How long does it take to get off at a port?

[smashedpumpkins]

My wife and I will be on the Norwegian Spirit in February touring around the Mediterranean. Normally we sleep in after a long night but this time we booked some tours with ItalyTours.eu. One of the days we arrive in Marseille, France at 7 AM and the tour leaves from the ship at 7:30 AM. (The Rome port at 7:50 AM)

 

This feels kind of early. Having never actually lined up in the morning, is there long waits to get off the ship at a port? Should we plan to get in line early or is it normally quick to disembark?

[bonvoyagie]

If the tour is through NCL, you will be assigned a place to meet - often onboard ship - usually the main theatre. Then you will be escorted off the ship as a group. I have also seen where the tour groups are taken off through crew exits and/or placed ahead of others getting off.

[Still Dreaming]

We were always off the ship right away. The private guides will be waiting for you!

[zqvol]

If the tour is through NCL, you will be assigned a place to meet - often onboard ship - usually the main theatre. Then you will be escorted off the ship as a group. I have also seen where the tour groups are taken off through crew exits and/or placed ahead of others getting off.

 

Since OP says that they have private tours this is not applicable. You also need to be aware that at docked ports tours often meet ashore, not on the ship.

 

My wife and I will be on the Norwegian Spirit in February touring around the Mediterranean. Normally we sleep in after a long night but this time we booked some tours with ItalyTours.eu. One of the days we arrive in Marseille, France at 7 AM and the tour leaves from the ship at 7:30 AM. (The Rome port at 7:50 AM)

 

This feels kind of early. Having never actually lined up in the morning, is there long waits to get off the ship at a port? Should we plan to get in line early or is it normally quick to disembark?

 

You will be off the ship within 10 -15 minutes of docking. It never takes long except at disembarkation.

Edited December 11, 2016 by zqvol

[BirdTravels]

If the tour is through NCL, you will be assigned a place to meet - often onboard ship - usually the main theatre. Then you will be escorted off the ship as a group. I have also seen where the tour groups are taken off through crew exits and/or placed ahead of others getting off.

 

The question clearly states that these are private tours,,, NOT NCL tours.

 

Once the ship arrives, it takes the crew 15-30 minutes to set the gangway and get clearance from the local authorities to start disembarkation. They usually only set one gangway on the Spirit (smaller ship), and in ports like Rome, everyone will have an early morning tour (since it takes an hour or more to get into the city). So, do your part, get up early, eat early, and be in line to disembark.

[sanger727]

The line wouldn't be the holdup, there might be a short wait, but it's the docking/gangway setting up process that takes a bit. I'd feel more comfortable w 45-60 minutes instead of 30... but, if they are picking you up at the pier, they should know what ship you are on and my bet is they will wait. The need to be on time is more applicable if you are working w a company that requires you to come to them and puts cruise and hotel customers on the same tour.

 

I've used many independent excursions and they are well aware of the cruise docking process and have never had an issue meeting up with one.

 

 

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Edited December 11, 2016 by sanger727

[KeithJenner]

In the Med, the ship usually arrives a bit before the posted docking time, so they are usually able to start letting people off fairly promptly.

 

There may be a bit of a queue at first, but it clears quickly. I would be surprised if you aren't off the ship writhing about 10 minutes.

 

For a 7.30 tour then you should have plenty of time if you leave your room at about 7.15, although it is obviously sensible to give yourself longer just in case.

[casofilia]

In general I have found that it can take up to a half hour for clearance to be given after docking; it depends on how picky the shore authorities are. but when clearance is given you should be able to get off very quickly. It is only when tendering that things can be a lot slower.

[smashedpumpkins]

Thank you everyone! I really appreciate all the replies. It is a private tour but it's a group of us from roll calls. So it's all ship passengers. In both cases, even Civi, we're being picked up at the ship. In Civi they're shuttling us in mini-vans to our tour van.

 

So it sounds like we should be able to get off the ship pretty quickly and in time. I'll be early either way. I was afraid it would take an hour plus like disembark day. Thanks again!

[bonvoyagie]

Now that my flame retardant pants are on :) BTW every NCL tour I have been on meets somewhere on the ship before heading off for the tour.

 

See if any of your roll call people are in a suite or are platinum status - they can use the concierge to get your group off the ship avoiding the queue.

 

It may require a bit of a tip :D

[casofilia]

BTW every NCL tour I have been on meets somewhere on the ship before heading off for the tour. Except those that leave during the day (after 9am) and/or where it is a tendering port when the meet is usually on the pier.

 

See if any of your roll call people are in a suite or are platinum status - they can use the concierge to get your group off the ship avoiding the queue.

 

It may require a bit of a tip :D

 

I don't know about Platinum people being able to use the Concierge, never tried it, but he is usually very busy with suite guests. So if anyone in the group is in a suite then see if he will help; as you say a tip may well help.