What about Debarkation?

[felixdacat]

Haven't seen this topic.
Are there any tips for a smooth debarkation. I just read through my Passporter but it doesn't deal with the little details (like with every other subject).
I'm traveling with my two children. How do you get your bags? Should I go get the car and let my wife get the bags? Can you pull up to the terminal to load everyone in?
I realize that ending a Disney Cruise is a sore subject, but I have a 7 hour drive home ahead of me.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[aprilgail2]

There were porters when we left the sip, we showed them our bags, they loaded them on their cart and brought them to our car.

 

[hopelea]

It was such a smooth process!!! We left the ship and went to a huge warehouse that had all of our bags in color coded areas!
We showed them to porters and they picked them up and placed them onto a cart and helped us go through customs. When we exited, I was surprised how close we were to our cars!! It was very simple.

 

[Jestocost]

You'll get a color-coded tag for your bags and when you get off the ship, all of the bags are grouped by color and are (sort of) in order by cabin. You can either fetch them yourselves and drag them to customs (we did) or have one of the porters do it (I think the expected tip is $2.50 per bag).

If you get on the move as early as possible you should be able to clear out quickly. I imagine it can get crowded and have long lines at times, however.

 

[Monchichi]

You must have all your bags packed and ready to go outside your cabin door by 11 pm the last night. They give you bag tags that are color coded and in the morning you file out, show your papers and find the area with the same as your tags, after that you just have a porter take them to your car, it really is the easiest process I have ever been through. Also if you lose anything they have a cart with all the things people have left.
Also make sure you leave out clothes to were the next day lol

 

[Masonpips]

our first cruise, we got to the atrium around 8 and were in the car heading to WDW by 8:20 (amazing process)

The 2nd cruise we went to breakfast (had late seating, so the later breakfast), took our time, got in the LONG line (all the way back past Promenade Lounge and took our time, taking pics of the See You Real Soon signs and such. From step off the ship to standing outside waiting for the dh's to get the cars (left at Radisson) was less than 15 minutes.

It's an incredibly fabulous experience overall!

 

[jgalecpa]

DCL's debarkation process is IMHO the most efficient, pain free process I have ever experienced.

At 859 am we were in the atrium lobby of the ship.

The color coding makes finding your bags super simple.

Definitely use the porters, if able. They smooth the whole transition process. [I've never had a debarkaction where the porters could take your bags BEFORE customes. Very handy].

At 950 we were in my Brother in laws house in Melbourne FL having a brunch.

Jim

 

[felixdacat]

Thank you one and all.
This thread shows the power of these boards (and why I visit them multiple times a day).
2 weeks 2 days to Embarkation.