Self Assist Debark Question

[cmcsharon]

I haven't been on Carnival yet...but I'm excitedly counting the down the days until I am on the Spirit next month!

 

My last cruise was with NCL and self-assist debark was grab your bags and go whenever you want. Is it the same with Carnival?

 

I'd like to be able to stay on and let the crowds go first as our flight isn't until later...but, DH will not put the bags out the night before (law enforcement mentality...don't let them out of sight). Personally, it would save me a lot of work if someone made off with our dirty laundry at the end of the trip!!! :D

 

From what I've been reading, it seems like self-assist are the first one's off the ship. Is that the only time for self-assist debarkation?

 

Thanks!

[Cruzman]

Passengers with early flights and Platinum guests debark first, followed by self assist. They will usually call for self assist by deck prior to beginning the calls for colored tags.

[big_duck]

Self debarkation are the first off the ship. The usually allow an hour, to an hour and a half for this. On some ships (Conquest for instance), Self assist is done by deck number.

 

Although a couple of people not following procedure is no big deal, too many people can screw it up for everyone. Last week on the Conquest, the actually escorted people back on board who left before their deck was called. :cool:

[asoutherngal]

I did self assist debark on Spirit several years ago and it went smoother than any self assist I have ever done. Just did it on Sensation in October and it was a nightmare. Hopefully, Sprit staff is still handling it right.

[GoinCruisin]

As mentioned, self assist is called first. You will likely need to be in the lounge area around 6:30-7:00am. Some ships allow you to wait in your cabin... there is an hour window for you to get off if you are doing self assist, so no... you won't be able to sit around and wait for others, you will HAVE TO get off early.

[DqALEX]

I did self debarkation on the Celebration for the first time. It was so fast, but I don't think I would do it again unless I drove or had a early flight.

[kdrosend]

I just have one thing to say. DON'T DO SELF ASSIST. It was a nightmare. I think most everyone on the Valor was doing it. You couldn't get an elevator, we stood there for 20 minutes, every time the door opened it was full. You have to take it down escalators & long corridors. If you travel very light it might work for you but if I had to do it over again I would have put my luggage out the night before. We only did the self assist because our flight was before noon. We would have had plenty of time the other way. We were at the airport 2 hours before our flight left.

[GoinCruisin]

Definitely don't expect to use elevators if you do self assist... they make it very clear that only a few will be operating and the chances of getting one are slim. You will more than likely need to use the stairs... if you can maneuver your bags yourself, up and down possibly many flights, then go for it... otherwise, put your bags out.

[nycruiser2006]

It seems (from reading these boards) and our experience last year that debarkation in general is a nightmare. We had family members that did self assist and they said it was a joke. People everywhere - lines, decks, stairs, etc. We waited (had a very late flight) until they said, "last call - all passengers must be off the ship" -it was 9:00 and by the time we finally got off it was 10:00.

[Chat Noir]

We had no problems with disembarkation on our Spirit cruise in Alaska a couple of years ago. We had breakfast on Lido, then had a very easy, very quick disembarkation. Nice to keep our luggage with us rather than hunting it down! Seemed like very few on our cruise chose this option as there was hardly any line.

[Babie]

I did self assist on the Conquest recently.

 

They called for us, but I waiting around until about 11 or so for some friends to get off the ship and we all left together. I had no problem, but then it was getting late and they were kinda rushing us off by then.

 

As a side note. Make sure you pack BEFORE you decide if ya wanna do self assist or not. Never again! I waited til about 2am to start packing (big mistake) and when I was finished, I realized I needed at least 2 more suitcases to take my stuff home in! :eek:

 

I was so stressed about it, I seriously thought about leaving half my clothes behind and just buying new stuff later!

[suzy1212]

Definitely don't expect to use elevators if you do self assist... they make it very clear that only a few will be operating and the chances of getting one are slim. You will more than likely need to use the stairs... if you can maneuver your bags yourself, up and down possibly many flights, then go for it... otherwise, put your bags out.

Actually, if you do self assist on the Conquest you have to take the elevator unless you have a free had to hold the escalator rail. They have someone standing at the head of the escalator watching, if you don't have a free hand, they direct you to the elevator, no exceptions. :rolleyes:

[GoinCruisin]

Actually, if you do self assist on the Conquest you have to take the elevator unless you have a free had to hold the escalator rail. They have someone standing at the head of the escalator watching, if you don't have a free hand, they direct you to the elevator, no exceptions. :rolleyes:

 

I should have clarified... I meant on the ship itself :D

[suzy1212]

I should have clarified... I meant on the ship itself :D

Ah! That's definitely true! We waited forever for an elevator last month. One finally stopped and a guy who had just walked up tried to get on in front of me and Jim. I hip-checked him across the room and took the last spot. I told James (my son) he'd have to go down the stairs and meet us there.

[GoinCruisin]

Ah! That's definitely true! We waited forever for an elevator last month. One finally stopped and a guy who had just walked up tried to get on in front of me and Jim. I hip-checked him across the room and took the last spot. I told James (my son) he'd have to go down the stairs and meet us there.

 

ROFLMAO! Sounds like something I would do!!! Good for you!!!