Ahoy there, Linda! Thanks so much for sailing on over to planDisney--and all the way from Bavaria, too! I am so excited that you'll be taking a journey beyond the reef with
Disney Cruise Line, and I am happy to help with your question to explain how the debarkation day process works.
You are going to have an amazing time being among the first Guests to sail on the
Disney Treasure. This eagerly-awaited addition to the fleet will begin its journey starting this December. I assure you that it will be a vacation to remember!
On the day you depart the ship, it will be an early morning. Guests are usually asked to vacate their staterooms by 8:00 AM so the crew can start turning the ship over for a new group of eager cruisers. If you choose, you can enjoy breakfast in one of the onboard restaurants. There is a limited selection at the buffet, or you can opt for a sit-down meal--the location for this will be assigned to you based on your dining rotation. I do like to have a good breakfast and some coffee on departure day as there is usually a long travel day ahead to get back home!
Linda, you can choose to place your luggage outside of your stateroom door the night before you disembark. The crew will collect it and transport it off the ship to the cruise terminal, where you can retrieve it. This process can add a little time as you need to wait for confirmation that you can get your bags before you leave the ship. I usually choose the Express Walk-Off process, where you take your bags with you to breakfast and exit the ship more quickly following your meal. Guests typically start disembarking around 8:00 AM.
Once you are off the ship, you can pick up your luggage if the crew handled it and then you will clear customs. From there, you will board
ground transportation to your next destination--for most Guests, this is the Orlando International Airport.
One last tip before you leave the ship--you can book a
cruise placeholder for another voyage with Disney Cruise Line. After our first sailing, I was completely hooked and now I make sure to take advantage of this each time we travel with DCL. You'll receive a 10% discount on a cruise within 24 months, as well as a reduced deposit for cruises of 7 nights or longer.
I hope this information is helpful, Linda, and that you have an amazing vacation full of sunshine and
treasured memories. If our planDisney crew can help with any other questions, please come back and see us anytime.
Bon Voyage!
Susan