Disembark Procedures - Caribbean Princess/FLL

[ORDPLATAA]

Less that two months to go until I take my mom on the Caribbean Princess. It looks like the cruise will be a sell out (YIKES!) so there will be about 3,000 people racing off to the airport!

My question involves procedures in getting off the ship. We have a 12:55pm flight out of FLL so I am not too concerned except for the crowds on the ship all trying to get to the elevators to get off the ship. Does Princess give earlier disembarkation numbers to HC folks so they have more time to get off the ship - or do we have to dive in with everyone else? Also, we are flying on Southwest so, hopefully, I will be able to print my boarding passes on the ship and save a little time at the ticket counter.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. I want to be sure that I have my mom well taken care of on this trip!

[robseat]

We returned to FLL on Nov. 26. They (Caribbean) did NOT announce where handicapped passengers were to gather for disembarkation, so we asked at the Pursers Desk and they told us to go to a certain dining room (on same floor as the disembarking). Elevators weren't a problem. When we got to the designated place, they assigned us to tables according to luggage tag color, and estimated that our time would be around 10:30. When I spoke to an employee, and said we did not need assistance, she said she would arrange for us to leave early. We were off the ship by 9 am. If you tell him/her that you have an early flight, they will probably let you go early also, and may even provide someone to assist, if needed. I think the estimated disembark times were based on having enough employees and wheelchairs available to help people off. That morning we ate a leisurely breakfast in the dining room, went back to our cabin briefly, and then to the gathering place, and were STILL off the ship by 9, and on the road home by 9:30. How are you getting to the airport? Taxi? Shuttle? We were parked in the garage so getting to the airport wasn't an issue. As we were leaving the ship, nobody ever even looked at our luggage tags. I think after the EXPRESS people have been let off, it might not even matter what your color is.

[ORDPLATAA]

Thanks for the information. We will be taking a taxi or (quite possibly) having my cousin drop us off at the airport as he will be on the cruise as well (just not sure how big his car is for all of our stuff!).

Good to know about going to the dining room on the last day - I will check that out when we are there. I do recall when we aere on the Zuiderdam that they had us wait in the Explorers Lounge and was curious if Princess did the same.

Have to say, just not looking forward to dealing with the crowds at the airport when we get back (mom in her wheelchair + luggage). But, I guess I owe her (afterall, she did raise me!).

[l2c]

My DH who uses wheelchair and walker (he has ALS) will be on the CB Feb. 4. When are you going?

[cjh]

Princess sends a letter 2 days before the end of the cruise telling you where to go. We have never had a problem with the elevators leaving the ship only the first day.

[BlueSeezGal]

The staff takes VERY good care of the handicapped people. My husband had a scooter rental and was told to bring it to the Island Restaurant. There were a number of wheelchairs there with staff ready to help with disembarkation. We had a very nice young man push my husband in the wheelchair and stayed with us the WHOLE time. He helped us get a porter to load our bags and brought us ALL the way to a taxi which brought us directly to the airport. I tipped the young man $10 and the porter $3. It was worth it. I was grateful and so were they. Tips are vital if you have a handicapped situation. It makes everyone feel good and thankful.