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Author: Marilyn King

Article source: http://www.articlealley.com/. Used with author's permission.

Debarkation Day What to Expect
by
Marilyn King
Copyright (c) January 2004

All cruises come to an end eventually... It hardly seems
fair you have to leave your ship when it feels like your
vacation just began. Days on a cruise fly by!

Debarkation process actually begins the day before you
arrive at your ship's homeport. That day your cabin steward
delivers special luggage tags to your stateroom, along with
Customs forms and instructions.

Be organized avoid lastminute anxiety. First, you have
to pack for home. Be sure you set aside clothing to wear the
next morning when you leave the ship. Put your passport or
other proof of citizenship, airline tickets, and medications
into your hand luggage!

After packing, remove all old tags from your suitcases,
except for personal identification. Then attach the new
debarkation tags (they are color or numbercoded according
to flight schedules). Follow provided instructions and place
luggage outside your stateroom door for pick up.

On debarkation morning your statement itemizing onboard
charges is delivered before you rise. Check it over for
accuracy. Take care of any discrepancies in your onboard
account before leaving the ship usually at the Purser's
Desk. Finish packing your personal belongings, and leave
your stateroom by the appointed hour.

Room service is not available on most ships however,
breakfast is served in the main restaurant as well as the
buffet. After breakfast, there isn't much to do so, wait
comfortably in a lounge or on deck for your tag color or
number to be called.

Be patient it takes a long time to unload and sort
thousands of pieces of luggage. Debarkation procedures can
sometimes be drawn out by passengers who are unprepared.
This is no time to abandon your patience or sense of humor.

Passengers disembark by groups according to the colorcoded
tags placed on luggage the night before. Those with the
earliest flights get off first. If you have a tight
connection, notify the Purser before your last day he or
she may be able to arrange faster preclearing and
debarkation for you.

All passengers must meet with Customs and Immigration
officials before debarkation either on the ship or in the
terminal. Each individual or family must complete a customs
declaration, regardless of whether anything was purchased
abroad.

Sample Customs Declaration Form U.S. Customs and Border
Protection Declaration Form 6059B Instructions can be
viewed at
( www.flighttoquality.com/ARCHIVES/1PssssstJan2004.html )

Each individual arriving into the United States must
complete the CBP Declaration Form 6059B. If you are
traveling with other immediate family members, complete one
form per family unit. Please contact your nearest port of
entry to order the form.

Be prepared to pay whatever duties are owed directly to the
customs inspector, with cash or check. Then Customs forms
are collected and passports/identification papers examined.

Once in the terminal, luggage is sorted by color or number.
Locate yours and, if desired, flag down a porter for
assistance. Then, either proceed to your motorcoach, taxi,
or retrieve your vehicle from the parking lot. Relaxed and
happy...after a great time at sea your cruise is
complete!

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Marilyn King has been a travel professional since 1988. Her
"Flight To Quality" has provided quality travel arrangements
for individuals, corporations and groups: Europe, South
America and the Caribbean. In 2003, Marilyn completed the
Ireland Specialist Programme and is now an official member
of The Shamrock Club/Tourism Ireland. Learn more -
( http://www.FlightToQuality.com ). Subscribe to your "Free
for Life" newsletter - "Psssss.....t!" Receive your Free
eGift - ( http://www.FlightToQuality.com ).


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