Debarkation NIGHTMARE

[TheRaven]

ok I took sometime to try to relax from our debarkation from miracle on sunday and I understand that much of the problem was out of carnivlas hands.

 

heres what we went through to get off around 9am as instructed we had found a nice sitting area near the city room on deck 3 and were relaxed and waiting at about 915 a crewmember in i believe a bar uniform told us that we should be gathering on deck 2 aft so we ( me DW, DD, FIL, MOM) head down the elevators are packed so we use stairs, we meet up with firends and our group becomes 10 in the aft elevator lobby on deck 2 we are told by one of the entertainment staff ( archie i think) to head towards atrium for debarkation. where ACD big sexy tells us we cant be in the atrium to head back to casino to join line. after standing here and some nice gentlemen getting a chair for DW to sit on since DD insisted on being held we were then told by ES Sammy that we were going to be going into the lounge and seated while the rest of the line went ahead and debarked. this was when we l;earned about the Spirit hitting our pier and Custyoms being done onboard. SO we head off in the direction sammy points us and eventually only make it to the hallway between Phantom lounge and the casino. the line behind us deides to turn around and just merge into the original begining of the line infront of Showtime whom said he had no authority. so around 1030 now the line moves a lil on the otherside and eventually we move slowly forward when we get to the forward stairs and entry area to phantom we see why it is moving so slowly as we are directed to follow a line into the lounge the people coming down the stairs simply went around the corner into the line on the way out so we eventually end up goping up the ramp to enter the phantom where we go down the side all the way to the front then along to the middle to the aisle and back up to the rear. now we have to carry all our luggage and everything DOWN THE STAIRS from phantom back into the lobby and into where the people who were coming down the stairs and werent in line to begine with were getting in. Followed this line into the casino again and back threw to the atrium. went threw and around and eventually goto customs and out the door. My mother had had it by then and was comp-laing to everyone she saw witha name tag on. I couldnt really blame her. as we were getting on the gangway i heard her complain one last time to I think was a security officer from the ship who said " Its your fault you chose to disembark":eek:

 

I had to write this seperatley from my review cuz other then getting on and aoof it was a wonderful cruise and i had to vent this to get an objective review done hopefully later today maybe tommrowo

[trock]

ok I took sometime to try to relax from our debarkation from miracle on sunday and I understand that much of the problem was out of carnivlas hands.

 

heres what we went through to get off around 9am as instructed we had found a nice sitting area near the city room on deck 3 and were relaxed and waiting at about 915 a crewmember in i believe a bar uniform told us that we should be gathering on deck 2 aft so we ( me DW, DD, FIL, MOM) head down the elevators are packed so we use stairs, we meet up with firends and our group becomes 10 in the aft elevator lobby on deck 2 we are told by one of the entertainment staff ( archie i think) to head towards atrium for debarkation. where ACD big sexy tells us we cant be in the atrium to head back to casino to join line. after standing here and some nice gentlemen getting a chair for DW to sit on since DD insisted on being held we were then told by ES Sammy that we were going to be going into the lounge and seated while the rest of the line went ahead and debarked. this was when we l;earned about the Spirit hitting our pier and Custyoms being done onboard. SO we head off in the direction sammy points us and eventually only make it to the hallway between Phantom lounge and the casino. the line behind us deides to turn around and just merge into the original begining of the line infront of Showtime whom said he had no authority. so around 1030 now the line moves a lil on the otherside and eventually we move slowly forward when we get to the forward stairs and entry area to phantom we see why it is moving so slowly as we are directed to follow a line into the lounge the people coming down the stairs simply went around the corner into the line on the way out so we eventually end up goping up the ramp to enter the phantom where we go down the side all the way to the front then along to the middle to the aisle and back up to the rear. now we have to carry all our luggage and everything DOWN THE STAIRS from phantom back into the lobby and into where the people who were coming down the stairs and werent in line to begine with were getting in. Followed this line into the casino again and back threw to the atrium. went threw and around and eventually goto customs and out the door. My mother had had it by then and was comp-laing to everyone she saw witha name tag on. I couldnt really blame her. as we were getting on the gangway i heard her complain one last time to I think was a security officer from the ship who said " Its your fault you chose to disembark":eek:

 

I had to write this seperatley from my review cuz other then getting on and aoof it was a wonderful cruise and i had to vent this to get an objective review done hopefully later today maybe tommrowo

 

 

Hey T

 

We were on the 'line' that was merging into the line coming from the casino.

We had gotten on line in the atrium as per Big Sexy's instructions.. he then made us go up to 3 and around back down to line up to merge with your line.. He put Showtime in charge of the merge.. and some people just went ballistic on him.. it was not their fault.. he was trying to make one group go then another etc.. People were not letting us on line.. and then Big Sexy came over and was very direct... "DO YOU WANT TO GET OFF THE SHIP? THEN FOLLOW OUR INSTRUCTIONS..." .. you could tell he was at his breaking point.. they were doing the best they could under the circumstances..

 

But after a few hours we were out and then waiting for a cab!!!!! that -to me was a real nightmare!!

[cruiseondude]

We were stuck back by the elevators by Phantom on the first line before it wrapped back into the casino. everyone coming down the stairs/elevators were merging onto our line and then (you know) the wrap around line turned around and joined the first line. it was a total mess.

 

I know that Carnival had no control over the Spirit incident - AND I HAD A GREAT CRUISE -- but I can't believe that they haven't experienced this before? It just didn't seem like they had a contingency plan -- One of the female activities persons - actually told people it was our fault for lining up when they are the ones who directed us where to go. Once we got moving, it was OK, but we had to wait for the Casino/bars/atrium to empty first. A couple on the train back to LI with us, said they just walked down the stairs and merged in with the Handicapped folks and they weren't stopped!

 

Of course, Karma got them - they missed the train and had to wait an hour for the next one... :D

[Sandgnat]

The problem always with disembarking is there are some that won't listen to the rules. I really think unless you have to get off the ship at a certain time, I would just go sit and be one of the last off now that they are doing the self disembarkation. Having VIP I don't have to worry about this now.

[lcpagejr]

I too was on this cruise...we were VIP...but took forever for the self debarkation passengers to debark. When we finally were lead from Frankie and Johnnies...we zoomed right thru...no waiting. But I did notice large stacks of customs forms on the 10 custom agent desks. It seemed like half the ship self disembarked?? This may have been the root cause of the problem with so many people trying to get of at once and the Carnival staff not able to properly direct the group and instead put them through a holding and looping pattern.

[IndyGirl]

Were there announcements being made on where the passengers were supposed to be headed?

[pungo3]

Wow, what a mess. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. At least you had a great cruise up until that time.

[sunrise2]

We were also on this cruise and it was a nightmare even with the anouncements. We were lucky to be able to stay in our rooms for awhile. We did not self embark and we were #18 and it took forever. We got onto the street at about 12:00 because of all the problems. They had no line structure and CC people were directing you to go one way and when you go to that area another CC person was asking why are coming this way. It was ridiculous. You actually had to fight to get to the elevator that took you down. They were very disorganized. I have never seen it so bad. Since this impression on DH he no longer wants to sail from NYC. Our car service even charged us an extra 50.00 waiting time and called us a liar and said we just wanted to stay on ship longer. Needless to say a letter went out to the BBB about this car service. It was a very bad way to end a wonderful cruise.

[babywewe]

I did this about 3 weeks ago. It was crazy. Next time I will set my luggage out the night before and hang out on board till my number is called. It was too stressful getting our luggage out on our own.

 

Waiting for a taxi was just silly as well. Taxis didn't seem to come until they started to drop people off ... then they would pick up.

[TheRaven]

I think that there were a large number maybe more then usuall self disembarking and like i said its not totally their fault but I cannot logically come up with a thought pattern that aloows them to not have a PLAN for such a thing

[BEEZALAR]

I personally think they should nix the self debarkment or at least limited it to ONE bag only. I've seen people with WAY too many bags making it take forever for the rest of the self debarkers to get off.

 

It's like the line cutters at the disney theme parks.....you know, the ones that pay extra to cut. You can't help but hate em !!!:mad:

[G'ma]

The problem always with disembarking is there are some that won't listen to the rules. I really think unless you have to get off the ship at a certain time, I would just go sit and be one of the last off now that they are doing the self disembarkation. Having VIP I don't have to worry about this now.

 

Boy, I'm with you. I always remain in a comfortable chair, reading a good book - or watching the chaos - until all the nonsense is over and most are off the ship. Would never thrust myself into that madness.

 

When almost everyone is finally gone, bruised and in a bad mood, I walk right off the ship, unscathed...and, no problem finding my suitcase either...most others are gone

[allgeeteredup]

I believe we will have to do the sitting in a comfortable chair with a good book and my iPod. I am extremely claustrophobic and will FREAK OUT in a line that was explained by the OP. They will be calling the gentleman with the white robes to come and get me. Either that or I medicate myself before disembarkation. Either way, fun times ahead for me!!!! Whew!!!!! Do they serve food in the buffet or dining rooms and can you get tea or coffee during embarkation. First time cruiser here and was wondering about those things.

[douglinc@msn.com]

Debarkation has become a nightmare, I'm not sure who to blame, the cruise lines or Customs. We were on the Conquest in March & stood in line for a couple of hours to get to customs, not nearly enough customs agents for the number passengers. There has to be a better way! It's a shame to have a really great cruise & leave with a really sour taste from debarkation.

 

Doug

[sanmarcosman]

Many posters here were on board this cruise. I hope you all got together for a meet and greet.

[trock]

Many posters here were on board this cruise. I hope you all got together for a meet and greet.

 

Yes we did! and we are still chatting away on the roll call.. You are welcome to join us!

[Captain'sgirl]

I believe we will have to do the sitting in a comfortable chair with a good book and my iPod. I am extremely claustrophobic and will FREAK OUT in a line that was explained by the OP. They will be calling the gentleman with the white robes to come and get me. Either that or I medicate myself before disembarkation. Either way, fun times ahead for me!!!! Whew!!!!! Do they serve food in the buffet or dining rooms and can you get tea or coffee during embarkation. First time cruiser here and was wondering about those things.

Unless you have to make an early flight, just take yourself out to one of the outer decks, have a cup of coffee and just relax and wait. It will save you a lot of trouble and frustration. We were #20 for disembarkation and did not experience any big problems.

[big_duck]

I think that there were a large number maybe more then usuall self disembarking and like i said its not totally their fault but I cannot logically come up with a thought pattern that aloows them to not have a PLAN for such a thing

 

Sure, they can always open a couple of more doors, I'm sure Immigration wouldn't mind. :rolleyes:

 

Customs and Immigration is the choke point. Nobody is moving faster then they are no matter how fast they get off the ship.

 

The ship wants you gone, the quicker the better; so they can bring new people on and start making money again.

[DqALEX]

The problem always with disembarking is there are some that won't listen to the rules. I really think unless you have to get off the ship at a certain time, I would just go sit and be one of the last off now that they are doing the self disembarkation. Having VIP I don't have to worry about this now.

LOL YOU THINK. I can tell you one cruise I was on VIP took longer.

[DarthGrady]

Sure, they can always open a couple of more doors, I'm sure Immigration wouldn't mind. :rolleyes:

 

Customs and Immigration is the choke point. Nobody is moving faster then they are no matter how fast they get off the ship.

 

The ship wants you gone, the quicker the better; so they can bring new people on and start making money again.

 

Truer words were never spoken (well, typed) Don.

 

Thats why I recuse myself from the melee, sleep in, and park myself in the Lido buffet until everybody is gone.

[Kudos2Fly]

We so far we have never had a bad debarkation like that.. :eek: But I do notice people not ready with their papers field out... Or don't have their passports ready to be seen. Or people taking to much luggage off in the self debarking.. We have done self debarking but we only have one carry on each and a backpack we both have one.. So two small pieces of luggage we each carry.. When ever we have more luggage we set it out the night before..

 

I have seen people trying to disembark for a 4 day cruise with luggage that DH and I would take on a 7 day cruise :eek:. Disembarking has never been fun... I think thats the worst part of the cruise... But I figure it only lasted for a few hours..

 

Well at least you guys had fun on the cruise..

[FloridaGram]

Truer words were never spoken (well, typed) Don.

 

Thats why I recuse myself from the melee, sleep in, and park myself in the Lido buffet until everybody is gone.

 

I'm convinced, this is what I am going to try this cruise-day after tomorrow!

 

I am wondering how Disney can get people off the ship so easily and why Carnival still has to take so long. DCL has a system you go to the dining room for breakfast at assigned times and then walk off the ship after breakfast. It gets poeple out of the rooms, kept us busy and then off we went. Holland America was not bad getting off either so I am surprised CCL is still having these issues.

[nolalover]

Thats why I recuse myself from the melee, sleep in, and park myself in the Lido buffet until everybody is gone.

 

 

So true!!!! They have to practically throw me off the ship! (and I love having my luggage the last set laying there!):p

[DarthGrady]

So true!!!! They have to practically throw me off the ship! (and I love having my luggage the last set laying there!):p

 

Yeppers,,,,we never have to look for them, they are the only ones in an empty room!

[2 rednecks]

Lasy year when the DW and I went the self debark was a nightmare, i was ready to rip people a new one, anyone with a name tag and it made it worse to hear one of the social hosts saying this happens alot when they are in NY. Then why don't they prepair better, I mean a line from the dining room to the phantom and then back was a bit much. People pushing yelling and cutting in everywhere, this year i plan on staying on board as long as i possibly can.