We frogs don't typically like to talk about the last day of your Disney Cruise because that's just sad! Sigh. Disembarkation day on Disney Cruise Line can be bittersweet — after days of magical experiences, it’s officially time to say goodbye. However, knowing what to expect during the debarkation process can help make your departure smooth and stress-free. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about disembarkation on Disney Cruise Line, including when and how to leave the ship, breakfast options, luggage handling, customs procedures and tips to make the transition as seamless as possible.
How to Prepare for the Disney Cruise Line Disembarkation Process
The last day of your Disney Cruise will be a busy one! After all, you've got a lot to do to squeeze in as much Disney fun before your trip ends. Here’s how to prepare for debarkation the night (or two) before:
Pack and Attach DCL Debarkation Luggage Tags
On one of your last evenings onboard, your stateroom attendant will leave color-coded luggage tags in your stateroom. These tags help identify your luggage for pickup after you leave the ship. You’ll receive tags based on your disembarkation time, and they will match the character and color on your debarkation schedule.
If you want to take advantage of Disney's luggage service, you’ll need to place these luggage tags on your packed bags and then leave your luggage outside your stateroom by a designated time (usually by 10 p.m.). Crew members will collect your bags and store them overnight, making them available for pickup at the cruise terminal the next morning.
If you prefer to carry your own luggage, you can opt for Express Walk-Off (more on that below).
Since you won't have access to your bags after 10 p.m., remember to pack an overnight bag with everything you'll need that last evening and final morning such as:
- Your Key to the Word card, MagicBand+/DisneyBand+
- Travel documentation, government-issued ID
- Wallet, credit cards and cash
- Phone, charger, electronics
- Medications
- Pajamas
- Clothes, undergarments and shoes
- Toiletries
- Baby care items
Adjust and Finalize Your Disney Cruise Gratuities
Disney Cruise Line has automatic gratuities, but if you want to add extra, you toadally can! You’ll receive a form and envelopes in your room detailing how much has been tipped to your server, assistant server, head server and stateroom host. You can add extra cash in the envelopes provided or visit Guest Services to adjust the amounts. Hop over to our Disney Cruise Line Gratuities post for more info.
Settle Your Onboard Account
Disney Cruise Line makes sure you settle any outstanding charges before disembarkation. Disney Cruise Line will automatically charge your folio balance to the credit card that you have on file in your Disney Cruise account. You can provide an alternate credit card number at the port terminal or at Guest Services on embarkation day.
Purchase Your Photo Package
If you’ve had professional photos taken during your cruise, now’s the time to review your photos and buy a photo package. Visit Shutters onboard to purchase a PhotoBook Keepsake or a digital photo package. Once the cruise ends, you’ll lose access to these, so don’t miss your chance to take your memories home. Shutters is typically open on debarkation morning, but it's better to take care of this the night before. The other merchandise locations will be closed.
Check Lost and Found
Misplaced or lost something during your cruise? Be sure to check the Lost and Found before disembarking. Stop by Guest Services to see if they’ve recovered any missing items.
Complete the Disembarkation Questionnaire
Make sure to complete your Disembarkation Questionnaire before leaving the ship. This questionnaire is not mandatory, but it is important! The feedback you give provides Disney Cruise Line with information on its quality of service and plays a big part in how your service crew is rated/evaluated. If you received excellent service or if an individual crew member made an experience extra magical, be sure to share that.
Return Any Oceaneer Bands
If you're not keeping your tadpole's Oceaneer Bands, visit Disney's Oceaneer Club or Oceaneer Lab to return the band before 12 a.m. If you decide to keep the band as a souvenir, a charge of around $13 (prices subject to change) will be added to your onboard account. Visit this post to learn more about the Disney Cruise Kids Clubs.
Debarkation Morning
Debarkation day is well-coordinated, but there are a few key steps to follow. You can find debarkation information listed in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, on the DCL information channel on the stateroom TVs and they are also announced over the ship's PA system on debarkation morning.
Breakfast Options for Debarkation
Your rotational dining continues, even on the last morning. Yahoo! Breakfast is served in the same restaurant where you dined the night before, at a set time based on your assigned seating. Early seating is usually around 6:45 a.m., and late seating is around 8 a.m. You can find your breakfast location and time listed in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.
If you prefer something quicker or you've opted for the Express Walk-Off option, you can visit the ship's buffet. Cabanas or Marceline Market on the Disney Wish typically opens around 6:30 a.m. The breakfast fare is a little lighter than the other days but still includes a nice spread of bacon, eggs, cereal, fruit, parties and oatmeal as well as milk, juice, soft drinks and coffee. In addition, Cove Cafe will be open for specialty coffee orders on debarkation morning.
Room Service is available for concierge-level guests. If you're not concierge-level but would like to eat a small breakfast in your room before leaving the ship or just want a few snacks for the tadpoles, then be sure to place a room service order before midnight on the last evening. You can store items such as cereal, milk, juice and pastries in your stateroom refrigerator.
Express Walk-Off Option
If you’re eager to leave the ship quickly or have an early flight, the Express Walk-Off option allows you to carry all your luggage off the ship without waiting for assigned times. Guests opting for this can typically disembark as soon as customs clearance is given, which is usually around 7:30 a.m.
For this option, you'll need to be able to handle all your bags without assistance since crew members won’t be available to help with luggage. We've got the full scoop in our Disney Cruise express walk-off post.
Standard Disney Cruise Line Debarkation
For the standard Disney Cruise disembarkation, the crew will notify you when it’s time to disembark based on your luggage tag color/character. Monitors throughout the ship display which groups have been called and they also announce groups over the PA system.
While waiting for your group to be called, you can finish breakfast in the dining room, use the restroom, relax in the public areas or go take in one last view of the deck and ocean. Once your group is called, you’ll make your way off the ship (you'll need to have your Key to the Word card ready), following signs and directions from crew members.
Disney Cruise Line Disembarkation — Once You're Off the Ship
Your next stop is the luggage pickup area. They sort all luggage by the color-coded character tags. Locate the character and color that match your tag, and you’ll find your bags in that section.
Luggage carts and porters are available if you need assistance, especially if you have a lot of bags or heavy items. Be sure to double-check that you’ve retrieved all your bags before proceeding to the exit.
Customs and Border Protection
Once you've got your luggage, you’ll go through customs at the cruise terminal. Make sure you have all your necessary travel documents ready, including passports or birth certificates, government-issued ID and any customs forms needed. Customs officers will ask standard questions, and you may need to declare any purchases or items you’re bringing back.
The process is generally quick, but it’s a good idea to review specific customs regulations so you will be informed and know what to expect.
Transportation Options
It's so sad, but the real world calls — it’s time to head to your next destination. There are a few transportation options available, depending on your plans:
- If you’ve pre-booked Disney’s Ground Transportation, they will direct you to the appropriate bus area outside the terminal.
- Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are available at the port. Each port will have designated pick-up areas, and you can use the apps just like you would anywhere else.
- If you’ve arranged for a private car or shuttle service, check your pick-up instructions and location ahead of time.
Disney Cruise Disembarkation Tips
As a quick overview, here are a few tips to make the debarkation process as easy as possible:
- Pack an overnight bag with essentials for debarkation, since your checked luggage won’t be accessible until you're off the ship.
- All guests must be off the ship at around 9 a.m. Disney Cruise Line has the process down to a science, so there's no need to panic, just be mindful of your time. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, soak in your last few moments on board and wait for the crew to call your group.
- Before leaving your stateroom for the last time, do a final sweep to ensure you haven’t frogotten anything. Check your in-room safety box, closets, drawers and under the bed for any stray items. Oh, and the bathroom too! Tad forgot his retainer after brushing his teeth and we didn't realize it until we got home!
- If you decorated your stateroom door, be sure to take your stateroom door decorations down.
- Customs is usually a smooth process, but have your travel documents ready to go to keep the line moving swiftly.
- If you’re flying home, give yourself plenty of time between debarkation and your flight. While Disney typically begins disembarking around 7:30 a.m., the process can take time, and factors such as customs or luggage retrieval could cause delays. Aim for flights in the late morning or afternoon to allow for a stress-free departure.
Debarkation day on a Disney Cruise may mark the end of your vacation, but with a little preparation and understanding of the process, it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. For now, it's not goodbye, but "sea" ya real soon!
Related: Disney Cruise Express Walk-Off
Keep hopping!
