Take luggage off before last port?

[s3058]

Complete cruising novice here so sorry if this is a really stupid question.

We're thinking of doing the europe cruise that leaves from Dover, however one of the ports is where I live. Would it be possible for me to take luggage off at this port and get back on without it? I would much prefer to not have to fly home with it if I can leave it at home the day before.

 

[mmouse37]

I don't see why not....when we did the Transatlantic a few years ago from Florida to Copenhagen our first stop was Manhattan (20 minutes from where we live). I had overpacked and called my son in the morning and asked him to meet me at the port to offload some stuff. He did and I gave him clothes and stuff I would not need for the rest of the trip. I had no problem taking stuff off the ship. I even brought him some chicken fingers!!

MJ

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I don't see why not....when we did the Transatlantic a few years ago from Florida to Copenhagen our first stop was Manhattan (20 minutes from where we live). I had overpacked and called my son in the morning and asked him to meet me at the port to offload some stuff. He did and I gave him clothes and stuff I would not need for the rest of the trip. I had no problem taking stuff off the ship. I even brought him some chicken fingers!!

MJ

Did you take these things off the ship in luggage? I would think getting off the ship early with luggage could be noted as someone departing the cruise early. Now, on the European cruise, that's not as big a deal as here in the US, but the ship would need to know about it beforehand.

Another question - you brought food off the ship in port?

 

[mmouse37]

Did you take these things off the ship in luggage? I would think getting off the ship early with luggage could be noted as someone departing the cruise early. Now, on the European cruise, that's not as big a deal as here in the US, but the ship would need to know about it beforehand.

Another question - you brought food off the ship in port?

Yep, I brought chicken fingers off in NY. I think OP absolutely should let DCL know what the plans are. I don't see a big deal taking luggage off as long as you are coming back.

MJ

 

[FigmentSpark]

Actually, since you live there, if you take these things off the ship, you will likely have to claim any goods you're bringing back into your country. Check with your customs and see if that's the case.

I think there might be questions to ensure you are actually returning to the ship (they don't want to be fined), but otherwise, it's your stuff.

Can I just say, if you go home that day, you will risk getting out of vacation mode. You'll check your mail, see the neighbours, maybe check any phone messages, etc. Next thing you know, it wasn't relaxing for you and was a bit of a wasted day.

 

[Bonnie1222]

Another question - you brought food off the ship in port?

That was my first thought.
Isn't that the BIG no no...

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Is the departure of England from the EU a wild card in this? How does it impact border crossings and customs?

 

[MomOTwins]

That was my first thought.
Isn't that the BIG no no...

Yeah--there were repeated announcements on our last cruise that only food in sealed packaging could be taken off ship at ports. Maybe this has become more of a problem and they are trying to make sure more people are informed.

 

[mmouse37]

Disclaimer: I am not condoning taking food off the ship...just relaying my experience from Port Canaveral to Manhattan...no foreign port in between. I believe (not 100% sure) that they do not want fruits, veggies and most non packaged foods taken off the ship due to introducing non local parasites and pathogens into an area. I truly did not think that fried chicken fingers would introduce these things since I was not coming from a foreign port. It was five years ago and it was a one and done. We did not have to go through customs and there were no signs about not being able to bring anything off the ship like I have seen when you arrive to a US port from another country.

MJ

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is the departure of England from the EU a wild card in this? How does it impact border crossings and customs?

It's my understanding that England no longer being part of the EU means that any travel between there and other countries will be like traveling from the US to other countries. Where travel among EU countries means no passport controls, for example, there will now be passport control, since England is no longer part of that group. Not sure how customs would work, though.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It's my understanding that England no longer being part of the EU means that any travel between there and other countries will be like traveling from the US to other countries. Where travel among EU countries means no passport controls, for example, there will now be passport control, since England is no longer part of that group. Not sure how customs would work, though.

Yeah, that is also my understanding, which would mean that if you sailed FROM Dover, to EU countries, then disembarked in an EU country... it might be wack?

 

[s3058]

Thanks for all the replies. Brexit was something I thought may be an issue. Not sure how it will work either as I’m Irish and we still have borderless travel with the UK following Brexit so this may affect it. Although this doesn’t extend to customs post 2021 AFAIK.

I’ve emailed Disney Cruise Line so hopefully hear back soon.

I’m not too concerned about losing vacation mode FigmentSpark as I’ll probably do mmouse37 and meet someone to give my bags to and then right back on the ship to use it while everyone’s off exploring!

 

[Intr3pid]

General luggage dropoff is not an issue. Food has restrictions.

If, however, customs is involved, you will have to either fill out arrival forms and declare what you are bringing in - or answer questions from an officer.

Which specific itinerary and ports is this about?

 

[SirDuff]

It's my understanding that England no longer being part of the EU means that any travel between there and other countries will be like traveling from the US to other countries. Where travel among EU countries means no passport controls, for example, there will now be passport control, since England is no longer part of that group. Not sure how customs would work, though.

You’re mixing up EU with Schengen. The UK was never part of Schengen, so there has always been passport control when traveling between the UK and Schengen countries. For non-EU citizens, not much (anything) changes in terms of those requirements. What will change is the requirements needed by UK citizens to enter EU countries (and EU citizens to enter the UK). And, given that, likely changes in how the passport control areas are set up (e.g. UK citizens will likely now go through the non-EU lines).

As a note, Switzerland is not part of the EU, but is part of Schengen, so there is no passport control when traveling to many EU countries.

 

[PurplePencil]

Yeah, that is also my understanding, which would mean that if you sailed FROM Dover, to EU countries, then disembarked in an EU country... it might be wack?

There isn't anything that is changing. When I sailed from Dover to Barcelona we had to clear customs in Barcelona (even though we visited France, Portugal, and Spain before disembarking). The passport control computer system went down while disembarking and it took waaaay longer than it was suppose to.