colour tags

[johnslig]

Are the baggage tags that we put on our luggage for embarking the same colour tags that determine when you get off the boat? If so, what colours get off first. We are getting off the Dawn on the 28th and have a 7 hour drive back to Canada, so we are trying to get an idea about when we will get home.

[twotommygirl]

No, they are different. I was on the Dawn last week, though, and after getting in to port 9 hours late, we were waiting in the lobby to disembark. Once they finally started calling the colors, a very nice employee came over and said, "Don't worry about your color - noone checks." We got up and walked off. I think it was probably a good idea since we were then the only ones at our luggage group. I probably should have kept this secret, but oh well. Good luck and have a super time!

[Welove2cruise2]

Debarkation tags are dependent upon what deck you are on, and what your travel arrangements are once you get off the ship. If you have an early flight, or have to catch the bus, you're usually off early. Otherwise, you will debark by deck. Your other option is to hand carry all your luggage off the ship; in which case, I believe you can get off any time. Any one else that can help out here?

[shoreguy]

Are the baggage tags that we put on our luggage for embarking the same colour tags that determine when you get off the boat? If so, what colours get off first. We are getting off the Dawn on the 28th and have a 7 hour drive back to Canada, so we are trying to get an idea about when we will get home.

 

No as posted they are different. With a seven hour drive you can request tags that get you off the ship early otherwise you will get tags by deck. I don't believe as Canadian citizens you can take advantage of Express embarkation and carry your own bags off the ship.

[johnslig]

thanks all. I wondered if being a Canadian would set us back a bit. Do I just request early tags at the pursers desk??

[lou_vnj]

Johnslig,

What time are we docking on the 28th anyway? I have to check the tickets.

 

On all the cruises I have been on, all non-US citizens had to report to US immigration officers who setup usually in one of the lounges. Until ALL non-US citizens report, no one is allowed off the ship. So if you report early, you'll be ready to get off earlier. On our 5/04 Dawn cruise, we docked at 8am but they didn't let anyone off until like 10am. It chaos, everyone was waiting in lines that wrapped all over deck 7 from the atrium, everyone was impatient and anxious to get on their way home. When people started getting off en-mass, they must have over-whelmed the luggage claim area because then they halted debarkation but didn't tell anyone why and people got more upset.

 

I should probably post this in our 11/18 thread, but the tip I can pass along was that they also have another gangway setup on deck 6 just behind the casino where you can get off...we heard rumor of this and went there and there was no line and we walked straight off the ship!!! That's were we'll be that morning. For some reason, they did not publicize this gangway in any of the debarkation instructions.

[johnslig]

Hi Lou,

It appears that 8am is the arrival time for the Dawn.

 

I'll look for the gangway on deck 6.

With a 7 hour drive, + the cab back to our car in Newark, + the wait to get off the ship, I assume I wont be home until very late. I guess if things run really late, its just a good excuse to stay in NYC an extra day.

[SailorsMate]

I was on the 10/17 Dawn sailing- I noticed they had the non-US citizens meet in the Stardust Theatre for processing- Seemed to me they were among the first off- I did notice non-USA citizens being gated to the left as we got off the ship- I couldn't speak to how much that held up their departure from the pier-

[md1jw]

I have just returned from the 31st October sailing. As a non-US citizen we were required to report to the Stardust Theatre for 10.00 where we were given numbers (in the same way as if you were going ashore by tender). At the specified times, they called numbers in groups of 50 or so, to proceed straight off the ship and report to immigration at the dock. After they had fingerprinted us (again) and photographed us (again) - this had already been done initially going through passport control at Kennedy airport - we were re-isued with our passports and allowed through and on to pick up our bags. The whole process took 1-1.5 hours. By the end, they were allowing US residents to leave the ship. Obviously the earlier you get to the Stardust Theatre, the lower number you will have and will be called earlier. I must admit though, I was expecting what they advertised as "freestyle" disembarkation, and being herded as we were was a bit uncomfortable. I understand the necessity for it, but NCL could have been more forthcoming.