Freestyle Disembarkation

My only cruise was in June 2018 on Carnival. I chose to take my own luggage down on disembarkation. I did not know I would have to pull it through miles of zigzag to get to bus to airport. How do I set it up where my bags get taken to bus that will take me to airport? Please advise. Thanks in advance.

It might be called Luggage Valet, or something different on other lines. You have to sign up for it on board, will cost you $25pp plus airline bag fees and you next see your bag at your home airport. Not offered in all ports nor by all airlines and there are time restrictions i.e., flight cannot leave before x time. I don't believe there is a way to book the cruise line transfer and have the bag delivered to the bus. So, now you know to either put your large bag/bags outside your door the night before and pick them up in the luggage area, or travel lighter. EM

Beyond the "luggage valet" services the OP really wasn't asking about there are two options:

Carry all your bags off the ship the morning of disembarkation; or

Leave your bags outside your cabin door the evening before and collect them in the terminal.

Since the OP chose the former on their previous cruise, there were no porters available that early to help them get their bags to the bus. If they choose the latter option there will be porters that for a tip of a couple bucks a bag will escort them through the Immigration lines and put their bags on the bus for them.

If the OP could tell us what port their next cruise will be disembarking at we can give even more specific information.

Any questions about the specific procedure the cruise line may have for luggage collection should be asked on the cruise line board.

Next time will not be as difficult as before, I can assure you.

If you want to do "self carry", then you must deal with your bags on your own. Otherwise, put them out the night before you leave, and they will be waiting for you before you go thru Customs.

My only cruise was in June 2018 on Carnival. I chose to take my own luggage down on disembarkation. I did not know I would have to pull it through miles of zigzag to get to bus to airport. How do I set it up where my bags get taken to bus that will take me to airport? Please advise. Thanks in advance.

So you didn't realize that self disembarkation meant you had to handle your own bags? Now you know. Porters aren't usually waiting for customers at the bottom of the gangway. They're in the baggage hall, where most of the baggage is. If you need a porter, don't do self disembarkation.