Travel - Cruise 101 - Carnival Cruise's New Debarkation Process

I just got off the Carnival Dream on Sunday and experienced a whole new (and much better) debarkation process. Previously, you had to line up ahead of time to get a time card which allowed you to leave the ship (unless you had special privileges or a shore excursion booked). Now the entire pre-process is done through the Carnival Hub app (which runs off the ship's free wifi).



This debarkation information pamphlet arrived the day before the last cruise day giving us plenty of time to make our selections or to visit guest services if needed.

If you plan to carry your own luggage, you would select "Express Debarkation". This is great for those who need to catch a plane.

If you plan to check in your luggage and pick it up in the terminal, you would select the number of luggage tags you need (one per bag). These will arrive in an envelope at your cabin. The tags should match the debarkation time group you picked. So I picked group 24 and my tags show "24" on them.

(This is my tag showing "24". Inside I filled out the name, phone, address. I then placed it inside my luggage tag holder which was already on my bag from embarkation.)

You will then place them on your bags or in your luggage tag holder. All your checked luggage needs to be sitting outside your cabin between 8:00 pm (ship time) and 11:00 pm (ship time) for the porters to pick them up. If you are late, you will have to carry your own bags.

Every cruise and line is different, but we were given a specific time to evacuate our cabin on debarkation day. The pamphlet shows 8:15 but we actually had until 8:30am (ship time) to leave our cabin. That means everything needs to be packed and taken with you.

There will be some limited breakfast options the debarkation day. As you can see from the pamphlet above, the Buffet (Lido Restaurant) was open from 6:00am until 9:00am (but they did start shutting down at 8:45am and by 9:00am they were telling people, nicely, to leave). The main dining restaurant (Scarlet Restauant) was open from 6:30a until only 8:00am. BlueIguana Cantina served breakfast from 7:00am until 9:00am. We arrived at the buffet at 8:30am and half of the buffet was already closed. The selections were limited and there were lines for the omelets. So it's better to get there early to get a seat and a spot in line.

The rest of the debarkation process was the same except at the Galveston port, they were now implementing facial-recognition cameras. So as you head out of the ship you will come into the area where you have to show your ID or passport. As we went through the line, our pictures were taken. When they matched the picture we took on embarkation, we were allowed to leave. No need to show your ID/passport. That made the process a bit faster. If the picture didn't match then you had to show your IDs.

Overall, I like the new process and it seemed much faster.

Travel - Cruise 101 - Carnival Cruise Ship Disembarkation at Galveston, Texas

At the end of your cruise, when you are in the destination port (which in my case happened to be the same port as I started, Galveston, TX), you will begin your disembarkation from the ship. Depending on your cruise line, there could be different steps or policies. I'm going to list out all the things that I went through so you have a general idea of what to expect, because the cruise line may not explain the process to you.

When Can You Disembark?
The following information does not apply if you have a special membership (like a "Faster to the Fun" or a VIP or you booked a shore excursion, etc).

Carnival Cruise Line use a system of Zones numbers. You will be informed ahead of the disembarkation day to pick up a Zone Number at a specific location and time. Be sure to get there early so you can pick the time you want, otherwise (like me) you will have to choose from the leftover times. So you get a Zone Number and then on disembarkation day they will call your number and you will start the disembarkation process of leaving.

Luggage Options:
Self Disembarkation or Carry Luggage Off: If you prefer to carry all your own bags, choose this option. It's faster because you don't have to go searching for your luggage at the terminal especially if you are in a hurry to catch a flight or bus. However, you will be lugging your suitcases around on your own. And I didn't see any luggage carts.

Checked Luggage: The second option is to allow the cruise line to carry your luggage to the terminal and you pick it up there (just like you would at an airport). This is the option that I chose for this cruise because I had several large bags that I didn't want to drag around.

If you also want the cruise line to handle your bags, be sure to pack a small day bag with your valuables, medicines, your disembarkation day clothes, toothbrushes, makeup, etc that you will carry with you. Once they take your luggage, you will not be able to get it back without major hassles. Keep a duffle bag, small rolling bag, or backpack with you with the day essentials. The rest of your luggage you will tag and place outside your door the night before you disembark. Be sure to take pictures of your luggage tags because the numbers/colors will be how you find your bags.


Can You Eat Breakfast on Disembarkation Day Before You Leave?
Yes! As the picture above shows, there were 3 dining options open for breakfast on our cruise anyway. Check your own Cruise Line for options. The selections will be limited.

Are there Activities while I wait for Disembarkation?
Not really. The pool is closed (it's covered with a net). The casino is closed. It's pretty much a ghost town as many of the staff are "off-duty". The goal now is for the ship personnel to get you off the ship and welcome the next group of guests.

Anything I should do before I leave the ship?
Be sure you turn in all your towels. Pay any outstanding bills. Cash in any casino chips (if it's not digital). Fill out any Customs forms (such as for Alcohol). Pay any tips if you didn't already. You will be required to leave your cabin at a specific time, so be sure to get everything out before you head to breakfast or the exit. Arrange your transportation if you didn't already. Be sure to keep your room card with you (because you need it to get off the ship).


How Does Disembarkation Work?
Exiting the ship is a lot like embarking but going the opposite direction. For our cruise, there were limited elevators (and they were slow) so we took the stairs (and even those were crowded with people and their luggage). It was a bit chaotic, IMO. Then you will head into the Cruise Ship Terminal via the gangplank/skybridge. They will scan you out and take your card. You will walk through the terminal areas to the luggage area where you will have to search for your bags. Picture #2 above shows how the luggage is just set the side and you will need to search for it. I wrap my bags in colorful luggage straps which made it very easy to find.

These are the luggage straps I used with my black Costco bags and it made it so easy to find in a sea of black, blue and red bags:

What if I need help with my Bags?
There are porters who will move your luggage on their racks for a small fee/tip. Worth it if you have a lot of bags. Unfortunately, they will only go as far as the front area or the front parking lot. If you parked in one of the nearby garages, you will have to drag it there yourself.