Ahoy there, Erin! It sounds like you’re already wanting to squeeze every drop out of your upcoming Disney Cruise, so I’d be delighted to help with your quest.
I feel like I should be an expert at answering this question since I’ve made it my personal goal (on more than one occasion) to try to be the very last person on board the ship. It’s so hard to say, “See ya real soon,” after every incredible trip (even when I’ve already bought a
placeholder for a future Disney Cruise!). I also never want to be too goofy after all the incredible Cast Members have done to make my stay magical. While there isn’t a single “official” time that every Guest must disembark, the process is generally completed by about 9:30 AM to give the crew as much time as possible to turn the ship around for the next wave of Guests (and even then, I don’t know how they get it all done!).
You’ll receive new
luggage tags in your stateroom on the final evening of your trip. Simply place your checked bags outside your door before 10 PM, and then you will claim them again once you’ve walked off the ship the next morning. Disembarkation proceeds according to the Disney Character on those luggage tags. Just keep your ears open during breakfast for when your character is called so you know when to line up and wave goodbye.
Ground transfers through Disney Cruise Line are timed to coincide with this debarkation process. In my experience, buses begin departing early and continue steadily as Guests clear Customs. Transfers to the airport will be determined by your flight time and will be communicated to you through a push notification or in that stateroom letter I mentioned that you’ll receive with your luggage tags the previous evening. That notice will tell you what time you need to be off the ship and when the last bus will leave.
Typically, the final transfer to Orlando International Airport departs once the majority of Guests have disembarked, which is usually no later than mid- to late-morning; the time will vary based on the number of Guests going to the airport after sailing. If you still need to book your flights home, Disney often recommends scheduling departures no earlier than 11:30 AM to allow for travel time.
If you’d like a more relaxed start to your debarkation day, you can always enjoy a seated breakfast in the
restaurant you dined in the night before prior to making your way off the ship. Another option is the buffet to enjoy one final Mickey Waffle. However, if you do opt to keep your luggage with you (or choose express walk-off), navigating the buffet can be challenging. Regardless of what luggage arrangements you choose, always keep your
travel documents and important items (like medications) with you in your carry-on bag.
Even though debarkation day can be bittersweet, try to soak up every ounce of Disney’s signature service until you’re safely on your way home. And if you think of any other way we can assist you before you leave, Erin, I hope you’ll visit us again here at
planDisney!
Bon voyage,
Sami