Heading home
How luggage works on the last night, your options for getting off the ship, clearing customs, and booking a flight you won't miss.
The last night
Two ways to get your bags off
On the last day, you'll get disembarkation instructions in your stateroom and in the app. The big decision is what to do with your luggage.
Carry your own bags off
Called self-assist or express departure. You keep your luggage with you and walk off the ship whenever you're ready, starting early in the morning. It's the fastest way off.
Best for: early flights, light packers, and anyone who can manage their own suitcases down a gangway.
Put your bags out the night before
You'll get luggage tags with a group number. Tag your suitcases and leave them in the hallway outside your stateroom the night before, by the time on your instructions. You'll pick them up in the terminal after you walk off.
Best for: families, heavy bags, and anyone not in a rush.
Pack a night-before bag. If you put your luggage out, you won't see it again until the terminal. Keep a small bag with you for passports and documents, medications, phone chargers, toiletries, and the clothes you'll wear in the morning. Don't pack the outfit you'll travel home in.
Before bed
Last-night checklist
Disembarkation morning
Getting off the ship
- Early morning
Breakfast and clear your stateroom
Breakfast is served early on the last morning. Your stateroom needs to be cleared by the time on your instructions, so plan to eat and then wait in a lounge or public area.
- Your group is called
Walk off with your SeaPass card
Self-assist guests can go anytime once disembarkation starts. Everyone else waits until their luggage group is called. Scan your SeaPass card one last time on the way out.
- In the terminal
Pick up your bags
If you put your bags out, find the area for your group number and grab your luggage.
- Customs
Clear customs
Have your passport or ID ready. At many US ports, it's a quick photo check. Declare anything you bought abroad, and you're on your way.
Booking your flight home: don't book anything too early. We recommend flights no earlier than about noon, so a slow customs line or a late ship doesn't cost you your flight.
Loved it?
Booking your next cruise onboard
Royal Caribbean's NextCruise team is onboard every sailing, with special offers for booking your next cruise before you leave the ship.
Tell them you want to use your travel agent. When you book with NextCruise, let them know your travel agent is Birdie Escapes. Your booking can be transferred to us as long as the cruise you're on wasn't booked by another travel agent. Then we take it from there, just like any other trip we plan for you.
Last-day mistakes to avoid
- Packing your passport, medications, or tomorrow's clothes in the suitcase you put out.
- Booking a morning flight that leaves no room for delays.
- Forgetting the stateroom safe.
- Leaving the ship before downloading the photos from your photo package.
- Leaving onboard credit unspent.
- Not checking your final bill before you leave the ship.
Times and procedures vary by ship and port. Your instructions on the last day have the details for your sailing.
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