Expected time to get off the ship if self-disembarking?

[peacefrogdog]

Trying to arrange transport from Port Canaveral to MCO through a limo service. Had been planning to self-disembark to give us as much as possible to make our 1 pm flight back home. I originally asked the service to pick us up at 8 AM at the port, but they questioned that early time and asked us to check with the cruise line to see whether it was possible.

On our cruise itinerary, it shows us arriving at Port Canaveral at 7 AM. I realize that there may be some delays in being able to get off the ship due to customs and the like.

What would you suggest as a reasonable time to expect to be off the ship if we self-disembark, so that we can meet our pre-arranged limo service to take us back to MCO?

If it matters, the ship is Independence of the Seas, and it will be arriving back into port on December 31, 2021.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd ask the limo service for their suggestion. Obviously they do this regularly and should have a good feel for what is most likely.

 

[peacefrogdog]

They suggested port pickup at 9 AM. I'm open to hearing their opinions, but to me, it seemed a bit later than what I thought would be possible.

 

[Marrila]

They suggested port pickup at 9 AM. I'm open to hearing their opinions, but to me, it seemed a bit later than what I thought would be possible.

Personally, I'd go with what they suggest. They do this all the time.

 

[DizneyNutz]

Trying to arrange transport from Port Canaveral to MCO through a limo service. Had been planning to self-disembark to give us as much as possible to make our 1 pm flight back home. I originally asked the service to pick us up at 8 AM at the port, but they questioned that early time and asked us to check with the cruise line to see whether it was possible.

On our cruise itinerary, it shows us arriving at Port Canaveral at 7 AM. I realize that there may be some delays in being able to get off the ship due to customs and the like.

What would you suggest as a reasonable time to expect to be off the ship if we self-disembark, so that we can meet our pre-arranged limo service to take us back to MCO?

If it matters, the ship is Independence of the Seas, and it will be arriving back into port on December 31, 2021.

We have taken two cruises since Covid with RCCL. They have implemented a new disembarkation procedure where everyone is placed in groups and they call the groups when it is time for them to disembark. You put your stateroom TV on a certain channel and hang out until they announce your group. They usually call 2 groups at a time one for forward disembarkation and one for aft disembarkation. Parties self disembarking will be in first groups but make sure your are listening. Our last cruise was just a weekend getaway (Sept. 17th) to CoCo Cay from Miami. We were scheduled to Port at 6:00 am. They were disembarking us by 7:00am easily. We just grabbed one of the many cabs lined up outside for our ride to the airport.

 

[peacefrogdog]

Much thanks.
If self disembarking, can you leave at any time? I.e. in your example above, did it have to be at 7 AM? Could you have left at 730 for example?

 

[Bellhop97]

So we didn't take a limo back to MCO but did a rental car.. we were off the ship by 730am using self disembark and had the rental car by 815 and made it to MCO area by 930am. Hope that helps with the time frame

 

[DizneyNutz]

Much thanks.
If self disembarking, can you leave at any time? I.e. in your example above, did it have to be at 7 AM? Could you have left at 730 for example?

No that was the earliest example of when we could have been off, but we actually had the TV on the wrong channel and missed when they called our group. when we discovered our mistake they had already called a few more groups after ours. We just grabbed our bags and headed down and walked right off. They were doing facial recognition also so no need to go through any lines upon exit. Super fast and efficient. You will be given tags for your bags you are taking off that have your group number on them. So long as your group has been called you are free to go down, but don't have to go exactly when called.

 

[peacefrogdog]

Perfect. Thanks for this.

 

[sam_gordon]

They have implemented a new disembarkation procedure where everyone is placed in groups and they call the groups when it is time for them to disembark.

That's how our cruises pre-covid were handled. I think the only difference is where you wait. Before, they wanted you out of the cabins so they could start turnaround. Now they don't want people congregating together so you wait in your cabin.