Disembarkment

[NYdiscuisers]

I know this is probably asked an answered many times, but with the search disabled I can't find it.

We are thinking of trying to go to Discovery Cove at Sea World after our cruise. How early can you get off the boat and get a rental car? Discovery Cove opens at 9am. Has anyone else tried to do this? Is this too much to try to do on the day back?

 

[Michelle]

Typically the ship clears customs around 7:45 am and you can leave then.

 

[>>^..^<<]

That you are pretty well thrown off the ship on the last morning??

I was on the one week cruise and sort of saw the CM's eyes glaze over about midnight on the last night and then the hospitality went downhill...

The next morning I just felt like I was in the way and they wanted us GONE!

Also - anyone notice the big table with confiscated fruit in the terminal when you are going through customs on the way out?

I thought it was a 'Welcome to the USA' buffet

>>^..^<<

 

[dizneykids]

....calls it "getting booted off the ship." it's even in my calendar (we share an electronic calendar) that way.

so, yes....by 6:30 am, you are persona non grata, and they want you GONE!

 

[zurgswife]

I'm glad the earlier the better...we are heading to WDW after we get off the ship...the sooner off the better....

 

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

Getting kicked off of the ship is a little exaggerated. If you have never experienced other cruise lines then I guess DCL is a little, or alot, faster. On another cruise with Xcruise line you sit in a assigned area, or stand because there are no seats, and wait for your number to be called. This sometimes takes hours!!!
When we have disembarked they started to let the passangers off at about 8:00 to 8:20 in the morning. Then you go to your bags with a porter and they take your luggage and customs slip through customs and your on your way to your car, bus, or whatever. It only takes about 5 minutes once the line starts moving. What I have seen is that people don't follow instrustions given to them on the TV, at the disembarkation info session the night before, and by the CM's. So it holds up the line because they have things in their hands, hanging out their bags, ect. they were told they could not go through customs with!!!!
I would say that if you leave when the line first gets going you should get to Sea World at least by 10am if you have a car in the lot. Be sure to take the Bee Line expressway back and you end up almost at the enterance to Sea World.
Hope this helps!

 

[natdencro]

We found disembarkation was very efficient after our last cruise, and everyone was very courteous. However, most crew members work a 17hr day on Saturdays, and have numerous jobs to do during that time, so I guess a speedy exit by us cruisers benefits them enormously."Getting rid" of 2700 guests and welcoming another 2700 aboard - having cleaned and re-stocked the ship, and re-set dining rooms - in a 3hr period is no mean feat! And they ALL do it with a DISNEY SMILE!!!

 

[CruisinKate]

Given that many of us try to stay on the ship and need to be carried off kicking and screaming , I'm sure the CMs more than have their hands full on Saturdays

Kate

 

[atigeg]

We did Discovery Cove Thanksgiving weekend after our cruise, since we were stuck with a very late flight. We had Happy Limo pick us up at 8 a.m. and were at DC right when it opened. There is always a chance that the ship will be delayed, but it is minor (hasn't happened to us in 28 cruises). Our luggage was once accidentally taken by someone else, but to prevent that when we're in a hurry, we just keep it with us on the three-day. We had a BLAST at DC, although the temps were VERY cold (60's, but they let you use wetsuits). I am looking forward to going there again when the weather is better. A tip: Go and see the aviaries first because it takes people a while to figure out where they are, and they are not crowded early in the day...you will get to spend a lot of quality time with the birds.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[NYdiscuisers]

Barb,
Thanks for the Happy Limo suggestion. That's a good idea, but what did you do with your luggage?

Dennis the WDW Menace,
We were not planning on a car in the lot. How much added time to get a rental?

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by NYdiscuisers

How much added time to get a rental?

25-30 minutes. Tip: If you rent a car prior to your cruise, when you drop it off at Cape Canaveral, they may ask if you're renting another car after your cruise. They'll let you take care of your paperwork in advance which will make things very speedy when you return after your cruise.

 

[Melrosgirl]

I can't wait to get on and then get OFF the DCL ship. Of course, I want really look forward to leaving, but I want to compare DCL to Princess. I took a Princess cruise in September. Disembarkation was awful!

Long story short: they closed the main show area (theater), so we couldn't sit there. We waited 3 1/2 hours before our color tags were called. It was awful. Finding a decent seat was awful. Yes, it does feel like you are getting kicked off the ship. My prior cruises with RCCL were similar to Princess, but we did not have to wait 3 1/2 hours - only about 2 hours. Awful, awful, awful. (Even those with airline arrangements were having to wait a few hours and they were cutting it close.) I realize sometimes this is due to customs clearing the ship, but nearly 4 hours? UGH! (did I say long story short?)

 

[inkkognito]

If you let them know ahead of time, Happy Limo will store your luggage for a nominal fee. If we would have been on an airline that takes checked luggage at the terminal, we would have done that (they used to allow it before 9/11, but I don't know if they still do). But since we were on ATA, we just arranged for Happy to take care of it. They upgraded us to a HUGE stretch limo for the trip from DC to MCO...it was so funny to see people's faces when they pulled up to pick us up!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com