Arriving in Rome 4:00 a.m.

Golden1 · #1 (**permalink**) March 12th, 2012, 09:40 PM

I was checking out a cruise to Greec on Princess and it ends in Rome at 4:00 a.m. I thought I read somewhere on this site that they do not let you get off the ship until much later. However, the Princess customer service rep said they do indeed start letting people off the ship around 5:00 a.m. Has anyone taken a mediteranean tour which ended at this time? When they begin letting people off the ship and how late can you stay on the ship?

aerospace · #2 (**permalink**) March 12th, 2012, 10:23 PM

You generally have 2 hours to disembark after arrival though on my last trip we arrived at 7 and I was supposed to meet in a lounge at 9:45 to get off with my group. If your wanting to get off early I would call back and make sure you get the same answer I've never heard of them letting people off that early even if the ship arrives then.

kandajones · #3 (**permalink**) March 13th, 2012, 04:29 AM

A lot of the lines will sometimes allow own Nationals to debark early over here as long as you can carry all of your luggage by yourself and in one go. You are not allowed into the luggage sheds to collect any other items.

However whether this is possible for foreign nationals or not, I wouldn't question as the passport controls will not be open until the ship has been cleared by immigration.

I would definitely not gamble on being able to make an early flight based on an early debark, as it only takes a slight delay in docking or a change of rule by the ship, the line, or the port authority to ruin your plans.

Alan.

Golden1 · #4 (**permalink**) March 13th, 2012, 09:38 PM

I ask not because I want to try to get an early flight. I am asking because I want to book a flight in which I have enough time to get to the airport. On the other hand, I do not want to be sitting around the airport for 6 or 7 hours. There is a big difference between getting off the ship at 5:00 a.m. rather than 10:00 a.m. So, when it says the ship arrives at 4:00 a.m., what is the average time that you will be off the ship?

green_rd · #5 (**permalink**) March 13th, 2012, 10:27 PM

Our cruise begin disembarking around 7 (I think) Customs may not want to show at at 4AM. I might be useful to see the published time of embarkation for the next cruise.

Golden1 · #6 (**permalink**) March 13th, 2012, 10:55 PM

I also thought about safety issues. How safe would it be wondering around Rome at 5:00 a.m?

Kuki · #7 (**permalink**) March 13th, 2012, 11:17 PM

I've had several European cruises, where they've let us disembark as early as 5:30 AM.

Think they do this intentionally to allow pax traveling to North America catch morning flights.