Monday, June 3, 2013

Going Home

Good morning,

Although sad to be leaving, the process of leaving a cruise isn't too terribly difficult. The night before you leave, everything except your carry on (off!), what you'll wear on leaving day, and your travel documents is packed and placed in the hall outside your cabin. 

The ship's crew take your luggage to a holding area where it will be off loaded the next morning and placed in the terminal where you will pick it up and take it through customs and immigration.
The buses are all lined up to take people on tours, or to the airport, or to other cities.  There is also an area for taxis and a huge parking garage for guests who drive to the port.
Also on the dockside are many large trucks bringing supplies for the next cruise.
That's one of two gangways up there between deck 4 of the ship and the cruise terminal.  Beyond this point, pictures aren't permitted.  The whole process is handled very quickly considering there are nearly 4,000 guests and 1,400 crew on board.  The process moves as fast as ICE agents can process everyone.

Within two hours the guests for the next cruise will be coming across that gangway in the opposite direction.

And, in real time we are on the move, too, traveling from Port Canaveral to Cincinnati.  :)  It's time to go home and see the family and the dogs.

Enjoy,
Lois
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10 comments:

  1. SherryJune 3, 2013 at 8:08 AM

    You have to be organized to handle a crowd like that! Why can't you take pictures beyond the point you noted?

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  2. Lois EvensenJune 3, 2013 at 8:24 AM

    Hi Sherry,

    It is ICE, not the cruise company that prohibits pictures of their operations.

    We are still on the road.

    All the best,

    Lois

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jan n JerJune 3, 2013 at 8:41 AM

    Two hrs is really fast for that many folks..well organized!

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  4. Pamela GordonJune 3, 2013 at 8:46 AM

    Departure seems to be very well organized. I guess I never thought about all that before as I've never been on a cruise ship. Interesting post. Safe travels to you and your husband back to Cincinatti. Blessings, Pam

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  5. MarkD60June 3, 2013 at 9:20 AM

    I look forward to seeing some Cincinnati pictures!

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  6. MontanagirlJune 3, 2013 at 10:02 AM

    Lovely cruise, but nice to get home???

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  7. TexWisGirlJune 3, 2013 at 11:09 AM

    oh, hooray for you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. angelaJune 3, 2013 at 6:38 PM

    Enjoy seeing your family and friends.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Marit JohanneJune 5, 2013 at 3:25 AM

    It sounds like a good life, Lois! To be on the sea, and to be home!
    I am sure it will be good to get home now. Good travel home!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beatrice P. BoydJune 7, 2013 at 7:33 AM

    Lois, thanks for describing and documenting the process of leaving a cruise. Sounds like it's a very orderly procedure especially considering that the ship has to be emptied and readied for the next passengers. Welcome home too!

    ReplyDelete

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