a bag, so do not put valuables in checked bags. If somebody steals mine, they will mostly get dirty clothes that probably won't fit them.

 

super scary thought. and here i am with a late flight that was considering avoiding the fray. i am now reconsidering that.