Carnival Announces Changes to Debarkation Process

   August 11, 2018 ,   Cruise Industry

Carnival Cruise Line is currently making a few changes to its debarkation process. How they impact passengers depends on how much they have purchased during the voyage and what time they are hoping to get off the cruise ship.

While in the past, disembarking guests were required to fill out customs form, it is not the case moving forward. The cruise company informed travel agents of the change via an e-mail, allowing them to provide their clients with up-to-date information.

According to the e-mail, guests who exceeded duty-free allowance have to complete 1 U.S. Customs Declaration Form per household, including those family members sailing with them who reside at the same address. Passengers who did not exceeded the duty-free allowance are not required to complete the form.

Another debarkation day change concerns the tags that determine when and where guests and their luggage will be reunited in the cruise ship terminal. According to the E-mail, on the day prior to debarkation, new numbered Zone luggage tags are offered in a designated area onboard that will be mentioned during Cruise Director’s Debarkation Talk and listed in Carnival's Debarkation Flyer. This will not apply to guests who choose self-assist debarkation.

Passengers may pick up luggage tags according to desired debarkation time (which is subject to availability). Each of the tags has to be filled out and attached to each piece of luggage. Passengers are encouraged not to disembark until their zone has been called, because their luggage will not be available for pick-up.

Other debarkation info includes the following:

Because guests who use the luggage tag system have to leave luggage outside their stateroom the night before, the cruise line suggests they make sure to keep a carry-on bag with any medications, clothing, and personal items they might be needed before being reunited with luggage in the cruise terminal. Luggage has to be placed in the hallway for collection from 10:00 p.m. until midnight on the final night of the cruise.

The luggage tags used during boarding process should be removed, leaving just the numbered zone tag, in order to avoid confusion.

Passengers who had things confiscated while boarding or at some point during the trip can reclaim the items starting at 6:30 a.m. on the debarkation morning in the designated lounge. 

Each passenger has to present a Sign & Sail card upon disembarking. Via scanning the cards, ship's security team can say when the entire vessel has been cleared of travelers.