Protocol & timeline for disembarking at POCs?

[LGinPA]

Newbie cruiser here.  

 

At each POC I understand that those who booked NCL shore excursions get priority to disembark. We plan on doing many private excursions. And being new to cruising I don't understand how disembarking works at each POC (European) and how prioritization is given. 

 

1. Will someone please explain the disembarking protocol & procedures, and how priority works?

 

Also, I'm trying to get an idea of what time to book our private tours.  So if the ship is scheduled at a non-tender port for 7am (Athens Greece), and I see that the earliest NCL excursions start at 7:45, then 8:00, 8:15 and later...

 

2. Approximately what time can we expect to disembark, not being on an NCL excursion?

 

And thanks again for your help!

[BirdTravels]

You can disembark as soon as the gangway is open. Often shortly after the arrival time. Most will tell you give it 30 mins from scheduled arrival time. Tour operators know exactly when you can be off the ship. They do it every day. 
 

But if you are trying to be the first off, it is really unpleasant since 4000 of your newest friends will be trying to do the same thing. Lines. Crowds. Pushing and shoving. 
 

Shore excursions do not get priority disembarkation. They often meet and wait in the theater until their buses are ready. You can not have buses for several thousand passengers all at the gangway at the same time. So your times are spread out and they are held until their buses are ready. 

Edited March 15, 2023 by BirdTravels

[LGinPA]

31 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

You can disembark as soon as the gangway is open. Often shortly after the arrival time. Most will tell you give it 30 mins from scheduled arrival time. Tour operators know exactly when you can be off the ship. They do it every day. 
 

But if you are trying to be the first off, it is really unpleasant since 4000 of your newest friends will be trying to do the same thing. Lines. Crowds. Pushing and shoving. 

 

Thanks, that's helpful. 

Well, as much as I don't like crowds, pushing and shoving it may have to happen in Athens, since our goal is to get to the Acropolis before 8 am, which means getting off the ship at 7:30. 

 

 

31 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Shore excursions do not get priority disembarkation. They often meet and wait in the theater until their buses are ready. You can not have buses for several thousand passengers all at the gangway at the same time. So your times are spread out and they are held until their buses are ready. 

 

Interesting. Thanks again. 

I know I read somewhere regarding NCL excursions getting priority. But it may be related to the tender port of Santorini Greece. It's a unique situation there because of 2 ports, Athinos used for cruise ships excursions only, and the old port of Fira is used for non NCL excursions. Both are tender ports, and they may use all the tenders for the NCL goers first. 

 

Such is not the case in Athens, so it'll be a free for all! 

[TrumpyNor]

4 hours ago, LGinPA said:

 

T

I know I read somewhere regarding NCL excursions getting priority. But it may be related to the tender port of Santorini Greece. It's a unique situation there because of 2 ports, Athinos used for cruise ships excursions only, and the old port of Fira is used for non NCL excursions. Both are tender ports, and they may use all the tenders for the NCL goers first. 

 

NCL shore excursion priority is ONLY for tender ports. And in Santorini, you have no choice but to get tendering from NCL in to the "regular port" where the cable car station is located. And for your information most private shore excursions for Santorini island are available from the upper cable car station - in Fira town (the capital of Santorini), not from the old port. There are also boat tours that goes from the regular Santorini port to the old port, ticket office  is located on the pier. 

[BirdTravels]

9 hours ago, LGinPA said:

 

Interesting. Thanks again. 

I know I read somewhere regarding NCL excursions getting priority. But it may be related to the tender port of Santorini Greece. It's a unique situation there because of 2 ports, Athinos used for cruise ships excursions only, and the old port of Fira is used for non NCL excursions. Both are tender ports, and they may use all the tenders for the NCL goers first. 

 

Such is not the case in Athens, so it'll be a free for all! 

So,,, tour groups are staged. Once a group gets released to disembark and get on a bus, they will be escorted through crew areas and to the gangway (I.e., cutting the line) and allowed to disembark. So, they do get priority in many ports. 
 

But,,, you don’t have to wait until all of the NCL shore ex leave before independent tourists can leave. If you need to get off early, grab an early breakfast and go wait in line.