Debarkation

[Aviva17]

Hi, I've read the various threads that detail how long the process usually is on Holland America ships. My question is whether the arrival time that the itinerary states is usually honoured. For example, if our ship is set to arrive in Venice at 7am, can I be more or less certain of this time?

I would like to know give or take how accurate the itinerary times are so that I can begin to arrange transportation after the cruise ends.

Thank you!
:)

[cb at sea]

Every cruise I've been on, we've arrived BEFORE the scheduled time....but that doesn't mean you can get off the ship then!
The times should be fairly accurate, assuming there are no problems! I think if you booked transportation by 9am, you'd be in good shape.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

[Harry1954]

Hi, I've read the various threads that detail how long the process usually is on Holland America ships. My question is whether the arrival time that the itinerary states is usually honoured. For example, if our ship is set to arrive in Venice at 7am, can I be more or less certain of this time?

I would like to know give or take how accurate the itinerary times are so that I can begin to arrange transportation after the cruise ends.

Thank you!
:)
Welcome to Cruise Critic ... from my own experience, there will be delays at random times. They may be caused by weather at sea, weather at the port, problems with a ship that has not left on time leaving the dock occupied and causing the arriving ship to wait etc ... a simple example that happened in Fort Lauderdale three years ago .. we were to arrive at 7:00am - there was a heavy fog and it caused ships to stack up - much like an airport. We arrived and were ordered to an alternate dock for safety reasons. Then we were ordered to move when our pier was available. We were two and 1/2 hours late actually docking at the pier.

Can't do anything about that. We have always allowed for two to three extra hours above the normal for this type of mess - which will invariably happen when you schedule tightly. Be careful to allow for the extra time.

harry

[DAllenTCY]

Cruise lines cannot control delays. What they publish is a reasonable expectation of the arrival time. Delays can be caused by bad weather, port authorities (harbor pilot availabity, other ships movements, tidal conditons, etc.). Customs and Border Protection has to clear the ship before debarkation can begin, and often the selfishness of some guests can delay that for hours. You can usually count on at least one cabin being paged repeatedly the morning that the ship arrives in port. Most often, if a ship is due to arrive at 7am...you are asked not to book a flight before noon.
David

[Typhoon1]

I wish I could get my neighbor's dog debarked.:D

[maraena]

I was actually wondering about this very topic earlier and hadn't been able to locate information specific to the question.

Apologies to the OP for a brief thread hijack, as well. We booked a cruise recently for December on the Eurodam and were wondering how self-assist works. We used it on our previous cruise and were basically allowed to disembark anytime we liked with our luggage in hand (or on wheels, as it was). Does HAL work the same way or are self-assist folks required to be off the boat first?

We rather liked the convenience of not having to put our luggage outside since I had several liquids that would need to be repacked had we put them in carryon. (Of course, that was my excuse. DH didn't like the idea of leaving luggage out in the hall unattended.)

Thanks in advance. I've learned a ton about HAL from these boards but haven't yet built up the nerve to post.

[RuthC]

We booked a cruise recently for December on the Eurodam and were wondering how self-assist works. We used it on our previous cruise and were basically allowed to disembark anytime we liked with our luggage in hand (or on wheels, as it was). Does HAL work the same way or are self-assist folks required to be off the boat first?
Passengers choosing to self-disembark must leave first. Otherwise they, and all their luggage, would impede the flow of the large groups getting off later.

[CGinMTL]

We never book a flight before noon and we also choose to self-disembark whenever possible. This allows up to make up some time that we may need later. Prefer to be sitting in the airport all checked in then sitting on the ship waiting to call my number. But that is the way I am.

[Aviva17]

Thank you all for the comments...I need to buy some train tickets after we disembark but from what I've gathered from the thread so far I think I will opt for a flexi ticket and book atleast a few hours later to be sure.

As long as we don't get set back an entire day, it shouldn't be too bad. We're hoping to be at the Venice train station by 1 or 2pm at the latest!

[Aviva17]

ps: what exactly is self-disembark?

[jtl513]

ps: what exactly is self-disembark?You handle all of your luggage yourself rather than putting it out in the hall the night before to be off-loaded by stewards.

[Aviva17]

That seems like a good idea. Thank you!

[jtl513]

That seems like a good idea. Thank you!BUT - you must be able to debark early, before any other time slots. Typically this means around 7:30a.

[richwmn]

ps: what exactly is self-disembark?

You handle all of your luggage yourself rather than putting it out in the hall the night before to be off-loaded by stewards.

That seems like a good idea. Thank you!

Just remember, with self disembark you are supposed to be off first, and MUST handle all you luggage yourself -- the crew is not supposed to help.

Rich

[maraena]

Passengers choosing to self-disembark must leave first. Otherwise they, and all their luggage, would impede the flow of the large groups getting off later.

Thank you for the information. Looks like we'll be using the regular method this round. I'd far rather stay on the boat for a few hours more than plant myself in an airport. Plus, I think one of our most relaxed meals on our last cruise was the final morning breakfast. It just gave us a chance to mull over the trip and allowed us to get our stomachs full enough to last us until we got home.