self-assist deboarding?

[runawayparent]

We've cruised on Carnival and RC before, but not NCL. Does NCL have a self-assist deboarding like the other 2 where you can not check your luggage at night and get off first?

[bmh]

Sure they do,

However it depends on where you dock and possibly your nationality. We are Canadians and do not qualify for express de-embarkation at a U.S. port.

[Richard & Mary]

I have cruised many times on NCL. If you are American, (USA Citizenship) and have proper credentials (USA Passport), and you can carry off all of your own bags, shopping bags, etc. 100% ...then NCL will offer an express disembarkation for these passengers. You can just walk off the ship on the first call. Of course these rules apply for ports in the USA. Otherwise if NCL picks up your bags outside the stateroom at night you will be issued a colored disembarkation tag for leaving the ship. The colors are usually determined (on NCL) by the time of your scheduled flight out of the airport. NCL will have this information already, and your cabin steward will deliver the colored tags to you prior to leaving the ship and leaving your luggage outside of the stateroom. Once the luggage is collected during the night, then removed from the ship, the luggage is placed in color categories in specific areas inside the port terminal for pickup.

You will be asked to stay either in your staterooms and listen to the NCL channel on your TV set for "color tag" calls, or will be asked to report to a public area. If your a VIP status, you will be given GOLD VIP tags, and will be escorted off the ship at a special time for all VIP Guests. This is usually done by the concierge. If you're in the Garden Villa's the concierge will escort you personally off the ship at YOUR desired time request and you will be fully escorted to your luggage (VIP area) by a port terminal employee. All passengers need to be off the ship by 10:30 AM.

[LHT28]

I am pretty sure we took our own bags off in Houston.
We are not positive though
Most ships Canadians & other non -U.S. citizen report to the lounge to clear immigration before they clear the ship

[Berick1234]

If you are American, you can get off the ship almost as soon as it's cleared...we've been off by 7:30 in Miami.....you do have to take your own luggage with no help from the ship's crew...Have a great cruise....

Bob E

[LHT28]

Originally posted by Berick1234:
If you are American, you can get off the ship almost as soon as it's cleared...
Bob E

I am confused by your comment
Any cruise I have been on they do NOT let anyone off until the ship is cleared.
Once cleared then is does not matter what your citizenship is.
All are allowed off

[bmh]

It depends on where the US customs are located. In LA they could have a face to face meeting with all non US on board ship, however in Miami the customs officers interview you off the ship in the terminal building. Naturally the ship itself is cleared prior to any of this.

[LHT28]

Originally posted by bmh:
It depends on where the US customs are located. In LA they could have a face to face meeting with all non US on board ship, however in Miami the customs officers interview you off the ship in the terminal building. Naturally the ship itself is cleared prior to any of this.

In SFO, LA & Miami we were interviewed on the ship we are Canadians

[Kraftsinc]

This past March my husband and I did the self disembark in Miami and we just went through customs in the terminal building. They had different lines for different situation and it was very smooth. We are Canadian and had to just present our passports. No problem.
Judy

[Berick1234]

I will be using the Express Deboarding in Miami...Our plane leaves at noon and have to be at the airport by 10...so Express is the only way to go for us....usually off and on the bus to the airport by 8:00.....

Bob E