How do I become,"Last Man off Ship"?

[Tony M]

I will probably try to arrive early at the port to try to become "First Man onboard" but how do you recommend to stay onboard during the disembarkation as long as possible? Last cruise(first DCL cruise) we flocked with the rest and waited in the hallway to leave the ship. Then fought everyone to locate our bags, and then finally stood in line to pass through customs. I've heard talk about leisurely strolls off the ship to find you luggage all by itself and then briskly walking through customs to find your lonely vehicle in the parking lot.
My questions range from...
How long can you stay onboard?
Do they ask you to leave?
What do you do for breakfast?
Is customs more likely to search you if you are all alone passing through?
Would they ever throw you overboard?
Is there anything else that I need to know?

 

[jgalecpa]

We went to second seating breakfast at 8am.

We walked through the lobby at 859.

At 902 we strolled off the ship.

Our luggage was easy to spot since it was about the only stuff left.

Didn't have to wait for porter, breezed through customs.

I DO think a single person coming off a family cruise ship is more likely to be searched, in my opinion (and I worked with the State Dept for 8 years, though not in Customs), all else being equal.

Jim

 

[Tony M]

what happens if you are assigned "first seating" for breakfast?
Also,
What is the earliest disembarkation time?
What is the latest?

 

[WldWcnWmn]

Ha Ha Ha! I think we'd all like to be the last one off. You know how the sayin' goes...you can run but you can't hide. I don't think Mickey and the gang will throw you overboard perse' but just think of the poor room stewards who can't get the ship ready for the next bunch until you come back to reality.....I know it sucks, I would definately reccommend finding a corner in the store, or appear to be "lost" while you roam onboard. I for one won't been seen in the que when they announce disembarkation!

 

[jrabbit]

How long can you stay onboard?

If you can snag one of those orange overalls and appear to be working you probably can manage to stay on the ship as long as you are working Also Just don't being speak engrish two goodly, -or- you may have to start speaking perfect english.

 

[mmouse37]

Earliest is when ship is cleared from customs....anytime from 7:30-8:00 am on.....latest is 9:00 am....

Don't forget....the CM's onboard only have about 3 hours to turn that ship around and get it ready for the next group of passengers!!!

The onboard stores are not open the morning of debarkation .....sorry, you can't hide there!!!



MJ

 

[Tony M]

What time do the masses leave the ship?
That's what I'm trying to avoid like last time. I remember hearing of the smuggling of bagels, cereal, etc. back to the room and enjoying a nice relaxed breakfast snack with the family and then strolling offboard.
Let me get the timeline correct:
6:45am for first seating Breakfast or "to-go" back to room,
7:30am to 8:00am the ship is cleared for customs,
Return to room after Breakfast around 7:30am to 8:00am to relax while the mob exits the ship,
Enjoy the "view" from our verandah until about 8:45am,
And then stroll unmolested ashore.
Is 9:00am the latest that I should plan on being aboard?

 

[cathie]

We travel with a handicapped friend & last year we were the last 8 people off the 3 Day Wonder (I think it was about 9:30am) We have lots of stuff to bring on board( and lots of stuff when we leave!!) Have fun & good luck!! Cathie & The Gang

 

[professorandmom]

Originally posted by Tony M
What time do the masses leave the ship?

Enjoy the "view" from our verandah until about 8:45am,
And then stroll unmolested ashore.
Is 9:00am the latest that I should plan on being aboard?

You will probably have trouble getting to your verandah ... we had no problem "hiding" on the ship till a bit after 9 but when they tell you "out of your room" they aren't kidding - the room stewards open all the room doors, strip the beds, bring carts into the room and literally dash in and out from several rooms at a time...after days of a gleeming clean room (she cleaned the space where the desk met the mirror with a toothbrush!!!), you will be rather sympathetic to her/his work.......now you probably can enjoy the view from deck 4 for at least a little while before 9

Good luck, BTW, I think there have been several movies where people hid in the stacks, maybe you could try that!
Barb

 

[mobetsy]

You don't have to eat in a dining room if the early hour horrifies you! We had a leisurely breakfast at Topsiders (only cold foods, but that was fine with us), enjoying the view of the port, then got off sometime after 8:30 and were through Customs in a matter of minutes.