Thread: Self-Disembarkation from Carnival Splendor - YUCK!

We just got back from a wonderful cruise on Splendor - full review to follow - nearly spoiled by debarkation.

As we had an early flight, we elected to self-debark. UGH!!! In order to get a down elevator from deck 8, we had to take an up elevator and stay on. Things were a sardine can on deck 3, which is where we had to go.

Two women - please note I did NOT say ladies - were a royal PIA. I also hope they read this. They were in the back of our elevator and had more luggage than anyone. When we reached the bottom they pushed and pushed until they somehow managed to get off the elevator. They then kept pushing forward through the crowd, once running over my wife's foot with a suitcase. As other elevators came down they insisted that the people there, now in front of them because of the elevator position, get to the back and wait "like we had to". Everybody wished them a flat tire, a dead battery, or both as they were eventually let through to get rid of them. Avoid self-disembarkation like the plague if you possibly can!

More to follow in generally great review.

Dan

Thanks Dan!

There always seem to be folks who can't go with the flow....that's too bad.

Here is the link to Dan's review --> Carnival Splendor mostly splendid - Nov 8-15, 2009 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise

I hope you write to Carnival and let them know that there were some out-of-control passengers during disembarkation. We have never done self-d as we haven't had a flight to catch (either leaving from San Pedro which is an hour's drive home for us...so we don't bother to get off until our color is called or we have a post-cruise stay booked and we'll wait then too). Maybe there should have been a crew member assigned to the process to make sure no one was taking advantage (trying to do self-e with too much luggage) and generally keeping order.

I think TAs should do a better job about advising clients not to book an early flight out of LAX. I understand the cruiselines recommend flights no earlier than 1pm. And that's for a good reason: even on weekends, our infamous San Diego freeway that gets you to the airport could have a traffic jam, as well as the security lines at the airport itself.

I wrote a letter to Princess after our Alaskan cruise because of the disorganized embarkation. I knew that wasn't Princess's fault, but the Port of Seattle, as the chaos happened outside the ship (a mob scene in the rain to get land transportation) and I told them that and that we had an excellent cruise. I had suggested they pass on a suggestion to institute a number priority system, like in bakery shops. As you leave the baggage area, you're asked if you need a taxi. If so, you get a number, and then you can stand in the line and know there won't be cutsies. Don't know if this idea was passed on, but I did get a nice reply from Princess.

Oh, Dan, that sounds like it was a horror!

Hope the other parts of the cruise were much better!

What are the situations in which self-disembarkation becomes advantageous? I am interested to hear more about this process.

I am sorry to hear about a bad end to an otherwise seemingly enjoyable cruise. Thanks for writing in , Dan.

Originally Posted by timwilloughby

What are the situations in which self-disembarkation becomes advantageous? I am interested to hear more about this process.

I am sorry to hear about a bad end to an otherwise seemingly enjoyable cruise. Thanks for writing in , Dan.

The only choice I had for a decent flight connection home left LAX at 12:05. This made 'normal' disembarkation impossible for me. The next possibility did leave later in the day, but had two stops and arrived in Milwaukee at 10:00 AM on Monday. I was actually given this choice by the airline with a straight face!

I had made airline reservations months in advance and had things changed twice on me, with the final change giving me a flight leaving at 9:45 or the above mentioned nightmare. I was fortunate that Southwest began flights into Milwaukee just a week before the cruise. I was able to get tickets three weeks ahead with them after cancelling - and getting refunds for - my original flights.

I guess you made the flight with plenty of time to spare Dan ?
Anybody know what are the typical percentage of passengers who take self disembarkation ?

While I don't usually go on Carnival, I always self disembark. I love it. Usually I am in Bayonne and live and hour 15 minutes away and am a very early riser so we generally go down to the promenade with our luggage at 6:30 and get breakfast. This way our room is empty and the cabin steward can get a jump on his duties. We have a nice leisurely breakfast and when we clear customs we get the elevator and just walk out. We're gone before the crowds trying to get out of the cruise port. I usually have to get back in time for the kennel to get my dog as they close early and it just works for me. The only time it was total chaos was when we were 5 hours late back home and most of the ship had international flights that they were probably missing so they were all trying to self disembark at the same time.