Taking MSC Cruise to France and landing in Marseille then touring France. Never having cruised before what are procedures for getting off the ship and approximately how much time will it take?
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
3888 posts
How many people on the ship, makes a big difference. Also is it a tender or port stop.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11229 posts
Depends on how many people are ahead of you and how they handle reuniting you with your baggage.
If you are trying to plan for a pre-purchased train ticket or some such, you may be embarking on a risky venture.
Have you asked the cruise line? They are the ones mostly likely to have an answer.
Posted by
Florida
43 posts
If you are MSC Yacht Club (the only way to cruise MSC!) Then you will be moved to the front of the line. Are you disembarking/ending your cruise or just going on excursion? Excursion only should take about 10 minutes to get off the ship if Yacht club, up to 30 minutes+ otherwise. Going through customs add about 5 more minutes if Yacht Club. I have no idea otherwise. Hope you enjoy your cruise!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4911 posts
If this is your first cruise, then you might want to familiarize yourself with the forums on Cruise Critic. com. Specifically, look at the MSC forum and the Ask a Question forum. Disembarkation procedures vary a bit depending on the cruise lines and ports, and also (in Europe) on whether the preceding port was Schengen and EU. It can also vary according to your cabin category.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23330 posts
Generally early in cruise you will receive a questionnaire about your plans for debarking -- catching a flight, a train, going to a hotel, etc., Then you are given a priority number for debarking. If you don't like you number, you generally can ask for a change if it is reasonable. If you are not doing carry on luggage (which we do) you put the luggage outside your cabin by midnight or so and it will be taken off the ship to a staging area port side. When it you turn to go, they call your number, you exit the ship, go to the luggage holding area, claim your luggage, and then go through immigration/customs. Our experience is that they start around 7/8 or so and most people are off the ship by 10 or so. It is a fairly orderly procedure.
Since we are never in a hurry with have carry on only, we ask for the latest departure available. That way there is no rush, can have a leisurely breakfast in the AM.