Welcome back to planDisney, Sarah! How exciting that you’re looking at embarking on your very first Disney Cruise (and I promise, once you experience Disney Cruise Line, it won’t be your last!). You bring up a very good question, so I’m glad I get to be the one to help you today.
Debarkation times can vary based on the port and Customs clearance once docking. Guests are asked to vacate their staterooms by 8 AM, but that doesn’t mean you have to disembark at that point. If you’re assigned to the early dining time, you’re welcome to attend a sit-down breakfast at 6:45 AM in the dining room where you ate dinner the previous evening. All late diners will follow suit at 8 AM. Of course, you can also choose to grab a leisurely breakfast at the buffet-style restaurant on your ship as well. All that to say, the latest you can expect to be off the ship is about 9:30 AM to give the Cast Members plenty of time to prepare the ship for the next set of Guests getting ready to set sail.
And while I typically enjoy tea and croissants delivered to my room each morning, thanks to the complimentary room service onboard, that is not available on Debarkation Day. Also keep in mind that you’ll be asked to put your checked luggage outside your stateroom door before 10 PM the prior evening. Based on the character on the
luggage tag you’re given on the final night to place on your checked bags, you’ll be called to disembark accordingly.
If you prefer to keep your bags with you, that’s also an option, but the elevators get quite busy on that final morning, and it can be difficult to pull a suitcase through the dining room and lobby while other Guests are doing likewise. Instead, I prefer to keep a carry-on bag with me for my overnight clothes, toiletries, and souvenirs, and then I'll reorganize my bags before checking them for my flight at the airport.
If you enjoy sailing with Disney as much as I anticipate you will, make sure to
put a placeholder on a future cruise before you disembark. It’s a great way to save 10% off the prevailing rates of your next sailing, especially if you don’t know where or when you want to sail because you have two years to decide. I also recommend downloading the free
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app as soon as you book; it will be your best friend at sea, not to mention give you updates on everything you need to know before you go.
I can’t wait to welcome you to the
Castaway Club after your first sailing. And if you think of any more questions before your trip, I hope you’ll visit us again here at
planDisney to ask “aweigh”!
Bon voyage,
Sami