Disembarkation

[We-R-Off]

According to the itinerary ETA in Rotterdam is 5 am.  

What is the earliest that we can disembark?  I presume if we do it independently this could be quicker but I'm not sure we'd manage that. 

We have Captains Club but only Select Member. 

I've put a bid to upgrade to Concierge, but I doubt we'll get it.

[cruisestitch]

5 hours ago, We-R-Off said:

According to the itinerary ETA in Rotterdam is 5 am.  

What is the earliest that we can disembark?  I presume if we do it independently this could be quicker but I'm not sure we'd manage that. 

We have Captains Club but only Select Member. 

I've put a bid to upgrade to Concierge, but I doubt we'll get it.

Early disembarkation has nothing to do with your Captains Club status or your stateroom category of not in a suite.  
 

Walkoffs, those who can take all their own luggage with no assistance, starts at approximately 7 AM.

 

BUT since you will be wanting them to take your luggage the night before, and issue you a number, they will probably start calling them around 7:30 so ask Guest Relations for the lowest possible number tag.

[We-R-Off]

Just now, cruisestitch said:

Early disembarkation has nothing to do with your Captains Club status or your stateroom category of not in a suite.  
 

Walkoffs, those who can take all their own luggage with no assistance, starts at approximately 7 AM.

 

BUT since you will be wanting them to take your luggage the night before, and issue you a number, they will probably start calling them around 7:30 so ask Guest Relations for the lowest possible number tag.

Thanks.  If the ship arrives at 5, is there not an earlier time?

I was booked on a cruise finishing a day earlier, but we booked an extra day in Amsterdam.

Unfortunately we have an early flight & have to get to Amsterdam airport.

Our flight is 10. I know it is not recommended such an earlier flight but we originally planned to arrive the day before. I'm not sure if I can change our flights.

[cruisestitch]

6 hours ago, We-R-Off said:

Thanks.  If the ship arrives at 5, is there not an earlier time?

I was booked on a cruise finishing a day earlier, but we booked an extra day in Amsterdam.

Unfortunately we have an early flight & have to get to Amsterdam airport.

Our flight is 10. I know it is not recommended such an earlier flight but we originally planned to arrive the day before. I'm not sure if I can change our flights.

No, it is not possible to go earlier.  I just did the same disembarking in Rotterdam last week.
 

I think you are in a pretty big problem situation with a 10 AM flight. It’s a long way from Rotterdam to the Amsterdam airport.

 

I would be working on changing the flight.

Edited May 19 by cruisestitch

[Mark_K]

Fortunately, it’s a Sunday morning which should mean light traffic, but still it’s close to an hour drive. Even with walk off you would need close to a best case scenario to make it.

 

if you can’t change the flight, you should be thinking ahead about contingency plans for missing it.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

1 hour ago, We-R-Off said:

If the ship arrives at 5, is there not an earlier time?

No. Because they have to go through clearance with the local authorities and multiple things, plus there has to be staff at the port to handle disembarkation. Think about if you're on a flight that arrives early and you have to sit and wait because there are no agents at the gate because they're dealing with other flights.

 

Of course keep in mind that the 5am is what is scheduled. There are always things that can happen that delay the arrival, so even though on schedule it says 5, in actuality it may be later than that.

 

I'd either do whatever I could to change the flight or get a contingency plan in place for what you'll do when you miss it.

[cruisestitch]

And if there is a fee for changing the flight, be sure to factor in that if you think just grabbing a cab will be your fastest way, it might be as much as a €250 cab ride to the airport.

[We-R-Off]

1 hour ago, Mark_K said:

Fortunately, it’s a Sunday morning which should mean light traffic, but still it’s close to an hour drive. Even with walk off you would need close to a best case scenario to make it.

 

if you can’t change the flight, you should be thinking ahead about contingency plans for missing it.

I'm aware of the problem & taking necessary steps, hopefully to change the flight.  If not hopefully the airline will get us on a later flight.

[1Virgo]

The time passengers are allowed off depends on how quickly Customs processes the ship.  We ve docked at 6 am but ship not released until after 8 am.

 

walk offs (those that keep their luggage and take with them) are the first off, followed by Retreat guests.  Guest services generally arranges your disembarkation by need, ie booked flight times

[We-R-Off]

2 hours ago, We-R-Off said:

I'm aware of the problem & taking necessary steps, hopefully to change the flight.  If not hopefully the airline will get us on a later flight.

Definitely in the process of changing flight, even to the day after if necessary. 

[chemmo]

2 minutes ago, We-R-Off said:

Definitely in the process of changing flight, even to the day after if necessary. 

Totally agree…Just too tight for comfort!
 

We have done many cruises and whilst the 7am start to disembarking has been the general we have had two cruises where it has been after 8.30 am. One we believe was because of a staffing shortage in customs and the other was something to do with a medical issue. On both occasions we sadly saw people frantically on phones and we have seen people in tears at the airport when they have missed their flight and are struggling to get another.

 

We have also flown in/out of Amsterdam a few times and our experience there hasn’t always been smooth either…

 

[We-R-Off]

Thanks. I’m definitely not going to be one of them. Our flights are a bit complicated to change but I definitely know that we won’t make it. I have the choice of any evening flight or next day. I know I don’t want that kind of stress. 

[Purplsmurf]

Our flight is at 11 from Amsterdam. We didn’t think we would make it having to get there from Rotterdam and the mess at the Amsterdam airport and having to be there 3 hours ahead of time. so we are leaving the next morning. Good luck to you. 

[Jim_Iain]

Rotterdam is similar to most ports.   The ship is normally cleared by about 7:00 AM an walk off start between 7-7:15.    General disembarkation begins around 7:15-7:30.     Disembarkation begins by tag numbers -  Suites and Zenith are group 1 which mean they can exit the ship at anytime and are escorted to the disembarkation area. 

 

CC elite and above and Concierge Club also get expedited departure.  

 

 

[cruisestitch]

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Rotterdam is similar to most ports.   The ship is normally cleared by about 7:00 AM an walk off start between 7-7:15.    General disembarkation begins around 7:15-7:30.     Disembarkation begins by tag numbers -  Suites and Zenith are group 1 which mean they can exit the ship at anytime and are escorted to the disembarkation area. 

 

CC elite and above and Concierge Club also get expedited departure.  

 

 

Only if requested….they have a designated departure lounge but must request low numbered luggage tags.

[SbbquilterUT]

We have used the train for transport between AMS and Amsterdam as well as Rotterdam.  Easy one hour ride from Rotterdam.  We did make a 10:15 flight but were in Amsterdam so the trip was closer. 

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

4 hours ago, We-R-Off said:

I know I don’t want that kind of stress. 

Bingo! After a relaxing cruise, the last thing I want is to end it stressed out about making my flight. I'd rather buy a day pass to the airline club and hang there than be stressed and one of those people screaming they need to get to the front of the line to make their flight.