No matter how long you have been at sea, when your cruise comes to an end the final day can be quite a stressful experience. While it is a time that is often tinged with sadness and tearful goodbyes to the friends you made along the way, there are a number of things you can do to ease the transition back to land.
Check your bill
Most of the time your cruise bill will accurately reflect your purchases, but from time to time there may be mistakes, so it is worth checking in with Guest Relations nice and early as it is a much bigger hassle if you try and sort the situation out once you get back home.
Check the safe
When you are packing to leave don’t forget about any valuables that you may have stowed away. Also, if you have any medications that you store in the fridge, make sure you collect them all for packing before you leave.
Don’t forget to eat
Not all of the ship’s restaurants will necessarily be open on disembarkation day, but you will be notified of which ones are open and what times they shut. Don’t be afraid to fill up, either. You will most likely have a long trip home (assuming you don’t live close to the home port), and cooking is the last thing you will feel like doing when you walk in the door. Don’t, however, fall into the trap of trying to smuggle food off the ship. There are strict rules about taking food off a cruise ship, and this can cause headaches while you are trying to disembark.
Follow the guidelines
Each ship has its own set of rules for the final day aboard, whether it’s adding tags to your luggage or the time for each group to disembark. Make sure you pay attention and follow the rules, as this will ensure a smooth disembarkation process.
Are you a frequent cruiser? What tips do you have for getting off the ship stress-free on the final day?
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